KIEV, March 5 – The decision to retain prices of natural gas for households, municipal heat suppliers and industrial companies in 2010 at last year's level was taken by the government in connection with the fact that there are sufficient amounts of gas in underground storage facilities – over 14 billion cubic meters, acting Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov said.

"Today, when the heating season is virtually over, we have over 14 billion cubic meters of gas in stock. It was this resource that allowed the government to take a decision to keep prices and rates for households, municipal services and industry unchanged," he said at a briefing in Kiev on Friday.