Proactively attacking our pet peeves one by one...

September 4, 2007

Dear Assembly Member Lois Wolk and Senator Michael Machado,

California continues to struggle with a severe energy crisis.

One afternoon early this July, with sustained temperatures over 100 degrees for a week, we were walking through an outdoor Sacramento mall. Even more appalling than the relentless heat, were the periodic blasts of ice-cold air conditioning. Recoiling in horror, we realized that the doors of the majority of the stores had been propped wide open. This is not a problem unique to any one particular retail establishment. All over the State of California, when temperatures rise, stores needlessly waste significant electricity in a desperate effort to compete for customers.

It seems ironic that while the California State Legislature meets to discuss energy conservation legislation in the Capitol Building ¬—a building under strict self-imposed energy saving measures— only a few blocks away electricity in the form of air conditioning, is forcibly expelled from a profusion of local retailers and national chain stores.

We ask that you introduce a bill, on our behalf. We would like to prohibit the propping open of doors by retail businesses when their air conditioning is on. We believe that this legislation would provide a simple and elegant mechanism to actively encourage energy conservation by retail businesses across the State. We understand that stores should be allowed flexibility in the way in which they conduct business, however, when they engage in practices that are indirectly harmful to public interest, it is the responsibility of lawmakers to intercede.

At this time, we do not have a detailed recommendation for the enforcement of such a law. However, we believe that it could be a potentially important revenue stream for environmental/energy-saving initiatives in the State of California. Subsequent offenses might lead to increased fines: $100, $1000, etc?

Similar to the views that so many California law-makers have expressed, we are excited about decreasing power consumption in California. Please let us know if there is any way in which we can be helpful in the process of creating this legislation. We would be delighted to talk with you further.


Most Sincerely,

Andrew Frishman and Leigh A. Needleman