Maine

State legislators in Maine were among the first nationwide to enact regulations that require fully shielded outdoor lighting on state-funded projects: Energy Conservation in Buildings Act (enacted in 1991)

Now a new statewide initiative is on the books. Designated HP6, LD11, it tasks the State Planning Office with establishing uniform standards designed to limit light pollution. The bill won approval in the House on April 16th and in the Senate on April 28th. Governor John Baldacci signed it into law on May 4th.

• (Go to: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)

Here's a list of cities and towns in Maine that have adopted outdoor-lighting regulations:

• Bar Harbor (link; Section 125-66-S, on page 5)

• Kennebunkport (link)

• Rockland (link; Section 19-316)

(if you know of any others, please let us know!)