Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

FortisBC holds line on natural gas prices

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2021 06:23 PM
  • FortisBC holds line on natural gas prices

Natural gas supplier FortisBC says prices won't change for at least another three months, but other charges such as the provincial carbon tax still have the potential to increase the customer's bill.

A statement from FortisBC Energy Inc. says the British Columbia Utilities Commission has approved the plan to maintain natural gas prices at current levels for all customers until June 30.

But the B.C. carbon tax, which applies to fuels including natural gas, is set to increase on April 1 from $40 to $45 per tonne, after the hike was twice delayed in March and September of last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With taxes and other charges excluded, Fortis says current natural gas prices amount to $2.844 per gigajoule for Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Whistler and Revelstoke customers, and $2.999 for customers in Fort Nelson.

The Canada Energy Regulator estimates the average Canadian home fuelled by natural gas uses just over 88 gigajoules annually.

FortisBC charges a flat fee to recover fixed costs, a delivery charge and a storage and transport fee, but Diane Roy, vice-president of regulatory affairs with FortisBC, says the utility makes no profit on the cost of natural gas.

"We understand that energy costs are an important decision in household budgets," Roy says in the statement on Wednesday. "Our priority remains to deliver safe and reliable energy to our customers while working to keep rates as low as possible."

FortisBC delivers natural gas and electricity to about 1.2 million customers in the province.

MORE National ARTICLES

Minister defends attack petition on Bigfoot movie

Minister defends attack petition on Bigfoot movie
Sonya Savage also says it’s critical to push back constantly against any false narrative that casts Alberta’s wellspring industry in a negative light.

Minister defends attack petition on Bigfoot movie

Surrey Vaisakhi parade cancelled for 2021 due to COVID19

Surrey Vaisakhi parade cancelled for 2021 due to COVID19
The event was to take place in Surrey on April 24th. The Surrey Vaisakhi parade is the largest in Canada and outside of India drawing crowds in excess of over half a million. 

Surrey Vaisakhi parade cancelled for 2021 due to COVID19

Wanted: Ideas to prepare for next major calamity

Wanted: Ideas to prepare for next major calamity
The notice says these fall somewhere between relatively common events such as seasonal floods and highly improbably risks such as an asteroid hitting Earth.

Wanted: Ideas to prepare for next major calamity

O'Toole says he wouldn't cut foreign aid

O'Toole says he wouldn't cut foreign aid
O'Toole says a Conservative government also wouldn't cut aid funding, but would place a greater focus on measuring outcomes associated with that money.

O'Toole says he wouldn't cut foreign aid

AstraZeneca vaccine OK for seniors: NACI

AstraZeneca vaccine OK for seniors: NACI
The decision reverses a recommendation made by the body two weeks ago when the panel of vaccine experts said AstraZeneca hadn't included enough people over the age of 65 in its clinical trials.

AstraZeneca vaccine OK for seniors: NACI

Officials face battle of confidence in AstraZeneca

Officials face battle of confidence in AstraZeneca
Infectious disease doctor Zain Chagla says it's an important message, but confusing for Canadians as Germany and other European countries move to limit the vaccine's use while they investigate reports of blood clots emerging after some inoculations.

Officials face battle of confidence in AstraZeneca