Changing industry standards for outdoor lighting will result in Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative shifting exclusively to high-pressure sodium units for new security lighting and replacement of existing lights in 2007.

The 175-watt mercury vapor lights formerly used on the BREC system are being phased out nationally in favor of more energy efficient models. The co-op’s standard new and replacement lights will be dual-element 100-watt high-pressure sodium.

“Mercury vapor bulbs will not be manufactured after 2007,” explained Jeff Tackett, BREC’s vice president of engineering and planning.

“Instead of waiting until the supply dwindles and pricing becomes volatile, we decided to change well ahead of time. Many electric utilities across the nation have already phased out mercury vapor lights.”

High-pressure sodium lights are more expensive to purchase, but it is thought the difference in up-front cost will be recouped through energy savings. For this reason, BREC plans to keep its outdoor lighting rate at $12 per month for the time being.