In recent weeks I've read in the Levittown Tribune about the revitalization project near the Bluegrass Lane section of Hempstead Turnpike. In fact, as a resident of Levittown for almost 14 years I have personally seen the recent handiwork of Hempstead Town Supervisor Richard Guardino and Project Coordinator, Gary Hudes. One of the modes they chose for revitalization was to erect a number of stylish old-time lantern fixtures, each one containing a high pressure sodium vapor lamp.

Yet, I am scratching my head as to the purpose of erecting these new light fixtures. First, Hempstead Turnpike was already garishly overlit by the existing sodium vapor streetlamps. In addition, I have observed that some of these new light fixtures have been glowing brightly both night and day, thus wasting electricity. Indeed, it would seem that many cities and towns like Levittown are routinely putting up ever-brighter lights for no other reason than "that's what we've always done."

I've also found that on foggy or rainy nights the pre-existing sodium vapor streetlights on Hempstead Turnpike were downright dangerous because of excessive glare that interfered with straight-line vision. Now ... with the inclusion of the Bluegrass Lane stretch of the turnpike that includes those quaint new streetlamps I now even have to lower my sun visor.

Another drawback to all these bright lights is the loss of our view of the nighttime sky. I serve as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium and write the weekly astronomy column "Sky Watch" in the Sunday New York Times. I can well remember 35 years ago enjoying dark, starlit skies from many locations here on Long Island. But today, thanks to the current siege of light blight we no longer are treated to such starry nights. Indeed, the factitious firmament of the planetarium has become for many our only view of the universe. The once-dark night-sky has pretty much been reduced to a museum rendition.

And incidentally - for those who insist that bright lights are a necessity for security reasons - it has been shown that bright lighting in public places does not reduce crime, according to the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.) A careful investigation found that brighter streets merely give the public an illusion of safety.

Unfortunately, from experience, I have found that it is useless to try to debate people on light pollution effects on astronomy. I know from experience that many scoff at preserving our night skies. Not a few people seem afflicted by "night backlash," and there's no telling them that astronomers aren't fiendishly plotting to make everyone grope in the dark among criminals.

Finally, a word about conserving energy: high-pressure sodium vapor lights consume a tremendous amount of electricity. In the Greater New York Area alone, more than one-third of all electrical usage - literally hundreds of millions of watts - comes from illuminating these lights. This past summer, in the June 29 edition of the Daily News (page 45), a column appeared under the title "New York needs more power." Written by Ms. Maureen O. Helmer, chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission, the need was cited for new power plants to address the shrinking cushion between electrical supply and demand. She wrote:

"New Yorkers are already among the most efficient users of electricity, and the utilities have spent $2 billion on conservation programs in the last decade. But, new methods of conservation will still be necessary to meet the growing demand by as early as next year."

No rational person wishes to return to the horse-and-buggy era, but is this not just another case of too much of a good thing? Many of us over the age of 30 can recall the energy crisis years of the 1970s, when energy conservation was the order of the day. Remember the nationwide call to tone-down excessive lighting? During this interval even the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was adorned with far-fewer lights, though outfitted with tiny reflectors to give the illusion of a more-fully-lit-tree. With electricity needs continuing to increase there seems little reason to doubt that another energy crisis period is just around the corner. I strongly suspect when that time comes, local politicians like Mr. Guardino and Mr. Hudes will be scampering in all directions with useful suggestions for us Levittowners on how to save energy.

They can start with those streetlamps!