Efforts to Preserve Night Skies Gain Recognition in New Mexico
Efforts to mitigate light pollution in New Mexico’s oil and gas fields are earning acclaim from advocates focused on preserving the natural night sky. DarkSky International, a group dedicated to maintaining views of starry skies, has issued its inaugural certification to oil and gas sites aiming to cut down on light pollution.
The Denver-based company, Franklin Mountain Energy, has been acknowledged for implementing lighting changes at two existing sites and establishing one new site within a key oil production area in southeastern New Mexico. These initiatives are anticipated to reduce skyglow in areas such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a popular spot for astronomy enthusiasts and nocturnal hikers.
Peter Lipscomb, vice chair of the New Mexico chapter of DarkSky International, highlighted the dual benefits of these lighting modifications: “It doesn’t do anything to impact their bottom line — it actually makes the workplace safer,” he said, noting that well-designed lighting can decrease direct glare and enhance visibility for workers.
Franklin Mountain Energy’s cofounder, Audrey Robertson, noted that the lighting improvements also cut electricity usage. The company collaborated with a coalition of federal land and parks agencies, observatories, and the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association on this project. The alliance’s guidance included recommendations for equipment that directs light downward, minimizing upward light projection.
Globally, stargazers are increasingly concerned about the spread of outdoor lighting at night. A 2023 study involving data from over 50,000 amateur astronomers indicated that artificial lighting contributes to a 10% annual increase in night sky brightness worldwide. By 2016, more than 80% of the global population resided under light-polluted skies that obscure the Milky Way.
In response to the burgeoning light pollution, New Mexico legislators are contemplating revisions to a 1999 law that governs outdoor night lighting in the state’s elevated mountains and deserts. This initiative seeks to address the rise in light pollution linked to advancements in energy-efficient LED technology, which often results in unshielded outdoor lighting.
The National Park Service prioritizes the preservation of dark night skies in remote areas, including the Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico, a site considered sacred by Native Americans. Over 99% of the park remains free of permanent outdoor lighting.
Lipscomb also praised oil operators in West Texas for adopting practices to protect night skies, in collaboration with the McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, where dark skies are crucial for research and education.
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