Recipe For A Blackout

The New York Times has an article about a crazy practice popular with some New York City shops. These stores keep their doors wide open, and the air conditioning on full blast during the summer. A common excuse is that it’s company policy, or that the open doors are there to invite customers in. It’s kind of shocking that the store owners would want to pay for all that extra electricity.

Thankfully, the Times reports that there are attempts being made to create new rules against the wasteful practice:

Legislation sponsored by Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer of Manhattan would end this practice and fine violators $200 for each open door or window. Unless the law forces them, Ms. Brewer says, the stores will not do what common sense says is the right thing. Her bill has gone nowhere, however, in part because it lacks support from the Bloomberg administration, which despite its own ample “green” talk has shown scant interest in telling businesses what to do.

NYT: “When Shops Keep Doors Agape, Think of Cold Air at $140 a Barrel”

[via Gothamist]