Ameren Illinois Working With Cities of Mattoon, Charleston to Increase Visibility with LED Streetlights

For Immediate Release

MATTOON (AUGUST 10, 2020) – Ameren Illinois is partnering with the Cities of Mattoon and Charleston to upgrade neighborhood streetlights with more energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) streetlights.

Ameren Illinois is replacing 150 streetlights in both communities with existing sodium vapor, mercury vapor and metal halide streetlights to LEDs to help each city save energy. Replacement starts Aug. 11 in Mattoon and should start in Charleston, Aug. 17. Ameren Illinois has contracted with a vendor, Pro Electric, to perform this replacement with the help of local trained electrical workers.

“Energy efficiency benefits everyone by reducing the amount of energy that is produced and expended,” said David Walters, director of Division Operations, Ameren Illinois. “The new LED streetlights will provide the cities of Mattoon and Charleston with public safety, environmental and financial benefits for many years.”

LED streetlight benefits include:

Saves money with enhanced reliability and 3x longer life expectancy
Uses 55-65% less energy than the older technology
Reduces maintenance and operational costs
Protects the environment by decreasing energy generation and cutting carbon emissions
Improves nighttime visibility
Produces a cool white light similar to moonlight

The before and after photo is an example of how LED streetlights brighten a street. Submitted photo: Ameren Illinois

Ameren Illinois will be replacing streetlights throughout its service territory. By the end of this year, Ameren Illinois will have replaced 50,000 streetlights throughout central and southern Illinois.