Roanokeâs street light bill â which amounts to about $1.2 million a year â could be cut by at least half under a new contract with Appalachian Power Co. More access to efficient and renewable energy is one of the benefits to the city and more than 200 other government entities in western Virginia that are subject to the recently renegotiated contract. Appalachian currently owns most of the street lights in its service territory. Affixed to utility poles, the high-pressure sodium lights consume electricity at a higher rate than modern LED lighting. The new four-year contract offers more favorable rates for municipalities to make the switch.