Natural gas to cost more next month on Vancouver Island after Enbridge pipeline burst

Natural gas to cost more next month on Vancouver Island after Enbridge pipeline burst
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Fortis BC says natural gas service will cost about nine per cent or $68 more per year more starting Jan. 1 to Vancouver Island customers. Photo courtesy CBC.

Fortis BC says natural gas service will cost about nine per cent or $68 more per year more starting Jan. 1 to Vancouver Island customers. Photo courtesy CBC.

The effects of the Enbridge pipeline burst near Prince George two months ago will be seen on natural gas bills for Vancouver Island residents starting next month.

Fortis BC announced it has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission for its interim rates to take effect Jan. 1.

The increase amounts to an estimated nine per cent increase for service on Vancouver Island, or $68 per year on an average annual usage of 90 gigajoules (GJ).

In a release, Fortis BC’s vice president of regulatory affairs Diane Roy said there has been an impact to the company’s costs to stabilize its natural gas supply following with Enbridge pipeline rupture Oct. 9.

It is the primary pipeline that feeds the natural gas supply to Vancouver Island.

Lower mainland and interior customers will also see a nine per cent hike in natural gas service, while those in Fort Nelson will pay about seven per cent more.

Fortis says customers in Revelstoke that receive piped propane will see an 11 per cent decrease in costs.

The company is still asking customers to reduce their use of natural gas as the supply is limited, although the pipeline is fixed.

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