AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill intended to prevent outdoor lighting from ruining Maine’s dark, starlit skies has won final Senate approval and been sent to Gov. John Baldacci.

The final bill, which passed Tuesday, was weakened from an earlier version that called for uniform state standards for outdoor commercial lighting.

As amended, it calls for a review of Maine’s existing commercial outdoor lighting standards so recommendations can be presented to lawmakers next January.

At a hearing in February, supporters said Maine should preserve what many states have lost: dark skies that make thousands of stars visible at night. The Baldacci administration spoke in support of the original bill when it was presented.

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