GASIFICATION IN RUSSIA AND ARMENIA
By A. Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
21/12/2007

During a discussion at the "Gazprom" head office, First Vice-President
of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvediev demanded the administration
to stop charging the population with fees for gasification. He stressed
that the gasification of the regions of Russia is a program of federal
social importance and it is the Government, not the citizens to take
care of it.

In Armenia, according to ArmRosGazprom’s 2003-2007 gasification plan,
the exploitation of 12148 kilometer-long gas-distribution network has
been started this year. In 2002 the gas distribution network had the
length of only 9168 kilometers. As of December 1, 2007 the number of
the gas network subscribers reached 505 thousand citizens, which is 5%
more than in the Soviet era.

Due to high rates of gasification in Armenia, 250-300 million dollars
are yearly saved due to reduction of electricity usage and 180-200
million dollars are saved in transportation sphere.