Dorin Chirtoaca: Heating charge will remain unchanged

Mayor General of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca said the heating charge for the 2009-2010 heating season will remain 543.83 lei per Gcal even if the heat supplier SA Termocom insists that the charge be raised to 798.03 lei/Gcal, Info-Prim Neo reports. At the weekly meeting of the municipal services and divisions on October 5, Dorin Chirtoaca said that he had examined Termocom's proposal and discussed with the company's administrator Dionisie Antocel. “As the price of the natural gas was reduced from US$340 per 1,000 cubic meters to US$180 and the population pays the heating bills practically entirely, each of the suppliers should review the tariffs,” the mayor said. He stressed that Moldova-Gaz imports natural gas for US$180 per 1,000 cubic meters, but sells it for about US$260-280. He also said that the thermoelectric plants CET-1 and CET-2 should also reassess their tariffs taking into account the 10% decrease in the price of the natural gas announced by the previous Government. The reserve figure introduced in the proposed tariffs obligatorily must be also reviewed. Dorin Chirtoaca said that all these companies that form a chain must work profitably, while the household consumers must not pay more than last year. SA Termocom asked that the Chisinau Municipal Council approve a new heating charge of 798.03 lei/Gcal.