Green Mountain Power plans to replace worn-out street lights throughout its service area with energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs. The LED lights have a life span of more than 25 years, compared to the 5 to 7 years for traditional street lamp bulbs.

LEDs are traditionally used in Christmas tree lights, newer flash lights and basketball scoreboards. They use a different technology from standard incandescent bulbs.

“By reducing the amount of electricity that you use by more than half, it eliminates any environmental effects that will be needed to produce that power,” said Dotty Schnure of GMP. “Also, with the lights they’ll be replacing, mercury lights, those lights have mercury in them and have very specific disposal issues. With LED, we’ll be avoiding all the mercury disposal issues.”

GMP submitted the plan to the Vermont Public Service Board. If approved, the lights could be installed as early as March 1.

According to officials, this would be a big expense now, but could mean big savings later.

The city has already begun to test LED lights by installing 150 in Shadyside and South Side.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that the city could save millions of dollars by switching to LED lights.

The lights may be a bit more expensive, but they last longer and they’re much more energy efficient than the current lights.

Researchers studied several different options but concluded that LED offered the best bang for the buck. “An average streetlight would last about two years before you have to replace it; an LED light would last 15 years,” said Councilman Bill Peduto. “The energy costs associated with it are about 70 percent less than the regular streetlights. Put those together and you will see savings of nearly $2 million annually.”

Peduto said his goal is for Pittsburgh to become a leader in LED lighting. He hopes the city will begin installing more LED lights by the end of this year.

Forty-three municipalities, including nine in Lackawanna County, have signed up to have incandescent traffic lights replaced with LED — light-emitting diode — bulbs, which require less energy to illuminate and don’t have to be changed as often, said Kurt Bauman, manager of the alliance’s energy assistance program.

“Incandescent bulbs go out more frequently,” he said. “LED bulbs are guaranteed for five years and expected to last 10 years.”

Throop is the latest municipality in the county to approve the switch. It has 17 traffic signals at two intersections — a total of 51 bulbs to be replaced.

Replacement work costs about $3,500 per intersection — 25 to 30 bulbs — including the price of the bulbs and installation, Mr. Bauman said.

Brightness is the most noticeable difference between LED and incandescent bulbs, Mr. Bauman said.

Drivers may also notice a small ring within the light itself, he said.

“They’re somewhat distinguishable,” he said.

LEDs got a trial run in Clarks Summit earlier this year. Mr. Bauman’s organization partially funded the purchase and installation of the lights at four intersections.

“We know that converting incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs offers energy savings,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure that the funding we provided the municipalities would be an incentive.”

A post-project energy audit estimated the town will save $3,600 this year.

The organization has applied for grant money to assist municipalities with the cost of replacing the lights. It would need about $1 million to fully finance projects in all interested municipalities. If necessary, municipalities have to sign a letter agreeing to pay matching funds toward the project.

Garden Grove is testing four 250-watt LED street lights on Civic Center Drive at Acacia Parkway, said Senior Analyst Chau Vu. Whether the city will switch over to LED will depend on how this testing goes, she said.

“In the next six months to one year, we’ll look at how much wattage these lights use up,” she said. “If it does what they say it can do, then it’s definitely worth it for the city. These lights can save a lot in terms of energy and money.”

LED lights are also easy to maintain because they last longer, Vu said. The downside is that they cost significantly more. While a regular street light costs $300 a fixture, LED lights cost about $2,000 a fixture.

LED lights are constructed with 100 percent recycled aluminum, contain no mercury or lead and do not require hazardous waste disposal handling. The city of Los Angeles is testing 100-watt LED lights.

Garden Grove was one of the first cities in the state to install LED lights on traffic signals. These test lights are manufactured by a company called Leotek and were donated to the city by South Coast Lighting.

So, if the tests prove successful, the city should do their best to change all street lights to LED.