LIPA Improves Night Sky Over Long Island with Dark Sky Friendly Lighting
Fixtures
Island-wide Program Improves Night Skies
Dark Sky Advocates Applaud LIPA for Setting an Example
Hewlett, NY – July 13, 2006 – Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
Chairman Richard M. Kessel today announced the installation of dark sky
friendly, full cut-off lighting fixtures at all nine of LIPA’s operations yards.
The innovative fixtures significantly reduce the amount of light escaping from
the facilities to help improve the view of the night sky, while improving the
quality of lighting on the ground.
The new light fixtures are part of LIPA’s “Light Solutions” commercial
lighting program, adopted by LIPA’s Board of Trustees in September 2003 to
promote installation of full cut-off outdoor lighting fixtures by businesses
that need outside lighting at night.
“I am proud that LIPA is leading by example,” Mr. Kessel said. “In the last
three years, LIPA has replaced more than 600 glaring floodlights at all nine of
our operating yards with dark sky friendly fixtures. This is in addition to the
more than 2,000 that have been installed island-wide for businesses under LIPA’s
Light Solutions program.”
“The Dark Sky Society, a Long Island based public advocacy group, applauds
the successful exterior lighting conversions at LIPA’s facilities,” Susan Harder
said. “The long-term benefits encompass all the goals of our organization and
partners: to use energy effectively and efficiently while reducing environmental
impacts. Under the direction of Chairman Richard Kessel, LIPA has voluntarily
instituted major changes in all of their night lighting programs in order to
implement new technologies that provide better quality illumination. The ‘smart
lighting’ policies which are being implemented will benefit all Long Island
residents, visitors, businesses, and LIPA itself. Additionally, LIPA’s
initiatives to conform to ‘dark sky’ principles have set an example for
utilities worldwide.”
Gail Clyma, speaking on behalf of SELENE (Sensible and Efficient Lighting to
Enhance the Nighttime Environment), said, “SELENE extends congratulations to
LIPA on completing conversion of all its operations yards to fully shielded
outdoor lighting. The new Mongoose fixtures will direct all their light to the
ground where it is needed rather than polluting the night sky. We salute
Chairman Kessel for setting an example that we hope all other utilities will
follow." SELENE is the New York State affiliate of the International Dark Sky
Association.
Susan Rose, President of the Amateur Observers Society of NY wrote, “The
Amateur Observers' Society of New York, a large Long Island based astronomy
club, applauds LIPA for their conversion to full cutoff outdoor lighting in the
lots of all of their facilities. Such lighting will benefit each one of our
residents as it provides a safer and more attractive glare-free night time
environment while beginning the process of restoring the starry night sky over
Long Island. LIPA now serves as a role model to all forward thinking
institutions, as they are already in voluntary compliance with New York State's
pending 'Healthy Safe and Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting Act.”
LIPA began the installation of full cut-off fixtures in 2003 at the
Bridgehampton operations yard. Since that time installations have been completed
at the Greenlawn, Patchogue and Riverhead yards in 2004, and the Bellmore,
Brentwood, Hewlett, Hicksville and Roslyn yards in 2005.
LIPA’s operations yards are used to store equipment and material for workers
who maintain the electrical system on Long Island. It’s a 24/7 operation, so
night lighting is essential. The new lighting arrangements, which followed an
analysis and recommendations by representatives of Holophane Lighting, use
Holophane’s full cut-off Mongoose fixtures to direct light down where it is
needed. The new arrangements have improved night lighting for workers at the
yards while improving the view of the dark night sky.
“We are delighted to be able to meet the lighting needs of both our customers
and our employees while helping to improve the outlook for one of Long Island’s
most precious natural resources—the dark night sky,” Mr. Kessel said.
In 2003, LIPA eliminated the 1,000 watt lamp from the commercial lighting
program and added 50, 70 and 100 watt lamps to the selection. When an existing
1,000 watt lamp burns out, it will be replaced by a 400 watt lamp, or lower.
Over time, all existing unshielded utility pole fixtures with 1,000 watt lamps
being used by LIPA’s business customers will be replaced by fully shielded
fixtures with lower wattage lamps, which in turn will help reduce up light and
side glare and provide for cleaner night skies across the Island.
For more information about LIPA’s Light Solutions program, call
1-800-692-2626 or visit our website at
www.lipower.org . |
