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Bill

S 2243

An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 5 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishing outdoor lighting standards to reduce energy use, light pollution, and preserve dark-sky visibility through fixture requirements and brightness limits.

New draft substituted, see S3145
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2243

Legislative bill overview

S 2243 establishes standards for outdoor lighting fixtures in Massachusetts to reduce energy consumption, minimize light pollution, and preserve dark-sky visibility. The bill likely sets requirements for fixture design, brightness levels, color temperature, and shielding to direct light downward rather than skyward. These regulations would apply to new installations and potentially existing lighting systems across residential, commercial, and municipal settings.

Why is this important

Light pollution has documented effects on human health (sleep disruption, circadian rhythm disruption), wildlife behavior (disrupting migration and reproduction patterns), and energy costs. Massachusetts communities increasingly struggle with astronomical light pollution that interferes with stargazing and natural darkness. Energy efficiency standards reduce operational costs for municipalities and businesses while supporting state climate goals.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Replacing existing outdoor lighting infrastructure statewide could impose significant upfront expenses on municipalities, businesses, and property owners, with unclear funding mechanisms
  • Compliance timeline and enforcement: Disputes likely over whether the bill allows reasonable transition periods and how violations will be monitored and penalized across diverse jurisdictions
  • Defining "dark-sky friendly" standards: Technical disagreements may arise about appropriate light levels for public safety and security versus environmental protection, with concerns that restrictions could compromise visibility for parking lots, streets, and security lighting

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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