Philadelphia Inquirer, February 2024
Philadelphia has embarked on its largest energy conservation initiative to date, aiming to replace all old streetlights with new LED ones. Since August, city crews have been methodically swapping out high-pressure sodium lights for LEDs, a move expected to significantly reduce energy costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions—equivalent to taking more than 2,000 cars off the road a year. While research suggests benefits such as reduced crime and enhanced traffic safety, concerns arise over the brighter, bluer light potentially being a nuisance, health hazard, or contributor to light pollution.
The Inquirer consulted with experts across fields to delve into the pros and cons of LED street lighting.
