A New Lighting Plan for DC’s Union Station: Make Your Voice Heard
Union Station — one of Washington, DC’s many iconic landmarks— is about to get a major lighting upgrade. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has released a proposed plan that will shape how the station looks and feels at night for years to come.
DarkSky DC, the local chapter of DarkSky International, is encouraging community members to get involved and help ensure the project follows responsible lighting principles that protect our night sky.
Why does this matter? Poorly designed lighting can create excessive glare, waste energy, harm ecosystems, and diminish the beauty of the stars above us. DarkSky’s principles promote safer and more sustainable lighting, by using only what’s needed, directing light downward, limiting brightness, and choosing warmer tones that minimize harmful effects on people and wildlife.
DarkSky DC’s recommendations for Union Station include:
Working closely with DarkSky DC and local environmental groups to align lighting upgrades with public health and ecological priorities.
Install fully shielded, downward-facing fixtures in outdoor and public areas.
Reducing the number and intensity of lights—current renderings appear overly bright, simulating daytime at night. Cutting back saves money and protects the nighttime environment.
Specifying warm-white LEDs for all installations.
The NCPC will review this plan at its October 9, 2025 meeting (1:00 PM ET, online and in person; Please note that the meeting will be contingent on the operational status of the US Federal Government). This is your opportunity to weigh in—whether by attending the meeting, registering to testify, or submitting written comments:
For more information, please reach Jim Dougherty (jimdougherty@aol.com) and Lee Mayer (lm77wdc@gmail.com) for DarkSky DC.
Your voice matters. Together, we can make sure Union Station’s new lighting is both functional and beautiful, while protecting our shared night sky.
