Spain slashes speed limit in global warming overhaul
Just yesterday, we found out that they UN is going to turn up the thermostat at its New York HQ in an attempt to save energy. Now, we find that the entire government of Spain is not only cranking down the old thermostat to save some Euros. Not only that, they're introducing a whole barrage of new measures and restrictions to reduce their nation's energy consumption. From now on, all public buildings will no longer be able to set their thermostats below 79°F in the summer, or above 70°F in winter -- hospitals excluded. Commercial airlines will now be permitted to fly along fuel-saving military routes. And the big one, motorists will face a 20% reduction in speed limits across the country -- a measure that's sure to piss off Spain's amateur race car drivers.
In an effort to cut Spain's dependency on foreign oil, the government has decided to enact a speed limit of 80km nationwide -- that's just below 50mph. According to a statement from Spain's industry minister Miguel Sebastián: ""Every time we lift our feet off the accelerator, we are improving GDP and employment." And you thought driving 55mph was bad.
Sebastián was center of a controversy when he showed up in parliament without a tie, encouraging people to turn up their thermostats and dress accordingly. He was ordered by the speaker to dress appropriately at the time of the incident, but it looks like his message was heard anyway.
Spain's overhaul also includes handing out 49 million CFLs, two for each household. Also, the socialist government will begin a pilot program to manufacture 1 million hybrid or electric cars -- no specifics were given about what percentage of the cars would be electric.
[via Treehugger]
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