SURREY, BC, Jun 16, 2026 (CNW Group via COMTEX) --
Designated Renewable Natural Gas blend to increase while the cost of gas to remain steady until October 1
On July 1, most FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) customers will have 3.5 per cent of their gas use designated as Renewable Natural Gas1Â (RNG) through the designated RNG blend, which is up from three per cent. As a result, the average residential gas customer will see an increase to their bill of about $1.57 per month, based on consumption of about 7.5 gigajoules (GJ) per month. Individual bills will vary based on use. The increase to the designated RNG blend has been approved by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC).
FortisBC has also received approval from the BCUC to maintain the cost of gas rate for its customers at $1.660 per GJ as of July 1. 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. It does not mark up the cost of natural gas, so customers pay what it pays.
In addition to the designated RNG blend, FortisBC will continue to offer the separate voluntary designated RNG program, the cost of which will remain unchanged at $8.66 per GJ as of July 1. The voluntary RNG program allows customers to choose to designate up to 100 per cent of the gas they use as RNG, inclusive of the 3.5 per cent designated blend. The BCUC reviews FortisBC's cost of gas and voluntary RNG program rates every three months and will review them again in September.
"FortisBC keeps affordability top of mind when setting rates and taking steps to support provincial climate goals by supporting lower carbon energy2Â options," said Michelle Carman, vice president of customer service and external communications. "Customers who have questions about their bill are encouraged to reach out. Our customer service team can answer billing questions, provide energy-saving tips and offer personalized solutions that fit your needs."
FortisBC has tips on 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 and ways they can lower it. 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 and propane and continuing to acquire renewable and lower carbon energy, such as natural gas designated as Renewable Natural Gas. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs around 2,160 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,098,400 customers across British Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and approximately 51,700 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
Rates at a glance
Historical data for Mainland and Vancouver Island (including North and South Interior, Whistler)
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 a customer is using any gas, as long as the customer is 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 RNG blend.
Cost of gas rate
Every three months, FortisBC reviews the cost of gas 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 natural 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.Â
SOURCE FortisBC Energy Inc.
SOURCE: FortisBC Energy Inc.
MEDIA CONTACT: Gary Toft, Senior corporate communications advisor,AFortisBC, Phone:
604-219-0809,AEmail: gary.toft@fortisbc.com, fortisbc.com, 24-hour media line:
1-855-322-6397
COMTEX_483999671/2197/2026-06-16T12:00:00
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