Enbridge natural gas rates to rise by 6.5%

Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. customers in the Peterborough area are facing a 6.5 per cent rate increase for natural gas starting in the new year.

Enbridge said Wednesday it has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board for new rates that take effect Jan. 1.

Typical residential customers (defined as using about 2,400 cubic metres of natural gas a year for home and water heating) who buy their gas supply from Enbridge will see a total bill increase of about $58 a year, according to Enbridge. As a result of the 6.5 per cent increase, their total annual bill will be about $951.

Typical residential customers who buy their gas supply from a marketer and obtain transportation services from Enbridge will see an increase of about $56 annually, a release from Enbridge states, but their total annual bill depends on the terms of their gas marketer agreement.

The increases are due to changes to Enbridge’s distribution rates for 2018 and the conclusion of the site restoration clearance refund, Enbridge says.

“Even with these changes, natural gas continues to be the most affordable and reliable choice for home and water heating in Ontario,” stated Dave Charleson, vice-president of energy supply and customer care at Enbridge. “Over the past five years, natural gas has been on average over 65 per cent less expensive than electricity and oil.”