France: cities to be 'blacked out' from 1am
New gov't energy-saving program will save 200 mln euros a year
(ANSAmed) - PARIS, JULY 1- In a new energy-saving measure, French public monuments, churches, stations, offices and billboards will be blacked out beginning at 1am.
Exceptions have been made for tourist areas, cultural attractions, historic centers, and Christmas and other holiday decorations. Violators will be fined up to 750 euros.
''When lighting is not indispensable it becomes pollution'', French Ecology Minister Delphine Batho said. ''The first objective of this measure is to educate the public''.
The measure will reduce the carbon footprint of French cities and communes by 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide, or 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, the French environmental agency said.
It will also save 200 million euros a year, equal to the ''energy consumption of 750,000 people or the production of one nuclear power plant'', according to France Nature Environnement spokesman Benoit Hartmann. ''The next step is to reduce street lighting by adding sensors so it will only switch on when someone is present''. The French government has also launched a campaign to educate businesses about why the blackout is necessary. Shop window lighting must be turned off from 1-7am, and public monuments must only be lit up from sunset to 1am.
Exceptions have been made for tourist areas, cultural attractions, historic centers, and Christmas and other holiday decorations. Violators will be fined up to 750 euros.
''When lighting is not indispensable it becomes pollution'', French Ecology Minister Delphine Batho said. ''The first objective of this measure is to educate the public''.
The measure will reduce the carbon footprint of French cities and communes by 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide, or 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, the French environmental agency said.
It will also save 200 million euros a year, equal to the ''energy consumption of 750,000 people or the production of one nuclear power plant'', according to France Nature Environnement spokesman Benoit Hartmann. ''The next step is to reduce street lighting by adding sensors so it will only switch on when someone is present''. The French government has also launched a campaign to educate businesses about why the blackout is necessary. Shop window lighting must be turned off from 1-7am, and public monuments must only be lit up from sunset to 1am.
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