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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Natural Gas

Natural gas rates decline in March

Feb 23, 2023 | 2:24 PM

The government says Alberta’s natural gas rate is declining while affordability measures continue to help Albertans facing increases in the cost of living.

In Alberta, March’s highest monthly default natural gas rate is $2.851 per gigajoule, down from $3.715 in February. Provincial officials note, the natural gas rebate will not be triggered for March, but price protection remains in place should rates increase above $6.50 per gigajoule in the future.

Alberta’s government says it continues to deliver relief to help reduce electricity costs. Officials say more than 1.9 million homes, families and small businesses are expected to receive $25 in electricity rebates in March, and a temporary price ceiling of 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour which is anticipated to continue to help reduce electricity costs for Albertans on the regulated rate option (RRO).

The government says the RRO price protection, electricity rebate and natural gas price protection are part of the Affordability Action Plan and the ongoing work to keep Alberta affordable.

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• In Alberta, the default regulated rates are set for the entire month and do not fluctuate. Rates are approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission and not determined by the government.
• Under the natural gas rebate program, if the monthly default natural gas rate from any of the regulated utility providers (ATCO Gas North and ATCO Gas South, as served by Direct Energy Regulated Services, or Apex Utilities) exceeds $6.50 per gigajoule, the government will provide rebates to all eligible consumers covering the difference.
  • If the monthly default rate posted on alberta.ca is above $6.50 per gigajoule, eligible consumers will receive the rebate as a credit on their bill based on that month’s usage.
  • If the monthly default rate posted on alberta.ca is at or below $6.50 per gigajoule, no rebate will be provided and no line item will appear on that month’s bill.
  • If a rebate is triggered, the rebate for petroleum-based heating fuels will be calculated in the same method as natural gas consumers, using a standardized equation to determine the consumption equivalency for the alternative fuel.
• In December, the electricity rebate was extended to provide even more support for high utility costs.
  • Ratepayers will receive two installments of $75, to be credited directly to their bills, for January and February consumption. This will be followed by a further $25 credit on bills for March and April consumption, for a program total of $500 in rebates since July 2022.
  • Electricity rebates will appear on the bill as an individual line item called the “GOA Utility Commodity Rebate.”
• The Government of Alberta will not send texts or emails about the rebate program and will not ask Albertans to submit personal information via text or email to receive rebates.