Peduto introduces 'Dark Sky' legislation to reduce light pollution in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | August 25, 2021 | Paul Guggenheimer

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Some Pittsburgh residents may have been wondering why some stars in the night sky have been more difficult to see in recent years. Or why evenings seem less tranquil than they used to?

It could be that excessive use of artificial light, called light pollution, is adversely affecting the health of people in the Pittsburgh area.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is attempting to do something about it.

On Tuesday the mayor announced a new “Dark Sky Lighting” ordinance for all city parks, facilities and street lights. The term refers to the use of technology to minimize the use of outdoor lighting to only what is necessary for comfort and safety.

The ordinance was presented to City Council on Tuesday and will be discussed at another meeting next Wednesday. It will likely come up for a vote on Sept. 7.

Under the ordinance, the city will follow “Dark Sky principles” for its newly installed or retrofitted streetlights, newly constructed and renovated park spaces and playgrounds as well as newly constructed and renovated city-owned buildings.

“By introducing Dark Sky legislation, the city is further advancing its commitment to reduction of energy consumption, and elimination of waste in accordance with our Climate Action Plan goals,” said Peduto at a news conference held at the National Aviary. “Our park spaces and city facilities should serve as the model for others to follow.”

[stars & stripes forever]

LED lights give me eye strain and headaches.

[Fresh Wind]

We should look to North Korea for solutions. They seem to have the problem licked.

[BenLurkin]

Light “pollution”?

Criminals certainly look at it that way.

[RetiredTexasVet]

Obviously he has never studied law ... the law of unintended consequences!!!!

[mak5]

At least Bike Lane Bill will be out of office in a few months. When I was last in Pittsburgh, traffic was a mess because of all of the new bicycle lanes, which had no one riding in them.

[KarlInOhio]

My city replaced the lights on a four lane road very close to where I live with dark sky friendly lights. The lighting part is tucked up into the fixture rather than being exposed. The road is just as brightly lit, but the lights are hard to see far down the road because the light no longer goes horizontally or even upwards.

[left that other site]

Si si.

Me too!

[PIF]

Al Bundy did not have any money. If you had said Al Gore types it may have been logical.
—
Al’s Cali bungalow, at that time, would have sold for $400K and one of the families that started the ruckus was a shoe salesman.

It isn’t about logic ; it was how it was, and that what we called them: Al Bundys - as they were just as dumb as the guy on the show.

[blueplum]

in the meantime, Asia is lit up like a Christmas tree all night

cities cut their budgets by cutting the lights, increasing crime, which causes budget overrides

[dragnet2]

LOL! What a knee slapper.

Btw, it’s ironic, the inner cities are lit up like football stadiums, yet that’s where the majority of crime is.

[dragnet2]

There you go. In fact the road is probably better lit as most of the light is being directed down towards the roadway and not in the faces of the drivers.