The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced it would be replacing all interior/exterior lights in district schools and swap them out for energy-saving LED lighting as part of its sustainability goals, according to information shared by the district. The light installation is slated to start in October and will be completed next year.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED (light-emitting diode) lights use at least 75 percent less energy and last longer than incandescent lightbulbs, which are currently installed in the district’s schools along with compact fluorescent bulbs.
“It is projected that the new lighting will save nearly $1.3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year,” a SMMUSD news release stated. “That means the project will pay for itself in about 12.5 years.”
In the interim, the school district will be using funds secured from Prop 39, known as the California Clean Energy Jobs Act. It is unclear whether the lights will still be installed at Malibu High School, which is scheduled for many renovations in the years to come.
“Making our buildings and classrooms as efficient as possible doesn’t just save money, it’s the right thing to do for the environment,” SMMUSD Chief Operations Officer Carey Upton said in a release shared with The Malibu Times. “We’re glad we can now take this big step forward as part of our sustainability plan.”