Light PollutionDark Skies

Greater Tucson Area UpdateBy Joe Frannea

Southern Arizona Chapterof the

International Dark-Sky Association

Web: sa-ida.orgPAG - Oct 75 2011

USA At Night Waste $2 Billion/Year in Electricity (50 coal generators or 15,300 tons coal/day or 5,000 wind turbines)

Topics for Presentation How are we Doing?

- - -

Updated COT/PC Outdoor Lighting Code- - -

International Dark-Sky Association - - -

Education Outreach- - -

Trends

How Are We Doing?

Great!

Recent Study by 2 Lowell Observatory Researchers “Kitt Peak Remains Dark – Sky Overhead”

“effectiveness of local lighting laws”

Much Better at Putting light on the Ground, not in the Sky

But, Sky Glow in Tucson has increasedBut so has the population

We Are…

‘59‘80

‘03

’03 larger viewCatalina & Tortolita Mtns

250,000 Pima Cty. Pop.

500,000

900,000

U of A Football StadiumLights

BEFORE

AFTERPhotos 8.5 Miles North of Stadium

More Light –HD TV50,000 Fewer Watts75% Less Spill

Updated 2011 City of Tucson

and

Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code

Ready… – Yeah! Current Code is 2006

Significant OLC Changes

Easier to Read, Understand and Interpret

“Developed Space’, not Total Acreage

Sign Lighting Restrictions (LED/LCD type signs)

Added Lighting of Right-of-Ways Chapter (a few negatives regarding residential)

Light Pollution “Catalysts”

Environmental

Energy Savings - Huge (street lighting)

Lighting Industry

Astronomy (IDA 1988)

Dark-Sky Friendly Fixture CD

Retailers Sell These Awful Lights

Most are in Violation of Outdoor Lighting Codes when Turned ON!

International Dark-Sky AssociationModel Lighting Ordinance

A 7 Year Effort – Just Released

By the IDA and Illumining Engineering Society (IES)

Framework - Responsible Outdoor Lighting Standards

Uses the New “BUG” System for Fixtures (Backlight – Uplight – Glare)

The MLO is free - IDA web ( 44 half pages)

Education Outreach

Brochures, Videos, PowerPointsSARSEF, FUNFEST, Science Nights

Presentations to Clubs, HOAs Earth Days, ASDM Astronomy Nights

Complaints, Assistance

Southern Arizona Chapter of IDA (several others too..)

Outdoor Lighting Trends - USA

• Flat Lens Full Cut Off Fixtures (only ones available)

• Save Energy (New Designs, CFL, lots of LEDs - 90%<)

• Fewer Street Lights (taking out old ones)

• Lights Off at Night (motion, less dusk to dawn)

• More Interest in Outdoor Lighting Codes• More interest in Harm to Health & Wildlife• Lots More Electronic Signs (flashing/scrolling)

EPA Recognizes Light Pollution as a Pollutant