tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63223211164925048702024-02-22T07:05:30.010-05:00Dark Virginia SkyVirginia Section of the International Dark Sky AssociationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-36275719968024005922024-02-16T18:41:00.005-05:002024-02-16T18:47:36.536-05:002023 Accomplishments for DarkSky Virginia<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCS8r-y_MC3GmqTNvaX06WHdvI1qNRK3zzq0oPh04iydQmyPYSLyp5J_4rWAW3PFhCyivukJ0u2_uh_IVDfY59hRj_CB2GzPi5bEthaVZtkbA6abs9FlsgPzAjB58FTtX6UePpgoyuGa0_mYD61YJrcr3v7TX4jPAhggCBnCmnf2_4kc0mEb41dySIUE/s2000/DarkSky-Virginia-logo-horiz-whitetxt-3-2000x.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="2000" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCS8r-y_MC3GmqTNvaX06WHdvI1qNRK3zzq0oPh04iydQmyPYSLyp5J_4rWAW3PFhCyivukJ0u2_uh_IVDfY59hRj_CB2GzPi5bEthaVZtkbA6abs9FlsgPzAjB58FTtX6UePpgoyuGa0_mYD61YJrcr3v7TX4jPAhggCBnCmnf2_4kc0mEb41dySIUE/w566-h182/DarkSky-Virginia-logo-horiz-whitetxt-3-2000x.png" width="566" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In 2023 the International Dark-Sky Association (or IDA) became DarkSky International, and the Virginia Chapter of IDA became DarkSky Virginia. If you didn't notice, it's okay! It's true--we don't have a big, obvious presence. This is our website and we aren't on social media. We do not have independent 501(c)3 status or a board of directors. But that doesn't mean we aren't an active chapter. In our informal way, we are very active! Here are some examples of our work in 2023: </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Five presentations by chapter representative Laura Greenleaf, in person and virtual, including at the Virginia Living Museum</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Support for Virginia's five Dark Sky Parks</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The launch of a Charlottesville-based local advocacy group, Dark Skies Piedmont (you can find them on Facebook)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Formation of a new regional chapter DarkSky NOVA</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Delegate status for members in Staunton</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Formal comment to Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission on outdoor lighting ordinance and resource support to local advocates</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Advocacy for environmentally responsible outdoor lighting to the Science Museum of VA (see post below)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A published article by Genevieve de Messieres in Loudoun Wander magazine: <a href="https://www.wanderloudoun.com/magazine/2023-spring-summer">https://www.wanderloudoun.com/magazine/2023-spring-summer</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Support for Turner Farm Observatory's application as an Urban Dark Sky Place</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Advocacy in Norfolk for a Lights Out campaign</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Responses to all inquiries and requests for assistance</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> . . . and more!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are not yet a member, please consider becoming a member of DarkSky. if you live in Virginia, when you join DarkSky International, you become a member of our Virginia chapter. And when you support DarkSky, you support our volunteer efforts here in Virginia because we rely on DarkSky's amazing staff and the resources they provide. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Want to explore how you can help DarkSky Virginia? Please email Laura at lauragreenleaf@verizon.net</span></span></p><div><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-5112124561768287422024-01-07T18:33:00.007-05:002024-01-07T18:37:08.489-05:00Fairfax County a Leader with New Lighting Ordinance<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As 2023 came to a close, Great Falls marked a milestone in responsible outdoor lighting policy and practice. Fairfax County's new observatory-centered lighting ordinance (an overlay district) is the result of nearly three years of efforts by dedicated advocates with the park authority and the Analemma Society as they pursue an Urban Night Sky Place designation with DarkSky International. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://northernvirginiamag.com/family/education/2023/12/12/new-regulations-will-limit-light-pollution-around-turner-farm-park-observatory/"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Regulations Limit Light Pollution at Turner Farm Park Observatory (northernvirginiamag.com)</span></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkTHI8bhh1vU3uBfu-67vNCEDoHs37jCjCR28PM-GzWPnMBuR6OvsTowQDXQWpOur7hBzRmGD4J-GCKjIF0xXCTJD5h3nRV3OBR2JCxqXgoY5T_o79v_5JkjUsPQaiQuBm1M7-YxDw1IolHgqSuFNYDmbTLFx-NhUbpSRlVON21E7JmQurKSW4R750mc/s1200/Turner-Farm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkTHI8bhh1vU3uBfu-67vNCEDoHs37jCjCR28PM-GzWPnMBuR6OvsTowQDXQWpOur7hBzRmGD4J-GCKjIF0xXCTJD5h3nRV3OBR2JCxqXgoY5T_o79v_5JkjUsPQaiQuBm1M7-YxDw1IolHgqSuFNYDmbTLFx-NhUbpSRlVON21E7JmQurKSW4R750mc/w425-h283/Turner-Farm.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-4992879708550210452023-08-07T20:26:00.002-04:002023-08-07T20:27:18.504-04:00Rappahannock County Advocates Are Vigilant Defenders of Rural Nights and Starry Skies<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With three new business developments coming to the Town of Washington near Shenandoah National Park, Rappahannock County--home to Virginia's smallest Dark Sky Park--explores options for ensuring expanded outdoor lighting sticks to the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Doing so will not only help protect the park's designation, it will benefit residents by preventing glare and light trespass and respecting the historical and architectural character of the town. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwVTxjI6drSNFcIeEedNTl3ND-Bi2kFIx-_vMhUJ3XR06cepG4nrmFK6LtL9vK2VKQaywKn_xzXLtgNOi-ViM3p4i2TxBw0zbuJsP6bEBrjOzQDOUL3aSUwolOhy8tpZ9NhRAvkXuS1Jm82HW8I9Rz94hPq-B_SqVwE7nyJvpOSg5IPIxkoDVv0AFEeTc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1439" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwVTxjI6drSNFcIeEedNTl3ND-Bi2kFIx-_vMhUJ3XR06cepG4nrmFK6LtL9vK2VKQaywKn_xzXLtgNOi-ViM3p4i2TxBw0zbuJsP6bEBrjOzQDOUL3aSUwolOhy8tpZ9NhRAvkXuS1Jm82HW8I9Rz94hPq-B_SqVwE7nyJvpOSg5IPIxkoDVv0AFEeTc=w480-h136" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.rappnews.com/foothills_forum/will-more-town-lighting-spoil-rappahannock-county-s-dark-skies/article_34e557f8-291d-11ee-8af5-9b080ae98e3f.html" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">https://www.rappnews.com/foothills_forum/will-more-town-lighting-spoil-rappahannock-county-s-dark-skies/article_34e557f8-291d-11ee-8af5-9b080ae98e3f.html</a><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-21891813022677980272023-05-31T21:29:00.008-04:002023-06-15T17:37:33.582-04:00 Science Museum of VA Lighting of The Green Far From "Green" <h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Richmond's Science Museum of Virginia Makes a Glaring Mistake</span></h4><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Removing asphalt and turning a two-acre parking lot into green space is a laudable project to mitigate polluted storm water runoff and the urban heat island effect. But is it environmentally friendly if the area is then blanketed with all night lighting that fails all criteria of responsible outdoor lighting?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9_RJI-mSR9AlbMpzMaZkv2Fi-iz60rQuHafWhHHYNkalxyZsru3YP3WnCUwEDVlKWREx3OEGduvLBFmvPC0trW61_89QLhkLulTo-VYPbqUFlJDVhgwJD0OMkAM1Td3lDFPlsFFOBDEmFVhUdaRu7sfPl0DcRX1j6s1j4PjyMNMtYeNfEgrJ_GE6/s414/SMV_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="414" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9_RJI-mSR9AlbMpzMaZkv2Fi-iz60rQuHafWhHHYNkalxyZsru3YP3WnCUwEDVlKWREx3OEGduvLBFmvPC0trW61_89QLhkLulTo-VYPbqUFlJDVhgwJD0OMkAM1Td3lDFPlsFFOBDEmFVhUdaRu7sfPl0DcRX1j6s1j4PjyMNMtYeNfEgrJ_GE6/w368-h244/SMV_3.jpg" width="368" /></span></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: Ken Wilson</span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Science Museum of Virginia's description of <a href="https://smv.org/explore/green/">The Green</a> touts environmental and community benefits and depicts a tranquil setting--with no light poles in sight. But reality glaringly contradicts this vision. Approximately 35 cylindrical fixtures--each producing light in all directions, not just onto the ground-- crowd the space. And those intensely bright light sources far exceed the threshold of 2700Kelvin or even 3000Kelvin for Color Correlated Temperature. A February 2022 submittal from HG Studio states that "the
high-brightness, high-output white LEDs shall
be 4000K nominal (2700K, 3000K or 5000K
