This from the IDA:
We need your help! As an Arizona resident, we thought you should know that
Arizonas night skies including an IDA International Dark Sky Park are
under threat! And you can do something about it.
Currently, the Arizona House of Representatives is considering a bill (House
Bill 2507) that would greatly expand the reach of Electronic Message
Centers, often called digital billboards"
EMCs put night skies at risk because their highly-directional light is aimed
sideways, scattering light into the night sky. And they cant be shielded
like lighting on conventional billboards.
In 2012 Arizona legislators crafted a compromise, agreeable to dark skies
advocates, to allow EMCs only in certain parts of the state and with limits
on the brightness and operating hours of the billboards.
HB 2507 is an insult to the spirit of the 2012 compromise! And it could very
well open the door to a statewide repeal of EMC regulations altogether. Such
an outcome would endanger dark skies everywhere in Arizona.
Let your voice be heard! Tell the Arizona Legislature that you oppose any
changes to the 2012 compromise. Arizona night skies depend on it. Below
we've provided you sample letters to those legislators who have the most
sway.
For more details on the bill, its history and IDA's stance, read the IDA
Statement (PDF)
The bill is quickly moving through the House. Please let them know today
that HB 2507 needs to go!
Sincerely,
Scott Feierabend
IDA Executive Director
________________________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION & SAMPLE LETTERS
Rep. David M. Gowan (Dist. 14; Speaker)
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington, Room 130
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-926-3312
Fax: 602-417-3130
Email: dgowan@xxxxxxxxx
Dear Speaker Gowan,
Dark night skies are one of our states true treasures. They contribute to
an astronomy, planetary and space science enterprise that contributes more
than $250 million to the states economy each year. Visitors from far and
wide come to not only enjoy the beautiful daytime vistas Arizona offers, but
also to marvel at the night sky, feeding a growing astrotourism market.
However, legislation currently before the House endangers the integrity of
dark night skies across the state.
Current Arizona law on electronic message centers (EMCs, also known as
digital billboards') was set in 2012 after an initial bill backed by the
outdoor advertising industry to permit EMCs statewide was vetoed by Governor
Jan Brewer. In her veto statement to the Legislature, Gov. Brewer wrote:
The astronomy industry has invested $1.2 billion in Arizona, represents
more than 3,300 jobs and has an estimated economic impact of $250 million a
year. I simply refuse to place all of this in jeopardy. A replacement bill
was crafted after a compromise involving advertisers and the astronomy
community that limited EMCs to a certain part of the state and placed
restrictions on the brightness and operating hours of the signs.
HB 2507 would unravel the 2012 compromise by extending the reach of EMCs in
western Arizona, doubling the territory in which they would be permitted
under A.R.S. §28-7902(E). Efforts to weaken any terms of the compromise
undermine the entire compromise. HB 2507 is not the result of good-faith
negotiations among all interested stakeholders, and it is not good public
policy.
This legislation threatens Arizonas dark skies, and I urge you to exercise
your prerogative under House rules and hold HB 2507 from third reading.
Sincerely,
(name)
________________________________________
Rep. Sonny Borrelli (Dist. 5; bill sponsor)
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington, Room 310
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-926-5051
Fax: 602-417-3003
Email: sborrelli@xxxxxxxxx
Dear Representative Borrelli,
Dark night skies are one of our states true treasures. They contribute to
an astronomy, planetary and space science enterprise that contributes more
than $250 million to the states economy each year. Visitors from far and
wide come to not only enjoy the beautiful daytime vistas Arizona offers, but
also to marvel at the night sky, feeding a growing astrotourism market.
However, legislation you introduced in the current House term endangers the
integrity of dark night skies across the state.
Current Arizona law on electronic message centers (EMCs, also known as
digital billboards') was set in 2012 after an initial bill backed by the
outdoor advertising industry to permit EMCs statewide was vetoed by Governor
Jan Brewer. In her veto statement to the Legislature, Gov. Brewer wrote:
The astronomy industry has invested $1.2 billion in Arizona, represents
more than 3,300 jobs and has an estimated economic impact of $250 million a
year. I simply refuse to place all of this in jeopardy. A replacement bill
was crafted after a compromise involving advertisers and the astronomy
community that limited EMCs to a certain part of the state and placed
restrictions on the brightness and operating hours of the signs.
HB 2507 would unravel the 2012 compromise by extending the reach of EMCs in
western Arizona, doubling the territory in which they would be permitted
under A.R.S. §28-7902(E). Efforts to weaken any terms of the compromise
undermine the entire compromise. Your bill is not the result of good-faith
negotiations among all interested stakeholders, and it is not good public
policy.
This legislation threatens Arizonas dark skies, and I urge you to withdraw
HB 2507.
Sincerely,
(name)
________________________________________
Rep. J. Christopher Ackerley (Dist. 2; House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee member)
Arizona House of R
1700 W. Washington, Room 127
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-926-3077
Fax: 602-417-3277
Email: jackerley@xxxxxxxxx
Dear Representative Ackerley,
Dark night skies are one of our states true treasures. They contribute to
an astronomy, planetary and space science enterprise that contributes more
than $250 million to the states economy each year. Visitors from far and
wide come to not only enjoy the beautiful daytime vistas Arizona offers, but
also to marvel at the night sky, feeding a growing astrotourism market.
However, legislation you introduced in the current House term endangers the
integrity of dark night skies across the state.
Current Arizona law on electronic message centers (EMCs, also known as
digital billboards') was set in 2012 after an initial bill backed by the
outdoor advertising industry to permit EMCs statewide was vetoed by Governor
Jan Brewer. In her veto statement to the Legislature, Gov. Brewer wrote:
The astronomy industry has invested $1.2 billion in Arizona, represents
more than 3,300 jobs and has an estimated economic impact of $250 million a
year. I simply refuse to place all of this in jeopardy. A replacement bill
was crafted after a compromise involving advertisers and the astronomy
community that limited EMCs to a certain part of the state and placed
restrictions on the brightness and operating hours of the signs.
HB 2507 would unravel the 2012 compromise by extending the reach of EMCs in
western Arizona, doubling the territory in which they would be permitted
under A.R.S. §28-7902(E). Efforts to weaken any terms of the compromise
undermine the entire compromise. HB 2507 is not the result of good-faith
negotiations among all interested stakeholders, and it is not good public
policy.
This legislation threatens Arizonas dark skies. In your capacity as a
member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I urge you and
your colleagues to vote no on HB 2507.
Sincerely,
(name)
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