Natural gas bills decreasing in the new year for most FortisBC residential customers

Dec 4, 2019

Cost of natural gas remains steady and storage and transport costs decrease overall

SURREY, B.C. – FortisBC has received regulatory approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), the regulating body responsible for reviewing and approving rates, to decrease natural gas bills for the majority of its customers to start 2020.  

“Natural gas continues to be an affordable option to heat a customer’s home and water when compared to other energy choices in British Columbia,” said Dennis Swanson, vice-president of energy supply and resource development with FortisBC. “And since we don’t mark up the cost of natural gas, our customers pay what we pay.”

While the cost of natural gas remains steady, storage and transport costs are decreasing overall. Last winter, significantly reduced pipeline transportation capacity impacted natural gas supply in the region and led to increased storage and transport rates for FortisBC’s customers in 2019. With regional pipeline transportation capacity returning to more normalized levels this winter, customers will see a decrease to the storage and transport rate on their bills for 2020.

Increases to delivery rates for Mainland and Vancouver Island service area customers are interim and subject to final review and approval by the BCUC. Permanent rate decisions are expected in 2020 which, once received, may result in a bill adjustment for customers.  

As of January 1, 2020:

Mainland and Vancouver Island (including North and South Interior)

• A residential customer’s overall bill is decreasing by approximately two per cent or $18 for the year based on the average annual usage of 90 gigajoules (GJ).

Fort Nelson

• A residential customer’s overall bill is increasing by approximately six per cent or $49 for the year based on the average usage of 125 GJ.

Revelstoke (propane)

• A residential customer’s overall bill is increasing by approximately 12 per cent or $99 for the year based on the average usage of 50 GJ.
• An application is currently with the BCUC requesting approval for a common commodity portfolio for Revelstoke customers. If approved, the change would reduce rates and add stability to energy costs in Revelstoke. 

A breakdown of the residential rates for each region follows in the backgrounder. 

For more information about rates, and what components make up a natural gas or propane bill, visit: fortisbc.com/rates. 

 

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