New York dark skies bill a model for outdoor lighting

NEMA has worked for several years with a coalition of the nation’s major industry and advocacy groups that are concerned with quality lighting in the U.S., including the International Association of Lighting Designers, Illuminating Engineering Society, and International Dark-Sky Association, all of whom played a significant role in passing this legislation.
Jan. 9, 2015
Electricalmarketing Com Sites Electricalmarketing com Files Uploads 2015 01 Getty Observatory Sandy Huffaker 180
Electricalmarketing Com Sites Electricalmarketing com Files Uploads 2015 01 Getty Observatory Sandy Huffaker 180
Palomar Observatory. Photo by Sandy Huffaker, Getty Images News

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., praised New York Governor Cuomo for signing the state’s Dark Skies bill, which establishes requirements for outdoor lighting applications installed by state agencies. The bill requires the use of properly shielded light fixtures to prevent unnecessary up- and side-lighting, thereby reducing sky glow. The bill also limits lighting to only recommended levels for particular applications.    

NEMA has worked for several years with a coalition of the nation’s major industry and advocacy groups that are concerned with quality lighting in the U.S., including the International Association of Lighting Designers, Illuminating Engineering Society, and International Dark-Sky Association, all of whom played a significant role in passing this legislation.

About the Author

Doug Chandler, Senior Staff Writer

Executive Editor

Doug Chandler began writing about the electrical industry in 1992, and still finds there's never a shortage of stories to be told. So he spends his days finding them and telling them. Educationally, he's a Jayhawk with an English degree. Outside of work, he can often be found banging drums or harvesting tomatoes.