Resolve, To Encourage the Preservation of Dark Skies
FILED UNDER: General Business | Passed | 2010
Summary
Representative Schatz of Blue Hill would direct state agencies to establish a uniform state standard for new commercial construction and the lighting of outside space to limit light pollution.
Position
UPDATE: (JAN 2010): State Planning Office reported back with two reports on outdoor lighting. Those reports are linked on the right.
Maine Merchants Association testified neither for nor against the bill but offered to share expertise from the merchant sector on the use of downward pointing outdoor lighting.
On 2/26/09, the committee voted unanimously "ought-to-pass" on the bill with the amendment that the State Planning Office report back to the BRED Committee by January 15, 2010 with recommendations and suggested legislation. Maine Merchants will continue to monitor the study.
Previous information: On 2/13/09, Senator Rector offered a motion to have the committee send a letter to State Planning Office encouraging more work on Dark Skies. However, as discussion dragged on and the day was coming to a close, the committee voted to Table the bill.