1,526 ENERGY VIOLATORS HIT WITH FINES

OVER 1500 businesses that flouted the energy saving rules by leaving illuminated signs and air conditioners on will each be fined between $50 and $5,000.  

526 thousand businesses will be punished in the country for violating the rules of saving electricity to keep lit signs and use air conditioners after hours.
Zelmar Rodriguez, general manager of the National Public Services Authority (ASEP), said that the owners of the establishments will receive notices confirming they breached the provisions of Cabinet Resolution No. 66 of May 7, 2013, which established the "signs off " rule and the schedule for the use of air conditioners.
Asep detected 957 detected signs left on and inspected 569 shops using air conditioners outside of permitted hours between May 8 and May 11.
Rodriguez said Monday, May 13, that power restrictions remain for the public, businesses and industries across the country.
He also indicated that facilities that require energy can supply themselves with their own generators reported La Prensa.
Victor Gonzalez, director in charge of the National Dispatch Center, said the fragile situation in the major hydroelectric dams (Bayano, Fortuna and Changuinola) remains, and electricity saving measures will continue.
The Government announced Sunday, that restrictions on the use of air conditioners in public enterprises, commercial, and, public enterprises will ctinue from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Restriction is also applicable to the use of neon signs and decorative lighting.\
THE GOOD NEWS
One bright light in the darkness came from a Monday statement by, Educatio Minister Lucy Molinar, who revealed THAT the country's public schools spent $ 20 million annually on electricity, and the Ministry will start an ongoing savings program taking advantage of the situation arising in during the energy crisis .