Английский язык

The International Energy for 1993 provides Kazakhstan's HG standing. Kazakhstan is the first in the world by indicators related to hothouse gas production per unit of gross product. Per capita we are the thirteenth. The main fuel consumer and thus the main source of HG in Kazakhstan is the energy sector. The country with its distinctly continental climate and severe winters consumes a great volume of fuel for heating. Most cities in Kazakhstan have centralized heating systems, which annually consume about 30 million tons of fuel. Immediate expenses towards fuel can be about USD 600 million per year. The heating systems are inefficient. Excessive fuel is consumed and considerable amounts of HG are released. Improving the efficiency of the heating systems is in Kazakhstan's interest both to fulfill its obligations under the UN Frame Convention on the changing climate and to reduce costs.

The global environment and local economic problems are linked. Kazakhstan's policy of economic reforms and liberalizations are aimed at introducing market mechanisms to the economy including the public utilities. Heat consumers ought to pay all costs associated with public utilities. But when fuel prices are fluctuating while incomes remain low many citizens cannot afford to pay heating costs. When consumers cannot pay for the utility service, the heating utility becomes unprofitable and is subsidized. In some towns the centralized heating systems are paid for entirely from local budgets.

The centralized heating systems and other subsidized branches are stagnant. The systems' poor technical condition causes more expenses in fuel, worsening the problem on the whole. This situation in the public utilities field is characteristic of all CIS countries. Experts it is necessary re-equip of the heating systems to improve their efficiency and adjust them to the new conditions. The standard and legal base of these utilities must also be changed to deal with the market reality.

Taking into consideration the current situation, The Global Environmental Fund (GEF) has been rendering technical support to Eastern European countries as well as to newly independent countries to increase the efficiency of their centralized heating systems, via the UN Development Program (UNDP).

According to the agreements with the Kazakh Government, with the support of UNDP and GEF a project is being implemented in Kazakhstan. It is supposed to aid in solving problems related to the rehabilitation of the centralized heating systems. The project is being implemented in two cities: Almaty and Kokshetau. Corresponding research proved that the technical and economic state of the centralized heating systems in both cities is poor. The total loss of heat within the systems is to 40-50 %. In western countries this figure is 15-25 %. Low efficiency of the centralized heating systems is largely caused by the technical condition of the facilities. Investment is required to rehabilitate them.

There are a number of problems related to investment in the rehabilitation of the systems. First of all concern the tariff legislation and the necessity of guarantees for credits. Under the current tariff legislation, when heating companies are unprofitable, it is impossible to attract investments to improve the technical condition of the heating systems. So tariff legislation aimed to protect the consumer from excessive heat tariffs also prevents measures designed to improve energy efficiency, which ultimately affects consumers.

Nevertheless, UHDP-GEF experts, successful in similar projects implemented in some countries including post-Soviet republics with the support of the Global Environmental Fund, believe the reforms can be implemented in Kazakhstan.

(Central Asian Times)

2002

EXERCISES.

1. Translate into Russian Paying attention to the Pattern Noun + Participle I and Noun + Participle II.

hothouse gases, expelled to the atmosphere; indicators, related to hothouse gas production; costs, associated with public utilities; problems, related to; legislation, aimed to protect; measures, designed to improve energy efficiency;

2. Find in the text sentences containing the following word combinations:

В течении последних 20 лет; устойчивое потепление; реальная угроза; непредсказуемые последствия; бури и ураганы; потребление топлива, на вид; промышленные гиганты; годовой объем; показатели; отчетливо континентальный климат; субсидироваться; ухудшая проблему; новые независимые страны, всеобщая потеря; при существующем тарифном законодательстве; включая; соответствовать рынку; выполнять обязательства; защитить потребителя; в конечном счете; введение рыночного механизма в экономику;

3.TranslateintoEnglish:

1. Казахстан подписал и ратифицировал документ.