Andalucía
Andalucía turning off the lights at night
By h.b.
Mar 16, 2009 - 7:44 AM

The Junta de Andalucía is introducing new legislation to cut down on light pollution at night, and those municipalities in the region who do not meet the new requirements face fines of 60,000 €.

Under the new regulations monuments have to be illuminated from the top downwards, and such illumination will have to be switched off completely between midnight and 6am in winter and between 1am and 6am in summer, unless specific permission has been granted.

The illumination of beaches which are not part of the town centre will also be banned, and each municipality will have to outline zones where there is illumination in order to establish a limit.

The regional Environment Department is putting the final details to the legislation and is considering establishing a new office for the protection of sky quality. Illumination for reasons of safety, at ports and airports for example, will not be affected.