(Fredericksburg, VA) August 22, 2025 –The City of Fredericksburg has made more energy efficient progress in the city transitioning to LED light bulbs in the Central Park area. This follows the transition project that occurred in the Mayfield neighborhood last fall.
Dominion Energy completed the LED light conversion in Central Park in August. They replaced 82 High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs for the equivalent watt LEDs. LED bulbs have longer lifespans than HPS bulbs, requiring them to be replaced less often. They are also more efficient at converting electricity into light, causing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. By switching to LEDS in Central Park, the City reduces our carbon dioxide emissions by 32.5 metric tons This project cost $11,982.54 in total, creating a payback period of approximately 21 months. After the payback period is complete, the net cost savings in electricity will be $6,760 per year.
Together, the light conversions in Mayfield and Central Park will reduce annual carbon emissions by 70.2 metric tons and will reduce annual energy spending by $9,040 after the payback period is complete.
City Council approved an additional $70,000 in the current fiscal year (FY2026) to continue to transition streetlights to LEDs, further reducing our carbon emissions. Staff is currently identifying the next section of lights to update along major travel corridors throughout the city, with goal of complete transition of streetlights to LED by 2028. This work advances City Council’s aggressive stated goal of being carbon free for municipal operations by 2035.
Residents are encouraged to send questions and feedback about this initiative to the Department of Public Works at 540-372-1023 and online at FredericksburgVA.gov.
For more information on City Council’s 100% Renewable Energy Resolution, please visit FredericksburgVA.gov/green.