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The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) has announced that Toronto is joining Raleigh, North Carolina, in a citywide initiative to install LED lighting throughout its infrastructure.
The "LED City" program was launched in February by City of Raleigh officials and LED manufacturer Cree (see Raleigh and Cree build LED City to evaluate LED lighting). The initiative fosters collaboration among municipalities as they deploy energy-efficient lighting to deliver cost savings and environmental benefits.
As a part of the LED City program, TABIA will evaluate, deploy and promote the use of LEDs across multiple lighting applications. Toronto citizens should notice LEDs appearing throughout parks, parking garages and in architectural lighting over the coming months.
In fact, Toronto already hosts a number of high profile LED installations, including LED streetlights at Exhibition Place, the Harbinger color-changing installation, and of course the CN Tower. Other current and planned LED projects include solar-powered LED lights in a park, and LED lighting in a public parking garage.
Toronto has been a center for LED consumer education and an early adopter of LED Lighting. Over the past four years, TABIA has proactively demonstrated the advantages of LEDs to Toronto residents and businesses, and the use of LEDs has evolved from a holiday light exchange and installation program to the application of LED in retail displays and streetlight installations, such as the one at Exhibition Place.
Today's commitment to the LED City initiative shows a willingness to increase Toronto's use of the technology in order to support the Canadian legislative agenda focused on energy efficiency.
"Combating climate change is the issue of our time, possibly of all time, and Torontonians are demanding that this city lead by example," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "We expect that by deploying LEDs throughout Toronto, including on our most famous landmark, the CN Tower, we will be accomplishing the goal of reducing energy use and costs and green house gas emission."
"Toronto and Raleigh understand how important it is to set the pace for a new generation of energy-conscious citizens and government leaders," said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. "LED technology is clearly making progress towards widespread adoption for government, commercial and residential applications. We are pleased to be part of the revolution in lighting, making an important positive impact on our world." | 
