Adopt-A-Watt Aims to Help Royal Oak Conserve Energy, Money

Royal Oak-based Adopt-A-Watt rolled out its program for Royal Oak Thursday morning at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

Adopt-A-Watt, a public-private partnership conceived by Thomas Wither, allows businesses or organizations to sponsor energy-efficient lights at the Center Street and Layfayette Avenue parking structures. The goal of the program is to save energy and dollars for the community.

“This is going to conserve energy and create a cleaner environment for the community,” said Wither. “It also cuts energy bills and saves money, which has to be considered today.”

Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison said the unique program is something the city has been mulling over for a few years.

"It's a way think outside of the box and be energy conservationists, which is great," Ellison said.

So far, 96 businesses have signed on to sponsor lights in Royal Oak. 

Sponsor businesses or nonprofits’ names and logos will be prominently displayed on signage throughout the parking structures near the new lights, providing year-round recognition of their participation and community support.

The new lights are designed to burn 300,000 fewer pounds of coal, and will last 100,000 hours–significantly longer than conventional lights.