Province's natural gas rebates to come into effect in October

Government to cover difference on any rates that go above $6.50 per gigajoule

Alberta's natural gas rebates will be applied directly to all eligible consumers' utility bills if the regulated monthly natural gas rate charged by any one of Alberta's three regulated utility providers is above $6.50 per gigajoule (GJ) starting next Oct. 1.

On Wednesday, the government released some details of its rebate program, which was promised as part of this year's budget, laying out how the money will be rebated and how much Albertans should expect to get.

Under the program, if the monthly default natural gas rate from either Atco North, Atco South or Apex Utilities goes above $6.50 GJ, the government will provide rebates covering the difference on what's been consumed.

That means for example, if any of the regulated rates go to $7.50 GJ for the month of November, then all consumers would receive a rebate on their bill covering $1 for every gigajoule used during the month of November.

The most recent regulated rates, set for the month of June, show Apex with the highest rate at $9.36 GJ.

The rebates are expected to cover at least 1.6 million homes, farms and businesses that pay a bill directly to a natural gas retailer and have less than 2,500 GJ of annual consumption per year. The program is set to run from Oct. 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023.

At the same time, eligible consumers using other petroleum-based heating fuels not connected to the distribution system will be able to apply for rebates through a separate application process, the government said.

“This rebate will provide price protection for millions of Albertans using natural gas, kerosene, propane and other fuels next winter. It will help families, farms and businesses manage high heating costs in the upcoming winter to keep life affordable in Alberta,” natural gas and electricity associate minister Dale Nally said in a news release.

In a statement, St. Albert NDP MLA Marie Renaud said the government's program was too late in response to inflation and the growing cost of living.

“Four months after promising a natural gas rebate to families struggling with huge bills, today Dale Nally says families will have to wait another four months before they see a penny of relief,” she said.

Details on when to expect rebates to be paid and regular updates on the default rate will be posted on the government's website for the duration of the program. Default regulated rates are set for the entire month and do not fluctuate throughout the month.

The government has also promised some relief on Albertans' electricity bills with monthly credits of $50 expected to arrive in July, August, and September.

This rebate will provide price protection for millions of Albertans using natural gas, kerosene, propane and other fuels next winter.