Ellwood City given $250,000 grant for street lights Thursday, February 18, 2010 Jon-Paul Wimer, senior journalist 8:17 AM - Environmental Secretary John Hanger today pointed to a Lawrence County manufacturing plant that, through the help of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, is boosting the local economy by putting people to work producing energy-saving light fixtures while reducing costs. Hanger was in Ellwood City today for a conference and tour of Appalachian Lighting Systems, Inc., who specializes in developing and manufacturing high-powered, ultra energy-efficient, light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixtures. The Borough of Ellwood City received a $250,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Conservation Works grant to purchase 250 LED streetlights to replace existing, inefficient mercury vapor lights throughout the borough.  The new streetlights will reduce the borough’s electric use by 181,500 kilowatt hours per year, saving taxpayers $19,783 a year on energy costs.  “The ARRA signed by President Obama one year ago is creating opportunities in every corner of Pennsylvania in communities just like Ellwood City,” said Hanger.  “The Ellwood City project is especially exciting because the new LED streetlights that the borough will install will be produced at the local Appalachian Lighting Systems.”  According to Hanger, these new LED lights are part of technology for the future – they are absolutely clean and a low cost light source.  Also in attendance was the President and CEO of Appalachian Lighting Systems Dave McAnally, and he spent much time elaborating on the efficiency of these new LED lights.  “These lights can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, and can cut electricity costs 80 to 90 percent,” said McAnally.  “They come without any maintenance – just put them in, turn them on, and let them go.” Appalachian Lighting Systems has already begun installing this new technology at the Pittsburgh Airport parking garage, Community College of Alleghany County. A while back, Borough Manager Dom Viccari began talking with James Wassel, Founder and Chief Science Officer from Appalachian, about the possibilities of these lights in Ellwood City.  Eventually, they put a prototype LED streetlight on the corner of Factory Avenue and 12th Street, Ellwood City.  While checking the status of the new light, the electric company thought an error had occurred on the reading, when instead, the kilowatts were so low, nothing was showing up on the reading.  “I’m here to celebrate,” said Hanger while speaking with numerous in attendance, including State Representative Jaret Gibbons, management team of Appalachian, Mayor Court, and many other State officials.  “This technology now being incorporated in Ellwood will save the tax payers money, create more jobs, and improve the public health and energy of the borough, state, and country.”  Appalachian Lighting Systems currently has 10 employees, and this project will create or retain four jobs. “Creating jobs is precisely what the Recovery Act was intended to do,” said Hanger.  “To date, more than $5.7 billion of this funding has been infused into Pennsylvania’s economy and more than 4,200 jobs have been created or saved.  Lawrence County, alone, has received more than $42 million.”