B.C. home gas bills rising by up to $14 per month

As the cost of living continues to rise for everyone, you can add home gas bills in B.C. to the list of things getting more expensive.

Beginning July 1, rates for people who live on the Mainland and Vancouver Island will be rising by $1.40 per gigajoule (GJ) . FortisBC says that will mean about $11 more per month for the average household.

For people who live in Fort Nelson, the rate is rising by $1.38 per GJ, translating to about $14 per month for the average home.

The BC Utilities Commission approved the rate increase, as requested by FortisBC.

“The increase is a result of current global market conditions that have made the cost of gas more expensive,” the utility said in a statement. “FortisBC strives to deliver a safe and reliable supply of gas at the lowest reasonable cost and does not mark up the cost of gas; the cost that FortisBC pays is what is passed on to its customers.”

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“We are seeing ten-year highs for natural gas both in Canada and on the international front,” said Joe Mazza, vice-president, energy supply and resource development at FortisBC.

He says FortisBC has taken measures, such as investing in or buying gas from a variety of sources, to prevent the rate hikes.

The utility notes energy prices have been steadily rising over the past year due to demand outweighing supply. It also points to the war in Ukraine as a factor in driving prices up.