Submitted by Mark, Aug 15, 2008 15:59

When I heard Mayor Bloomberg was endorsing a plan to fine businesses that leave their doors open while their air conditioning is on, it was with much anticipation and pride that I Googled for the article. I thought to myself that somehow Mr. Bloomberg or someone on the city council had read my letter to the Wall Street Journal earlier this summer – around a particularly uncomfortable heat wave – wherein I criticized those stores that practiced this "in your face environmental violation." While I had not actually seen my letter printed (and thus thought it was not important enough for the WSJ to print) my ego let me think it did, and thus take the credit.

As I read the "conditions" of which these fines would be imposed, my heart sank with each sentence and I realized now, why so many people just don't care. It turns out in order to even be considered for a fine you must have violated the proposed law at least twice within 18-months; the store must be at least 4,000 sq. ft. in size; it must be part of a chain, and – here comes the big one folks – the fine would be a whooping $200! Imagine that, a chain store, no doubt with many times the resources of the small mom and pop store, and able to afford such a large footprint, might really be hard pressed to come up with so much pocket change. Why, that amounts to all of eleven dollars and change (11) amortized over the eighteen-month period. Golly-Gee.

The New York Sun quotes Mr. Bloomberg …[this] "is a compromise and represents a reasonable balance." A balance between what – an environmentally irresponsible firm and, well, just, what? I guess my question would be why bother? Most likely no fines will ever be collected because most likely no violations will ever even be issued. Thanks for nothing and for giving the okay for all those jerks to proceed.

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