Latest news with #FortisBC
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
FortisBC gas bills to change for customers July 1
"We understand that affordability and reliability are top priorities for many of the families and businesses we serve in British Columbia," said Sarah Nelson, director of customer service at FortisBC. "That's why we remain committed to keeping rates as low as possible while ensuring reliable energy service and supporting progress on climate action goals." Approved on an interim basis, the increase in the designated RNG blend will result in a slight increase to the storage and transport rate. This results in an overall approximate annual increase of 2.9 per cent for customers in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Interior, North, Whistler, Vancouver Island, Revelstoke and the Kootenays, and approximately 3.5 per cent annually for customers in Fort Nelson. Adding RNG to North America's gas system does not require customers to change (or retrofit) any of their existing gas appliances or equipment. The designated RNG blend is included in the storage and transport line item on customer bills. The adjustment has received interim approval from the BCUC and is subject to further review. FortisBC will continue to offer the voluntary RNG program so customers can choose to designate up to 100 per cent of the gas they use as RNG, inclusive of the three per cent designated blend. FortisBC acquires gas at market-based prices, and factors like supply and demand, weather and economic conditions affect the price of gas in North America. FortisBC does not mark up the cost of natural gas, so customers pay what it pays. Customers who have questions about their bill are encouraged to reach out. FortisBC's customer service team can answer billing questions, provide energy-saving tips and offer payment plan solutions that fit individual needs. For more information about rates and the components that make up a FortisBC gas bill, visit FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, including natural gas, Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs around 2,143 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,086,500 customers across British Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and approximately 51,600 kilometres of gas transmission and distribution lines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electricity and gas utility industry. FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC Energy Inc., visit For further information on Fortis Inc., visit . Rates at a glance *Excluding taxes and levies. Items on a residential gas customer's bill Daily or monthly basic charge The basic charge is a flat fee that partially recovers the fixed costs of our system, whether or not a customer is using any gas, as long as the customer is connected to the system. Delivery charge The delivery charge is based on consumption and pays for the cost of safely and reliably delivering gas through our system to our customers' homes and businesses. This helps cover the costs of maintaining our gas distribution system, provides a return to our investors and funds improvements to meet customers' needs. Delivery charges are reviewed by the BCUC annually. Storage and transport charge The storage and transport charge reflects the prices we pay to other companies to store and transport gas through their pipelines and infrastructure. We do not mark up these costs, and they are reviewed quarterly and set annually by the BCUC. The storage and transport charge also includes the cost of the RNG blend. Cost of gas rate Every three months, FortisBC reviews the cost of gas rates with the BCUC to make sure rates passed on to customers cover the cost of the commodity purchased on their behalf. We do not mark up the cost of gas, so customers pay what we pay. Factors affecting the market price of natural gas in North America include weather, supply and demand and economic conditions. Other charges and taxes Other charges and taxes include the B.C. clean energy levy, Goods and Services Tax and, in some municipalities, a municipal operating fee. These charges are set by various levels of government and collected by FortisBC on their behalf. FortisBC does not gain revenue from these charges. SOURCE FortisBC Energy Inc.
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
FortisBC's Clean Growth Innovation Fund gets greenlight for next phase
BCUC approval ensures ongoing support for innovative energy projects in B.C. SURREY, BC, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to continue its Clean Growth Innovation Fund. The funding will further accelerate efforts to drive innovation in B.C.'s energy sector. The continuation of this initiative, which is part of FortisBC's 2025-2027 Rate Setting Framework, reinforces the company's commitment to help to advance innovation projects that support the transition to a lower carbon energy future for British Columbia. "We are incredibly excited to continue the momentum of the Clean Growth Innovation Fund and to bring even more innovative projects to life," said Jamie King, director of innovation and measurement at FortisBC. "As a critical energy provider committed to advancing the transition to a lower carbon energy future, this will allow us to support new applications, allowing more organizations to secure funding for projects that will have a real impact in meeting B.C.'s energy needs." Building on the success of the initial fund, FortisBC remains dedicated to advancing new innovative energy projects and will provide approximately $5.5 million to the Clean Growth Innovation Fund per year from 2025 to 2027 to help it work with academia and industry to learn what reliable and cost-effective solutions may be possible to lower emissions. Since its launch in 2020, the Clean Growth Innovation Fund has committed funding for more than 65 innovative projects, totalling more than $20 million in funding. These projects, including innovations in Renewable Natural Gas 1 (RNG) and hydrogen research, have provided valuable insights to both the organizations that received funding and FortisBC as the company works to help advance B.C.'s climate goals. Examples include the Simon Fraser University-based Clean Hydrogen Hub, Point 3 Biotech's groundbreaking manure processing innovation for RNG production and research and collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan on hydrogen technologies. Another project is a collaboration with UBC, where Dr. Ryan Ziels and his team are conducting research to stimulate biomethane production from a specialized microbial community using direct application of renewable electricity into an anaerobic digester—unlocking more RNG from the