Hi,
Yep got that too.
Here's what I sent to the ilpac list today. You are all on the ilpac list that you sign up to at
groups.yahoo.com/group/ilpac/
right :-)
Forwarded message
From: Albert White - Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign <info@ilpac.eu>
Date: 13 Dec 2007 12:29
Subject: Fwd: Light Pollution:Result of Enquiry made by Miss Sinnott on your Behalf
To: ilpac@yahoogroups.com
Hi all,
Below is Kathy Sinnott's MEP EU Parliamentary question to the EU
commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Dimas, and his response. I
should also point out that I received a letter from Brian Crowley MEP
containing a response that he had received from Mr. Dimas along the
same lines.
The responses are unbelievable coming from someone who is supposed to
be well informed on these matters. "so-called light pollution"? "no
evidence [of] significant environmental impact"? Oh dear.
I've already passed this response on to the other IDA Europe and we'll
be looking for a meeting with Mr. Dimas.
The proposed street lighting legislation he mentions currently, as I
understand it, would allow for lights to shine up to 6 degrees above
the horizon. The IDA has already made submissions regarding this. If
the 6degrees is correct (and I don't know if light intensities are
specified either) then that would in effect ban the use of SOX
lighting (as used in Ireland anyway) and cause it to be replaced with
SON lights with a 'bowl'.
[edit: I checked with some colleagues in Europe who were involved with this and its 6percent upward allowed for roads with fast and medium traffic and 24% for roads with slow traffic. Effectively what we have at the moment. The reason given for these is that using fco's would require a higher space height ratio - ie require most lamp posts and so use more energy. However where FCO regulations have been brought in, eg. Lombardy, the industry quickly adapted and managed to use FCO's with anti-reflection coatings on the glass. ]
Clearly if the EU wants to take the correct environmental action
regarding streetlighting they should ensure that FCO lights are used.
Allowing any light above the horizon means energy is being wasted in
generating it.
I'll be writing to Mr. Dimas on behalf of ILPAC in the coming week.
Cheers,
~Albert
--
Albert White MSc FRAS
Chairperson, International Dark Sky Association - Irish Section
www.ilpac.eu
Forwarded message
From: SINNOTT Kathy <kathy.sinnott@europarl.europa.eu>
Date: 6 Dec 2007 08:22
Subject: RE: Light Pollution:Result of Enquiry made by Miss Sinnott on
your Behalf
To: Albert White - Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign <info@ilpac.eu>
Dear Albert,
Sorry you could not access the documents. I have attached them again,
and have pasted the text below in case you have trouble opening the
attachments.
Kind Regards,
Joanna
Office of Kathy Sinnott, MEP For Ireland South
+32 (0)228 45692 Tel. Brussels
kathy.sinnott@europarl.europa.eu
WRITTEN QUESTION E-5205/07
by Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM)
to the Commission
Subject: Light pollution
A number of my constituents in Ireland are concerned that the beauty of
their natural habitat is impinged on on a daily basis by light
pollution. Not only this but they are alarmed at the considerable cost,
both financially and environmentally, caused by light pollution. What is
more this light pollution is entirely unnecessary due to the fact that,
with correct lights, the issue would be averted.
By simply switching to 'non-polluting full cut off lights' or FCOs, it
would ensure that light is directed at the ground level rather than at
the sky, thus significantly reducing light pollution and allowing people
to admire the night sky as well as using vital street illumination.
To date, there is no EU legislation on light pollution within Europe to
encourage councils to provide lighting which does not pollute our skies.
Given the serious ramifications of light pollution for our environment
at large, our natural night skies and the bank balances of local
authorities, I consider it necessary to take action.
1. Is the Commission aware of the issue of light pollution? If so,
what measures has the Commission taken in this area?
2. What future action does the Commission consider necessary in
this situation?
3. Will the Commission commit itself to carrying out a light
pollution assessment, and to finding out the true environmental impact
of light pollution?
4. Does the Commission have any objection to implementing
regulations or directives concerning light pollution?
5. What justification can the Commission provide if it does not
intend to take any action on light pollution in the future?
E-5205/07EN
Answer given by Mr Dimas
on behalf of the Commission
(3.12.2007)
Although the Commission is aware of so-called "light pollution", there
is no evidence that this issue has a significant environmental impact
that deserves priority action at Community level. However the Commission
is currently developing eco-design requirements for street lighting
equipment which will aim at improving their energy efficiency thereby
indirectly contribute to reducing the "light pollution". The adoption of
the implementing legislation specific to public street lighting products
is foreseen by the Commission at the end of 2008.
Furthermore, the Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member's
attention to the fact that based on the principle of subsidiarity Member
States can take appropriate measures themselves as some Member States already have.
