November 4, 2010 Update: DTE Energy is working today and tomorrow to re-energize 46 streetlights that were de-energized in June as part of the technical pilot. City Council voted at its October 4, 2010 meeting to suspend the streetlight de-energizing program and re-energize streetlights in the pilot area.

CITY OF ANN ARBOR’s FY 2011 APPROVED BUDGET INCLUDES DE-ENERGIZING APPROXIMATELY 17% OF STREETLIGHTS
City authorizes DTE Energy to conduct Technical Pilot in June.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – June 18, 2010 – To help address the statewide funding crises, Ann Arbor’s adopted budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins on July 1, 2010, includes plans to de-energize approximately 1,250 streetlights throughout the city. This action will allow the city to save $120,000 annually in energy costs, which are supported by the General Fund.  

Specific lighting criteria were used to identify the approximately 1,250 streetlights that will be de-energized; these streetlights were found to surpass lighting guidelines. Streetlight specifications include: 190-foot spacing in between streetlights outside of the downtown. No streetlights will be de-energized within the downtown district, which requires 40- to 60-foot spacing in between streetlights. Where a streetlight has been intentionally de-energized, a sign will be posted indicating that streetlight has been de-energized by the city and the city’s Customer Service Center phone number (734.794.6320) will be listed for questions. Feedback also can be submitted via e-mail to customerservice@a2gov.org.    

Prior to de-energizing all 1,250 identified lights after July 1, the City of Ann Arbor has requested that DTE Energy conduct a technical pilot in June which will include de-energizing approximately 50 streetlights in an area that will run along Stadium Blvd. from Packard to Washtenaw Ave. and south to Independence Blvd.[See enclosed map (PDF)]. DTE Energy will mail letters to customers in the technical-pilot area. The technical-pilot will be rolled out during the course of three to four weeks. 

The city will evaluate the experience in this pilot area and based upon observed results and neighborhood feedback may make adjustments to the city-wide plan. DTE Energy estimates all targeted streetlights will be turned off within eight weeks after the pilot is completed and the city instructs DTE Energy to proceed with the full plan.    

Many cities throughout Michigan, including Jackson, Burton, Flint and Grand Rapids, as well as across the country, such as Fresno, Calif. and Phoenix, Ariz., have considered turning off streetlights in an effort to decrease energy costs and help balance general fund budgets while maintaining standard lighting guidelines.