Boulder City receives nearly $2 million to protect and promote its spectacular starry night skies
Boulder City and the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation are excited to share that the City has received a $1.9 million U.S. Economic Development Authority (EDA) grant to retrofit every municipal light with energy-efficient, light-pollution reducing fixtures. In addition to providing significant energy cost savings for the City of Boulder City, the new dimmable, eco-friendly light fixtures will help curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions, protect natural ecosystems and native wildlife from critical light pollution impacts, and advance sustainable dark sky recreation and tourism opportunities for families and visitors.
The lighting retrofit project will commence in 2023 and is an important step in Boulder City’s efforts to achieve Dark Skies Community Certification. If the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) approves designation, Boulder City would become one of Nevada’s first designated communities.
“The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation is excited to support this innovative project to reduce light pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while providing stellar opportunities for families and visitors to enjoy Boulder City under the stars,” said Colin Robertson, Administrator of the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation. “I thank the EDA for supporting this tremendous project, and I’m grateful to our many partners – including Boulder City, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, National Park Service, and numerous outdoor recreation small businesses – for their collaboration in securing these funds and supporting sustainable outdoor recreation and tourism in Nevada. Preserving a place's special qualities like Boulder City's starry night skies, helps ensure these important natural resources can be enjoyed and protected for generations to come."
“I’m thrilled to see Nevada receive federal funding that will help local communities retrofit their lightning in order to allow for better viewing of our world-class night skies,” said Nevada Lieutenant Governor Lisa Cano Burkhead. “As Chair of the Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation, I’ll take every chance I can to encourage everyone to get outside and explore our beautiful state, and this help locals and tourists do just that.”
“I am beyond happy to see Boulder City has been awarded this grant,” said Council member James H. Adams, who formally proposed the project to Council. “With it, we will be able to improve the health and safety of our community, while also providing economic benefit to our local businesses.”
"This EDA investment in Boulder City's lighting infrastructure is a great step towards our goals of preserving the dark skies of our community and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area for their natural and cultural value," said City Manager Taylour Tedder. "My hope is that this project will help us move toward a goal of becoming a certified dark sky community, and preserve our community's quality of life. We appreciate the support of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen and the State of Nevada on this project."