same amount of organic waste. "We're exploring how to harness beneficial microbial communities in a way that enhances RNG production from existing digesters," said Dr. Ziels, associate professor at UBC. "This collaboration with FortisBC is helping to drive RNG innovation, with the potential to not only produce more RNG from organic waste streams, but to also turn digesters into flexible renewable energy storage systems." As a provider of critical energy services to nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses across the province, FortisBC plays a vital role in meeting B.C.'s energy needs while helping to advance B.C.'s climate goals. The Clean Growth Innovation Fund is funded by ratepayers as part of the basic charge. It will contribute to the long-term viability of FortisBC's gas system that can provide renewable and lower carbon gas 2 for customers, including to areas that may be difficult to electrify. With more than 51,600 kilometers of gas infrastructure already in place, FortisBC is leveraging this system to offer more renewable and lower carbon gas to its customers. The continuation of the Clean Growth Innovation Fund is a step toward accelerating FortisBC's progress in working towards reducing overall emissions and supporting the province's climate action goals and CleanBC roadmap. Visit for more information or to submit an application. Backgrounder: FortisBC's Clean Growth Innovation Fund was initially launched in 2020 as part of FortisBC's 2020-2024 Multi-Year Rate setting framework. The 2025-2027 Clean Growth Innovation Fund will prioritize projects that offer impactful solutions to lower emissions. Projects will be evaluated based on key criteria, including co-funding, estimated emissions reductions, cost reductions for customers and the experience of the project team. The company will commit approximately $5.5 million per year from 2025 to 2027 to support projects that enable FortisBC to collaborate with academia, industry and other stakeholders to create reliable, cost-effective solutions for emissions reduction. The Clean Growth Innovation Fund will also receive support from government and industry partners. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, including natural gas, Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs around 2,143 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,086,500 customers across British Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and approximately 51,600 kilometres of gas transmission and distribution lines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electricity and gas utility industry. FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC Energy Inc., visit For further information on Fortis Inc., visit __________________ 1 Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America's natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we're unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions. 2 FortisBC uses the term renewable and lower carbon gas to refer collectively to the lower carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen, synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC's renewable and lower carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases are lower carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO 2 e/MJ) and the current renewable and lower carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO 2 e/MJ. This is below B.C.'s lifecycle carbon intensity threshold of 30.8 gCO 2 e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation amendments. SOURCE FortisBC Energy Inc.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FortisBC's Clean Growth Innovation Fund gets greenlight for next phase
BCUC approval ensures ongoing support for innovative energy projects in B.C. SURREY, BC, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to continue its Clean Growth Innovation Fund. The funding will further accelerate efforts to drive innovation in B.C.'s energy sector. The continuation of this initiative, which is part of FortisBC's 2025-2027 Rate Setting Framework, reinforces the company's commitment to help to advance innovation projects that support the transition to a lower carbon energy future for British Columbia. "We are incredibly excited to continue the momentum of the Clean Growth Innovation Fund and to bring even more innovative projects to life," said Jamie King, director of innovation and measurement at FortisBC. "As a critical energy provider committed to advancing the transition to a lower carbon energy future, this will allow us to support new applications, allowing more organizations to secure funding for projects that will have a real impact in meeting B.C.'s energy needs." Building on the success of the initial fund, FortisBC remains dedicated to advancing new innovative energy projects and will provide approximately $5.5 million to the Clean Growth Innovation Fund per year from 2025 to 2027 to help it work with academia and industry to learn what reliable and cost-effective solutions may be possible to lower emissions. Since its launch in 2020, the Clean Growth Innovation Fund has committed funding for more than 65 innovative projects, totalling more than $20 million in funding. These projects, including innovations in Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG) and hydrogen research, have provided valuable insights to both the organizations that received funding and FortisBC as the company works to help advance B.C.'s climate goals. Examples include the Simon Fraser University-based Clean Hydrogen Hub, Point 3 Biotech's groundbreaking manure processing innovation for RNG production and research and collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan on hydrogen technologies. Another project is a collaboration with UBC, where Dr. Ryan Ziels and his team are conducting research to stimulate biomethane production from a specialized microbial community using direct application of renewable electricity into an anaerobic digester—unlocking more RNG from the same amount of organic waste. "We're exploring how to harness beneficial microbial communities in a way that enhances RNG production from existing digesters," said Dr. Ziels, associate professor at UBC. "This collaboration with FortisBC is helping to drive RNG innovation, with the potential to not only produce more RNG from organic waste streams, but to also turn digesters into flexible renewable energy storage systems." As a provider of critical energy services to nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses across the province, FortisBC plays a vital role in meeting B.C.'s energy needs while helping to advance B.C.'s climate goals. The Clean Growth Innovation Fund is funded by