Photo 245888018 © Chandra Ramsurrun | Dreamstime.com

By David Opinko

Utilities

Natural gas rebate program to start Oct. 1 in Alberta

Sep 27, 2022 | 2:36 PM

Natural gas customers in Alberta will get some relief from their utility bills.

The Alberta Government’s natural gas rebate program is set to begin on Saturday, October 1, 2022, impacting more than 1.6 million families, farms, and businesses.

Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity Dale Nally says the program provides real protection and certainty to Albertans.

“With the cost of living rising around the world, Albertans can trust that, if natural prices go any higher, we have rebates ready to help protect them,” says Nally. “We’re protecting Albertans, including those on competitive rate contracts, from the possibility of extraordinary price spikes on their winter heating bills.”

The program runs from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The exact amount each resident would qualify for depends on the default natural gas rate each month.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

If the monthly default natural gas rate from any of the regulated utility providers exceeds $6.50 per gigajoule, the government will provide rebates to all eligible customers, covering the difference between the $6.50 rate and the highest regulated rate.

A release from the provincial government gives the example, “If the highest regulated rate is $7.50, eligible consumers would get a rebate of $1 for every gigajoule used in that month.”

Users of natural gas will not receive a rebate in the month of October, however, as the highest monthly default natural gas rate will be $5.632 per gigajoule.

For months where the rate is above $6.50, eligible customers will receive the rebate automatically.

This rate will be posted online on the Alberta Government’s website approximately five business days before the start of each month.

Albertans that heat their homes with natural gas, propane, kerosene, or heating oil can also qualify for rebates based on the amount of fuel they purchase each month, up to the following maximum limits:

• Propane: 16,334 litres per month
• Heating oil: 10,780 litres per month
• Kerosene: 11,068 litres per month
• Natural gas: 417 gigajoules per month

These rebates are in addition to the electricity rebate program, which has offered electricity customers rebates of $50 per month, beginning in July 2022 and extending to December.