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Engineers Bring Light to Fallujah
American Forces Press Service ^
| Scott Harris
Posted on 01/13/2010 3:55:33 PM PST by SandRat
FALLUJAH, Iraq, Jan. 13, 2010 More than 22 miles of roadway here and in surrounding communities are now fully lighted with 1,200 solar powered street lights, thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region District.
Solar-powered street lights recently installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers illuminate what was once a dark and dangerous neighborhood in Fallujah, Iraq. U.S. Army photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
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The third and final phase of the project was completed recently by project engineers at Al-Anbar Resident Office, based in Ramadi.
The administration of this project is an excellent example of USACEs commitment to building Iraqs technical capacity, said Army Maj. Joseph Geary, officer in charge of the resident office. Iraqi engineers employed by Gulf Region District were key liaisons with local electrical department representatives and city leaders, Geary noted.
The project engineer was Nasir Elias, an Iraqi civil engineer who has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more than three years. He was assisted by Iraqi quality-assurance representatives Mohammed Kasim Abbas and Hussein al-Jaboree.
Solar power is widely recognized as a method for reducing the reliance on carbon-based energy generation and the resulting greenhouse gasses held responsible for global climate change. Solar power in Iraq, however, has a more palpable benefit. Iraqs degraded power distribution infrastructure causes frequent and unexpected outages. Unlike Iraqs electrical power grid, officials explained, the sun is a near constant.
In a country with limited power-generation capabilities, solar lights allow energy to be redistributed to areas of critical need. In an area where hard-wired lights may operate only for a couple of hours, a solar-powered light will provide continuous illumination through the night.
The final phase of the project was completed Dec. 28 at a cost of $2.9 million.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. and Iraqi governments. Since 2004, USACE has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion, and has more than 350 projects ongoing. The overall reconstruction effort in Iraq currently provides jobs for more than 20,000 Iraqis.
(Scott Harris works in Gulf Region District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq.)
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: energy; engineers; frwn; iraq; lights; solar
1
posted on
01/13/2010 3:55:35 PM PST
by
SandRat
To: MozartLover; Old Sarge; Jemian; repubmom; 91B; HiJinx; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; clintonh8r; ...
FR WAR NEWS!
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please FReepmail Sandrat.
WARNING: FRWN can be an EXTREMELY HIGH-VOLUME PING LIST!!
2
posted on
01/13/2010 3:56:22 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: SandRat
One morning not long from now I expect to see every single one of these street lights cut down in the night by Muslim militants. They had no solar powered lights in the Prophet’s time, so by Allah, they don’t need them now.
3
posted on
01/13/2010 3:59:17 PM PST
by
ccmay
(Too much Law; not enough Order.)
To: ccmay
No kidding! This is absurd. So, how much did this cost the US taxpayers? Hey, our city has woefully inadequate street lighting, do you think you could send some lights our way?
The US military has morphed into a cross between the PTA and the Welcome Wagon. What a waste of our troops and resources.
To: SandRat
a solar-powered light will provide continuous illumination through the night.I bet these things cost a fortune. Or they aren't very bright.
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