S.C.R. 1

1

RESOLUTION URGING LIGHT POLLUTION
2 PREVENTION
3 2003 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Ron Allen
6 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges state agencies,
7 political subdivisions of the state, citizens, and businesses to prevent light pollution.
8 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
9 WHEREAS, light pollution is sky glow, glare, and light trespass;
10 WHEREAS, light pollution is caused by misdirected exterior lighting;
11 WHEREAS, light pollution severely impairs the study of Astronomy as a science;
12 WHEREAS, light pollution causes a number of unintended consequences, including the
13 unnecessary expense of $2 billion annually, nationwide, due to poor street lighting alone;
14 WHEREAS, the state agencies and political subdivisions within the state should work
15 to protect Utah's night sky, as it would all natural resources, for the benefit of its citizens;
16 WHEREAS, state agencies and political subdivisions should reduce sky glow by
17 ensuring that all new lighting fixtures installed are of the full-cutoff type, where no light from
18 the fixture shines above the horizontal;
19 WHEREAS, state agencies and political subdivisions should further reduce sky glow by
20 minimizing unsafe glare to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, minimizing unwelcome light
21 trespassing onto adjoining properties, reducing fixture wattage requirements, which would
22 reduce operating costs, and ensuring that all new lighting fixtures installed are directed
23 downward and only where needed;
24 WHEREAS, state agencies and political subdivisions should reevaluate all state-funded
25 facilities', institutions', and rights'-of-way existing exterior lighting needs to ensure that fixtures
26 are producing the lowest appropriate level of lighting without compromising safety, that all
27 nonessential exterior lighting is turned off after operations cease, that, as existing fixtures are

28 repaired, maintained, or replaced, light pollution preventing actions are taken;
29 WHEREAS, state agencies and political subdivisions should replace dusk-to-dawn
30 lighting with motion detector-activated lighting;
31 WHEREAS, light pollution renders invisible the eternal beauty of the heavens; and
32 WHEREAS, light pollution deprives Utahns of their heritage of star-filled skies:
33 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
34 Governor concurring therein, urges state agencies and political subdivisions to take steps to
35 prevent light pollution.
36 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage Utah
37 citizens and businesses to protect and preserve Utah's night sky, and the legacy and heritage to
38 which Utahns are entitled.
39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to each department
40 in Utah state government, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and to each of Utah's
41 chambers of commerce.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-18-02 10:18 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel