Jon Ostendorff

ASHEVILLE – Duke Energy last week started replacing the first of 1,900 security lights to comply with city rules for dark skies, a city spokeswoman said.

The company is replacing the old lights with energy-efficient LED lights. The work will be completed by Aug. 31, 2015.

The lights are “dusk-to-dawn” lights often found in front and backyards. Most are on private property, the company said.

Asheville City Council gave the company an extension on Jan. 28 to meet the city’s outdoor lighting rules.

The city in 2008 required security lights be shielded to reduce glare on neighboring properties and the amount of light that goes into the night sky.

The ordinance included a five-year grace period for light owners to bring them in compliance.

Duke got an extension to meet the deadline because it wanted to use LED lights, which are more energy efficient, instead of normal shielded security lights.

That meant the company had to go to the state Utilities Commission for a rate change approval, said Jason Walls, the company’s district manager in Asheville.

The rate change process meant the company needed an extension, Walls said.

City spokeswoman Dawa Hitch said the company is on track to complete the work before the new deadline.

The city did not fine the company for failing to meet the original deadline.

The city ordinance was adopted because of complaints by residents about unwanted light shining into their homes or yards and concerns by amateur astronomers that light pollution is making it harder to see stars.

Duke leases the security lights to city residents and businesses.

Walls has said customers will pay more than they do today, but not as much for the shielded LED lights as they would have for shielded conventional lights.

“We’re happy to have the approval to install the LED lights here in Asheville,” he said. “Although the regulatory approval process took longer than expected, which delayed the start of the change outs, work has started on this important project and will be completed by Aug. 31, 2015. We recognize the importance of this work and are grateful for the patience of city leaders and our customers.”

Some city residents who have worked on the issue disagree with Walls.

Bernard Arghiere, an east Asheville resident and amateur astronomer who worked on the city rules, said the extension was “too generous.”

He said Progress Energy, the company that merged with Duke, knew about the rules for five years and ignored them.

“I hope the city will warn Duke that they must also be in compliance with changing out all their flood lights by December 2017, and, if they are not, that no penalty forgiveness will again be granted,” he said.