optional) correlated color temperature (CCT)". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As a refresher, here are the basics of the science-based <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/lighting-principles/">principles of responsible outdoor lighting </a>developed in partnership by two science-based entities: the International Dark-Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society, which sets standards for lighting applications: </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqAW9g6gficpAqSxZoua0qwh7TMljbGixfaSWzF9LXdiu7ZZGz_bT3qXGeqo6VYBvBRY6C08fUYqK5eds2sDwOi7V6DYIOcHdzs9PUbOCtZLpXUeLlIEcFjOJm9XrKKMq5FzOFX7RDP2DmV1k_TyXVa5LyyfX6JdVxjwNWdLVjfw6GqGNhHxL1mUj/s3508/Light-to-Protect-the-Night-Five-Principles-for-Responsible-Outdoor-Lighting-IDAIES-01-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="3508" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqAW9g6gficpAqSxZoua0qwh7TMljbGixfaSWzF9LXdiu7ZZGz_bT3qXGeqo6VYBvBRY6C08fUYqK5eds2sDwOi7V6DYIOcHdzs9PUbOCtZLpXUeLlIEcFjOJm9XrKKMq5FzOFX7RDP2DmV1k_TyXVa5LyyfX6JdVxjwNWdLVjfw6GqGNhHxL1mUj/w370-h268/Light-to-Protect-the-Night-Five-Principles-for-Responsible-Outdoor-Lighting-IDAIES-01-1.png" width="370" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Science Museum of Virginia (SMV) lighting of The Green fails on all counts: </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is not clear what the purpose of the lights are since the area is not, as far as we know, intended for active public use all night long, every night.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The light from these cylindrical luminaires is certainly not targeted. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The lumen output is, by design, "high brightness, high output". </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The lighting is not equipped with adaptive controls as the lights are on full power throughout the night. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And the color, at 4000K, is cold even though 2700K and 3000K were options. </span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVvESlsBXec6ucgRujbdYWVO5GzhwpXKxw59Y-8N70Jxvu5xN83OGsXWKSPJxDZt_09lwA1te4tVGW8E2eo6doZf-_fxalwHvpECVDmMkO1wvENoOchHZ1sLnOGX_NlkOEDq0M8YsBa4FDzpA4pLDiZ9eaCPFvO3Rpl68-hkmXP6fwq6IfDSSAdKO/s414/SMV_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="414" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVvESlsBXec6ucgRujbdYWVO5GzhwpXKxw59Y-8N70Jxvu5xN83OGsXWKSPJxDZt_09lwA1te4tVGW8E2eo6doZf-_fxalwHvpECVDmMkO1wvENoOchHZ1sLnOGX_NlkOEDq0M8YsBa4FDzpA4pLDiZ9eaCPFvO3Rpl68-hkmXP6fwq6IfDSSAdKO/w357-h237/SMV_2.jpg" width="357" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: Ken Wilson</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The SMV lights produce glare and uplight, are a source of light clutter for the multi-modal Broad Street, and create ecological light pollution for the recently planted trees and any wildlife that might otherwise benefit from an urban green space. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The SMV is home to the Richmond Astronomical Society, but the museum's leaders did not consult RAS about the project and have repeatedly rebuffed efforts by members to seek mitigation of the lighting's impacts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">SMV leadership likewise has never responded to or acknowledged communication from Virginia IDA's chapter leader seeking dialogue about the lighting and partnership for this and future projects. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is deeply disappointing that a museum defined by science and public education, purportedly committed to environmental stewardship, cares so little about light pollution at a time when the Smithsonian Institution has just opened a <a href="https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-exhibition-invites-visitors-help-recover-their-fading-night-sky">major exhibition on light pollution</a> and responsible lighting policy and practice. </span></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-10164603654287028532022-12-21T20:21:00.003-05:002023-01-29T20:40:55.391-05:00'tis the season for . . . light pollution?! <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We have come to associate excessive holiday lighting with the garish participants in "tacky light tours" every December. But a winery in western Loudoun County has a new twist - a "<a href="https://www.visitloudoun.org/event/lighting-of-the-vines-chef-table/40087/">lighting of the vines</a>" that blasts the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains with sprawling glare visible from several miles away. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eBX5pQNMv24hCsPL8IJdB9NwmYlzP8V-5cH1pElT5K7UdZaA87y99SUxfa1Yx9L5pTDf8xH7cMzM1f-PQz7jhT_vtKxhTbHX73qYHMafezaJ5VMOuW8AkdC94ZP9od3h0pSjn-0UFZmCmdD1oPRbM4UQeLNWr9Yl5PesgXqzr5YRiI6KrbGAHa66/s640/winery_lightpollution.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="640" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eBX5pQNMv24hCsPL8IJdB9NwmYlzP8V-5cH1pElT5K7UdZaA87y99SUxfa1Yx9L5pTDf8xH7cMzM1f-PQz7jhT_vtKxhTbHX73qYHMafezaJ5VMOuW8AkdC94ZP9od3h0pSjn-0UFZmCmdD1oPRbM4UQeLNWr9Yl5PesgXqzr5YRiI6KrbGAHa66/w393-h135/winery_lightpollution.jpg" width="393" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Agritourism" is supposed to help rural places stay rural, but in this case it has become an excuse to destroy the nighttime character of countryside that residents have been fighting for decades to keep country. According to publicity, 10,000 vines are lined with 15,000 lights . . . intensely bright white lights. <i>And it is the intensity--and density--of this lighting that make it harmful. </i>The lights are too bright, blue-white, and numerous over too large an area. Unfortunately, exemptions in poorly written outdoor lighting ordinances allow for this kind of abuse of 'holiday (or seasonal) lighting' that otherwise should warm our hearts, rather than blind our eyes and despoil rural nightscapes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Loudoun County marketing seems a little bit ambivalent about the lighting, simultaneously bragging that the blazing vineyard can be seen for miles (note: visibility for miles is a checkbox for light pollution) while admitting it looks like something from a 'sci-fi movie', yet then praising the "glorious golden glow". </span><a href="https://www.visitloudoun.org/blog/post/holidays-in-loudoun/">Christmas Lights & Holiday Events in Loudoun County, VA 2022 (visitloudoun.org)</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Does this look like a "glorious golden glow" to you? Is it seasonal or spiritual? Or just visible from space?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHw77prNh2EqexViMJ8C1o1AWqGRMMuqL45TU17ncEzixHlZnXmwpid5_HzHCQg9yBL9QpZPMryjsiggBQTHeB-SL1vkDuP1ob2gz95ZFn6Q21z4bqW2snqAF0PZz1fCDPwug7lYFU3Hl7o0j5mZObaKHH90EVBXghm2QCQQ2kL-BNKTVj_IV6frB/s5549/loudoun%20glare%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="5549" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHw77prNh2EqexViMJ8C1o1AWqGRMMuqL45TU17ncEzixHlZnXmwpid5_HzHCQg9yBL9QpZPMryjsiggBQTHeB-SL1vkDuP1ob2gz95ZFn6Q21z4bqW2snqAF0PZz1fCDPwug7lYFU3Hl7o0j5mZObaKHH90EVBXghm2QCQQ2kL-BNKTVj_IV6frB/w488-h177/loudoun%20glare%20(2).jpg" width="488" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you want to contact Bluemont Vineyard to encourage them to tone down their 'holiday lighting' next year, you can reach them </span><a href="https://www.bluemontvineyard.com/" style="font-family: arial;">here</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. Fewer lights of warmer color and lower lumens for shorter periods of time would make a big difference. </span></span><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-65471455575342782972022-10-08T20:36:00.001-04:002022-10-08T20:36:43.929-04:00Light Pollution Does Not Respect County Boundaries<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hundreds of acres in Culpeper County have fallen to bulldozers to make way for hundreds of big unaffordable houses plus commercial development. The latest incursion of suburban sprawl into the once rural northern Piedmont threatens Rappahannock's efforts to steward its night skies. </span><a href="https://www.fauquiernow.com/news/rappahannock-s-dark-sky-protectors-worry-as-development-marches-west/article_b8070b46-b4ee-5f01-ac87-9564a4a8606b.html">Rappahannock’s dark sky protectors worry as development marches west | News | fauquiernow.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy5Z165MhRuWeIvbTOf4AMHJUM3rP8PJbcmqa-cyrJt_cra08aaaOprLzdV19QiHjm_mIpZ24GdgJ-_4FFc139kweS_k8zjGEO97874ipi8ydMG7bT6fWksvNpf_3J2sxwvvbEMEYyjmNRmJ9AZ5t1-zh8QImbhvrga_ozuqPL1lSOJfGtvYPub7Q/s500/633991451ae6c.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy5Z165MhRuWeIvbTOf4AMHJUM3rP8PJbcmqa-cyrJt_cra08aaaOprLzdV19QiHjm_mIpZ24GdgJ-_4FFc139kweS_k8zjGEO97874ipi8ydMG7bT6fWksvNpf_3J2sxwvvbEMEYyjmNRmJ9AZ5t1-zh8QImbhvrga_ozuqPL1lSOJfGtvYPub7Q/s320/633991451ae6c.image.