ratepayers as part of the basic charge. It will contribute to the long-term viability of FortisBC's gas system that can provide renewable and lower carbon gas2 for customers, including to areas that may be difficult to electrify. With more than 51,600 kilometers of gas infrastructure already in place, FortisBC is leveraging this system to offer more renewable and lower carbon gas to its customers. The continuation of the Clean Growth Innovation Fund is a step toward accelerating FortisBC's progress in working towards reducing overall emissions and supporting the province's climate action goals and CleanBC roadmap. Visit for more information or to submit an application. Backgrounder: FortisBC's Clean Growth Innovation Fund was initially launched in 2020 as part of FortisBC's 2020-2024 Multi-Year Rate setting framework. The 2025-2027 Clean Growth Innovation Fund will prioritize projects that offer impactful solutions to lower emissions. Projects will be evaluated based on key criteria, including co-funding, estimated emissions reductions, cost reductions for customers and the experience of the project team. The company will commit approximately $5.5 million per year from 2025 to 2027 to support projects that enable FortisBC to collaborate with academia, industry and other stakeholders to create reliable, cost-effective solutions for emissions reduction. The Clean Growth Innovation Fund will also receive support from government and industry partners. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, including natural gas, Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs around 2,143 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,086,500 customers across British Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and approximately 51,600 kilometres of gas transmission and distribution lines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electricity and gas utility industry. FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC Energy Inc., visit For further information on Fortis Inc., visit __________________ 1 Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America's natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we're unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions. 2 FortisBC uses the term renewable and lower carbon gas to refer collectively to the lower carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen, synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC's renewable and lower carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases are lower carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and lower carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.'s lifecycle carbon intensity threshold of 30.8 gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation amendments. SOURCE FortisBC Energy Inc. View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
WATCH LIVE TONIGHT: B.C.'s energy system is stressed. How do we keep the lights on?
What must be done to keep the lights on in B.C.? Last year, about 25 per cent of the power we consumed was imported, primarily from the U.S. and Alberta. That's more than double the annual output of the new Site C Dam. The province's energy system is stressed by many factors, including drought, a push toward electrification of transportation and home heating, and increased demand from new data centres fuelling artificial intelligence. Join us tonight for Conversations Live with host Stuart McNish and an expert panel, who will explore how we can ensure a reliable energy supply that protects the environment. You can watch the livestream here starting at 5:30 p.m., and submit your own questions and comments during the event below: Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. • Roger Dall'Antonia is president and CEO of FortisBC, B.C.'s largest energy provider, serving about 1.3 million customers with electricity and natural gas. • Dan Kirschner is executive director of the Northwest Gas Association, a trade organization that represents natural gas producers and utilities in B.C., Alberta and the northwest U.S. • Barry Penner is chair of the Energy Futures Institute and a former B.C. cabinet minister. • Crystal Ball is executive director of the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, a trade association that represent public and private power companies in northwestern U.S. states. #distro
CBC
13-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
FortisBC's wildire prevention plan to cut power in B.C. Interior during extreme heat suspended
Social Sharing The B.C. Utilities Commission has temporarily quashed a FortisBC plan to cut power to some customers in the southern Interior during extreme heat and wind events after a complaint from the Town of Princeton. The commission has suspended FortisBC's new "public safety power shutoff" policy, which Fortis described as a precautionary measure in which it would shut off the power in high-risk fire regions during extreme weather conditions. Fortis said the outages would prevent trees or other vegetation from catching fire when they come into contact with power lines. The BCUC decision comes as a result of complaints from the Town of Princeton that the outages would negatively affect the community. Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne told The Early Edition earlier this week that when he first heard of the Fortis plan, he thought, "What the heck is this?" "The more I looked into it, the more concerned I became," he added. Coyne said an outage could result in a "mass evacuation of the valley." "We'd have to evacuate both hospitals, the one in Princeton and in Keremeos. We'd have to evacuate our care facilities; we'd have to evacuate anybody with high risk." Gary Toft, senior advisor for corporate communications at FortisBC, said electricity utilities across North America have been adopting power shutoffs as a precautionary measure. "It's a tool of last resort we only use during extreme weather events." The outages would only be used in situations with very high winds, high heat, low humidity and tinder-dry vegetation. But Coyne said that kind of situation, a very hot, windy day with low humidity, could be just another day in Princeton. "That's the Silmilkameen Valley for most of August." He expressed concerns for local businesses that might have to spend thousands of dollars to bring in generators to keep their refrigerators running. "That's not acceptable either." Fortis has postponed scheduled community open houses to early June as a result. "While the PSPS [public safety power shutoff] policy remains an integral part of our approach to wildfire safety, we recognize the importance of getting it right," Fortis said in a statement published online.
