An unintended consequence of going "green"

From television station WITI in Milwaukee, WI:

Going "green" causes problem for public works crews in West Bend
New technology can provide new solutions and new problems. In West Bend, the energy-saving traffic lights are giving public works crews something more to do in the cold. They're also giving drivers a new reason to be careful.

All of the snow we had this week formed a white cap on a lot of the traffic lights in West Bend. The old incandescent lights usually provided enough warmth to melt away those snow caps. But the new LED lights generate hardly any heat. Therefore, the snow stays and prevents drivers from seeing the signals.

The LED light problem led to a crash at the intersection of Westwood and Washington in West Bend.

Four, two-person crews spent Friday using make-shift scrapers to clear the LED lights of the snow.

West Bend officials say the LED traffic lights say the city nearly $100 a month at each of its 24 intersections.

Heh -- one of those things you wouldn't even think of especially since you are not going to be installing these puppies in the middle of winter. Of course, now they need to purchase and install the optional heater units that will take more energy than the original incandescent lamps...