Light Pollution Degrades Quality of Life • December 7, 2000

Light Pollution Degrades Quality of Life

by Frank Pizzoli

With the Holiday Season upon us city streets and suburbs will burn brighter than any other season of the year. Much of the seasonal regular lighting throughout the year create a form of trespass, according to one local legislator.

"Light trespass affects residents, motorists, pedestrians, sky watchers, and wastes energy," says Rep. Bruce Smith (R-Dillsburg). At the last session of the General Assembly, he introduced the Outdoor Lighting Control Act (House Bill 2825), which would require standards for outdoor lighting. Satellite images, according to Smith’s information, show the York-Harrisburg area as one of the most light-polluted regions of the state. Although the General Assembly’s legislative session has expired, there is growing interest in the issue among residents of the region.

Several Pennsylvania townships already have light control ordinances and, if Smith’s measure is passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania would join 10 other states that currently regulate light exposures. "We expected to see more townships introduce codes that will control light pollution," says seven-year member of the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg (ASH) member Tony Donnangelo. ASH was founded in the early 1950s and has about 135 members from around the region.

Essentially, Smith’s legislation calls for the control of glare and obtrusive light that illuminates beyond its intended safety and security purposes, also known as "light trespass". "Light trespass is emitted by lighting installation that falls outside the boundaries of the property on which the installation is sited," Smith explains. He points out that, "most of the lighting is being wasted upward and thereby provides no benefit for safety or security purposes. It only obstructs the view of those who enjoy watching the stars and planets." His measure also suggests ways to conserve energy. If passed, violators would be subject to a $100 fine if the violation were not corrected within 10 days.

Constituents like Donnangelo and others played a major role in bringing the issue to Smith’s attention. "We needed to make people aware of the effects of light pollution. Trucking operations, gas stations, businesses with signage that requires intense light along roadways all can easily create safety problems, especially for older drivers," Donnangelo explains. He calls the popularity of businesses using high signage with high voltage lighting the "moth effect," explaining that, "How often have all of us been driving on a major roadway looking for a place to stop? We use those big, brightly lit signs for guidance. But there must be a better way."

In order to understand constituent concerns, Rep. Smith paid visits to ASH’s observatory, relocated in Fairview Township, because the glare was too intrusive for members to star gaze and the York Observatory in East Manchester Township at James Rudy Park stirred his interest. Members of the Harrisburg site have met there since 1967, but Smith says "Members report the glow of lights from nearby homes, parking lots and businesses has destroyed the club’s ability to view sections of the night sky."

In addition to a negative effect on star gazing, Donnangelo tells of effects on neighborhoods. "Supervisors in Swatara Township gave permission to the Rutherford Railroad Yard on Derry Street to increase lighting capacities. Now residents of Chambers Hill road and Rutherford have bright lights shining into their bedrooms all night, interfering with their sleep," he says.

"My legislation sets up practical ways of managing outdoor night lighting," Smith says. "Safety will always be the most compelling factor, but the use of lighting selected and installed to shield the lamp or lamps from direct view will be encouraged." Another section of Smith’s bill calls on the Department of Environmental Protection to designate "dark areas" of the state which are suitable for astrological observatories or which provide nocturnal benefits for flora and fauna.