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-55608275486472260482022-10-08T20:27:00.003-04:002022-10-08T20:27:28.173-04:00Fairfax County to Improve Lighting Regs for Proposed DSP<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Fairfax County zoning staff are drafting a new ordinance to create a lighting overlay district for a county park that has been pursuing an Urban Dark Sky Park designation. This article highlights community disputes over lighting requirements, but it leaves out a critical aspect of the "property rights" argument: the right of residents to not have light trespass and glare inflicted on them by neighbors. Everyone has the right to light their own property--not someone else's. The negative impact of neighbor's excessive outdoor lighting on quality of life is the number one reason Virginians contact our chapter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">https://www.insidenova.com/news/fairfax/in-great-falls-contretemps-dark-skies-at-night-are-not-everyones-delight/article_7ae016e2-3aa5-11ed-abca-4b2b267a5b7c.html</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-22523174794809549602022-05-01T19:13:00.007-04:002022-06-22T18:21:05.353-04:00Virginia Honors International Dark Sky Week with Proclamations <p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Several Virginia localities and the office of the governor issued proclamations recognizing International Dark Sky Week 2022 thanks to the efforts of a Virginia IDA member: </span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBufyN7PS-6lnUQH8B4AZR0gfW3huJF5ZzBWY3d8_EIrWZ8cF8N1zbQo0v5hBs24CtvBADtpYdehLwiM3AuWpCpBHsxe91L30htJT6myiq9G22F26_ixricXSaUAZ0zAJYqm5d5zWhVIsW-44R92wN0FHf8FWBjxDokCUU7f6fXNLOYdcaLSpuNlym/s512/cropped-IDSW2021-favicon.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBufyN7PS-6lnUQH8B4AZR0gfW3huJF5ZzBWY3d8_EIrWZ8cF8N1zbQo0v5hBs24CtvBADtpYdehLwiM3AuWpCpBHsxe91L30htJT6myiq9G22F26_ixricXSaUAZ0zAJYqm5d5zWhVIsW-44R92wN0FHf8FWBjxDokCUU7f6fXNLOYdcaLSpuNlym/w188-h188/cropped-IDSW2021-favicon.png" width="188" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/proclamations/proclamation-list/international-dark-sky-week.html">Commonwealth of Virginia</a></span></p><p><a href="https://ashland-va.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1148&meta_id=71065" style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Town of Ashland</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/board-matter/3-2-2022-board-matter-dark-sky-week" style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fairfax County</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://vienna-va.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?LEGID=1988&GID=362&G=01012AC4-27B8-492D-8444-B7BC12CC12D0">Town of Vienna</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Also, the cities of Lexington and Falls Church! </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-72827947877905829972021-12-10T20:41:00.003-05:002021-12-10T20:42:31.575-05:00Amber LEDs in Nags Head to benefit nesting sea turtles<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Virginia Pilot recently ran the following article on a pilot streetlighting project in Nags Head, North Carolina. Without knowing more about the selected lights beyond that they are "amber LEDs" or the details of the town's lighting regulations, we cannot say for sure that they are dark sky compliant or align with <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/values-centered-outdoor-lighting/">the IES/IDA Values Centered Lighting Policy</a>. But it still is an encouraging example of decision-makers engaging on lighting issues.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">(The Virginia Pilot is subscription-based but a subscriber provided the following copy):</span></p><p><b style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By Kari Pugh Correspondent</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">A pilot light project of Dominion
Energy and the town of Nags Head aims to make Outer Banks beaches more friendly
to sea turtle hatchlings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">In late November, Dominion crews
began installing amber LED lighting at town beach accesses following a review
of town lighting regulations at the request of the Nags Head Board of
Commissioners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">“There was general concern about
outdoor lighting [and] protecting sea turtles,” Nags Head Mayor Ben Cahoon
said. “[Our] staff was looking at all those issues, and this emerged.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">“All environmental issues, including
lighting, are really [a] high priority for our town and our board. So once we
became aware of the possibility, the board was able to give direction and say,
‘Yes, we want to explore this.’ ”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">Outer Banks beaches from the
Virginia-North Carolina line to Nags Head usually see about 30 turtle nests
each season, with each containing about 100 eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">Hatchlings will move toward any
light once they’re above ground, which means they can head the wrong way toward
hotels, homes and streets instead of the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">“The thinking is the moon, stars,
the downward slope of the beach are all factors,” said John CeCe, president of
the Outer Banks Network for Endangered Sea Turtles, known as N.E.S.T.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">“Light is an important factor for
them to get into the water. This is a great first step for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">Accesses with new turtle-friendly
lights include Gulf Stream, Gallery Row, Abalone, Blackman, Bladen, Curlew and
East Tides Drive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">The power company and town are
testing a few types of lights before choosing the best for the rest of the
town’s 42 public beach accesses, said David Elliot, a Dominion technical
engineering consultant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">Chief town planner Holly White said
the officials were already looking at light trespass, glare and “just a general
concern about lighting” when Dominion approached the town about the specialty
lights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://digitaledition.pilotonline.com/html5/desktop/production/default.a">https://digitaledition.pilotonline.com/html5/desktop/production/default.a</a>..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">The town has historically been very
committed to a dark night sky,” White said. “This will be beneficial not just
for humans but for nesting turtles and birds.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Kari Pugh, </span><span style="color: #0066cd; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><a href="mailto:karipugh@icloud.com">karipugh@icloud.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-77178728996225958802021-05-01T16:14:00.004-04:002021-05-01T16:34:15.125-04:00New IDA - IES Outdoor Lighting Policy Guidance: Comprehensive Decision Making = Better Outcomes<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The International Dark-Sky Association's Board of Directors recently passed a resolution aimed at a chronic problem: lighting decisions (particularly LED streetlight conversions) typically ignore most facets of quality lighting and continue to increase glare, light trespass, and skyglow. IDA asserts that the interplay of five key principles "must be considered in the design, installation, and use of outdoor lighting, and that treating the principles in isolation from one another is insufficient to address the glowing global problem of light pollution". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Values-Centered Outdoor Lighting policy frames <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/lighting-principles/">Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting</a>, which address whether lighting is justified and which ensure that it is targeted and shielded, that it is of an appropriate illumination level, that it employs adaptive controls, and that it is not too blue in color. Implementation of the five principles is more fully discussed <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/values-centered-outdoor-lighting/">here</a> and you can also read the original resolution. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This initiative is a collaboration of IDA and the Illuminating Engineering Society, which sets standards and recommendations for outdoor lighting. Virginia IDA encourages citizens to use these resources in educating elected officials, local planners, and other decision-makers. We deserve less glare, less light trespass, and less polluted night skies! Quality lighting exists with an ever-expanding market--we need to insist on it. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8y9BsC6LtgjoCR12U-xhrn6mPGaRlXLMZuMadLlyWQLQqyfscA4em-s3iu-ifB8GYgDhx5vxtcVFHlhdl4d2i1-6cFyNJx4C3aVYjNF7hCWF-yKfZypAyUbfCB__QxjWYFzTzYnvVDM/s2048/Light-to-Protect-the-Night-Five-Principles-for-Responsible-Outdoor-Lighting-IDAIES-01-1-2048x1485.