Switzerland is looking into imprisoning people who warm their rooms to 19C for the next three years if the country is forced to ration gas because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. .Switzerland Federal Department of Finance spokesman Markus Sporndli told Blick the country could issue fines for people who heat their homes higher than 19C. .Sporndli said the rates for fines on a daily basis could start at about $40 per day. He said the maximum fine would be $4,031 with continuing scofflaws facing jail time..Swiss companies who go over their gas quotas could also be punished. .The law will require temperatures in gas-heated buildings to never rise above 19C, with water heated up to 60C. Radiant heaters would not be allowed, and saunas and swimming pools would have to stay cold. .These measures are stated in the Federal Law on National Economic Supply, referred to by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs in an official document. .It has been predicted the proposed measures could lead to disputes, leaving courts busy and governments having to add regulations to clarify the grey area. .Switzerland’s cantons have until September 22 to raise concerns about the measures. .Germany started to address potential gas shortages in July when the country rationed hot water. .READ MORE: Germany begins hot water rationing as energy crisis escalates.Hamburg warned “warm water could only be made available at certain times of the day in an emergency,” predicting the likelihood of a real critical natural gas shortage..Residents in German state Saxony were told by their housing association hot showers would be limited to 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day. .Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to Europe’s energy crisis on August 22 by saying Canada will not be shipping natural gas. .READ MORE: Trudeau rejects exporting Canadian natural gas to Europe.“Canada is a major oil and gas producer in the world,” said Trudeau. .“But because of our commitment to fight climate change, we are working very, very hard to decarbonize and develop other sources of energy that we can rely on and we can share with the world.”
