|
As a part of effort to save energy, the government decided to limit the indoor temperature of buildings starting next year. The decision comes after a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo on Thursday to discuss ways to save energy to cope with surging oil prices. During the summer, the air-conditioning should not keep temperatures below 26 degrees Celsius, while the highest indoor heating temperature should not go above 20 degrees in Celsius in the winter. The government also decided to fine households that do not abide by the new rule, but that plan is already being criticized as unrealistic. Electricity and gas charges will be increased, reflecting recent hikes in oil prices.
According to the new plan, the limit on indoor temperature, which has been applied only to public buildings, will be expanded to include all buildings with exception of special facilities like hospitals and nursing homes. The government will revise the relevant law within this year. Its application will be expanded step by step, first to large public facilities and education and entertainment facilities by 2009, then to large private service facilities by 2010, and to homes and stores by 2011. Violation will result in fines.
Lee Jee-hoon, a senior economist at the Samsung Economic Research Institute, has doubts about the efficacy of laws. He said it can be ¡°recommended¡± to keep the temperature at reasonable level, but it is virtually impossible to check the indoor temperature of each household and fine those who do not follow the law.
The government also decided to give a special discount on expressway tolls and public parking fees to the drivers of energy-efficient vehicles. It will also increase average fuel efficiency by 15 percent from the production stage of vehicles by 2015. The U.S. has passed a bill that forces a 25 percent increase of AFE by 2015, and 40 percent by 2020. The European Union also plans to limit the amount of CO©üemission per car to the level of sub-compact cars by 2012.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
