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Light Pollution D ark Skies Greater T ucson Area Update. By Joe Frannea Southern Arizona Chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association. Web: sa-ida.org. PAG - Oct 75 2011. USA At Night. Waste $2 Billion/Year in Electricity
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Light PollutionDark SkiesGreater Tucson Area Update By Joe Frannea Southern Arizona Chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association Web: sa-ida.org PAG - Oct 75 2011
USA At Night Waste $2 Billion/Year in Electricity (50 coal generators or 15,300 tons coal/day or 5,000 wind turbines)
Topics for Presentation How are we Doing? - - - Updated COT/PC Outdoor Lighting Code - - - International Dark-Sky Association - - - Education Outreach - - - Trends
Recent Study by 2 Lowell Observatory Researchers “Kitt Peak Remains Dark – Sky Overhead” “effectiveness of local lighting laws” We Are… Much Better at Putting light on the Ground, not in the Sky But, Sky Glow in Tucson has increased But so has the population
250,000 Pima Cty. Pop. ‘59 ‘80 500,000 ‘03 900,000 Catalina & Tortolita Mtns ’03 larger view
U of A Football Stadium Lights BEFORE Photos 8.5 Miles North of Stadium AFTER More Light –HD TV 50,000 Fewer Watts 75% Less Spill
Updated 2011 City of Tucsonand Pima County Outdoor Lighting CodeReady… – Yeah! Current Code is 2006
Significant OLC Changes Easier to Read, Understand and Interpret “Developed Space’, not Total Acreage Sign Lighting Restrictions (LED/LCD type signs) Added Lighting of Right-of-Ways Chapter (a few negatives regarding residential)
Light Pollution “Catalysts” Astronomy (IDA 1988) Lighting Industry Environmental Energy Savings - Huge (street lighting)
D Dark-Sky Friendly Fixture C
Retailers Sell These Awful Lights Most are in Violation of Outdoor Lighting Codes when Turned ON!
International Dark-Sky AssociationModel Lighting Ordinance A 7 Year Effort – Just Released By the IDA and Illumining Engineering Society (IES) Framework - Responsible Outdoor Lighting Standards Uses the New “BUG” System for Fixtures (Backlight – Uplight – Glare) The MLO is free - IDA web ( 44 half pages)
Southern Arizona Chapter of IDA (several others too..) Education Outreach Brochures, Videos, PowerPoints SARSEF, FUNFEST, Science Nights Presentations to Clubs, HOAs Earth Days, ASDM Astronomy Nights Complaints, Assistance
Outdoor Lighting Trends - USA • Flat Lens Full Cut Off Fixtures (only ones available) • Save Energy (New Designs, CFL, lots of LEDs - 90%<) • Fewer Street Lights (taking out old ones) • Lights Off at Night (motion, less dusk to dawn) • More Interest in Outdoor Lighting Codes • More interest in Harm to Health & Wildlife • Lots More Electronic Signs (flashing/scrolling)