Ann Arbor to Light Up City with 100% LEDs

America has a reputation for overlighting its towns at night, and while we probably can't change long-ingrained fears of even the hint of darkness, we can at least make the lights a little more environmentally efficient. With that in mind, Ann Arbor is turning to power-sipping LED lamps for its city streetlights instead of the usual sodium lamps, which can suck up to 1,000 watts each.

The city will start installing 1,000 such lamps beginning next month. Based on power savings of about 50 percent and a lifespan five times longer than standard lamps, the city expects to recoup its investment in less than four years. The project will also reduce greenhouse emissions by 2,425 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

I also happen to think that the lights, which contain dozens of LED bulbs in each housing, look pretty cool. They're modern, but they still have a sort of classic feel to them.

Toronto and Raleigh, N.C., among others, are also turning to LEDs instead of vapor-based lighting. How's your burg doing when it comes to greening up its public lighting?

LINK: First U.S City To Be Lit With 100% LEDs: Ann Arbor!