New penalty system for power outages / Suspected poisoning of a guide dog

On Friday‘s Backchat we are talking about the new penalty system for power outages.

The government reached an agreement with Hong Kong’s two power firms to fine them for major supply disruptions. The size of the fine depends on how many people are affected, and for how long.

For example, a power disruption with a combined 15 million minutes will cost CLP around HK$20 million. Hongkong Electric will have to pay the same amount for an outage that lasts 10 million minutes.

But some lawmakers are questioning how effective this penalty system is – pointing out that fines could be offset by an existing system that rewards the power companies for restoring power.

After 9:45am, we look at the suspected poisoning of a guide dog at a Tseung Kwan O mall.