DarkSky International launches new Oil and Gas Industry Lighting Program, recognizing three Franklin Mountain Energy sites in New Mexico
Carlsbad, NM — DarkSky International has recognized three Franklin Mountain Energy locations in the Permian Basin area of Lea County, New Mexico as DarkSky Certified to protect and maintain the nighttime environment. These are the first oil and gas sites in the world to receive this distinction. This certification not only acknowledges FME’s commitment to responsible lighting practices but serves as a pathway for international recognition within the energy sector. FME, DarkSky International, and the Dark for the Park Alliance worked collaboratively on the effort.
FME’s multi-step efforts to achieve the DarkSky Certification maintains safety and security of these 24-hour operated locations while increasing visibility of the starry skies by adopting responsible lighting principles. FME now has two DarkSky retrofit sites, and one site is certified as a DarkSky new build. The retrofits resulted in a 60% reduction in lighting energy consumption while still meeting or exceeding safety standards for lighting and an estimated 99% reduction in skyglow, or light scattering in the night sky, as viewed from a distant location such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
“Safety for our workers is always our first priority,” FME Co-Founder Audrey Robertson said. “We also prioritize the environment and support night-sky friendly lighting practices. I am proud of our team for working on this project with DarkSky International and the Alliance to ensure the continued beauty found throughout the Permian Basin’s skies.”
The Dark for the Park Alliance is a collaborative effort between Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Heritage Park, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Land Office, McDonald Observatory, Apache Point Observatory, DarkSky International, and DarkSky New Mexico. The Alliance is focused on the Permian and San Juan Basins in New Mexico to promote education and recognition to maintain or restore the night sky quality through the adoption of recommended outdoor lighting practices that direct light downward onto the work surface and limit light upward into the sky.
The Alliance has published a lighting guidance document to provide oil and gas companies and other industries a roadmap to maintain or increase night sky quality while maintaining safety and security of operations. The guide includes suggestions on planning, shielding, intensity, and color. Each working location has its own requirements, but the practices are scalable, cost-efficient options for new builds and retrofits.
The protection of night skies is a priority for many industries and individuals throughout the Permian and San Juan Basins. The Alliance was first created after the Carlsbad Caverns approached the oil and gas industry with the idea of collaboration for dark skies efforts to highlight the significance of this work for the economy, heritage to the lands, and future stewardship of them.
“Promoting dark skies practices is a collaborative effort,” DarkSky International CEO Ruskin Hartley said. “The Alliance’s public-private partnership shows the importance of teamwork to achieve the workable balance between operational safety and security and protecting night sky quality.”
The Alliance is working throughout the Permian and San Juan Basins to suggest practices that accommodate the needs of both regions.
“The work of FME in collaboration with the Alliance is creating a win-win solution.” Robertson said. “Working together with federal and state agencies, industry, and organizations committed to the promotion of responsible lighting practices protects and promotes the sanctity of our star-filled skies.”
To learn more about the lighting guide and certifications, please visit:
www.nmoga.org
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies
https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/
https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/pages/lighting-recognition-program
For further inquiries, contact our DarkSky Approved programs team:
About DarkSky International
DarkSky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation (www.darksky.org).
