Argentina. In the city of Rosario, located in the province of Santa Fe, it was announced that all commercial premises that have air conditioning systems and that do not close the doors of their businesses, or that do not have a system that prevents the exit of the cold to the outside, will be sanctioned.
This initiative, led by the councilor, María Eugenia Schmuck, aims to avoid the high energy consumption that is produced by cold leaks, imitating the same regulation that months ago also established the city of New York.
The fines for not complying with this rule will be from 30 pesos (US$2) per square meter until the closure of the establishment for 90 days. In addition, commercial premises must also maintain air conditioning systems at a temperature not lower than 24 degrees Celsius.
In February 2015, the ordinance was approved by the City Council. "The point is that we continue to see in the center and in different places of the city of Rosario, some premises, mainly selling appliances that continue to have their doors open with air conditioners at very low temperatures," said María Eugenia Schmuck.