Frankfurt/Darmstadt/Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - There are no controls or fines - and yet the implementation of the federal energy saving regulations is also having an effect in Hessian municipalities. This was the result of a survey by the German Press Agency in several cities. The regulations have been in effect since September 1 of last year and include, for example, specifications for the maximum room temperature in public buildings, a waiver of hot water for hand washing and the nocturnal illumination of buildings, monuments and advertising spaces.
According to a city spokeswoman, the city of Frankfurt assumes that the energy consumption in the municipal properties will be five to ten percent lower. They are also focusing on switching to LED lighting, have been dimming more than half of the approximately 60,000 lanterns between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. for years and have also asked employees to submit further ideas.
In the energy crisis, Darmstadt set up a task force to explore potential savings and possible measures, and in Wiesbaden the energy consumption in municipal properties was reduced to a "gratifying extent" in autumn, according to the city.
The federal cabinet passed the ordinance in the summer out of concern about possible energy bottlenecks as a result of a lack of Russian gas supplies. The rules, which are initially limited to the end of February, are to be extended until April 15 if the Federal Council agrees on February 10.
