LD 1934
Act to Promote Dark Skies
An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting
Dark skies in Maine are an unrivaled natural wonder scarcely found in the eastern United States. LD 1934 will reduce light pollution to conserve natural beauty and ecological systems, improve public safety, and save energy. This bill requires that all outdoor lighting installed or replaced on public facilities or using public funding after October 1, 2026 be dark-sky friendly. This means the lighting is pointed down, shielded, has a warm color temperature, and does not exceed a certain wattage. Certain kinds of lighting for transportation, road construction, and emergencies are exempt. The bill directs the Maine Office of Community Affairs to develop a model ordinance, and as time and staffing allow, to assist towns and cities in adopting local lighting ordinances.
Behind the Roll Call
After a similar bill failed two years ago, sponsor Rep. Laurie Osher persisted in her tremendous efforts to address light pollution, working closely with advocates and cosponsors, as well as her colleagues across the aisle to achieve success. Sen. Stacey Guerin stepped into a critical work session that the sponsor could not be present for, offering a key amendment that gained the support of the majority of the State and Local Government committee. She also lobbied her caucus behind the scenes. Sen. Richard Bennett gave an eloquent floor speech about the importance of unpolluted night skies. Their combined efforts resulted in the bill being enacted in the Senate by an unusual two-thirds vote.
While modified from the original version, the new law is an important step in addressing the estimated 30% of misdirected, overly bright light, blocking our view of the stars, harming ecosystems, and contributing to climate change. It sets new, appropriate standards for public sports facilities (though it exempts municipally owned ski areas). Importantly, the new law lacks enforcement provisions, meaning that public education on the value of the night sky will be essential.
The strong bipartisan support for dark skies and the collaborative partnership between legislators who differ strongly on other issues was a pleasant reminder that finding common ground remains possible.
72 
6 
| 152 total
