California Energy Regulations
The California Energy Commission is the primary energy policy and planning agency for the state. The CEC is tasked with setting policy and creating plans to meet energy needs, while at the same time eliminating carbon emissions so that future energy creation and distribution are 100% clean.
The California legislature approved Senate Bill 350, the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act in October, 2015. This bill specifies many of the goals and requirements that the CEC must meet. A major part of SB350 is energy efficiency directives.
The California Code of Regulations has 28 Titles. These are the laws that govern how California operates. Companies and people are required to abide by these codes. Examples include Title 13 for motor vehicles, Title 17 for Public Health, Title 20 for public utilities and appliance standards and Title 24 for building standards.
Title 24 is called the Building Standards Code and is separated into Parts. Examples include Part 4 for mechanical features, Part 5 for plumbing, Part 6 for energy efficiency and Part 9 for fire code.
Our main interest at Soft Lights is Title 24, Part 6 because lighting is included in this section. For example, Section 140.8(a) states, “For internally illuminated signs, the maximum allowed lighting power shall not exceed the product of the illuminated sign area and 12 watts per square foot.”
Now, let’s go back to SB 350. A key part of SB 350, Section 25310 (c) (1) states that energy efficiency must keep improving, but “not adversely impact public health and safety.”
This part of the code regarding protecting public health and safety has not been adequately enforced. Title 24, Part 6 does not specify a maximum human-safe color temperature or standard for spectral power distribution. This has allowed building owners to install dangerous 5000 Kelvin LED lights that are unshielded and undiffused.
As we know, light pollution has serious adverse health effects, and yet the energy efficiency codes promote the use of LED lights without taking into account the negative health outcomes (e.g. mood disorders and cancer) associated with light pollution and blue wavelength light.
Soft Lights has submitted comments to the CEC for the Year 2022 updates to Title 24, part 6 requesting restrictions on light pollution, including setting a maximum color temperature of 2700 Kelvin. Public comments may be submitted here.
Vehicle Headlights
Over 17,000 people have now signed our petition to ban blinding LED and HID car and truck headlights. Soft Lights is working with Congress on this issue. Please share the petition with everyone you know and call your congressperson to demand a recall of vehicles with these intolerable 6500K headlights.
December Advocacy
December 4, 2020: Ford Commercial – Video – We sent a letter to the Director of CalTrans, Congressman Peter DeFazio and Congresswoman Ann Eshoo asking why these high intensity LED strobe lights are legal.
December 6, 2020: Wickliffe, Ohio – We wrote to the city council requesting that action be taken to solve the glare and light pollution problems as shown in the photo of Wickliffe taken by a Soft Lights member. Email: jbarbish@cityofwickliffe.com
December 9, 2020: California Energy Commission – Soft Lights Public Comments – We spoke with Jeorge Tagnipes of the California Public Utilities Commission regarding our failed efforts to convince the California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Team, led by Pacific Gas & Electric to recommend a maximum color temperature for the California Building Code Title 24 Part 6 updates in 2022. Mr. Tagnipes recommend that we submit public comment on the docket. Soft Lights has submitted comments and we are encouraging other groups and individuals to also comment. You may submit 2022 California Building Code Title 24 Part 6 here: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Ecomment/Ecomment.aspx?docketnumber=19-BSTD-03 or via email: e-CommentingHelp@energy.ca.gov
December 9, 2020: Farmington, New York – News Story – The town board is planning on converting their street lights to LED. We wrote to urge the board to use only low color temperature lights and to protect our darkness resource from light pollution. Email: pingalsbe@farmingtonny.org
December 9, 2020: Wayne County, New York – News Story – The New York Power Authority is installing LED street lights in Wayne County. We wrote to the Supervisors requesting that they install only lights with no blue wavelength and no sub-sensory flicker. Email: BPincelli@co.wayne.ny.us
December 9, 2020: Lackawanna, New York – News Story – The city has partnered with National Grid to install LED streetlights. We wrote to the City requesting that they install only low color temperature, shielded and diffused lights that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Email: mayor@lackny.com
December 9, 2020: Warwick, Rhode Island – News Story – The city is planning on installing LED street lights. We liked that the city is planning on installing a pilot project first. The city was planning on having only city officials view the lights to choose which ones are best. We wrote to request that the city bring sensitive receptors, representatives of the Health Department and Disability Rights groups to the viewing. Email: lucas.murray@warwickri.com
December 9, 2020: Psychology Article – This is good article that describes how 20%-30% of the population has heightened sensitivities and that psychologists have tried to force these sensitive receptors to adapt to the status quo, rather than recognizing that the status quo itself should be changed. Email: community@divergentlit.com
December 10, 2020: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada – News Story – The city of Red Deer installed LED street lights, and then the residents complained that they were too bright. We wrote to the city council to warn them of the negative health effects of artificial light and requested that they reduce the amount of artificial light in their city. Email: citycouncil@reddeer.ca
December 11, 2020: Autistic Self Advocacy Network – We contacted ASAN to request that we work together with Congress to solve the LED headlight crisis. Email: info@autisticadvocacy.org
December 20, 2020: American Association of Retired Persons – We contacted AARP to request that we work together with Congress to solve the LED headlight crisis. Email: dwhitman@aarp.org
December 21, 2020: News Story – Toyota recalled RAV4 for headlight alignment problems. Therefore, we know that vehicles can be recalled for headlight problems. We contacted Congressman Peter DeFazio’s and Congresswoman Eshoo’s office with this story and requested a recall of blinding LED headlights. Email: brittany.lundberg@mail.house.gov
December 25, 2020: Florence, Oregon – We contacted the city planning commission requesting to be involved in helping to educate the downtown business leaders to ban high glare lights like these at the port. Email: Dylan.HH@ci.florence.or.us
December 25, 2020: Lane County, Oregon – We contacted the county health department requesting that they have the owner turn of this 6000K, 10,000+ lumen LED light that causes instant nausea. Email: Jocelyn.Warren@lanecountyor.gov
December 25, 2020: San Jose, California – We contacted the 311 service in San Jose and requested that they add light trespass and light pollution complaints to their 311 app. Email: customerservice@sanjoseca.gov
December 28, 2020: California Energy Commission – Docket – Soft Lights submitted a formal document to the CEC regarding Title 24 (Building Code) Part 6 (Energy Efficiency) and requested that all lights be 2700 Kelvin or less, shielded and diffused, among other items, so as to protect human health and safety. You may make a submission here.
December 29, 2020: San Angelo, Texas – News Story – A golf driving range has unshielded, high glare flood lights. The residents complained to the council. We provided suggestions and comments on who to contact and how to solve the problem. Email: brenda.gunter@cosatx.us
December 29, 2020: Washington, D.C., USA – We submitted comments on an RFP for an LED streetlight project. You can comment here.
December 31, 2020: Belfast, Northern Ireland – News Story – The city is doing an LED street light project, so we wrote to provide our guidance. Email: enquiries@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk