Albuquerque gets grant for LED neon lighting

The City of Albuquerque received a grant from a state utility company to set up LED neon street lighting along a two-block stretch of downtown Central Avenue (aka Route 66), according to an announcement Wednesday from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and a report from KRQE-TV.

A grant also will be used to “establish a database of economic and commercial development for the Nob Hill area” via the state’s MainStreet program. Nob Hill is a hip and historic neighborhood along Route 66 in Albuquerque.

Grants totaled $122,000 from the Public Service Co. of New Mexico.

I’m still a bit skeptical about the aesthetics of LED lighting as a replacement for neon. However, after recently replacing the lighting in my home with LEDs, I can attest to the their brightness, energy efficiency and remarkable durability. And, unlike compact fluorescent bulbs, you don’t have to deal with toxic mercury during disposal or breakage.

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