Find the natural gas plan that's right for you
Customer Choice offers you the freedom to choose who you buy your natural gas from, an independent gas marketer or your local natural gas utility. Independent gas marketers offer natural gas at long-term fixed prices. Your local natural gas utility offers natural gas at a variable, market-based rate. How you choose to buy your gas is your choice. Learn more with our price comparison chart.
Gas marketers sell fixed rate agreements that vary in length from one to five years. The contracts are available to both residential and business customers.
With a fixed rate, the price you pay for your natural gas will remain the same for the duration specified in the agreement. It will not fluctuate even when energy prices do.
FortisBC offers a rate that can change as often as four times a year. Our variable rate is reviewed quarterly by the BC Utilities Commission and adjusted up or down to reflect current market conditions.
To cancel or amend your contract, contact your gas marketer. Agreements are between the customer and gas marketer. FortisBC cannot cancel or amend a contract on your behalf. Here is more Customer Choice contract information to help you make a decision.
Why do we have a choice?
Customer Choice was developed in response to the provincial government's 2002 energy policy. Similar programs are available in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, as well as in other areas throughout North America.
Commercial customers have been participating in the program since 2004. In 2007, the BC Utilities Commission opened a portion of the province's residential natural gas market to competition.
Assessing your options
Fixed price Consumer Agreements offered by gas marketers provide price security. You may or may not save money over the life of the agreement. The choice is comparable to a homeowner locking into a mortgage at a fixed rate as opposed to choosing a variable rate where the price can change.
*not available on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, in Whistler, Revelstoke or Fort Nelson
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