Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 1-A: ENERGY CONSERVATION IN BUILDINGS ACT
5 §1769. Outdoor lighting

§1769. Outdoor lighting
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.  
A. "Direct light" means light emitted directly from a lamp off a reflector or through a refractor of a luminaire.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
B. "Fixture" means the assembly that holds the lamp and may include an assembly housing, a mounting bracket or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror and a refractor or lens.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
C. "Footcandle" means an illuminance equal to one lumen per square foot.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
D. "Full cutoff luminaire" means a luminaire that allows no direct light emissions above a horizontal plane through the luminaire's lowest light-emitting part.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
E. "Glare" means direct light emitting from a luminaire that causes reduced vision or momentary blindness.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
F. "Illuminance" means the level of light measured at a surface.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
G. "Lamp" means the component of a luminaire that produces the light.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
H. "Light trespass" means light emitted by a luminaire that shines beyond the boundaries of the property on which the luminaire is located.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
I. "Lumen" means a unit of measurement of luminous flux.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
J. "Luminaire" means the complete lighting system, including the lamp and the fixture.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
K. "Permanent outdoor luminaire" means any luminaire or system of luminaires that is outdoors and that is intended to be used for 7 days or longer.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
L. "State funds" means any bond revenues or any money appropriated or allocated by the Legislature.   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
2.  Permanent outdoor luminaires.  A person may not use any state funds to install or replace any permanent outdoor luminaire unless:  
A. The luminaire is a full cutoff luminaire when the rated output of the luminaire is greater than 1,800 lumens;   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
B. The luminaire's maximum illuminance does not exceed the minimum illuminance recommended for that purpose by the Illuminating Engineering Society of America or the federal Department of Transportation; and   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
C. The Director of the Bureau of General Services ensures that consideration is given to minimizing glare and light trespass.   [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. B, §18 (AMD).]
[PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. B, §18 (AMD).]
3.  Exceptions.  Exceptions from the provisions of this section are permitted only when:  
A. Federal laws, rules and regulations take precedence over these provisions; or   [PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW).]
B. The Director of the Bureau of General Services determines that there is a compelling safety interest that can not be addressed by any other method.   [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. B, §19 (AMD).]
[PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. B, §19 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
RR 1991, c. 1, §6 (RNU). PL 1991, c. 481, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. B, §§18, 19 (AMD).