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Letter: Worried about impact of LED streetlights
Menlo Park, posted by Editor, The Almanac Online, on Mar 20, 2013 at 4:31 pm

A few nights ago I went out at midnight and saw that new LED streetlights had been installed on our block on Pope Street. I was shocked to see how bright they were — with a sickly, electronic light — and immediately wondered about the health impact on sleep cycles of people, animals, and even plants.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 12:00 AM

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Posted by Political Observer, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Jordan,

[Portion removed. Please discuss the topic and avoid personal attacks.]


Posted by Jack Hickey, a resident of the Woodside: Emerald Hills neighborhood, on Mar 20, 2013 at 4:44 pm

I am a big fan of LED lighting. Their beam shaping possibilities and high speed modulation make for interesting possibilities. Their relatively broad band emmission (compared with sodium or mercury lamps with strong spectral lines) renders them less light polluting.

Modulation of these lamps could provide critical messaging to vehicles with appropriate receptors.


Posted by Tricia Barr, a resident of the Menlo Park: The Willows neighborhood, on Mar 22, 2013 at 9:41 am

I like the lights. Thank you, Menlo Park! I heard the brightness can be adjusted; please don't dim the lights unless all neighbors near it agree.


Posted by Menlo Park Resident, a resident of the Menlo Park: Stanford Hills neighborhood, on Mar 22, 2013 at 10:32 am

Jordan Gruber, Mitch Slomiak, and Gail Slocum live in the same home on Pope Street and have been involved in environmental issues. Ms. Slocum was instrumental in public outreach for PG&E touting the benefit of the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) as being far more efficent in energy consumption than incadescent light bulbs.

Now LED lights are upon us and they are even far more efficient than CFLs. It seems ironic that Mr. Gruber (Ms. Slocum's husband) is now complaining about the environmentally friendly LED bulbs.

Mr. Gruber has at least two remdies at hand. He could either purchase a sleep mask or black out drapes and still be committed to preserving the enviroment.


Posted by Edward Syrett, a resident of the Menlo Park: The Willows neighborhood, on Mar 23, 2013 at 12:52 pm

As usual, cost is an issue. If it weren't, there'd be a simple solution: put motion detectors on these streetlights. Many Menlo Park households, including mine, have motion-sensor-activated floodlights on their property to discourage prowlers and make it unnecessary to carry a flashlight into the back yard after dark. There's an initial cost to purchase and install these things, but it amortizes over many years.

The city should consider making this investment. That way, the lights would deliver the safety benefit of greater visibility without contributing to the overall light pollution from our urban area.


Posted by Menlo Resident, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Mar 27, 2013 at 2:02 pm

Jordan,

[Portion deleted.] You didn't want us to have plastic bags. You got what you wanted. Now you are complaining about LED lights? Could it be that electricity demand for PG&E will drop. No worries. PG&E will make it up with electric cars.


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