Most BC residents to pay less for natural gas in 2020, FortisBC expects

Many residents in British Columbia will see their natural gas bills decrease next year, FortisBC expects.

The private utility said the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) has approved the changes, which will mean the majority of its customers will pay less in 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.”

The cost of natural gas remains steady, FortisBC explained, but storage and transport costs are decreasing overall.

Last winter, reduced pipeline capacity affected supplies and caused an increase in storage and transport costs for customers.

Now, though, pipeline capacity has returned to normal.

FortisBC said permanent rate decisions are expected next year, but there is potential for the following changes:

• A decrease of about 2% – or $18 – for customers using the average of 90 gigajoules a year in the Mainland and Vancouver Region (which includes the Northern and Southern Interior)

• An increase of about 6% – or $49 – for Fort Nelson customers using the average of 125 gj a year

• An increase of 12% – or $99 – for Revelstoke (propane) customers based on average yearly usage of 50 gj

To learn more about the rates, head to fortisbc.com/rates.