Nova Scotia
Figure 12: Sample monthly residential gas bill – based on 7.37 GJ of consumption
Source: Heritage Gas
Description:
This stacked area graph shows the breakdown of residential natural gas bills from January 2013 to January 2018. The sample bill is for 7.37 GJ of consumption per month in the province of Nova Scotia. The graph shows the amount spent on three bill components: the commodity price, variable charges, and fixed charges.
The commodity price component has fluctuated, but increased from $66.55 per month in January 2013, to $69.20 per month in January 2018.
The variable rate remained constant at $64.01 per month.
The fixed charge remained constant at $21.87 per month.
Natural gas provider
Heritage Gas, a private company, is the main local distribution company (LDC) and retailer in Nova Scotia. Approximately 1% of households in Nova Scotia use natural gas for their primary heating system. Gas distribution pipelines only exist in a few Nova Scotia communities, so service is not an option for all Nova Scotia residents. Heritage Gas primarily operates in the Halifax Regional Municipality, and the towns of Amherst, New Glasgow, and Oxford.
Commodity price
The ‘gas cost recovery rate’ is the charge for the gas a customer consumes. This rate is reviewed twice a year by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB). The rate is based on a 6 month gas price forecast. The commodity price component has fluctuated, but increased from $66.55 per month ($9.03 per GJ) on January 2013, to $69.20 per month ($9.39 per GJ) on January 2018.
Variable charges
The ‘base energy charge’ is the variable component of a Heritage Gas bill. This charge collects money to pay for the cost of transportation and distribution, and is regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB). Since 2014, the non-commodity price charges on Heritage gas bills have not changed. The variable charge has remained constant at $64.01 per month ($8.69 per GJ) from January 2013 to January 2018.
Fixed charges
The ‘fixed monthly customer charge’ is a monthly, fixed fee billed to Heritage gas customers. This charge goes towards the cost of administration, the gas meter, and the connection to the distribution system. This charge is also regulated by the NSUARB. The fixed charge has remained constant at $21.87 per month from January 2013 to January 2018.
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