Spring 2026 Chapter Newsletter: DarkSky DC
DarkSky DC is proud to share the first of what will be a quarterly newsletter for our members and friends. Below we summarize what our chapter has been doing and what is on our horizon:
1. DarkSky DC Claims Victory in Campaign to Prevent Overlighting of Union Station
For about a year, the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (“USRC”) has been developing plans to dramatically uplight – and overlight – the train station. The preliminary lighting plan called for the south facade -- located on Columbus Circle -- to be insanely bright -- and equivalent, evidently, to that of a TV studio:
(Photo: Initial lighting proposal for Union Station)
Last summer the staff of the National Capital Planning Commission (“NCPC”) directed them to tone it down. USRC came back with a better lighting design that the NCPC staff deemed satisfactory:
(Photo: Second lighting proposal for Union Station)
We still hated it. As a result, DC Chapter leaders Lee Mayer and Jim Dougherty submitted two sets of testimony to the NCPC in opposition to the modified proposal in December 2025. Lee testified remotely.
Link to Mayer Testimony
Link to Dougherty testimony:
Among other things, DarkSky DC argued that:
- the proposed lighting scheme would be wildly excessive in output and skyglow;
- the proposed new lighting scheme stands in stark contrast to the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting propounded by DarkSky International;
- in any case, the train station should not be made brighter than the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the White House, or the Capitol.
We further provided measurements of the surface "luminance" (in candelas per sq. meter) of all these structures, e.g.:
(Photo: DarkSky DC luminance measurements for the White House — in yellow text. These stood in contrast to the numbers originally cited in the Union Station lighting proposal — in white text.)
Apparently, the NCPC staff agreed with us — and they ordered even further reductions in the lighting.
This rendering (below) was the final iteration that was presented to the NCPC for its final meeting on this matter (March 5, 2026):
(Photo: Final lighting proposal for Union Station)
We consider this one of our biggest victories in years.
Implementation is expected to take several months. If you would like to help us monitor the installation of the new lighting design at Union Station, please contact Jim Dougherty at jimdougherty@aol.com
2. DarkSky DC monitors excessive street lighting
Following installation of the District's new LED street lights in 2024, chapter volunteers have nearly completed a year-long project to measure light levels on dozens of randomly selected residential streets throughout the city. Initial results show significantly greater amounts of light in Wards 7 and 8, raising the issues of environmental injustice and health inequity.
(Photo: DarkSky DC volunteers conduct streetlight luminance monitoring and meet with DC officials to compare their methodologies).
If you would like to join our squad of light-monitoring nerds, contact MJRoney@Starpower.net
3. Lights Out DC Campaign
Spring means that wildlife is more evident across the Washington metropolitan area. As temperatures rise, mating season begins, nesting preparations are reinvigorated, animals foraging needs increase as they search out food for their offspring. And major bird migration begins anew (Washington is located along the Atlantic Flyway). Let’s help them along their way by turning off all non-essential lights.
DarkSkyDC, together with DC Bird Alliance and City Wildlife, have a “Lights Out DC” Campaign running — please “Take the pledge!”
For the sake of migrating birds, but also for our own health and well-being — let’s turn off lights from April 1 to May 31.
https://www.lightsoutdc.info/take-the-pledge
Contact: Julia at jks.ei@verizon.net
4. Help us with public education in DC
Volunteers are needed to table from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 26 at the Maury Elementary School STEAM event on Capitol Hill. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce youngsters (and their parents!) to the issue of light pollution. If you are interested in helping, please contact Wayne Savage at waysav@gmail.com
(Photo: DarkSky DC volunteers provide education to the public on light pollution and the importance of protecting the night sky)
5. Winter DarkSky DC Election Results
Our annual election of board members reelected incumbent board member Julia Stevenson and elected new board member Gillen Brown. Thanks to Erik Cooke for his service. This year’s officers are:
● Jim Dougherty (Chair)
● Wayne Savage (Vice Chair)
● Milt Roney (Treasurer)
● Gillen Brown (Secretary)
● Julia K. Stevenson (Member at Large)
We heartily encourage our members to join our leadership (we need help!).
6. Coming Soon: DarkSky DC’s Bad Lighting Photo Contest
Next month we will launch our first (annual?) bad-lighting photo contest, featuring examples of the kinds of outdoor lighting (in DC) that violate our Five Principles (e.g., unnecessary, unshielded, overly bright, overly blue, etc.).
Hundreds of dollars in cash prizes will be awarded!
Watch this space. We need judges.
(Photo: Outdoor athletic courts in Washington DC that are illuminated by spotlights even when covered in snow during the wintertime)
7. Next Board Meeting: Weds April 22 (Earth Day) at 7:30pm ET.
This chapter meeting will be open to all members and leaders (and wannabes). Please find a link to the virtual meeting below.
DarkSky DC quarterly board meeting
Time: Apr 22, 2026 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85206131160
Meeting ID: 852 0613 1160
