On February 14, 2024, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko submitted a Letter of Information to the House Environment and Transportation Committee on HB 305- Outdoor Lighting- Standards and Use of State Funds. This bill places certain limitations to the types of lighting that can be used at state facilities and authorizes the Maryland Department of the Environment to establish certain lighting standards.
Counties recognize the bill’s intent of ensuring certain lighting does not interfere with animal populations. In this era of climate change, it is important to better harmonize infrastructure with broader environmental forces, but it is also worth noting that the proposed 3000-Kelvin standard would have significant public safety implications.
Simply put, the higher the Kelvin-rating, the clearer road obstructions, hazards, other vehicles, and pedestrians appear. At athletic fields and in other circumstances, 4000-7500 Kelvin or more may be necessary for visibility and safety. By mandating a standard lower than what is typically used in certain cases, the state could potentially be putting our mutual constituents’ safety at risk.
HB 305’s cross-file, SB 405, was heard on February 20, 2024 in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Dominic Butchko submitted a Letter of Information on this bill.
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