The cost of gas rate will be reviewed by the BCUC again in September.Image: Supplied by FortisBC / Fortis BC announced Monday (June 19) it will lower gas bills for its customers in BC due to a lower cost of gas starting July 1. The average customer will save about $7.50 per month, the company said in a press release. The cost of gas rate will be reviewed by the BC Utilities Commission again in September.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

FortisBC lowering gas bills

FortisBC to lower gas bills starting July 1

Jun 20, 2023 | 8:32 AM

SURREY — FortisBC, based in Surrey, says it has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to decrease the cost of gas rate for all of its customers by $1 from $4.159 per gigajoule (GJ) to $3.159 per GJ as of July 1.

“We understand that energy affordability is a priority for B.C. families and businesses,” said Joe Mazza, vice-president, energy supply and resource development at FortisBC. “This decrease in the cost of gas rate will provide customers with some relief to their gas bills this summer.”

The cost of gas rate will be reviewed by the BCUC again in September.

For most residential customers, average monthly bills are expected to decrease by approximately $7.50 or seven per cent based on an average household consumption of approximately 90 GJ per year. Under the same cost of gas rate, Fort Nelson customers average monthly bills are expected to decrease by approximately $10 or nine per cent based on an average household consumption of approximately 125 GJ per year.

FortisBC acquires natural gas at market-based prices and factors like supply and demand and economic conditions affect the price of natural gas in North America. The cost of gas is flowed through directly to its customers, so customers pay what FortisBC pays for the natural gas itself, the company claims.

Road Safety

Police remove nine impaired drivers from Abbotsford roads Friday night

2h ago

Lithium-Ion Battery

Chilliwack Fire urges safety reminder after battery-related fire in detached garage

2h ago

Chilliwack Chiefs

Series Opener Heads to Overtime

11h ago

The existing gas system plays an important role in British Columbia’s transition to a lower-carbon energy future, as it can deliver low-carbon energy options such as renewable natural gas and other renewable and low-carbon gases in the future to displace conventional natural gas in the gas system.

For more information about rates and the components that make up a FortisBC gas bill, visit: fortisbc.com/rates.