Close X
Saturday, November 30, 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

Amazon workers to self isolate after COVID19 outbreak in Brampton

Amazon workers to self isolate after COVID19 outbreak in Brampton
The health unit says all shifts will be suspended as the workers self-isolate for two weeks starting tomorrow as everyone at the site might have had high-risk exposure to COVID-19.

Amazon workers to self isolate after COVID19 outbreak in Brampton

Abbotsford Police need public's help in finding missing person Chamkaur Singh Brar

Abbotsford Police need public's help in finding missing person Chamkaur Singh Brar
Brar is known to live a transient lifestyle in the Fraser Valley area, specifically between Abbotsford and Langley. Brar is a 47-year-old man, standing 5 ft 7, 132 lbs, thin build, brown eyes and black hair; there is no clothing description.

Abbotsford Police need public's help in finding missing person Chamkaur Singh Brar

Woman in wheelchair victimized

Woman in wheelchair victimized
The victim made her way to a nearby overdose prevention site, where she reported the assault to staff, who then called police. Police located the suspect and he was arrested. Charges related to the assault and the verbal comments have been recommended.

Woman in wheelchair victimized

Police watchdog investigates man's injuries

Police watchdog investigates man's injuries
RCMP say that when an officer arrived, a man allegedly pointed a firearm at her and threatened to shoot before escaping on foot to a nearby residence.    

Police watchdog investigates man's injuries

No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving time

No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving time
Don't forget to set your clocks an hour ahead, usually before bed Saturday night, to avoid being late for Sunday morning activities.    

No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving time

Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years

Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years
In a press briefing organized by the think-tank Chatham House in London, Peter Daszak estimated that collective scientific research might be able to pin down how animals carrying COVID-19 infected the first people in Wuhan identified last December.

Expert says origins of pandemic could be known in few years