Raleigh gets energy-saving street lights

RALEIGH, N.C. — When does it take a mayor and a CEO to change a light bulb? When the change is an energy-efficient first for Raleigh.

Mayor Charles Meeker and Progress Energy Carolinas CEO Lloyd Yates helped install one of nine LED street lights Tuesday in front of Progress Energy’s corporate headquarters on Davie Street in downtown Raleigh.

The lights form a test case for Progress Energy, the city of Raleigh and industry partners to see how LED street lights work in typical outdoor conditions.

“These new street lights will help to make our future a little brighter,” said Yates. “LED streetlights are an example of the kind of innovation that will be needed to help us achieve greater energy efficiency for our Carolinas customers now and in the years ahead.”