More about natural gas rates
Natural gas is a commodity traded on the open market, like oil, coffee or lumber.
FortisBC does not earn a profit on the price of the commodity. We buy gas on behalf of our customers at the best possible price and pass that price on without markup.
FortisBC is regulated by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). This means we must file rates, changes in rates and other rate design matters with the Commission for approval to ensure that customers receive fair and competitive rates.
In the Whistler and Revelstoke areas, FortisBC operates piped propane distribution systems that serve residential and commercial customers.
Most bills are made up of three charges:*
- a basic monthly charge,
- a variable delivery charge, and
- a variable commodity charge which includes a midstream charge.
Your basic monthly charge ensures you have access to gas when you need it — 24 hours a day. The charge does not vary with consumption and covers some of the fixed costs of delivering gas to your home, including monitoring and maintaining the pipeline system to ensure its safety and integrity.
Your delivery charge varies with consumption and includes most of the costs to deliver the gas to your home.
Your commodity charge also varies directly with consumption and includes the cost of gas, administrative and gas management costs. Midstream refers to charges we pay other companies who store, transport, and help us manage the gas we deliver to you.
* Bill formats vary for Vancouver Island / Sunshine Coast, Fort Nelson, Revelstoke and Whistler