Did you know there are nearly 3,100 streetlights across the City of Monrovia? Southern California Edison owns and maintains approximately 1,700 street lights throughout the City, while the City owns the remaining lights. Street lighting is provided to illuminate roadways and sidewalks for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Report a street light out:

• Fill out an online form 
• Contact the Public Works Department at (626) 932-5575

Proposed LED Retrofit Project

Over the past several months, the Public Works Department has been in discussion with Southern California Edison (SCE) related to a proposed LED Retrofit Project for Streetlights. SCE owns and maintains approximately 1,700 street lights throughout the City. These street lights currently use high-pressure sodium light bulbs, as is common with many outdoor lamps. SCE is proposing to convert their 1,700 high pressure sodium lamps to LED light bulbs.

LED lights use less energy and last significantly longer than the existing high pressure sodium bulbs. By replacing the current lights with LED street lights, the City could see substantial savings in the cost to operate and maintain the streetlights as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the SCE Program, known as Option E, the City would enter into an agreement with SCE that funds the retrofit of the lights with an Energy Efficiency Premium Charge (EEPC) that will be added to the existing City street lighting bill. Given that the LEDs will utilize less energy, the reduced electricity costs will fund the EEPC and provide an estimated additional $14,000 per year in street lighting electrical cost savings.

Staff presented the program to the City Council for discussion and feedback at the City Council Meeting on November 17. Click here to view the staff presentation

Based upon the discussion, staff anticipates returning to the Council for further discussion on this item at the City Council Meeting on December 15. While staff is continuing their review in preparation of further discussion with the City Council, we welcome any and all comment and feedback on the proposed project.  If you have any questions or concerns about this proposed project, please contact Chris Castruita at (626) 256-8224 or ccastruita@monroviaca.gov.

LED and Light Color

The light generated by LED lamps looks different than the light produced by the current high pressure sodium lamps commonly used throughout the City. As shown in the light color spectrum below, the current street lights produce a light of 2,200 Kelvin which commonly perceived to be orange in color. SCE is proposing to replace these with lamps that produce a light of 3,000 Kelvin which would appear yellow in color.

Demonstration LED Installation

We believe that the best way to understand the difference in lighting is to see it. During the week of November 9, 2020, the Public Works Department installed a sample of LED light fixtures along the 400 block of South Ivy Avenue, directly across from Monrovia City Hall and identified in the map below. In addition, the City of Arcadia has identified some additional LED light fixtures that are similar to the lamps SCE has proposed to use in Monrovia located at:

• 1000 block of Bungalow Place - Arcadia
• 1000/1100 block of Loganrita Ave - Arcadia
• 1100 block of Magnolia Lane – Arcadia

To provide your bright ideas on the demonstration streetlights, please contact Chris Castruita at ccastruita@monroviaca.gov or (626) 256-8224.