Associations across the Southwest have struggled in the past few years with the crippling costs of running natural gas fueled streetlights, many of which run day and night. With the cost of natural gas spiking dramatically in recent years and home foreclosures on the rise, some associations have been forced to abandon the lights and live with dark streets.

Many that could afford to replace these lamps with less costly electric or solar-powered lighting have been hampered by the costs of capping the natural gas lines running to the old light posts.

Representatives of homeowner groups have battled with Southwest Gas for months over how the gas lines will be shut off and who will carry the costs.

Many of the old lamps were installed by the gas company as part of agreements with developers that in many cases were not passed on to or approved by homeowner associations. They were often installed in such a way that they could not be easily or safely capped and replaced.

Southwest Gas last year told associations they would have to pay thousands of dollars for the gas company to disconnect the gas lines before replacement lights could be installed. Although the associations have found a willing financier in the form of loans from the Bank of North Las Vegas, many could not afford even the cost of removal, let alone installation of new lighting.

But in recent weeks the two sides have come together. Amid a formal investigation by the Public Utilities Commission, Southwest Gas is now offering homeowner associations several low-cost options for safely eliminating gaslights.

Southwest Gas has presented association representatives a menu of affordable choices such as free shut-off of individual lamps at the base of each pole, shifting billing for gaslights to individual homeowners, a low-cost ($60 per lamp) piping modification that shuts off the gas line underground, as well as an option to completely remove the lights and gas lines at full cost to the associations.

"The options we have before the HOAs are new, so we don't have any total cost estimates, but there would be some costs for HOAs depending on what option they choose," Southwest Gas spokeswoman Sonya Headen said. "But the cost involved, we feel, is best for the company and a fair cost for the HOA."

At a Public Utilities Commission meeting last week, the two sides came a step closer to resolving the issue. Association representatives were largely pleased with the latest offer, but would like some aspects (such as pole ownership) to be clarified and the offer made legally binding for the gas company's dealings with all homeowner associations.

The commission supported the representatives' concerns that up until now, only informal nonbinding communication has taken place and that legally binding measure must be taken before the matter is considered resolved.

Much of the delay in reaching this point can be chalked up to misunderstandings and poor communication on both sides. Associations were stuck between a rock and hard place with gaslights they couldn't afford to use or remove and a gas company trying to figure out a solution for several groups with different needs, all at once.

Representatives credit the forward momentum to the new point-man for Southwest Gas, Gas Operations Director Phil Andrew. They describe him as respectful and willing to take into account the associations' concerns.

Together the two sides are closing in on a safe and workable solution.

"The fact that we can put something together that works for our customers, we're very happy to do so and we're very happy to offer the HOAs some options that can work well for them," Headen said.