[ATMoB-discuss] Re: [Nelpag] PATRICK/MURRAY ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP

[mmotta at massmed.org]

OK Mike, I took the bait. I just sent the following.
Lets see if they are interested. Anyone else want to
send something in and develop a "groundswell" of
interist??
Mario

Hello,

   I am Mario E. Motta, MD. I am a member of NELPAG
(New England Light Pollution Advisary group). We have
tried with rep Marzilli (Arlington) to pass common
sense light pollution legislation in Mass for a number
of years. have come very close a number of times, but
always has stalled short of a floor vote.
I have testified in front of the Energy comm several
times on this issue, and as Chair of the Mass Medical
society, have the MMS develop a position statement on
this in support of dark sky legislation.

reasons:
1. Energy savings: Currently most lights shine sideways
and up. 4.5 billion dollars wasted with stray light
nationally. if all lights were full cutoffs, then all
the light shines down, thus have more light than
needed, and can cut wattage about 40% with same amount
of lighting. this then saves burning oil and coal to
make the electricity.
An extra 100 watts all night is overa year 1/2 ton of
coal and resultant CO2 release.

2. Glare: Light that are not full cutoffs send much
light horizontially, this results in disability glare,
particulary unsafe for elderly drivers at night, or
anyone with a dirty windshield. A safety hazard for all.

3. Environment: Overlit areas contribute to excess bird
kills and other sensitive environmental issues.

4. Aesthetics: Glaring, overlit areas are an eyesore.

Many cities and towns have already passed or about to
pass light Pollution laws, including : Arlington,
Acton, Harvard, Townsend, Gloucester, etc.
  It would be very helpful to enact light pollution
laws on a state wide basis. i would be happy to testify
and give data if requested.

Mario Motta, MD
mmotta at massmed.org
9787443499


On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:38:15 -0500, Mike Hansen wrote:

Perhaps this is something NELPAG could have some input
into? PATRICK/MURRAY ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP
MEETINGS1ST MEETING THIS FRIDAY IN WORCESTER!!!Friday,
December 1Worcester DCU Center,Junior Ballroom, 3rd
Floor8:00-8:45am and 12:30-1:15pmAs noted in the last
MassLand Weekly E-News, the Patrick/Murray transition
team has set up working groups in 15 policy areas,
including Energy and the Environment.  The Co-Chairs
are Jim Gomes, President, Environmental League of
Massachusetts andSue Tierney, Managing Principal,
Analysis Group, Inc.  This group (complete list below)
met for the first time on Monday. They have a very
accelerated agenda and the process is happening very
quickly.A series of public meeting or "listening
sessions" were just announced starting this Friday in
Worcester.  Both Chairs plan on attending each session
and a subset of the committee will also be in
attendance. Individuals and groups are invited to make
written submissions to the PATRICK/MURRAY Working Group
at the session and to sign-up at the event to speak.
 This first session is being coordinated with the Smart
Growth Conference at the DCU Center this Friday. (The
Energy & Environment group will be doing this first
session jointly with the Working Groups on
Transportation and Housing).Note the dates and times
are set - not all the details of the specific venues
have yet to be released. We will get this to you as
soon as we know.PLEASE NOTE THESE DATES and PLAN ON
ATTENDING!Next session dates and times and cities - no
venues announced yet.Monday, 12/4 Boston,
7:00pm.Saturday, 12/9 Taunton, 2:00pm.Tuesday, 12/12
Pittsfield, 7:00pm.By the way: If you have written
submissions to the Working Group, we would really like
to see them as well - please send to
<info at MassLand.org>Energy and the Environment Working
GroupChair, Jim Gomes, President, Environmental League
of MassachusettsChair, Sue Tierney, Managing Principal,
Analysis Group, Inc.Kathy Abbott, Former DCR Director,
Conservation and Recreation CampaignAnn Berwick,
Attorney, M.J. Bradley & AssociatesIan Bowles,
President, MassINC.John DeVillars, Environmentalist,
Bluewave StrategiesVivian Li, Boston Harbor
AssociationSusan Nickerson, Executive Director,
Alliance for Nantucket SoundAmy Perlmutter,
Environmental ConsultantAndy Savitz, President,
Sustainable Business StrategiesNick Stavropolous,
Executive Vice President, Keyspan CorporationGreg
Watson, VP Sustainable Development & Renewable
Resources, Mass.Technology CollaborativeHenry
Yoshimura, Manager of Demand Response, ISO New England
Inc.Joe Nolan, Senior Vice President, NSTARJoe Newman,
Vice President of Massachusetts Public Affairs,
National GridTransportationChair, Jane Garvey,
Executive Vice President, APCO-Transportation
DivisionChair, Stephanie Pollack, Senior Research
Assoc., Northeastern Univ. Ctr for Urban & Regional
PolicyHousingChair, David Abromowitz, Senior Partner,
Goulston and StorrsChair, Patrick Lee, Trinity
Financial Mike Hansen 2561 Massachusetts Ave. #1
Cambridge, MA 02140-1020 (617)661-6520