FortisBC customers will see an 11.1 per cent increase on their gas bills in the new year.
For the average residential gas customer, the increase equals about $10.95 more per month, based on monthly consumption of 7.5 gigajoules.
FortisBC said the rate change supports critical upgrades to keep its gas system safe and reliable, along with increased funding for energy rebate programs.
This work includes several approved and completed projects, such as inland gas line upgrades, safety improvements and advanced metering infrastructure projects.
“What’s driving these rate changes includes the upgrades for all of our gas system across the Interior,” said Gary Toft, senior corporate communications advisor at FortisBC.
Toft said Fortis has been undertaking this work in 29 communities across the Interior and Lower Mainland, including Midway, Castlegar, Trail, Cranbrook, Elkford, Kimberley and Sparwood, along with areas throughout the Thompson Okanagan and into the central and northern Interior.
The rate increase also reflects Fortis’ transition to advanced digital wireless gas meters, which will begin in Nelson in the spring.
“We’re replacing everyone’s gas meter with a new advanced digital wireless meter. So FortisBC employees won’t have to come onto your property to reach your meter. They’ll be able to do that remotely.”
As a critical energy provider regulated by the B.C. Utilities Commission, FortisBC reviews its delivery and storage and transport rates each year and its cost of gas rate each quarter with the commission.
Toft said this helps ensure the rates charged to customers recover the costs related to delivering energy safely and reliably.
He said there is no mark-up on the cost of gas; customers pay what FortisBC pays.
“The cost of gas is specifically what we pay for natural gas. It’s the cost of the commodity. In addition to that, there are other charges on customers’ bills. The cost of gas and the storage and transport cost isn’t marked up,” said Toft.
The storage and transport charge on each bill reflects what the utility pays other companies to deliver gas to customers, while the delivery charge covers the cost of maintaining the system, building infrastructure and completing upgrades to ensure safety and reliability.
The cost of gas, according to Toft, is one of the smallest components on a customer’s bill, noting that it has stayed the same since 2023.
“So, those are all things that make up the costs on customers. We review those during the year and usually in the summertime or in the fall, we’ll put those costs together and apply to the B.C. Utilities Commission and see where we think gas rates may be headed for the fall,” he said.
To keep rates low, Toft said FortisBC purchases gas in the summer, when prices are lower, to store for winter use.
“We purchase gas in the summer when prices are lower and store it so that lower cost gas is available to our customers in the winter months when they need it.”
If it has surplus gas, the utility sells it back to the market to further offset costs, passing those savings along to customers.
Toft added that FortisBC is committed to supporting its customers, and anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to reach out.
“Our customer service team is ready to provide information on energy saving tips, answer billing questions, and we can offer personalized solutions to help customers manage their energy use.”
FortisBC can be reached by phone at 1-888-224-2710 or by email at gas.customerservice@fortisbc.com.
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