The last time we wrote about our ongoing discussion about retail stores leaving their doors open while blasting the AC, things did not look good. We closed the article saying “Maybe we consumer peons have lost the battle for now, but we’ll hold out for results on the war.” It looks like this optimism was actually in order because the New York City Council recently approved legislation that will fine stores that try to attract customers by blatantly wasting energy with gaping doors. This new legislation calls for a warning on the first offense, $200 for the next and $400 for any further violations. We first wrote about our annoyance with this retail policy in early July and our coverage continued as the issue became more public, spawned website sections and even yielded tangible results (later retracted). We’ll try not to gloat too much, but it certainly feels like the voices of levelheaded citizens and council members have prevailed over poor ethical retail practices. Thanks to everyone for their concern and continued submissions.
New Legislation Forces NYC Retailers to Close Front Door
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August 20, 2008
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Inspiration to make things better.
good!!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Have you really thought this through? They are the ones paying for the energy. Who are you or I to tell them what to do with their property? (Yes, I understand the effects on energy consumption, how it effects everyone, etc.)
This growing acceptance of the tyranny of the many over the few is troubling. New Yorkers in particular have grown far too comfortable with policy guided by this sort of logically weak, quasi-communal system of values. There will come a day when the majority imposes its will on you and your property in a way that you find unacceptable. Will the same rules apply?
August 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Bobby, I sincerely hope that if you’re ever caught doing something as stupid & wasteful as leaving your front door open while the A/C is running, some one will bust you too.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:51 pm