Penza, 19 February 2014. PenzaNews. The cost of utilities grew by 13,2% in the Penza region from December 2012 to December 2013. This is evidenced by the results of the rating of the regions of Russia prepared by the analysts of “FinExpertiza.”

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The maximum growth noted in Bashkortostan — 23.6%.

The next on the list is the St. Petersburg and Kaluga regions, where utility rates grew by 15,9% and 14,7 %, respectively.

The Penza region took 13th place in the rating.

According to the study, the residents of Moscow now pay 9% more compared to the rates a year ago.

Minimum growth was registered in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District — 2,6%, the Kamchatka region — 4,4%, and the Amur region — 6,4%.

Also, company experts calculated the average growth index of utility rates. In the Penza region it amounts to 106 points. Judging by this indicator, the region is situated on 29th position among the regions of the Russian Federation.

Commenting on the study of “FinExpertiza,” the department of rate regulation and energy supply of the Penza region questioned its results.

“The research of utility rate growth was conducted by studying the changes in consumer prices for goods and services in the regions of the Russian Federation. The analysts did not consider the fact that the index of the change of utility rates and the index of consumer price for goods and services are not identical, they have different mechanisms of formation. Thus, an attempt to study the growth of utility rates in 2013 is not accurate, the company misread the subject of the research, which makes it insignificant,” the department pointed out.