In early 2021, BC Hydro conducted an LED street light replacement, changing out a total of 550 BC Hydro lights to LED lights in Qualicum Beach. This federal regulation required all street light ballasts in B.C. containing PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) to be removed by the end of 2025. BC Hydro chose LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) because they use less energy and are more reliable and sustainable.
In response to resident complaints generated by the new lights, Council directed staff to initiate a complaint process. The first intake for light change-out requests closed at the end of February 2023, and the second intake closed in August 2023.
In early October 2023, 124 streetlights were identified by residents as problematic. These lights were changed from 75-watt to 39-watt LED lights, and from 4000k to 3000k luminaire colour temperature. Lights on arterial routes were excluded from change-out.