City gov't checks heating services as cold wave hits Beijing

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Chinese media) -- The municipal government here on Sunday started

a week-long check of heating services after a strong cold front hit the city.

The public utilities administration is sending teams to conduct random

checks of heating. Inspectors can penalize heating service providers if interior

residential temperatures are below standard, with fines as high as 30,000 yuan

(4,360 U.S. dollars).

The standards are set at 16 degrees Celsius for residential buildings and

houses and 20 to 22 degrees Celsius for hotels and restaurants. As part of an

energy-conservation drive, temperatures in official buildings and shopping malls

can't exceed 20 degrees Celsius.

Heat service providers may not cut off heating over late payments. The

government said it provides subsidies to the companies and customers who

genuinely can't afford to pay will get waivers.