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Security at a Savings Thanks to Co-op |
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The school district in Naturita recently completed a multiple-year parking lot project at their administration building with the help of San Miguel Power Association, Inc., its local electric cooperative. With the help of the co-op, the school district was able to purchase and install two state of the art LED security lights in its bus parking lot. SMPA also equipped one of the new light poles with a meter and plug-in. In total, SMPA donated $2,400 in labor and materials to the project.
According to Ernie Williams, the district’s bus mechanic, the parking lot project started a few years ago when the district began expanding the lot to the east. As money became available, the district continued to add onto the lot until it could accommodate six large buses and five administration vehicles. However, with the expansion came safety issues. A security light that once sat on the eastern edge of the lot, now sits dead center. Part of SMPA’s contribution was removing the old pole and setting in two new poles on each side of the lot.
“With our buses backing in around that pole, it was an accident waiting to happen,” explained Williams. “We just laid gravel in our added parking space, and the new lights are the final step to making our bus lot safer.”
Previously lit by one 100-watt high pressure sodium lamp, the bus lot will now boast two new 40-watt LED security lights on the north and south edges. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are made of a solid, semi-conductive material called a diode that, when energized, gives off light. Although, LED security lights are just now hitting the mainstream market, replacing the sodium high pressure lamps was relatively painless. Little retrofitting was needed to accommodate the LED bulbs. It was as simple as unscrewing the old bulbs and screwing in the new ones.
For West End Schools Superintendent Stephen Yost, the newly positioned and upgraded security lights are a major boon for the school district. Drivers will no longer need to maneuver their buses around a pole, and they will have the convenience of plugging in their vehicles to the new outlet. The district anticipates these changes will save in more ways than electricity costs.
Together, the two new LED lights will use 20 percent less electricity than their high pressure sodium predecessor. The new lights are Clearlight 40W LED Luminaires from Evluma of Seattle, Washington. Each light contains 16 white diodes in a weather tight compartment. The lights are durable, shatterproof and are estimated to have a life of 70,000 hours.
The newly added plug-in will allow the district to plug-in all its buses during the winter months. Diesel buses are equipped with an internal heater powered by electricity. The heater keeps the vehicle’s oil temperature up, ensuring the engine will start and warm up quickly each morning. That means a shorter idling time and less fuel waste for the district.
“It’s a tough economic time for everyone right now and we couldn’t have asked for more from San Miguel Power,” said Yost. “We are very grateful for its donation."
San Miguel Power Association, Inc. is a member owned, locally controlled rural electric cooperative with offices in Nucla and Ridgway, CO. It is the mission of San Miguel Power Association, Inc. to demonstrate corporate responsibility and community service while providing safe, reliable, cost effective and environmentally responsible electrical service. SMPA serves approximately 9,600 members and 13,000 meters and supports local communities with $200,000 annually in property taxes.
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