The departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council, are sponsoring three Outdoor Lighting workshops this Spring for municipal planners.

The workshops will be held from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on these dates:

· April 29 at the Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, 2910 New Holland Road. in Reading, Berks County;

· May 29 in Lehigh County, at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center at 3400 Brookside Road.; and

· June 25 in Potter County at the Gospel Tabernacle Church, 420 Route 6 West, in Coudersport.

These workshops will help define good and bad outdoor lighting, showcase equipment to help reduce glare and light pollution and provide tools for communities to protect themselves against irresponsible lighting practices.

There will also be an important discussion on the elements of an effective lighting ordinance and the process of getting such an ordinance enacted and enforced in your community. Participants will be provided information on energy waste, light trespass and ways to save on utility bills.

Although workshops will focus mainly on the needs of municipal officials, they are also open to interested members of the general public.

To register for any of the scheduled workshops, please contact DEP's Jim McTish at 484-250-5180 or send email to: jmctish@state.pa.us .

4/11/2008