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By rdnewsNOW staff

Provincial

Province says natural gas rates declining in February

Jan 28, 2023 | 7:30 AM

Officials with the Alberta government say the natural gas rebate and other supports remain in place to help consumers as natural gas rates decline in February.

In Alberta, February’s highest monthly default natural gas rate is $3.715 per gigajoule, a nearly $3 decline from the $6.446 per gigajoule rate in January, say provincial officials. As a result, the natural gas rebate will not be triggered for February, but the program will continue protecting Albertans from price spikes in the months ahead, the government points out.

Alberta’s government says more than 1.9 million homes, families and small businesses will receive another $75 electricity rebate in February, and a temporary price ceiling of 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour will continue helping reduce electricity costs for Albertans on the regulated rate option (RRO).

This is in addition to the many other broad-based supports and targeted relief being provided to help make life affordable for Albertans, say government officials.

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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) exceed $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.
• Rate payers will receive two instalments of $75, to be credited directly on 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.