i don't think it's such a losing battle. there are ordinances about parking lot lights and light pollution. wal mart, for example, is required to have shades on their parking lot lights that direct the light downward instead of outward, so as not to affect surrounding properties. there may be something there....
then they had to get a variance approval or it comes down. my bet is they got approval before putting it up.
Progress Energy will come out and install those shields so the street lamps do not light up your house, too.
