Energy Savings, Tourism, and Research

The motivations driving the four-year effort culminating in today’s announcement expanded well beyond aesthetic and scientific considerations. According to French Senator François Fortassin, the “first aim” of the project was to minimize light pollution around Pic du Midi Observatory, but it soon became apparent there was much more to be gained.

As part of the efforts to achieve IDA recognition, a total of 251 communities adopted a comprehensive outdoor lighting management plan (LMP) that included retrofits and replacements of existing lighting fixtures, and the use of new lighting technologies. By 2013, early results showed the LMP could effectively reduce light pollution in the region by 85 percent and energy usage by 38 percent, all while maintaining safe lighting levels for residents and visitors.

The new lighting plan continues to provide “significant energy savings and offer economic development opportunities in the Hautes-Pyrénées area,” said Christian Poncet, Regional Representative of the French power company Électricité de France.

The region is capitalizing on the IDA designation as a means of furthering research into land use policy and practices, tourism business models, and resources sustainability at the nearby University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour. A team has been designated by the University to manage the Pic du Midi IDSR project and to install and maintain scientific instruments in the Pic du Midi region to monitor the quality of the night sky in the future.

Timelapse at the Pic du Midi Observatory from Romain Montaigut on Vimeo.

Officials at Pic du Midi have even grander aspirations for preserving dark skies in the Pyrénées. In coming years, they plan to work with their Spanish counterparts to expand the protected territory into Spain, making for the first IDA Dark Sky Reserve spanning two nations.

Great news for the French stargazers and their visitors,

Clear Skies,

Franck M.