It's a common practice, but it was annoying during the recent heat wave, in a context where energy could run out next winter.
Despite the heat outside, many stores leave their air conditioning on, while keeping the doors of their shops wide open.
An “
anti-ecological
” and “
contrary to common sense
” practice, denounced the Minister of Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher on BFM Business last week, while the government is working on an energy sobriety plan.
In this context, several cities have decided to take the lead and simply ban this practice.
The PS town hall of Bourg-en-Bresse paved the way, issuing a decree on July 15 which prohibits businesses from keeping their front door open when the air conditioning system – or heating in winter – is on.
"
I have always considered that it is a waste and in the current period, I consider that this waste has become intolerable and unbearable
", explained to AFP Jean-François Debat, the councilor of the commune of 40,000 inhabitants. .
Read alsoEnergy sobriety plan: what are the avenues being studied?
The measure came into effect on Monday.
Traders who do not respect it are liable to a fine of 38 euros.
The socialist town hall therefore passes to the constraint, after “
letters sent for several months
” to traders who “
have not reduced the frequency of these practices
”, can we read in the decree.
Paris is studying "means of prohibiting this practice"
60 km further south, the city of Lyon issued a similar decree this week, which took effect on Wednesday.
“
This is a common sense decision for the good of the planet and therefore for the good of everyone
,” said environmentalist mayor Grégory Doucet, quoted in a press release, which also invites traders to “
turn off showcases and signs earlier or even as soon as the store closes, switch to LED lighting, increase the temperature setpoint for air conditioning in summer, lower that for heating in winter
”.
The decree, which aims to “
avoid the waste of energy
”, “
does not apply to establishments benefiting from an outdoor terrace in order not to penalize the working conditions in these establishments
“, indicates the City of Lyon.
Read alsoMass distribution is committed to energy sobriety
In Paris, a similar project is under study.
After saying, in the midst of a heat wave at the end of last week, to be "
scandalized to see the irresponsibility of air-conditioned businesses that leave the door open
", the deputy mayor in charge of ecological transition, Dan Lert, said on Twitter Tuesday that the City of Paris was studying "
the means of prohibiting this shocking and irresponsible practice
".
The movement seems to be gaining more and more communes.
A similar decree took effect Thursday in Valence, prefecture of Drôme, then this Friday in Besançon, prefecture of Doubs.
In Valence, the town hall went further than air conditioning, also prohibiting traders from illuminating the windows at night, between midnight and 7 a.m.
A measure of sobriety demanded by Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
The decree runs for the time being until September 30.
In Besançon, the decree must end on September 21, but "
it may be extended in the event of persistence of heat waves
".