Ketchikan LPS Streetlights Spark Industry Debate

On 3 April 2026, the city of Ketchikan, Alaska activated three low-pressure sodium (LPS) streetlights, marking the outcome of a five-year effort led by resident Kristina Townsend and supported by the Soft Lights Foundation. According to Mark Baker, President of the organization, the installation followed a request for accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to Mark’s email,  the original LED installation casts a cooler, blue-rich light across the snow-covered street. The new LPS luminaires replace that with a distinctly amber glow, dramatically shifting the nighttime atmosphere. Glow Object assisted in procuring the LPS fixtures for the project.

Mark’s passion for this issue is undeniable. Over the years, he has been consistent, vocal, and deeply committed to advocating for lighting that he believes better supports human health, safety, and the nighttime environment. That level of dedication deserves respect, and it is one of the reasons this story is being shared.

However, your humble editor has a fundamental disagreement on the solution.

While the LPS lighting does create what some could describe as a “warm glow,” that effect comes from its monochromatic nature. In practice, it strips away color rendering entirely, leaving the environment visually flat and, frankly, unattractive. People, vehicles, and surroundings all take on the same amber tone, which limits visual clarity rather than enhancing it.

If the goal is a warmer appearance with improved comfort, a 2200K LED would be a more balanced approach. It can deliver warmth while maintaining color rendering and overall visual quality.

Low Pressure Sodium was invented in the 1930’s.  Early in my career we would see pictures of cities that had installed LPS. I thought it was a terrible idea then, and I think it is even more terrible today.

Go Deeper:  The Soft Lights Foundation’s Battle Against High-Powered LEDs