Grant helps rural Kansas communities switch to efficient lighting

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Kansas Corporation Commission has been granted $1.9 million to help local governments develop energy-efficient lighting infrastructure.

In November 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The IIJA’s aim is simple, but sweeping: to use nearly $1 trillion to update the country’s roads, bridges, railways and broadband internet. 

As part of the Energy and Conservation Block Grant from the Department of Energy, the federal grant part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will prioritize rural, underserved and disadvantaged communities.

"Many publicly owned facilities in Kansas communities are aging and inefficient, incurring high costs for energy and maintenance," the agency's grant application said. "Replacement of street lights and traffic signals with more energy efficient lighting can significantly cut energy use and maintenance costs while improving light quality and output.” 

More information on the program can be found by clicking here.

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