The high cost of heating oil and natural gas has lead to a proliferation of wood burners and an emergent smog problem that is plaguing urban areas and threatening public health. In order to tackle this environmental and health disaster, the government has been working on a plan to provide cheaper heating.
While the implicated Ministries of Finances and Environment are still working on the details, the government’s plan is to provide cheaper electricity for households that consume up to 2,000 kilowatts per semester. The average household consumption of electricity is about 1,300 kilowatts per semester.
Rumors have suggested that the discount could be up to 50%, with the cheaper electricity rate applying to areas where the smog pollution is prominent and the concentration of floating particles exceeds 150μg/m3.
Unlike previous plans which depended on income or asset criteria, this plan will focus on consumption instead. The cost will be covered by the primary surplus of 2013 and the reserve from the 2014 budget.
