FortisBC receives decision on interim 2023 electric rates

Dec 7, 2022

Electric rates set to change as of January 1, 2023

Kelowna, B.C.—December 7, 2022­– FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) has received interim approval from the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a 3.98 per cent general rate increase for its electric customers, effective January 1, 2023. For a residential electric customer with an average use of approximately 1,100 kilowatt hours per month of electricity, this equates to about $7.62 more per month. Changes to individual bills will vary based on use.

“With a growing market demand for power, we are forecasting an increased cost to purchase power in the upcoming year to serve our growing customer demand. We are also continuing to invest in our system to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of energy to our customers and to meet their growing demand,” said Joe Mazza, vice-president, energy supply and resource development, FortisBC. “We’re very conscious that any rate increase can be a concern for our customers and we’ve been able to find savings in our operations to offset some of this cost and lower the increase that would have otherwise been needed for 2023.”

As a regulated, privately owned utility, FortisBC applies to the BCUC each year to set electricity rates for the following year. This annual review and approval process ensures electric rates reflect the actual cost of providing safe, reliable service, from generating and purchasing the power through to maintaining and improving the electricity grid that delivers energy to homes and businesses.

These new rates reflect what FortisBC must charge to execute on its plans for 2023 and maintain the system effectively for its customers. This includes the ongoing investments the company is making to build new substations and power lines to provide sufficient power in areas with growing energy needs and replace aging equipment at its hydroelectric generating and transmission facilities. With FortisBC’s hydroelectric infrastructure a key enabler for the province’s CleanBC Roadmap, keeping the system well-maintained and seizing opportunities to improve it is critical as demand grows and the province experiences more extreme weather events.

These rates are approved on an interim, refundable basis. A final decision on permanent rates is expected in later in 2023.

As of 2023, all residential use will be billed at a single rate and, for the first time since 2011, customers will see only one line item on their bill for all the kilowatt hours they have used for each billing period. We have been phasing out two-tiered rates, that is, different rates for different levels of use, since 2019.

FortisBC understands that energy costs are an important consideration in household budgets and offers a number of one-on-one solutions for customers who are experiencing concerns with their bill, including no-cost energy savings programs for customers with qualifying incomes.

For more information about current rates, and how rates are set, visit fortisbc.com/electricityrates.

 

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