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September 12, 2016 - 4:30 PM
VANCOUVER - FortisBC says residential natural gas customers will pay higher rates starting next month.
The company says it has received approval for the price hike from the B.C. Utilities Commission.
FortisBC spokesman Michael Allison says a hotter-than-usual summer in most of North America increased demand for electricity, which is often generated by natural gas.
Allison says natural gas is bought and sold based on open-market prices so the extra cost must be passed on to customers, who will see an average rate hike of $82 a year.
He says the last price increase came into effect in April 2014.
The current rate hike affects customers across B.C., except in Fort Nelson, which is considered part of a separate service area because it is located close to natural gas plants.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016