To celebrate Earth Day on April 20, National Grid will distribute 1,000 LED light bulbs to individuals who live in the south end of Niagara Falls. Residents of 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th streets, from Pine Avenue to Niagara Street, are eligible for National Grid's "Light Up the Neighborhood" program, which offers new LED lighting in exchange for old light bulbs.
National Grid and Niagara University employees will hand out light bulbs on each of the designated streets from 9-11 a.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring their old bulbs and receive four new LED bulbs.
"LED lighting brings cost savings to electric bills for consumers," said Dan Keating, a jurisdictional manager with National Grid. "LED provides brighter lighting, and we are hoping that residents will start leaving porch lights on to display the new LED lighting."
The outreach is part of the south end housing initiative, a collaboration of 25 community partners and residents - including Niagara University and National Grid - that is committed to assisting the neighborhood's revitalization through minor repairs and landscaping and energy upgrades. Its goal is to encourage new homeowners to invest in the area by improving curb appeal.
"The south end of Niagara Falls has experienced more than $50 million in economic development investments during the past three years, and another $40 million is expected soon," stated Patti Wrobel, executive director of Niagara University's Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement. "This area of the city has great possibilities to bring in new and rehabilitated housing. We applaud National Grid for its commitment to reducing energy consumption and providing more cost-efficient lighting to south end residents."
