Over 1,600 streetlights in Okotoks are getting an environmentally friendly makeover.

Fortis crews have been out replacing the old, high-pressure sodium lights with new LED technology.

Natasha Russell, communication advisor for Fortis, says the upgrades are a great environmental choice.

"Through these conversions the town will save approximately 675,700 kilowatt hours per year, which is significant. It's basically equivalent to taking 92 cars off the road, operating 87 homes, or planting 19,820 trees per year."

Back in April, Fortis sent an application to the Alberta Utilities Commission for the conversion of the existing street lights where the AUC gave approval for the program and approved six municipalities to be a part of the first installment, which aside from Okotoks included Canmore, Crowsnest Pass, Devon, St. Albert, and Wetaskiwin.

Russell says there's other benefits with the upgrades.

"They have lower energy consumption, improve safety and night visibility, which is great for the community, and they also have an increased life expectancy, so up to 20 years, which results in a reduction in maintenance costs."

Fortis is investing $30 million into the streetlight conversion program.

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