Pacific Northern Gas proposes rate increases in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Pacific Northern Gas has submitted an application to increase its rates in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek over the course of the next three years.

The company’s application to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), submitted on April 2nd, would see its rates for basic and delivery charges increase in the two cities by roughly nine per cent for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Over that same time period, those same rates would also decrease by about two per cent annually in the District of Tumbler Ridge.

All the rate changes would apply to residential and small commercial customers in the three communities. 

The company also wants to change its revenue stabilization adjustment mechanism (RSAM) rider – a way of projecting the amount of revenue it will receive from customers – for each community.

“The overall annual bill impact for the average customer in 2025, compared to 2024 rates, is between -8.4 per cent and -13.9 per cent, which includes the cost of gas and the removal of the carbon tax,” a letter from the BCUC outlining the application explains.

According to the BCUC, rate increases for 2025 have been approved already on an “interim basis” while it reviews the company’s application for permanent increases.

The 2025 increases partially came into effect on January 1st, and will be fully in effect beginning May 1st.

“Any difference between the interim and permanent rates will be recovered from or refunded to customers,” the letter reads.

Anyone interested in voicing their thoughts on the proposal can submit a letter of comment to the BCUC. The submission deadline is July 25th. Details for how to submit a letter can be found on the BCUC website.