SB 115-13 Turn Off The Lights Act (Failed)

[LAKISYLVANIA]

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS ACT

Preamble:

An act to reduce energy consumption and light pollution caused by public roadways, and to promote environmental conservation and energy efficiency.

Section 1: Purpose and Scope

This act aims to conserve energy and reduce light pollution by mandating the automatic shutdown of street lights during off-peak hours, specifically from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Section 2: Definitions

For the purpose of this act, the following definitions apply:

a) "Public roadway" refers to any road, street, or highway that is owned and maintained by the Republic of Atlasia or its local government units;

b) "Street light" refers to any artificial light that is installed along a public roadway to illuminate it;

c) "Off-peak hours" refers to the period from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, during which the demand for street lighting is typically lower.

Section 3: Mandatory Shutdown of Street Lights During Off-Peak Hours

All street lights installed along public roadways shall be programmed to automatically turn off during off-peak hours, specifically from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. The shutdown shall be implemented in a gradual and controlled manner, so as not to cause sudden darkness that may pose risks to motorists and pedestrians.

Section 4: Exceptions

The following are exempted from the mandatory shutdown of street lights:

a) Streets with high pedestrian or vehicular traffic that require illumination for safety reasons;

b) Streets that are designated as high-crime areas by the local government units;

c) Streets that are located in areas with insufficient ambient lighting, such as rural roads or mountainous areas;

d) Streets that are used for emergency purposes, such as hospital access roads or fire lanes.

Section 5: Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any government agency or local government unit that fails to comply with the provisions of this act shall be penalized in accordance with the Republic of Atlasia's environmental laws and regulations.

Section 6: Effectivity

This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the date of enactment

Sponsor: Laki

[Mr. Reactionary]

Does this only apply to federally owned streetlights?

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

I do have a few concerns, mostly centered around the fact that any road could be a road used by ambulances if a medical emergency arises.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I'm not aware of what currently is considered a regional road and what is a federal road?

I do have a few concerns, mostly centered around the fact that any road could be a road used by ambulances if a medical emergency arises.

I think it's more specified towards roads very close to hospitals, basically roads that lead to the emergency care department (for ambulances). Thats basically only in the near immediate surroundings of a hospital.

[Joseph Cao]

Then that specification should be in the wording of the clause about "emergency purposes."

Public roads and streetlights that are not federally owned/operated are going to be under regional or state jurisdiction by definition. That would cover almost all of them by volume. I do think that if light pollution reduction is done right it should be pushed from the regions up so that they can take the lead on coordinating since it's no good limiting the initiative to just a fraction of streetlights, but I'm not aware of any recent legislation from them tackling this.

[Adam Griffin]

I'll need to read through this in more detail later today, but at first glance, it sounds like this can best be summed up as "banning street lights at night - except in the all places where street lights at night are prevalent or needed".

In other words, what is the point of this? We really need to cool it on any frivolous legislation or resume-padding around here.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Motioning for a final vote

[LAKISYLVANIA]

A final vote is now open. Senators, please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

[Adam Griffin]

Nay: as mentioned prior, this seems to reduce light usage only in places where lights aren't being used, while allowing it in all the places where it is already being used. Even in rural areas (and especially along regional or federal highways), these lights exist for a reason. I still feel this bill accomplishes nothing of substance.

Let's keep our legislative books as clean as we can and not have to find previously-passed bills in the years to come that will need to be altered, repealed or changed whenever any further tweaks to any of these respective provisions are required.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Nay

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Nay

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Nay

[West_Midlander]

Nay

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Belgium - the only country in Europe keeping street lights on all night

Nay: as mentioned prior, this seems to reduce light usage only in places where lights aren't being used, while allowing it in all the places where it is already being used. Even in rural areas (and especially along regional or federal highways), these lights exist for a reason. I still feel this bill accomplishes nothing of substance.

Let's keep our legislative books as clean as we can and not have to find previously-passed bills in the years to come that will need to be altered, repealed or changed whenever any further tweaks to any of these respective provisions are required.

Maybe it's not an issue at all in the USA/Atlasia, but like from my perspective here it definitely is an issue and contribute a lot to light pollution, especially in densely populated areas.

Wasn't aware of the regional vs federal differences though of roads (which is the counter argument from the right).

I'll vote Aye tho.

[Dr. MB]

Nay

[Vice President Christian Man]

Aye

[Utah Neolib]

Nay

[Sirius_]

Nay, as an amateur astronomer who wishes there was less light pollution, this doesn't seem well thought out.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Bill fails 2-8-0-7