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| Due to the overwhelming amount of junk messages posted as comments, FAQ suggestions, etc., user accounts and commenting have been disabled on the site. |
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| SELENE Statement on Light Pollution |
Light pollution is rapidly degrading the sky's quiet majesty and our nighttime environment. Excessive and misdirected outdoor illumination wastes precious energy, resources, and dollars; it increases power plant-generated air pollution, causes glare that blinds drivers and pedestrians, intrudes onto our property, and invades our privacy.
SELENE's mission is to advocate for better lighting practices in NY State and to ensure the passage of the The Healthy, Safe, and Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting Act |
| Announcements |
Smart Lighting Will Save Trillions of Dollars, Gigatons of CO2 |
| Posted by: selene on 12/19/2008 08:54 AM (Read: 66) |
Researchers at NY's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have published a paper describing the benefits that would accompany a wholesale shift to LED-based lighting. Of perhaps the most immediate concern, switching away from incandescent and fluorescent lighting to LED-based lighting would save "trillions of dollars [and] gigatons of CO2."
(Click the read more link for more...) |
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NYC skyline lighting |
| Posted by: selene on 12/12/2008 08:44 AM (Read: 65) |
We recently received a question whether NY City has or had a law promoting the lighting of buildings to "preserve the bright skyline of Manhattan"? The person asking had heard that such a law provided tax reductions to private businesses who left lights on at night. The basis of the policy, this person understood, was to promote NY City's nighttime skyline image to tourists and the entertainment industry.
We gave an answer (click the read more link for that) but we're also asking for your help. If you have information about the truth or fiction of such a law, please contact us at info (at) selene-ny.org. |
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The City Dark |
| Posted by: selene on 11/21/2008 08:27 AM (Read: ) |
Check out this great video posted at the NY Times:
video.nytimes.com/video/2008/11/19/opinion/1194833375137/in-the-dark.html
Titled In the Dark the creators propose that "turning the lights off could help New York's pending budget gap." In addition, they rightly claim that the City cannot ask its citizens to become part of the solution until it gets its own house in order.
The clip is promoting the forthcoming feature-length documentary called The City Dark. We look forward to the film and wish its creators great success. |
National Geographic Magazine's coverage of light pollution |
| Posted by: selene on 10/27/2008 12:02 PM (Read: ) |
| By now, most SELENE readers probably already know of the light pollution article National Geographic Magazine. Called "The End of Night" the story is the November issues' cover feature. You can read it online at: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/light-pollution/klinkenborg-text |
Session ends with no action in the Senate |
| Posted by: selene on 06/25/2008 10:46 AM (Read: ) |
Yet again, our esteemed State Senators have adjourned for the year without acting on the LP bill. Unfortunately, the ill-timed retirement of Majority Leader Bruno seemed to be their primary focus in the last hours of this year's session. Thank you for your calls to Bruno's office, and his presumed successor Dean Skelos, even though we didn't get the action we hoped for as a result.
The Assembly web site offers the usual glimmer of hope, stating that they might be called back to finish up the year's business. First though, our hard-working leaders in Albany need some vacation time.
Watch this site for updates and more information as it becomes available. |
Bill passes Assembly |
| Posted by: selene on 06/24/2008 08:26 AM (Read: ) |
Last night at 6:15, the Healthy, safe and energy efficient outdoor lighting act passed the NYS Assembly without debate. At this point, it remains stuck in the Rules committee of the Senate.
Update: While the Senate has reconvened for a session today, Senator Bruno is retiring effective immediately as Majority Leader of the Senate. It appears that his replacement will be Dean Skelos of Rockville Center on Long Island.
Therefore, please call Senator Skelos' Albany office as soon as possible and urge that he bring the light pollution bill, S4364-A, to the Senate floor for a vote! The number is 518-455-3171.
If you can get your own senator to deliver a similar message to Senator Skelos, that would be a big help too!
Respectfully tell them that you want to see S4364 released to the Senate Floor for a vote as soon as possible. If you have time, you can tell them a reason or two why light pollution bothers you, or just say that this bill's time has come now that the Light Trespass provision has been removed. |
Legislature nears adjournment, take action now! |
| Posted by: selene on 06/16/2008 02:04 PM (Read: ) |
The New York State light pollution bill, A7438/S4364, is in the process of being amended. Your help is urgently needed to finally get this legislation passed!
The principal change being made is removal of the section on light trespass. While trespass remains an important issue, we've concluded that it may be best handled at the local level for the time being. Much of the past opposition to the bill arose from this section, so its removal should significantly enhance chances for passage.
Opposition by New York City's Department of Transportation has been the other big stumbling block, but CDOT has finally accepted evidence that fully shielded fixtures can match the performance of drop-lens cobraheads they currently use. Nevertheless, NYC has issued another Memorandum in Opposition. CDOT is basically resistant to regulation of any sort, but since they can't really say that, the memo is a hodgepodge of misrepresentations and red herrings.
This legislation has passed the Assembly every year since 2000. While we shouldn't be taking anything for granted, we are anticipating passage again this year. Still, it would certainly be a good idea if you would remind your Assembly Member of your support.
Getting through the Senate will be more difficult, and we are therefore asking that you plan to call your NYS Senator immediately (today, not tomorrow!). Phone numbers are available by clicking here.
For best effect, call Albany rather than the local District Office.
Tell whoever answers the phone that you are calling to support S4364; give a couple of reasons if the person doesn't sound too harried. Your senator has most likely received a copy of the NYC opposition memo. In addition, s/he should have received a letter from SELENE pointing out the many flaws in the City's memo. Please indicate that you are specifically requesting that the senator contact the office of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno to communicate (a) general support for the bill and (b) the fact that (as explained in the SELENE letter) the NYC memo is not credible.
The Legislature will recess for the year on June 23th. So, please call today not tomorrow. A written or faxed letter is good too. But time is running out and we must not let this opportunity pass us by. |
NYC Council: Gerson Announces New Lighting Legislation |
| Posted by: selene on 06/03/2008 08:38 AM (Read: 723) |
| On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 12:00pm, legislators and environmentalists joined NYC Council Member Alan Gerson to announce new legislation pending before the City Council (Intro 757) to amend the administrative code to require use of fully shielded light fixtures on City streets. These fixtures direct light down, reducing peripheral glare and making it possible to use less energy wattage to achieve the same street level luminosity. |
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Dealing with Light Trespass Problems in New York State
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The most frequent inquiry we receive at SELENE comes from people who have a problem with light shining onto their property, often into their bedroom windows, disrupting their sleep and adversely affecting their use and enjoyment of their property.
While every situation is unique, SELENE has found some common themes that we share with you in this article.
State-level efforts
"Light trespass" can come from a commercial establishment, a school or other government facility, a streetlight, or another residence. Everyone seems to agree that there should be some kind of law against this. Furthermore, there is no doubt that countless others are suffering from light trespass and are either unaware that they can do something about it or are afraid to confront the owners of the offending lights. Since 1999 SELENE has fought for light pollution legislation at the state level that would give residents recourse in certain light trespass situations. Such a bill has been passed by the Assembly four times, but at the end of the 2004 legislative session, it remained locked up in the Senate Rules Committee. Your support for the next version of this legislation is very important! See our LP Legislation page for more information on the bill. Check out our forums to discuss lighting issues and the bill with others across the state. And join our Sensible Lighting email list to keep abreast of the latest light pollution news that affects all New Yorkers.
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