Bill > S2243

This bill aims to improve outdoor lighting efficiency and reduce light pollution by establishing comprehensive regulations for permanent outdoor lighting installations across Massachusetts. The legislation requires the Department of Energy Resources to develop regulations by January 1, 2026 that mandate specific lighting standards for roadways, parking lots, buildings, and other outdoor spaces. Key provisions include requiring fully shielded fixtures to minimize light trespass and sky glow, limiting the color temperature of lights to 3000 Kelvin (a warmer, less harsh light), ensuring that lighting is not more numerous than necessary for safety, and directing light precisely onto intended targets. The bill provides exemptions for emergency situations, navigational lighting, and specific safety needs. Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation must conduct a review of existing roadway lighting, analyzing operational costs, environmental impact, and safety considerations, and recommend ways to reduce lighting expenses by replacing high-wattage, unshielded fixtures with more efficient alternatives. The Department of Public Utilities is also tasked with developing a rate structure for low-wattage roadway and parking lot lighting fixtures. The overall goal is to conserve energy, reduce light pollution, and improve dark-sky visibility while maintaining public safety.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2243