Arlington goes on half-streetlight program beginning Monday night (June 1)

by PegNews wire

Every other streetlight along major roadways will be intentionally darkened as part of an energy/money conservation scheme.

As of Monday night, June 1, the City of Arlington will institute its "every other streetlight" power conservation plan along major city thoroughfares.

The idea is to intentionally shut off half the lights along such streets as Cooper, Collins, Matlock, Arkansas and Lamar, operating under the assumption that the light provided by the remaining streetlights will prove sufficient to accomplish whatever it is that streetlights along busy roadways are meant to do.

The City will save about $175K per annum thanks to the shutdown of the streetlights - not to mention saving on energy consumption, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving the air quality as a result.

There's even mention of the fact that the measure will REDUCE LIGHT POLLUTION, which sort of begs the question: why were all those dang streetlights needed to begin with?

Streetlights that will be intentionally shut off are to be marked with four-inch black bands. (Which seems a fitting touch.)

It should be noted that lights along residential streets and within the Entertainment District are not part of the "every-other-streetlight" (we should really come up with a better name for this) program. So, resident amateur astronomers (and other lovers of the night) should not get too excited.

For further information, go to the ArlingtonStreets web page.