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8y9BsC6LtgjoCR12U-xhrn6mPGaRlXLMZuMadLlyWQLQqyfscA4em-s3iu-ifB8GYgDhx5vxtcVFHlhdl4d2i1-6cFyNJx4C3aVYjNF7hCWF-yKfZypAyUbfCB__QxjWYFzTzYnvVDM/w417-h302/Light-to-Protect-the-Night-Five-Principles-for-Responsible-Outdoor-Lighting-IDAIES-01-1-2048x1485.png" width="417" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-48965398504709745792021-05-01T15:44:00.001-04:002021-05-01T15:44:31.249-04:00Virginia Adds Two More Dark Sky Parks<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Two Virginia state parks---Sky Meadows in the northern Piedmont and Natural Bridge in the central Shenandoah Valley--recently received IDA designation as Dark Sky Parks. Virginia is now home to a total of five Dark Sky Parks (Staunton River State Park, James River State Park, and Rappahannock County Park are the first three). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">You can read the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's press release <a href="https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/pr-relz-detail?id=2021-04-07-08-57-23-420881-w08">here</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Roanoke Times ran <a href="https://roanoke.com/news/local/the-sky-above-natural-bridge-state-park-is-now-dark-officially/article_d59bb1a6-97e8-11eb-bdd9-d340cf761f7f.html">a story</a> as did <a href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/sky-meadows-is-one-of-5-virginia-parks-prioritizing-starry-nights/article_84bce7de-a7a4-11eb-b366-337cc6d380ca.html">The Fauquier Times</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">You can find IDA's press release on the <a href="https://www.darksky.org/new-virginia-idsps/">IDA website</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A Dark Sky Park designation does not imply that the skies over that location are pristinely dark. In fact, both these parks are in regions where development, and light pollution, have dramatically increased and spread in the past few decades. Rather the designation indicates relatively dark skies that meet a minimum standard for night sky observation and reflects the park's dedication to protecting the park's nocturnal environment. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Learn more by visiting IDA's <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/">Dark Sky Places</a> conservation program. </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-41106721954282339722021-01-20T09:43:00.006-05:002021-07-19T20:38:12.623-04:00Rappahannock County's Night Sky Conservation Initiative Steady and Strong<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rappahannock County is home to one of Virginia's three IDA-designated Dark-Sky Parks (believed to be the smallest by size) and its biggest voluntary night sky conservation community efforts.</span></h4><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This update appeared in the January 7, 2021 issue of <a href="https://www.rappnews.com/news/">Rappahannock News</a>: </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pole light replacement</span></h4><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Rappahannock
League for Environmental Protection (RLEP) launched its free pole light
replacement program in February 2018 as part of its Saving Dark Skies
initiative to reduce the amount of light pollution in Rappahannock
County. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Since then, educates the league’s Torney Van
Acker, RLEP has been involved in replacing over 230 unshielded lights
with dark sky compliant lights at residences, businesses, churches,
schools, the library, fire halls and public areas. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The
generous support of the Piedmont Environmental Council's Krebser Fund
for Rappahannock County and other donors allows these replacements to be
offered to county property owners free of charge.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“In
2021, you can still do your part to protect our night sky while ensuring
sufficient lighting for safety and security,” writes Van Acker. “The
replacement fixtures focus the light downward on targeted areas while
saving energy and money. Our replacement fixtures use 60% less power and
have a longer design life than traditional lighting. All replacement
lights are installed by qualified electricians at no charge to the
property owner.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The voluntary program is available at
no cost whether the pole light is leased from Rappahannock Electric
Cooperative (REC) or is privately-owned. If you have an older style
leased light, call REC at 540-727-2168 and request the free replacement
with a dark sky compliant model. If you have a privately-owned light to
replace, contact RLEP at 703-250-7943.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-18947339011845084942021-01-20T09:27:00.002-05:002021-01-20T09:31:15.659-05:00Comprehensive Plans for Two Virginia Localities Now Include Night Sky Conservation <p>In the past year and a half, the City of Staunton in the central Shenandoah Valley and Rappahannock County in the northern Blue Ridge and Piedmont both included language acknowledging the importance of curbing light pollution in their updated Comprehensive Plans. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhWaCyiGFpbI-gxny1ReV3_8GyMt2ptW1kFZG7fIYHgE_P3t7yxm7l42I-fcc4kvOHZRYOB7ldice0dJzWvhRQCb9JbTsAfKzpJo3p3-07sJv-qmTGX8sY84vwN-T_SEfDtl2i66VAXw/s354/staunton-logo-with-curve.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="354" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhWaCyiGFpbI-gxny1ReV3_8GyMt2ptW1kFZG7fIYHgE_P3t7yxm7l42I-fcc4kvOHZRYOB7ldice0dJzWvhRQCb9JbTsAfKzpJo3p3-07sJv-qmTGX8sY84vwN-T_SEfDtl2i66VAXw/w216-h116/staunton-logo-with-curve.png" width="216" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/home/showpublisheddocument?id=6446"><br />Staunton's Comprehensive Plan </a> includes references to dark skies and community friendly lighting standards. </p><p><a href="http://www.rappahannockcountyva.gov/compplan.html">Rappahannock's Comprehensive Plan</a>--just adopted on December 7, 2020--notes the value of the county's night skies as a natural resource.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLGSxJ4LVJjZPNa1iHKQr0j9gME6jX94401JYUmO9KXrCLttuS8YCs2GCVtl5Hn4bxNi1_Cn9mnQIZEIq9bAmehJmVto11pCEWwB_7FQzSAxXzHqmS6-tvRNgcPl3ip7mKvySIBVGeII/s77/County-Seal+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="77" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLGSxJ4LVJjZPNa1iHKQr0j9gME6jX94401JYUmO9KXrCLttuS8YCs2GCVtl5Hn4bxNi1_Cn9mnQIZEIq9bAmehJmVto11pCEWwB_7FQzSAxXzHqmS6-tvRNgcPl3ip7mKvySIBVGeII/w104-h97/County-Seal+%25281%2529.png" width="104" /></a></div><p>Both documents are searchable using the CTRL+F function. You can go directly to pages 62 and 86 of Rappahannock's plan. In Staunton's Goals and Objectives, see pages 1-1, 1-2, and 1-9. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-75416741820536133802019-12-18T22:11:00.004-05:002021-05-01T15:49:01.219-04:00VDOT Policy Guidelines Promise Better LED ConversionEarlier this year, the Virginia Department of Transportation finalized the first version of a memorandum on LED roadway lighting at the conclusion of a two year study period on LED conversion. That process addressed concerns related to public health and vision, community character, and environmental impact raised by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in 2017 when considering an initial contract with Trane to supply lighting fixtures.<br />
<br />
On December 18, 2019, Governor Northam signed the commonwealth's contract with Trane and announced the lighting "modernization" plan. Read the full press release <a href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2019/december/headline-850072-en.html">here</a>. <b> </b>The public announcement does make note of stakeholder input and measures to mitigate environmental impacts. <br />
<b></b><br />
<br />
Virginia IDA has followed the evolution of the VDOT policy and reported on it to Virginia IDA membership. <br />
<br />
<h4>
<u>From December's e-newsletter:</u></h4>
<span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our July newsletter reported on the promising outcome of VDOT's two year
process for developing agency guidelines for conversion to LED roadway
lighting. We knew that the <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/natural-bridge-sp-vdot-policy-advances-staunton-comp-plan-book-discount-rappahannock-risk/15900590-www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/iim/te-390_led_lighting.pdf?c=fd52ed9d-7b28-478a-a142-0b697b5414c3" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Traffic
Engineering Division's memorandum</span></a> established a fixture standard of
zero uplight, dominant CCT of 3,000K (with 4,000K in high speed and conflict
zones and availability of 2700K), provision for elimination of existing
unnecessary lighting, potential use of adaptive controls, and a goal of glare
reduction. Now you can read VDOT's "Instructional and Informational
Memorandum" in its entirety <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/natural-bridge-sp-vdot-policy-advances-staunton-comp-plan-book-discount-rappahannock-risk/15900590-www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/iim/te-390_led_lighting.pdf?c=fd52ed9d-7b28-478a-a142-0b697b5414c3" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">here</span></a>.
<img alt="Participants in VDOT's first lighting demo and visual comfort test " border="0" class="tl-email-image" data-id="3304838" height="150" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://gallery.tinyletterapp.com/90be23cde805348b7df1381d97d917b4dfdde6f8/images/1775137e-f056-4df4-824d-6efe001e2d62.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-bottom-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 10px; border-left-color: white; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 10px; border-right-color: white; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 10px; border-top-color: white; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px #BBBBBB; display: block; float: right; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 20px; max-width: 200px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 200px;" width="200" />This document serves as a foundational
framework for the development of standards and criteria. Virginia IDA will be
contributing to recommended language for effective implementation of practices
that fulfill commitments to quality lighting.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Right: Participants in VDOT's October lighting demonstration and
visual</span></i></b><b><i><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">comfort test. </span></b></i></b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #505050; font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<u> From July's e-newsletter:<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></u></h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Two years after halting a conversion to 4,000K
LED roadway lighting across the commonwealth, Virginia has finalized a plan for
implementing LED technology that takes into account its effects on human health
and vision, community character, and our environment, including our night skies.
The new guidelines will mitigate uplight that causes sky glow and emphasize "warmer"
lights that years of experience and <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/va-ida-news-vdot-standards-fall-star-parties-in-highland-co-dark-sky-park-celebrations-dominion-lighting-improves/14856022-volt.org/lessons-learned/?c=619f81fa-366e-49bc-90bc-c810c2d0bf20" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">LED
lessons-learned</span></a> have shown residents across the country
prefer. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
<br />
In September 2017 the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) paused a
proposal to convert at least 10,000 and up to 75,000 streetlights to 4,000K LED
fixtures when <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/va-ida-news-vdot-standards-fall-star-parties-in-highland-co-dark-sky-park-celebrations-dominion-lighting-improves/14856026-www.ctb.virginia.gov/?c=619f81fa-366e-49bc-90bc-c810c2d0bf20" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Commonwealth
Transportation Board</span></a> (CTB) member Scott Kasprowicz raised
concerns about the potential negative public health and safety impacts and
environmental harm of blue-rich light. (The previous year the American Medical
Association had <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/va-ida-news-vdot-standards-fall-star-parties-in-highland-co-dark-sky-park-celebrations-dominion-lighting-improves/14856030-www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-adopts-guidance-reduce-harm-high-intensity-street-lights?c=619f81fa-366e-49bc-90bc-c810c2d0bf20" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">released its
full report</span></a> advising against the use of overly bright, glaring blue-white
LED outdoor and roadway lighting.) The agency agreed to slow the process and
referred the project for a Virginia Transportation Research Council study led
by Dr. Ronald Gibbons, director of the Center of Infrastructure-Based Safety
Systems at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Bob Parks, LC, CFLC,
MIES of the <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/va-ida-news-vdot-standards-fall-star-parties-in-highland-co-dark-sky-park-celebrations-dominion-lighting-improves/14856034-volt.org/?c=619f81fa-366e-49bc-90bc-c810c2d0bf20" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Smart Outdoor
Lighting Alliance</span></a> and member and former executive director of
IDA, served in a <i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">pro bono </span></i>consulting role to the
CTB and VDOT.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, July 17, 2019 the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved
VDOT's final version of the new lighting standards as presented in its
Instructional and Informational Memorandum (not yet available online).<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Some highlights of the future of Virginia's highway and street
lighting: </span></b> </span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">All new fixture designs must
have a classification rating of zero uplight</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The majority of fixtures will
have a Color Correlated Temperature (CCT) of 3,000K</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">4,000K fixtures are
designated for high speed and high conflict areas such as ramps and
intersections</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2,700K lighting will be an
option for certain locations and speed zones <img border="0" class="tl-email-image" data-id="3039154" height="191" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://gallery.tinyletterapp.com/90be23cde805348b7df1381d97d917b4dfdde6f8/images/c9be4c19-c810-408c-8706-ad512b2f0e05.png" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; border-bottom-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 10px; border-left-color: white; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 10px; border-right-color: white; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 10px; border-top-color: white; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px #BBBBBB; display: block; float: right; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 20px; max-width: 200px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 200px;" width="200" /></span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The elimination of existing
unnecessary lighting for which there is not a demonstrable,
evidence-based need is a stated policy goal</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommendation of lowest
possible glare rating for all fixtures </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Provision for the use of
adaptive controls to reduce illumination when and where it is not needed</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Any policy is only as good as its
implementation and Mr. Kasprowicz of the CTB noted that the memorandum is a "framework"
for building out the necessary criteria and metrics to fulfill VDOT's
commitments, which will be the next step. Trane, the company awarded the
state contract, will be demonstrating the ability of their fixture selections
to meet the new state standards.<br />
<br />
Read news coverage of the decision on <a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/va-ida-news-vdot-standards-fall-star-parties-in-highland-co-dark-sky-park-celebrations-dominion-lighting-improves/14856038-wtop.com/dc-transit/2019/07/virginia-to-implement-streetlight-changes-introduce-warm-leds/?c=619f81fa-366e-49bc-90bc-c810c2d0bf20" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">WTOP</span></a> and
<a href="http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/Virginia_IDA/va-ida-news-vdot-standards-fall-star-parties-in-highland-co-dark-sky-park-celebrations-dominion-lighting-improves/14856042-wamu.org/story/19/07/16/virginia-set-to-switch-interstate-streetlights-to-cost-saving-leds/?c=619f81fa-366e-49bc-90bc-c810c2d0bf20" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">WAMU</span></a>.
</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #505050; font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black;">
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-21401975135398341392019-03-23T11:01:00.002-04:002019-03-23T11:09:26.835-04:00<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Virginia is Now Home </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to Three IDA-Designated Dark Sky Parks </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> been an eventful spring with much to celebrate! In just the past couple weeks two Virginia parks have formally announced their designation as Silver Tier Dark Sky Parks. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/james-river#general_information">James River State Park</a> in Gladstone (Buckingham County) is Virginia's second state park to meet this goal. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://rappahannockcountypark.weebly.com/">Rappahannock County Park</a> in "Little" Washington is the first local park in Virginia to seek and accomplish Dark Sky Park status. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia IDA members Laura Graham, Laura Greenleaf, and Patricia Rostkowski actively supported these efforts with Graham and Rostkowski providing on-site visits and assistance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For James River State Park's application and press release, please visit <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/james-river-state-park/">here</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Rappahannock County Park's application and press release, please visit <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/rappahannock-county-park/">here</a>. </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-39568681095886940232019-03-23T10:45:00.003-04:002019-03-23T11:05:29.093-04:00<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Virginia Outdoors Plan Now Recognizes Dark Skies as Scenic Resource</span></h3>
<div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Every five years the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation produces an updated comprehensive plan for land conservation,
outdoor recreation, and open space planning known as the <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/vop">Virginia OutdoorsPlan</a>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Government agencies, nonprofits,
and the private sector look to the Virginia Outdoors Plan for guidance in
meeting the needs of communities throughout the commonwealth,<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Participation in the federal Land and Water
Conservation Fund program requires such a state plan and the Virginia Land
Conservation Foundation also turns to the VOP for direction. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">For the first time in its history, the Virginia Outdoors
Plan includes dark night skies in its <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/vop">Scenic Resources chapter</a> and a dedicated
appendix on <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/vop-app-10-dark-skies.pdf">Natural Nightscapes and Dark Skies</a>.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Virginia IDA's Laura Greenleaf began working with DCR staff in 2016 to
address the need for inclusion of night sky conservation in the new VOP.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Janit Llewellyn and
Robbie Rhur of DCR (Janit has since moved on to Chesterfield County Parks and
