Proposed rules would stop light pollution

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An ordinance that would require outdoor light fixtures to have shields to prevent light from shining off the property passed the first of two readings Wednesday night.

The vote came at the Rio Rancho Governing Body meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.

The ordinance aims for outdoor lighting that conforms to the Night Sky Protection Act, use best practices and curtail light pollution, meaning light that goes past the area its intended to illuminate and causes problems. In some cases its stricter than the states law.

Councilor Mark Scott, who owns a lighting business, said the ordinance incorporated recommendations from a recent city task force, the NAIOP commercial development organization, PNM and Clear Channel Outdoor advertising company. Its similar to the rules in Santa Fe, Corrales and other cities in the nation.

So this isnt something brand new, Scott said. Its been adopted in many, many places.

The rules would require new outdoor lights and replacements of existing fixtures to be shielded so the light couldnt spill off the property to annoy or blind neighbors or passers-by, and so that the night sky could remain dark. It also limits the height of most lights.

The ordinance applies to residential and non-residential areas, but not to interior lights.

Exemptions include:

A typical 60-watt incandescent bulb or 13-watt fluorescent bulb produces 800 lumens.

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Proposed rules would stop light pollution