Don’t Let the Bought Air Out!
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs inspectors made headlines during the recent heatwave that swept through the Northeast by handing out fines to stores that placed an increased burden on the electrical grid by blasting their air-conditioners and then leaving front doors open in an effort to draw customers out of the hundred-degree heat and into the cool.
Last week, I walked past several similar stores – that the inspectors must have missed because their doors were wide open and the bought air was flooding the street – and could not help but wonder how, in an era of growing environmental awareness and in a struggling economic climate, storeowners could possibly justify paying to cool their stores and the steamy streets of Manhattan (when closed doors and a large “OPEN” poster would probably draw a comparable number of customers). Perhaps the 100+ degree heat went to the heads of normally rational people?
There is an obvious environmental, money-saving lesson here: Don’t let the bought air out!
Comments
Business doesn’t trump the law. I’m very glad to know this inconsiderate and eco-terroristic practice is illegal. From now on I’ll emulate jan henle and close the doors for them (and call 311 if they don’t get the message). What is most infuriating about it is that it isn’t these stores who’ll suffer in a blackout — their power will be among the first restored (except maybe in the Bronx). Meanwhile, elderly residents of Queens and Washington Hts. will be at risk of premature death. And that’s to say nothing of the contribution to global warming, of course.
That is a big waste of electricity and Im glad the government is cracking out on it and giving out fines.
The government is definitely doing the right things. The consumption of electrcity should be enforced. for the sake of green!
I agree that it’s a great move by the authorities to fine businesses that waste electricity like that. It’s singling out one kind of waste though. What about buildings that leave all their lights on overnight or ones that leave outdoor lights on during the day? Or other things like computer monitors left on. There should be more accountability for all issues like that.
Well, the good part is that the government gets to make a little money out of the deal, and they are taking an active stance on going green. It’s similar to the deal about Wearing Seat belts, they get to preach a good thing, which is we should all be wearing seat belts, and those who do not want to will get fined, and will eventually learn the lesson, everyone wins really, well except the pockets of the people but that’s another story.
Till then,
Jean
I think a better solution than fines is to have inverted pricing–the more kwh you buy, the more expensive it gets.
To be effective for business, there would have to be some relatively simple way of identifying a baseline, and then adjusting it over time (over seasons?).
Where’s a smart grid when you need one?