FortisBC rates for electricity customers increasing by nearly 4% next month
Residents of B.C.'s Southern Interior will soon be paying more for electricity.
FortisBC, which provides electricity in the region, announced Wednesday that it has received interim approval from the B.C. Utilities Commission to raise its rates by 3.98 per cent starting Jan. 1.
The utility says the increase will cost the average customer about $7.62 per month, though individual bills will see higher or lower increases depending on usage.
The need for the increase stems from "a growing market demand for power" and ongoing investment in the company's delivery system, said Joe Mazza, FortisBC's vice president of energy supply and resource development, in the announcement.
"We’re very conscious that any rate increase can be a concern for our customers," Mazza added. "We’ve been able to find savings in our operations to offset some of this cost and lower the increase that would have otherwise been needed for 2023."
The BCUC's interim approval means the company can proceed with the increase. The commission is expected to make a final decision on rates "later in 2023," according to FortisBC.
The company also noted that, beginning in January, all residential customers will see a single rate on their bills. The company has been phasing out its usage-based, two-tiered rate system since 2019.
NATURAL GAS RATES DROPPING
Rates for FortisBC's natural gas service are set via a different process, and are reviewed by the BCUC regularly.
On Thursday, the company announced that the BCUC's quarterly review of its gas rates would result in a four-per-cent decrease in costs for most customers beginning Jan. 1.
FortisBC estimates that the change will equate to savings of about $4 per month, depending on consumption.
“Customers will see an overall decrease because the cost of gas has gone down,” said Mazza in Thursday's announcement.
“It's important to remember, however, that rates reflect more than just the price of the commodity. Our rates also factor in important infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to our system to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of energy to our customers.”
The company's service area for natural gas is much larger than the area where it delivers electricity. Customers in nearly every region of the province – including Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Interior – will see their rates decrease in the new year, according to FortisBC.
The exception is the province's northeast corner. FortisBC customers in Fort Nelson will see a small overall increase in costs, roughly one per cent or $1 per month, depending on usage, the company said.
BC HYDRO CUSTOMERS TO SEE INCREASE IN APRIL
BC Hydro, which provides electricity for most of the rest of the province, received interim approval from the BCUC for a 1.4-per-cent decrease to its rates back in March.
That decrease took effect April 1, and was part of a three-year rate plan. The plan calls for increases of 2 per cent on April 1, 2023 and 2.7 per cent on April 1, 2024.
As of Wednesday, the BCUC website indicated that consideration for final approval of BC Hydro's rate plan was still "in progress."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.