Rec) were instrumental in championing this effort and seeing it through the
long VOP process. Many thanks to them both! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Find the entire Virginia Outdoors Plan <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/vop">here</a>. Chapter 10:
Scenic Resources and Appendix 10: Dark Skies.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-53979253408391653382018-06-15T13:45:00.001-04:002018-06-15T13:49:18.319-04:00D.C. Chapter Brings IDA Message to Arlington Migratory Bird Festival<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Members of the D.C. chapter of the International Dark-Sky
Association represented IDA on May 12 at a Migratory Bird Festival in
Arlington, Va. More than 200 people, including many children, attended the
festival sponsored by Arlington
County Parks and Natural Resources at Lacey Woods Park. Through informal
discussions with attendees, IDA members Marcia Montgomery and Wayne
Savage described the negative impact of artificial light at night on
migrating birds. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUBd258GvgsjPfwyyKtw63gZHcPvtCroIt8netP8yB813q1V8CURmkZEDb6Gzb9r2a9Ao4EjNq52HBNRC2nMQuXbXWfGQaVHrh0ysKueuHV0tvlNBQUJLOVxdz-1O5t5r6aoppE_V6OE/s1600/DSCN1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUBd258GvgsjPfwyyKtw63gZHcPvtCroIt8netP8yB813q1V8CURmkZEDb6Gzb9r2a9Ao4EjNq52HBNRC2nMQuXbXWfGQaVHrh0ysKueuHV0tvlNBQUJLOVxdz-1O5t5r6aoppE_V6OE/s320/DSCN1472.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Marcia Montgomery, left, of IDA's D.C. chapter, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">speaks with attendees </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at the Migratory Bird Festival</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> May 12</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most bird migration occurs at night, when excessive and
poorly designed urban lights can disrupt avian navigation, sometimes with
fatal results. Festival attendees responded positively to IDA's message
and left email addresses for follow-up contact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Arlington
County Parks has invited IDA to attend a <span class="m3494991076456184969m2783661255055178942gmail-m8076428597455888411gmail-il">Bat</span>
Fest from <span class="m3494991076456184969m2783661255055178942gmail-m8076428597455888411gmail-aqj">6:30 to
9:00 p.m. on </span>Aug. 25 at <a href="https://parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/gulf-branch-nature-center/">Gulf Branch Nature Center</a> in
Arlington.</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Artificial light at night impacts bat foraging behavior in ways
that are not fully understood and may interfere with navigation of bats
and disrupt their circadian clocks. </span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-62103783860704655622018-02-01T09:05:00.000-05:002018-02-02T10:17:18.348-05:00Rappahannock County Opts for Better Lighting and Dark Skies<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the past several years the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection has been a champion of the county's starry skies and nighttime rural character. They have hosted events (including a presentation from Virginia IDA and star watches), done the kind of neighborly outreach that's such a wonderful part of country life, and most remarkably, they have diligently worked with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to make positive changes to the type of pole lighting used in the county. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rappahannock Electric Cooperative is now replacing all failed HID unshielded luminaires in
Rappahannock County with 40 watt 3000K LED luminaires from Evluma. The fixture is from Evluma's AreaMax product line (model number<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>AM-40-3K-V-C-S3-STD-6</b>) and is approved under IDA's <a href="http://www.darksky.org/fsa/">Fixture Seal of Approval</a> program and the Smart Outdoor Lighting Alliance's <a href="http://volt.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5-13-2017-SOLA-CFL-application.pdf">Community Friendly Lighting</a> program. (NOTE: there are also 2700K alternatives for any community interested in this option.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Read the latest about Rappahannock County's dark sky leadership:</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rappnews.com/2018/01/14/night-sky-view-from-rappahannock-unlike-any-other/">http://rappnews.com/2018/01/14/night-sky-view-from-rappahannock-unlike-any-other/</a></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rappnews.com/2017/12/11/free-pole-light-replacement-project-aims-to-protect-rapps-night-skies/">http://rappnews.com/2017/12/11/free-pole-light-replacement-project-aims-to-protect-rapps-night-skies/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://rappnews.com/2017/11/19/down-with-the-lights/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">http://rappnews.com/2017/11/19/down-with-the-lights/</a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-27366583647670980322018-01-29T17:55:00.001-05:002018-02-23T13:03:13.062-05:00LED Legislation: 2018 General Assembly<h3>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><u>UPDATE: HB58 was left in Appropriations Committee on 2/13/18</u></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Virginia IDA contributes to changes in legislative language; </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">takes <u>no position</u> on HB58</span></i></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">During the 2016 and 2017 Virginia General Assembly sessions, the Virginia chapter of IDA opposed legislation introduced by Delegate John Bell (D-Loudoun). (You can read an explanation of why in our post dated February 2, 2017 under "older posts"). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJAj2hvU913uhqskNcEWQJElP-jVYNMqGxyFQUZvUeap9tBDUhIuS8nV020Ny632bwy5vQHsy-hUBu-A9l9i7AHi_wv84LXKoDe8LgnYrFaB33CZ0pyOTO_nn_I4mkBlF2tNa83Y3csg/s1600/Capitol_glare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJAj2hvU913uhqskNcEWQJElP-jVYNMqGxyFQUZvUeap9tBDUhIuS8nV020Ny632bwy5vQHsy-hUBu-A9l9i7AHi_wv84LXKoDe8LgnYrFaB33CZ0pyOTO_nn_I4mkBlF2tNa83Y3csg/s320/Capitol_glare.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Virginia State Capitol is lit by one of the most </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">wasteful </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">polluting </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">of fixture designs--the "acorn"--</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">using</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> a glaring </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">high </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Color Correlated Temperature </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> that further </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">amplifies</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> light pollution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year the legislation returned as House Bill 58 and our concerns were the same as in years past: mandating LED lighting for all state properties and facilities is risky. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The absence of a Color Correlated Temperature limit, exemptions for places where protecting the night sky and nocturnal habitat is a priority (including existing and potential certified Dark Sky Places), or any mention of adaptive control is a recipe for a well-intended law producing bad public policy and worse lighting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Energy-efficient technology does not equal en</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">vironmentally responsible lighting when decisions are based only on efficiency (and cost) and not on comprehensive consideration of the full effects of lighting on our environment, natural and built, and on us. Nor does it guarantee energy savings. Unfortunately, </span><a href="http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/11/e1701528.full" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">recently published research </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">suggests that our tendency to respond to efficiency gains with increased consumption likely applies to LED lighting, with light pollution continuing to spread and intensify. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Earlier this month Virginia IDA and the </span><a href="http://volt.org/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Smart Outdoor Lighting Alliance</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> addressed these concerns again with Delegate Bell. <u>As a result of our conversation, Delegate Bell agreed to amend HB58's language to include a compromise CCT limit of 3500K and exemptions for state parks, astronomical observatories, and environmentally sensitive areas.</u> (The CCT limit is still above the 3000K limit that is the standard for IDA, SOLA, and the American Medical Association, but without <i>any</i> limit at all there was nothing to stop a state procurement process from unleashing 4000K, 5000K, or even 6500K lighting because it's the most "efficient"). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a result of these changes, Va. IDA has taken a neutral position on HB58, neither supporting nor opposing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We appreciate Delegate Bell hearing our concerns and his willingness to include us in the process of amending his legislation. HB58 left a subcommittee of the General Laws Committee on a 5-3 vote and has been referred to the Appropriations Committee at which time the new language will be incorporated. You can follow HB58 </span><a href="https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=181&typ=bil&val=hb58" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">here</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-54482268865910356602018-01-06T12:27:00.003-05:002018-01-29T20:18:27.557-05:00Richmond's Dept. of Public Utilities' LED Streetlight Pilot Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeQYjKsbm4s_G4ZEZFULoTkJwFMJwCdgQ7d0M32KQK_aUUtt-uxGoDCgjdaH26DIEHL6Q__HveyxBEH6R5bJzxlkRaePppTC8zArVanTPBL8FXFainF9ZxmNHQBqIxUK2hPwLG1_BRjs/s1600/DPU_LED.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="412" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeQYjKsbm4s_G4ZEZFULoTkJwFMJwCdgQ7d0M32KQK_aUUtt-uxGoDCgjdaH26DIEHL6Q__HveyxBEH6R5bJzxlkRaePppTC8zArVanTPBL8FXFainF9ZxmNHQBqIxUK2hPwLG1_BRjs/s400/DPU_LED.JPG" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Simplistic labels like "GREEN!" and "EFFICIENT!" continue to obscure the complexities of LED lighting that too often turns out to be both wasteful and harmful to ecosystems, night skies, and human health and safety. Here is a summary of Virginia IDA's involvement in an LED streetlight pilot project unfolding in the City of Richmond. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The City of Richmond's Department of Public Utilities has begun an LED streetlight pilot project, installing three different LED fixtures in six locations. <i>(Fill out</i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the survey on your reaction to the streetlights <a href="http://cordpu.blogspot.com/2017/12/testing-led-streetlights-in-rva.html">here</a>!