FortisBC customers will see no change to the cost of gas rates for the remainder of 2025
SURREY, BC, Sept. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to maintain the cost of gas rates for its customers at $2.230 per gigajoule (GJ) as of October 1.
"We understand that energy costs are important for the families and businesses we serve across British Columbia," said Sarah Nelson, director of customer service. "Even with the cost of gas staying the same, if you have questions about your bill, we're here to help. Our dedicated customer service team is ready to provide energy-saving tips, answer billing questions and offer personalized solutions to meet your needs."
The Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG) rate for customers subscribed in the voluntary designated RNG program2 will also stay the same at $9.23 per GJ.
FortisBC acquires gas at market-based prices, and factors like supply and demand, weather and economic conditions affect the price of gas in North America. FortisBC does not mark up the cost of gas, so its customers pay what it pays. The BCUC reviews FortisBC's cost of gas rates every three months and will review them next in December.
To help keep rates affordable for its customers, FortisBC purchases gas in the summer when prices are lower and stores it so that lower-cost gas is available to customers in winter months when prices are higher. In addition, FortisBC sells any surplus gas back to the market to further offset costs and passes those savings on to its customers.
FortisBC has some low-cost and no-cost ways that can help customers lower their energy use. Customers can also use My energy use, through Account Online, which provides them with a better understanding of their home's energy use so they can set and track goals as well as create customized action plans. They can use the rebates and offers finder to find even more ways to help save energy and reduce costs.
For more information about rates and the components that make up a FortisBC gas bill, visit fortisbc.com/rates.
About FortisBC Energy Inc.
FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, including natural gas, Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs around 2,143 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,086,500 customers across British Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and approximately 51,600 kilometres of gas transmission and distribution lines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electricity and gas utility industry. FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC Energy Inc., visit fortisbc.com. For further information on Fortis Inc., visit fortisinc.com.
BACKGROUNDER
Items on a residential gas customer's bill
Daily or monthly basic charge
The basic charge is a flat fee that partially recovers the fixed costs of our system, whether or not customers are using any gas, as long as that they are connected to the system.
Delivery charge
The delivery charge is based on consumption and pays for the cost of safely and reliably delivering gas through our system to our customers' homes and businesses. This helps cover the costs of maintaining our gas distribution system, provides a return to our investors and funds improvements to meet customers' needs. Delivery charges are reviewed by the BCUC annually.
Storage and transport charge
The storage and transport charge reflects the prices we pay to other companies to store and transport gas through their pipelines and infrastructure. We do not mark up these costs, and they are reviewed quarterly and set annually by the BCUC. The storage and transport charge also includes the cost of the designated RNG blend.
Cost of gas rates
Every three months, FortisBC reviews the cost of gas and voluntary RNG program rates with the BCUC to make sure rates passed on to customers cover the cost of the commodity purchased on their behalf. We do not mark up the cost of gas, so customers pay what we pay. Factors affecting the market price of gas in North America include weather, supply and demand and economic conditions.
Other charges and taxes
Other charges and taxes include the B.C. Clean Energy Levy, Goods and Services Tax and, in some municipalities, a municipal operating fee. These charges are set by various levels of government and collected by FortisBC on their behalf. FortisBC does not gain revenue from these charges.
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1 Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America's natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we're unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions. |
2 Excluding commercial and industrial vehicle voluntary RNG rates under Rate Schedule 3VRNG, 5VRNG, and 46, which are reviewed by the BCUC annually. |
SOURCE FortisBC Inc.