WHITE PLAINS, NY - During Monday’s Board of Legislators meeting, Westchester County took steps to reduce energy costs by installing energy efficient LED lighting at several County facilities. The $1.6 million bond act was passed unanimously and will pay for the new lighting at several County facilities in White Plains. Those facilities include the Michaelian Office Building, Low-Rise Building, Richard J. Daronco Courthouse and Annex, White Plains parking structure, 85 Court Street, 143 Grand Street and 112 East Post Road. It is estimated that lighting costs will be reduced by 35% at these facilities.

Legislator Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining, Majority Leader), who added a capital budget project to install LED lighting at all of the County facilities for the past two budget years stated, “This is certainly a victory for County taxpayers now that this administration has finally seen enough proof in other municipalities that switching to LED lighting saves money and has significant long-term environmental benefits. This was something that many of us have been fighting for over the last few years and will continue to push for these changes as the County begins next year’s budget process. The County’s finances are at a point where every dollar we can save is important. We can only hope that the success and savings realized through this conversation will serve as a model to do this on a wider scale soon and save even more for taxpayers.”

“Westchester County’s financial challenges can be made much more manageable by exploring energy efficiencies, like converting to LED lighting, on a larger scale than this administration has done in the past,” stated Legislator Catherine Parker (D-Rye, Chair of Energy & Regional Efficiencies Committee). “Finding these efficiencies is one of the main charges of my Committee and I look forward to identifying more of these opportunities in hopes that we can save the taxpayers money as a result,” she concluded.

Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson, Chair of Infrastructure Committee) added, “We have seen these new lights in many municipalities and they have saved significant sums of money. LED lights are also known to shine brighter and last longer, which, when used in parking garages or other typically dim facilities, can serve as a security benefit to anyone walking alone in one of these places. I’m hopeful that we can continue replacing more of the County’s lighting.”