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> But there is a downside to LEDs: They're much brighter than old-fashioned energy-guzzling light bulbs.

Such a weird statement to make. LEDs are not somehow intrisically brighter than other light sources, it is simply a design parameter. If new LED lights are brighter than whatever they replaced, it is because someone purchased lamps with higher light output, not because they are LEDs. You can get plenty bright without LEDs too.

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I think what is more accurate is that the frequency spectrum of typical LED street lights makes them seem brighter (much more blue).

Just about any place that I've seen sodium lights replaced with LEDs, they have been replaced with vastly brighter LEDs. Maybe sloppy writing, I think the article is referring to the LED installations being brighter than the installations they are replacing.

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