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LIPA to install full cutoff lights rather than floodlights
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September 25, 2003
RE: LIPA tariff to eliminate Floodlighting on Long Island

We are delighted with the news that: as of this date, LIPA will no longer provide unshielded GE Powerflood "Turnpike" floodlights to commercial, institutional, and municipal customers. This particular fixture has contributed significantly to energy waste, sky glow, light trespass, and glare, because, among other problems, it is "unshielded". There are over 16,000 of these on Long Island, and they are one of the major reasons that we experience the sickly orange urban "glow" which unnecessarily obliterates our view of the stars.

The new replacement fixture, the Holophane "Mongoose", is fully shielded and directs all its light onto the ground where it is useful, and less wattage is needed to light the area. As this fixture is introduced: to new customers, as a replacement for broken floodlights, and as businesses change hands, we will start to see significant changes in our nighttime environment. When used properly, (i.e. with the right light levels and positioned correctly) use of this fixture will significantly reduce "sky glow", light trespass, and glare. Employees and Salesmen for the Nightlight Program are undergoing training to assure proper installation.

Many groups and many individuals, over many years, have approached LIPA to change this floodlighting program. Development of a fully shielded fixture by a manufacturer was crucial.

As well as wide public support, the pending New York State Bills A6950/S3003, call for public entities to ONLY install fully shielded, High Intensity Discharge fixtures. The Sustainable Energy Alliance, "Energy Plan for Long Island" calls for this change, and as well, numerous civic, church, and environmental groups, and the municipalities of East Hampton and Riverhead.

As we know, LIPA is a public utility, and is answerable to all the citizens of Long Island. This fixture introduction will be widely appreciated, and will set an example to other utilities across the country with similar problems from their "dusk to dawn" commercial lighting programs LIPA is the first utility to institute this important innovative change.

We thank LIPA, as will generations to come, who want to see the ground and the stars better at night.

Susan Harder