Security is an issue with the mall as well, Kolb said. The lights have to stay on long enough for customers and employees to safely leave the property. Another problem is that when lighting is dimmed, security cameras don't work, Kolb said. All the mall parking lights are on one switch, making it difficult to cut back on lighting, he said. It doesn't take a whole lot by everybody.
Gas stations are another highly visible nighttime energy user, but looks can be deceiving.
Some brightly lit stations have installed energy-efficient lighting and burn less electricity. The Boyett station at Coffee Road and Briggsmore Avenue put in new lights that are brighter, Carl Boyett said, but they use less electricity than the old ones. Several Boyett stations leave on banks of lights all night because emergency vehicles use the stations for refueling during the night, Boyett said. For businesses that may not know about the mandate or what to do about it, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce is working on a program it hopes to use in conjunction with the Police Department. The program would help get out the conservation message and recognize some businesses that have been successful in reducing energy use, said Gary Plummer, chamber president and chief executive officer.