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">)</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While neighborhood associations covering the impacted streets were notified by the pictured newsletter this past summer, Virginia IDA was unaware of the project until November 14th when I encountered the conversion underway as I drove my son to school on Forest Hill Avenue. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I immediately sought as much information as possible from DPU and shared it with Richmond members and supporters of IDA. I also referred all information to Bob Parks, LC, MIES of the <a href="http://volt.org/">Smart Outdoor Lighting Alliance</a> for his assessment. (All communication related to this issue was also copied or forwarded to City Councilwoman Kristen Larson and her legislative assistant Bryce Lyle.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The most obvious concern, even with limited information, was that ALL fixtures originally selected for installation are of a 4,000K Color Correlated </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ3oqOAioMD6UcA9o7maTTq3xguM4S77tkGbE-JW4Sey1wD3NbohsQvukoDMxpS95o0Z2MUPMVrDnOMKVH4nXZgQTgLSPBfrBwc9VGpvQGhZeD23euts49vp2xLcyjhmKJJdK6Ze-S68/s1600/DPU_LED_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="386" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ3oqOAioMD6UcA9o7maTTq3xguM4S77tkGbE-JW4Sey1wD3NbohsQvukoDMxpS95o0Z2MUPMVrDnOMKVH4nXZgQTgLSPBfrBwc9VGpvQGhZeD23euts49vp2xLcyjhmKJJdK6Ze-S68/s400/DPU_LED_2.JPG" width="275" /></b></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Temperature</b>. This violates LED <a href="http://www.darksky.org/lighting/led-guide/">quality standards</a> and <a href="http://volt.org/community-friendly-lighting/">best practices</a> for community friendly lighting. Numerous streetlight conversions around the country and the world have resulted in neighborhoods rejecting high CCT lighting. DPU's information also makes unsubstantiated claims that the lighting will influence crime or crime-solving. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On November 20th DPU provided me with "spec" or "cut" sheets for the fixtures as well as photometric summary data from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bob Parks reviewed this information <i>and </i>consulted with Dr. Ron Gibbons, DPU's consultant with VTTI. Mr. Parks subsequently provided to DPU recommendations with which Dr. Gibbons concurred and which met the design criteria for the city established by WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The recommendations specified a 3,000K option for residential areas, identifying equivalent fixtures that would also reduce energy costs by up to 25% over the previously proposed fixtures without any negative impact on visibility or safety. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mr. Parks also offered SOLA's</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> "<i>pro bono</i> public outreach coordination services to the
City of Richmond</b> if the 3000K alternative fixtures are included in the
pilot test. These services would include developing a neutral written
survey to assess public preference, organize and conduct a town hall
meeting to promote the pilot test, and conduct a walking tour of the
installed fixtures. After the walking tour is concluded we would collect
the surveys and provide you with the collated data to be used in your
final decisions."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mr. Parks also noted that, " . . . <i>the recent AMA report has heightened residents' concerns
regarding higher CCT lighting and its potential impact on human health
and the environment. SOLA regularly consults with cities on this issue and through public outreach
demonstrations has found that most residents, when given the option of
warmer color temperature, prefer it overwhelmingly. Furthermore, in many
new fixtures the decrease in efficacy for warmer color temperature is
minimal or nonexistent. </i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>SOLA
believes that preserving neighborhood character and ambiance is an
important aspect of LED street lighting conversions that is too often
overlooked. Another crucial consideration needed to ensure community
satisfaction and acceptance of new LED lighting is the reduction of
glare and light trespass, improving overall visual comfor</i>t."</span></span><br />
<div class="">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">DPU initially expressed interest in working with SOLA, but later explained to me that the agency had no means of covering necessary travel costs. I clarified by e-mail, voice mail messages, and in a phone conversation on December 21st that those costs could and would be covered by donations to SOLA (a nonprofit). DPU still demurred, noting that they did not need another consultant even while confirming that public outreach is not part of Mr. Gibbons' role or scope of services. Instead DPU has stated that it will conduct its own public outreach and survey although it has no experience in crafting or implementing such an assessment on community lighting. <u><i>As of December 21st, DPU had not yet had a follow-up meeting with Dr. Gibbons but did express the intention to discuss with him the inclusion of a 3,000K fixture option at the beginning of 2018.</i></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I concluded that conversation by emphasizing Virginia IDA's support for a robust public input process that does not shut out residents beyond the immediate area, a range of quality lighting options (because residents can only experience and compare what is presented to them) including at least 3,000K if not lower, and the use of adaptive control to demonstrate dimming</b>. DPU was not familiar with referenced case studies from other cities and indicated that they are only looking at Washington, D.C.'s streetlight conversion. DPU emphasized that this is just a "pilot project, not a conversion", but of course the intent of a pilot project is presumably to make decisions that ultimately will be implemented on a larger scale. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Richmond residents who wish to weigh in on DPU's pilot project with questions, concerns, or comments can fill out this <a href="http://cordpu.blogspot.com/2017/12/testing-led-streetlights-in-rva.html">survey</a> and/or contact DPU directly: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Al Scott, DPU Deputy Director, Gas & Lights</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(804) 646-8307</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alfred.Scott@richmondgov.com </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Daniel Rifenburgh, Engineer IV, </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Technical Services Division</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">804-646-8537</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Daniel.Rifenburgh@richmondgov.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>You may also wish to consider contacting your <a href="http://www.richmondgov.com/CityCouncil/index.aspx">city council </a>representative. </u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For reference, I am copying below an email containing LED-related resources I sent to Mr. Scott on December 22, 2017: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Mr. Scott, <br />
<br />
Thank you for talking with me yesterday. I am following up with
the resources I referenced and promised to share: <br />
<br />
1) LED STREETLIGHTING CASE STUDIES (there are more, but here are
just three)<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial";">Cambridge, MA</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-family: "arial";">Includes a thorough
discussion of energy savings through adaptive control</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> <a href="http://volt.org/cambridge-led-streetlight-retrofit-project/" moz-do-not-send="true">http://volt.org/cambridge-led-streetlight-retrofit-project/</a><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial";">San Jose, CA</span></b><b><br />
</b><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>This i</b><b>ncludes a
link to the 134 page assessment report by con</b><b>sultants </b><b>Clanton
and Associat</b><b>es. (Note that it include</b><b>s ana</b><b>lysis
of research contributed by Dr. G</b><b>ibbons.)</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br />
<a href="http://volt.org/san-jose-ca-led-streetlight-retrofit-project/" moz-do-not-send="true">http://volt.org/san-jose-ca-led-streetlight-retrofit-project/</a><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold;">Davis, CA </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: lato, sans-serif;">Recommendations for public input include 2700K example and dimming options.</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://volt.org/lessons-learned-davis-ca-led-streetlight-retrofit/" moz-do-not-send="true"><br />
</a></span><a href="http://volt.org/lessons-learned-davis-ca-led-streetlight-retrofit/" moz-do-not-send="true"><span style="font-family: "arial";">http://volt.org/lessons-learned-davis-ca-led-streetlight-retrofit/</span></a><br />
<br />
2) CITY OF PHOENIX USING 2700K <br />
<b>City of Phoenix government website page on LED streetlight
conversion. <u> Phoenix is using 2700K lights</u> as result of
extensive community input.</b> <br />
<a href="https://www.phoenix.gov/streets/neighborhood-matters/street-light-information/LED" moz-do-not-send="true">https://www.phoenix.gov/streets/neighborhood-matters/street-light-information/LED</a><br />
<br />
3) City of Pittsburgh LED Streetlight Research Project (ATTACHED)<br />
<br />
4) IDA's LED Practical Guide (ATTACHED)<br />
<br />
5) <span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>One of the more recent
articles on </b><b> Washington</b><b>, D.C. </b><b>LED
project</b><b> where <u>citizens have increasingly organized
and pushed for 2700K </u></b><b><u>CCT </u>and a follow up
letter to the editor: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span>
<br />
<a href="https://currentnewspapers.com/led-streetlight-plan-sees-continued-resistance/https://currentnewspapers.com/letter-to-the-editor-city-should-compromise-on-led-streetlights/" moz-do-not-send="true"><span style="font-family: "arial";">https://currentnewspapers.com/led-streetlight-plan-sees-continued-resistance/</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://currentnewspapers.com/led-streetlight-plan-sees-continued-resistance/https://currentnewspapers.com/letter-to-the-editor-city-should-compromise-on-led-streetlights/" moz-do-not-send="true"><br />
</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://currentnewspapers.com/led-streetlight-plan-sees-continued-resistance/https://currentnewspapers.com/letter-to-the-editor-city-should-compromise-on-led-streetlights/" moz-do-not-send="true">https://currentnewspapers.com/letter-to-the-editor-city-should-compromise-on-led-streetlights/</a><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">6) Link to Department of
Energy pedestrian friendly lighting study. (Sharing this
because of the community involvement/public input process that
