Article: Fort Bend County, Texas, Passes Law to Prevent Light Pollution at Night.

By Eric Hanson, Houston Chronicle Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Mar. 24--RICHMOND, Texas -- A law designed to protect the night sky from light pollution and help people see the stars took effect Tuesday after several weeks of fine-tuning and debate.

In a 4-1 vote, Fort Bend County commissioners passed an ordinance regulating outdoor lighting in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The ordinance, which does not affect existing lights, was supported by stargazers and astronomers who use the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park. Opponents saw it as a veiled attempt at zoning and an infringement on property rights.

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