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Bill

Bill

A 2196

Requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of State, or at projects receiving State funds, to meet certain criteria.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 4 co-sponsors

New Jersey requires state-funded and state-installed outdoor lighting to meet pollution-reduction standards for environmental and energy efficiency benefits.

Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 2196

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 2196 establishes mandatory standards for outdoor lighting fixtures used in state-funded projects or installed by state entities. These standards aim to reduce light pollution, energy consumption, and environmental impacts through requirements on fixture design, brightness, color temperature, and directional lighting properties.

Why is this important

Outdoor lighting affects ecosystems, human health, and energy costs. Unregulated lighting can disrupt wildlife migration and circadian rhythms, while also wasting energy. Standardizing state lighting practices could reduce statewide energy expenditure and serve as a model for municipal adoption, potentially saving money while addressing environmental concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden: Compliance-ready fixtures meeting criteria may have higher upfront costs for municipalities and contractors, potentially increasing project expenses despite long-term energy savings
  • Retrofit timeline: Existing infrastructure replacement requirements could strain budgets if implementation timelines are aggressive rather than phased
  • Technical specifications debate: Standards for brightness levels, color temperature, and directional control may be too restrictive for certain public safety applications (e.g., parking lots, roadways) or too lenient to address light pollution effectively

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

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