Terasen Gas has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission to lower natural gas and propane commodity rates for several regions of the province, effective April 1, 2009.C
According to the company, the commodity rate will decrease C$1.57 per gigajoule (GJ) in Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Interior, North and the Kootenays. This works out to an annual savings of about 12% to 13% or approximately C$124 to C$156 per year, depending on consumption levels.
In the Fort Nelson area, total annual bills for customers will decrease by 14% or C$202 per year, based on consumption of 140GJ per year. Customers in Revelstoke will see a propane rate decrease of C$4.15 per GJ, which works out to a savings of approximately 22% or C$212 on a total annual bill, based on an average annual consumption of 50GJ per year.
The cost of gas decrease to C$5.96 per GJ does not affect the commodity rate for customers participating in the customer choice program. The adjustments do not affect customers in Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Powell River.
Cynthia Brisay, vice president of gas supply and transmission at Terasen Gas, said: These decreases mean our customers in some regions are enjoying the lowest rates in more than five years. Conditions in the North American commodities market have allowed us to apply for these lower rates, which we are pleased to be able to pass on to our customers.
