Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Natural gas customers in B.C. to pay higher bills starting Oct. 1

VANCOUVER – FortisBC says residential natural gas customers will pay higher rates starting next month.

The company says it has received approval for the price hike from the B.C. Utilities Commission.

FortisBC spokesman Michael Allison says a hotter-than-usual summer in most of North America increased demand for electricity, which is often generated by natural gas.

Allison says natural gas is bought and sold based on open-market prices so the extra cost must be passed on to customers, who will see an average rate hike of $82 a year.

He says the last price increase came into effect in April 2014.

The current rate hike affects customers across B.C., except in Fort Nelson, which is considered part of a separate service area because it is located close to natural gas plants.

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.