Morgantown Pauses LED Streetlight Replacements
City officials halted the rollout after First Ward residents raised concerns about brightness, sleep and privacy.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in City Hall
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Morgantown City Manager Jamie Miller paused the rollout of LED streetlight replacements during Tuesday's City Council meeting. The pause followed numerous concerns from First Ward residents about light intruding into homes at night.
Why it matters
Residents say the brightness is disrupting sleep and evening outdoor activities, and some worry about privacy on private property. The city is weighing how the bulb choice affects residents while continuing the broader replacement plan.
The city asked Mon Power, a FirstEnergy affiliate, to provide alternative bulb options and to use 30-watt bulbs instead of 50-watt bulbs. The response from Mon Power has not been reported.
The players
Jamie Miller
Jamie Miller is the City Manager of Morgantown, West Virginia, responsible for administering city operations and announcing the pause in the LED streetlight rollout.
Mon Power
Mon Power is a FirstEnergy affiliate that supplies and installs the utility equipment involved in the LED streetlight replacement plan in Morgantown.
The details
The city has asked Mon Power to pause conversion for additional installs while officials discuss alternatives and adjust brightness for future bulbs. The LED replacement plan has been in development for around two years and remains on track, according to city officials.
Timeline
Around two years ago: Development of the LED light replacement plan began.
Within the last couple of weeks: Residents reported new bright-lighting problems.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: City Council meeting where the pause was announced.
Week of November 10, 2026: City officials held conversations with Mon Power.
Political Context
Morgantown's pause shows that residents may push back on LED conversion plans when wattage choices affect nighttime brightness at home. The city's request for 30-watt bulbs signals that officials are weighing that resident pushback against the goals of the replacement plan.
Morgantown residents, especially in the First Ward, may see the LED replacement plan change based on the bulb options the city negotiates with Mon Power. Those who have reported sleep disruption or privacy concerns may be affected by any brightness adjustments.
The takeaway
Local infrastructure upgrades can change daily life at home, so resident feedback often shapes how and when they proceed. Morgantown's pause shows that bulb wattage is a practical detail with real effects on neighborhoods.
Further reading
For more local government coverage, see City Hall reporting on Morgantown decisions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAJR.
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