05/06/2023
URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW TO DEFEND OUR DARK SKIES!! BY NEXT MONDAY!!
Legislation Bill LD 1845
Act to Regulate Outdoor Lighting
Hearing on Monday, May 8, 1 pm
3 Ways You Can Help Preserve Maine’s Dark Skies
Here’s your chance to help preserve Maine's Dark Sky Heritage.
A light pollution bill is going forward in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee of the Maine State Legislature sponsored by Representative Laurie Osher [D] and co-sponsored by Representative Nicole Grohoski [D] and others.
The public hearing will be this Monday, May 8 at 1 pm. The public hearing will be in Room 216 Cross Building, State House, Augusta, Maine.
To help you can testify by email, Zoom, in writing, or in person. Here’s how:
1. EMAIL [email protected] before May 8 at 1 pm,
Subject line: LD 1845 Act to Regulate Lighting
Rep. Osher, who is sponsoring the bill, is asking for the public to comment on what they like in the bill. Because you will not see the amended bill, we suggest addressing the following:
-Why is preserving the night sky important to you?
-Maine’s dark skies are a cultural heritage and economic driver
-I appreciate the stars and Milky Way and want to see them from
my location
-Street lights come in my bedroom window
-My neighbor's lights shine on my property
-Lights from businesses and schools are too bright in my town
What type of lighting should the state adopt to preserve dark skies and why?
-5,000 Kelvin blue-white light negatively affects the health of animals, pollinators, and humans
-Lighting needs to be the preferred 2,700 Kelvin
-Lighting fixtures should have full cut-off shields to prevent light from
shining up
-Bulbs should be above the plane of cut-off shields
Please be sure to state your full name and town.
2. ZOOM or IN WRITING. To testify via Zoom or in writing, follow the instructions at this website:
Click the “Public Hearing” button.
Choose a Committee: Select “Environment and Natural Resources” from the dropdown list.
Choose date: Select “May 8, 2023, 1:00 PM” from the dropdown list.
Next click the “LD 1845” button.
Check off the “I would like to testify electronically via Zoom” box if that is what you prefer to do.
For Zoom, you must register at least 30 minutes before the meeting
In writing, please remember to include your full name and town.
Whether you intend to testify via Zoom or just submit written testimony, do so in the block provided or by selecting a file that you have previously prepared. Also, fill out the rest of the boxes.
3. TESTIFY IN PERSON
Come to room 216 in the Cross Building at the State House by 12:30 pm.
_______________________________________
Feel free to copy and paste this information and send to your friends.
Thank you for supporting this legislation to protect Maine’s Dark Skies,
Nancy Hathaway, President of Dark Sky Maine
John Meader, Vice President of Dark Sky Maine
Shawn Laatsch, Treasurer of Dark Sky Maine
P.S. Excuse us if you receive more than one email. This legislative process has become hurried and rushed.
