Since the nineteenth century Paris has been known as the ‘City of Lights’, being the first city in the world to use natural gas to illuminate its streets..Adieu..Now the French government is imposing harsh penalties on businesses and shops that light their storefronts outside designated hours in a bid to reduce electricity use..Offenders face fines of up to €1,500 (CAD$2,100) for breaking the rules as the country tries to reduce power and natural gas use 10% by the end of 2024 and oil consumption by 2%..It’s all part of what the government has dubbed ‘sobriété énergétique’ or ‘energy sobriety.’.“La sobriété doit devenir une habitude,” — “sobriety must become a habit” — Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told L’Alsace newspaper, adding she is pursuing “structural change” to the Gallic nation’s energy consumption..To that end, the French government is offering subsidies of up to 80% to homeowners to purchase so-called ‘smart’ thermostats which can cost up to €1,000. State-owned Electricite de France SA, along with other utilities, will offer contracts to households that reduce energy use..In addition, the government will introduce tax breaks for businesses that help employees bike to work along with further subsidies for ride sharing..It comes after the French government last year introduced a sweeping plan to slash heating and power use in everything from public buildings, shopping malls, spas and even stadiums in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine..Lights on the Eiffel Tower — 20,000 of them — have been reduced by one hour each night; no lit advertising is allowed overnight; temperatures in swimming pools and gymnasiums aren’t allowed to exceed 19C; and the speed of ski lifts have been reduced to save energy and reduce emissions..Those consisted of ‘voluntary’ reductions; this is the first time legally binding penalties are being introduced. The country is hoping to reduce primary energy demand some 40% as it strives to become carbon neutral by 2050 under the aptly named Paris Accord..Last fall, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed not to introduce ‘temperature police’ but he has been under pressure from green groups who argue unenforced measures are ineffective.."If the whole nation manages to keep this objective, which is purely voluntary — there is no need for a legal decree, or complicated things — if we all come together to stick to it, in the worst case scenario we will get through the winter," Macron said. .The irony is France derives almost three quarters of its electricity from nuclear power, although it is struggling to maintain its aging reactor fleet. On Wednesday it signed a 27-year deal with Qatar to supply LNG as a backup..Adding insult to injury, in the 1800s, lanterns were introduced on every street corner and citizens were asked to light up their windows with oil lamps and candles. It was the first city to deploy ‘lamplighters’ to illuminate the streets..Even the term ‘gaslighting’ originally referred to prostitutes who gathered under Paris’ street lamps for safety..To this day Paris is still one of the brightest and most lit cities in the world, with more than 300 illuminated public monuments and 33 of its 37 bridges.
