News release

Eighteen Municipalities Deck the Trees With LEDs

Conserve Nova Scotia

The holiday lights will shine brighter, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce demand for electricity in 18 municipalities this holiday season.

Conserve Nova Scotia is teaming up with the municipalities to cost share the purchase of energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) holiday lights.

"This is an excellent opportunity to help raise awareness of LED technology and encourage Nova Scotians to make smart energy choices," said Bill Dooks, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia. "LEDs are widely available in Nova Scotia, so we hope that more Nova Scotians will consider making the energy savings technology a part of their holiday celebrations."

Under the cost sharing agreement, the Nova Scotia government is investing $18,140 to pay half the total costs of converting to the energy efficient lighting. The participating municipalities pay the other half.

"The Town of New Glasgow is committed to working with our community and other governments to help conserve energy and protect the environment," said Ann MacLean, mayor of New Glasgow. "We are pleased to be a partner in the LED program and are working towards making all of our holiday lighting energy efficient. Working together we will be able to make a noticeable and meaningful difference."

Each holiday LED is made using a microchip that produces light. Since there is no filament to burn out, the lights can last up to 200,000 hours. The microchip does not produce heat so there is no fire hazard as there is with traditional incandescent holiday lights.

Seasonal LEDs also save money and reduce energy demand. LEDs cost eight cents for every 200 hours of operation with a 70 light string. Incandescent bulbs cost $7.70 to illuminate for the same amount of time. Heather Foley Melvin, CEO of Conserve Nova Scotia, said encouraging more Nova Scotians to convert to LED holiday lights will help reduce electricity demand at a time of year when demand is the highest.

"By reducing demand for power, we can help cut greenhouse gas emissions," said Ms. Foley Melvin. "LEDs are an excellent way to cut environmental and financial costs not only for this holiday season, but for future holiday seasons as well."

The 18 communities will have lighting ceremonies in the coming weeks. Nine other communities and business development commissions converted their holiday lights to LEDs last year.

NOTE: Following is a list of holiday lighting ceremonies for participating municipalities.

Saturday, Nov. 25

  • Town of Yarmouth
  • Halifax Regional Municipality

Friday, Dec. 1

  • Annapolis
  • Bridgetown
  • Kingston
  • Region of Queens
  • Town of Lunenburg
  • Trenton
  • Wolfville

Saturday, Dec. 2

  • Cape Breton Regional Municipality
  • Enfield
  • District of Lunenburg

Wednesday, Dec. 6

  • Village of New Minas

Saturday, Dec. 9

  • Village of Baddeck

Other participating communities

  • Shelburne
  • Town of Clarke's Harbour
  • Kentville
  • New Glasgow

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