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Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Mass Audubon and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Boston are pleased to continue their participation in Lights Out Boston for Spring 2013. Under this voluntary award-wining program, participating building owners and managers have agreed to turn off or dim all architectural and internal lighting between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the spring migratory bird season which begins March 1, 2013 and ends June 1, 2013. Buildings committed to this program will save money, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and protect wildlife.

Reduce Energy Use and Greenhouse Emissions

In accordance with the Mayor’s Climate Action agenda, Lights Out Boston can reduce the amount of electricity that a building uses for lighting—and the associated electricity costs—by up to 25%. It also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, associated with the production of electricity. The increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is the primary cause of climate change.

Concern for Migrating Birds

Migrating birds have difficulty adapting to an urban environment. When a city skyline—especially buildings over 20 stories —is brightly lit at night, the lights can confuse the birds. Scientists are unsure of the exact reason for this problem, but do know that birds can fly as low as 500 feet during inclement weather and skyscrapers are the most visible part of the city to migrating birds.

For more information please read Lights Out Boston FAQ below or visit our partner Mass Audubon.

Participants

Lights Out Boston is indebted to the support offered by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Boston (BOMA Boston). BOMA Boston has close to 600 members who own, operate or manage 150 million square feet of real estate in the Greater Boston area.

Boston Skyline by Brendan Stewart

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Lights Out Boston?: Lights Out Boston is a voluntary partnership of the City of Boston, large commercial property owners and managers, and the Massachusetts Audubon Society that is working to turn off all architectural and externally-visible internal lighting in Boston’s tallest office buildings by 11 p.m. every evening, and to leave them off until daylight. The goal of the program is to reduce energy consumption, reduce the risks of climate change, and protect birds during the migration season.

What can I do to help?: Turn off the lights in your office when you leave for the evening. If you are working late, draw your blinds or curtains and, if possible, use a desk lamp instead of overhead lighting.

What are the possible electricity cost savings?: The goal of the program is to reduce energy consumption, reduce the risksAs we all know, the cost of electricity has increased along with that of other sources of energy. Every reduction in electricity consumption reduces a building’s operating costs. Conformity with the Lights Out Boston guidelines can reduce the amount of electricity used for lighting by up to 25 percent of climate change, and protect birds during the migration season.

How does this reduce energy consumption and the risk of climate change?: The energy used to heat, cool, and power the activities in buildings accounts for about 70 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in Boston. Reducing lighting in buildings also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, associated with the production of electricity. The increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the primary cause of climate change.

What is the Mayor's Climate Agenda?: On April 12, 2007, Mayor Thomas M. Menino issued an Executive Order Relative to Climate Action that reiterated the City of Boston’s short-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012 and established a long-term reduction goal of 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The City has put many programs in place to achieve these goals. For more information, visit Climate.

Why does Lights Out Boston target Boston's tallest skyscrapers and how will it help migrating birds?

Migrating birds have difficulty adapting to an urban environment. When a city skyline—especially buildings over 30 stories —is brightly lit at night, the lights can confuse the birds. Scientists are unsure of the exact reason for this problem, but do know that birds can fly as low as 500 feet during inclement weather and skyscrapers are the most visible part of the city to migrating birds.

Additionally, Lights Out Boston partners represent over 150 million square feet of commercial office space in Boston. These skyscrapers are potent symbols and will set an example that encourages everyone to use energy carefully.

How many birds are affected in Boston during the migration season?: No recent data exists on migratory bird fatalities in the Boston area or how many birds migrate through the area. While there is uncertainty about total number of birds that migrate through the region, we do know that this region is a major avenue for birds during the migration seasons. Among the birds that migrate through the Boston area are the Blackburnian Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Blue Headed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, and White-Throated Sparrow.

Why aren't buildings already turning off their lights?: The reasons vary. Some buildings were designed with architectural lighting to increase their prominence in the city skyline; additional electricity expense was seen as an advertising or public relations cost. Some have older lighting systems in which all the lights on a floor are controlled by one switch. Cleaning crews, who are often restricted to working later in the night, sometimes prefer to turn on all lights on one floor or several floors. Lights Out Boston will assist buildings in evaluating their lighting use, identifying obstacles to joining the campaign, and finding ways to overcome these obstacles.

Is this program mandatory and how can buildings join?: No, participation is completely voluntary, and we encourage all buildings to sign up with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Lights Out Boston is reaching out, in particular, to commercial buildings over 30 floors.

What if building tenants want to work late into the night?: Building managers will ask tenants who are working late to draw their blinds or curtains and, if possible, to use a desk lamp instead of overhead lighting.

Environmental & Energy Services

City Departments

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