was used): <a href="https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/2013_gateway_pedestrian.pdf" moz-do-not-send="true">https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/2013_gateway_pedestrian.pdf</a><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I don't know if I've mentioned
this before, but VDOT recently put on pause, pending further
evaluation, a plan for an extensive 4,000K LED conversion
based on concerns raised within the Commonwealth
Transportation Board about the effects of high CCT LEDs. This
issue will continue to be addressed by the CTB and VDOT. <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Sincerely, <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Laura Greenleaf</span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">co-leader, Virginia chapter of
the International Dark-Sky Association</span></h2>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-90082964986765551852017-12-23T12:49:00.000-05:002018-01-29T20:13:48.247-05:00Roanoke Times Editorial by Virginia IDA<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Roanoke Times published an editorial by Virginia chapter co-leader, Laura Greenleaf, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The Roanoke Times editorial board has consistently advocated for night sky conservation as a community asset and tourism opportunity for the region. Here is <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/commentary/greenleaf-why-we-need-dark-sky-parks/article_d4d94d12-4875-5427-9605-12f7a1fc8935.html">Why We Need Dark Sky Parks</a>. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-61729182270469660982017-06-12T17:08:00.001-04:002018-01-29T20:16:05.930-05:00Rappahannock Celebrates and Defends Dark Skies<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP) recently hosted a well attended public presentation at the Castleton Festival by NASA Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfearn. RLEP has been at the forefront of local efforts around Virginia to protect relative dark skies as the community asset and defining aspect of country living that they are. Read more about Mr. Redfearn's visit <a href="http://rappnews.com/2017/06/03/nasa-solar-ambassador-wows-rappahannock-audience-with-night-skies-presentation/">here</a>. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-3174770623550656452017-06-12T16:59:00.000-04:002017-06-12T17:00:28.548-04:00Virginia Student Conducts Firefly Research at State Arboretum<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was delighted to come across <a href="https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/blog/eureka-lab/nighttime-lights-can-dim-fireflys-flash">this article in Science News for Students</a> about Warrenton high school student Savannah Long who was inspired by a UVA biology graduate student conducting research into fireflies and light pollution. For her science fair project, Ms. Long designed and set up her own experiments at UVA's Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce and she took her study to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, attended by 1800 students from 75 countries. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-80598926982272907672017-02-02T11:40:00.001-05:002018-01-29T20:16:50.210-05:00Why Va. IDA Opposed the LED Outdoor Lighting Legislation (it's not because we're anti-energy efficiency!)<i><span style="font-size: large;">(On February 1st, a subcommittee of the House of Delegates committee on Appropriations recommended with an unrecorded 'voice vote' to lay on the table <a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+sum+HB1988">HB 1988</a> which would have required all state government entities to use LED lighting. This bill contained <u>some </u> language addressing light pollution and shielding suggested by Va. IDA a year ago as well as protections for historic districts and properties, but did not adequately provide for best practices or other necessary exemptions. It did not include a CCT limit, encouragement of use of adaptive control systems, or exemptions for existing and future Dark Sky Places, astronomical observatories, or protected natural areas.)</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's say I tell you that I'm converting my home to all energy efficient LED lighting so I can save energy and money and reduce my carbon footprint. You come to visit one evening and you're surprised to find my home blazing with light--every lamp and fixture in every room on though unoccupied, porch and garage lights left on all night long. Many of the lights are much brighter than they need to be for their purpose--reading or dining or seeing your way up the stairs. Worse yet, some are so intensely blue-white they hurt your eyes, especially the outdoor fixtures with exposed diode arrays. And since LEDs are so 'efficient', I've added more fixtures.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Would you applaud my energy efficiency?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://p.ledinside.com/led/2014-07/1405913225_61584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://p.ledinside.com/led/2014-07/1405913225_61584.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is exactly what has been happening with many LED installations , including <a href="http://darksky.org/contact-your-elected-official-to-fight-against-blue-rich-led-street-lighting/">streetlight conversions</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">. LED's efficiency too often becomes an excuse to use even more of it, lighting what doesn't need to be lit more of the time at higher levels. LED's greater perceived brightness and improved visibility means we can and should use lower illumination levels, but decision makers (DOTs particularly) keep applying the same on-the-ground target illumination standard rather than shifting downward within the recommended range. And LED installations too rarely have included the technology's greatest advance and advantage: adaptive control, the sophisticated means to tailor lighting to locations, times, and conditions with dimming and brightening, part-night lighting, and maintenance monitoring with the capacity to dramatically cut consumption, costs, and light pollution. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>HB 1988 did not include any language addressing adjustment in illumination levels or provision of adaptive control capacity.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The most familiar pitfall of LED lighting is blue-rich light: higher Color Correlated Temperature--measured in Kelvin--intensifies glare (harming vision and reducing visibility), exacerbates melatonin suppression, amplifies sky glow, and disrupts ecosystems with increased impacts to wildlife. IDA has been warning about blue-rich light since 2010 and over three years ago revised its Fixture Seal of Approval program to include a 3,000K or below limit. Last year the <a href="http://darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/AMA_Report_2016_60.pdf">American Medical Association </a>affirmed a 3,000K limit for human health and safety.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> IDA members and other advocates are working in their communities to establish a 3,000K standard and are specifically collaborating with electric coops to eliminate the use of 4,000K and 5,000K fixtures. In addition to DSP-certified Staunton River State Park, we have efforts underway at about six locations, including two to three state parks, to pursue Dark Sky Place designations. High CCT lighting would be at odds with those efforts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>HB 1988 did not include a Color Correlated Temperature limit or consideration of dark sky conservation efforts.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So that's why Virginia IDA opposed passage of HB 1988 LED Outdoor Lighting. We are not opposed to LED lighting and certainly support energy efficiency--<i>real </i>energy efficiency does not risk </span><span style="font-size: large;">our night skies or the aesthetics of our communities and is consistent with quality outdoor lighting.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For more information on wise and responsible approaches to LED lighting, go to IDA's <a href="http://darksky.org/?s=LED">blog posts</a> and Virginia's own </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://volt.org/" style="font-size: x-large;">Smart Outdoor Lighting Alliance</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For an example of adaptive control and warm CCT in action, check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5xnAaKYQvw">Thames-side park</a> that serves the public while protecting a crucial wildlife habitat corridor. </span><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322321116492504870.post-31863475194253982142017-01-03T14:59:00.002-05:002017-01-03T15:02:25.102-05:00Virginia high school student wins IDA Rising Star Award! <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before she had even begun her sophomore year of high school, Lora Callahan was shepherding James River State Park toward application for Dark Sky Park certification through collaboration with park staff, hands-on work, education, and advocacy. In November IDA awarded Lora with one of two Rising Star awards (you can read about all award winners <a href="http://darksky.org/our-work/awards-recognition-program/2016-ida-award-winners/">here</a>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IDA published the follow summary of why Lora is a Rising Star: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We proudly honor Lora Callahan, a high school student from
Lynchburg, VA, who has become the kind of dark skies champion and advocate to
which we all aspire. An outdoor
enthusiast and veteran Girl Scout who intends to visit all of Virginia’s 37
state parks, Lora teamed up with the James River State Park volunteer
coordinator to pursue an IDA Dark Sky Park certification for the Park. Since then she has volunteered more than 100
hours toward the effort, far exceeding the 80-hour requirement of the Girl
Scouts’ Gold Award. Lora and friends
hand-built and installed 35 wooden shields for the exterior lights in the
Park’s cabin area, conducted extensive night sky readings that were submitted
to IDA, conducted a lighting inventory of the entire park and its facilities,
changed bulbs to lower intensities, installed and set timers, replaced some
fixtures with FSA approved designs, and disconnecting unnecessary lights
including antiquated ‘dusk to dawn’ post lights within view of the riverside
campground. This past June Lora spent a
weekend assisting with dark sky-focused interpretive programs and she continues
to keep up with outreach to surrounding communities and regional astronomy
clubs to build support and attract more partners for ongoing program
development. Not only have Lora’s
ongoing efforts made James River State Park an ideal place to view the night
sky and experience the natural night, she has brought valuable public attention
to the cause of night sky conservation and responsible lighting practices while
continuing to elevate dark skies as a priority for the Virginia State
Parks. We are fortunate to have Lora
Callahan on the side of dark skies in Virginia and IDA can only benefit from
her leadership and its full potential.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">darkvirginiasky.org</div>Laura Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482264121442039329noreply@blogger.com