Back in December, the proposed rates for 2022 for PNG came out. And Tumbler Ridge rates are set to go up 10.8 percent.
Tumbler Ridge residents already pay the highest rates in the region, $10.499/GJ, which is more than double the $5.267/GJ for people who live in Dawson Creek and $5.465/GJ for residents of Fort St. John.
While both those service areas are seeing increases, they are both smaller than Tumbler Ridge’s increase.
In Fort St. John, the price of gas is going up 7.8 percent, pushing their expected cost per gigajoule to $5.893. In Dawson Creek, the price is going up 8.2 percent to $5.695/GJ.
Maxine and Tony VanBrabant have been spearheading the charge opposing the price increase, collecting signatures from more than 500 households to send to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC).
Indeed, they’ve done it twice now, says Maxine. “BCUC has asked that we come around a second time and collect signatures again and put this petition on public record so that we have more clout.”
Maxine says the first petition had over 550 signatures. “We submitted another online petition that we made available to allow people who owned homes here but were away and could not sign the paper copy. There were over 225 signatures on this.”
The trouble is, she says, the first go around there was no mention that the petition would be public.
“When we sent the first petition in, we sent it BCUC to read and to understand that we were against the increase,” she says. “We thought that would be enough. BCUC asked if they had permission to put it in public record. I did not include that disclaimer in the first petition out of respect for anyone who may be living here for safety reasons—for example, running from a bad relationship. So when BCUC asked about putting it in public record, I said we would have to recollect then and add this disclaimer. Right now, only BCUC can look at those first petitions and PNG can argue that without being able to see the petition it’s not fair game and they can challenge if the petition exists. By having people voice their opinion publicly, for the record, it holds more weight as it can’t be challenged not to exist. It can be used better in the upcoming proceedings.”
So far, they have re-collected about 500 signatures so far. “Because of the icy conditions, then the really cold temperatures, and a lot of sick households that are isolating it’s been a bit slower go this time,” she says. “Both Tony and I took some good falls in icy driveways last week and had to back off of going door to door for a bit.”
But the response, she says, has been strong. “Outside of a handful of people, everyone we’ve spoken with is very eager to sign the petition, which is great and they are signing not only for themselves but in support for people who they are struggling to pay high gas bills with lower incomes.
“This is also the reason why we are doing this petition. We can manage our bill, but know others who have much higher bills and are really struggling. We don’t believe that it’s right for Tumbler Ridge residents to be paying double the surrounding rates, although we understand that it is because of being on an independent system. I think this is a system that will only continue to climb in cost for this town, as it’s been doing, and it’s time that BCUC force a mandate for PNG (or whatever future company provides our gas), to pursue cheaper options for the future of this town.”
While the plan was to get the submission in by the end of February, there have been some delays. “PNG just asked for an extension in some of their filings, due to covid sickness on their team,” she says. “We are also struggling to get to some homeowners due to covid sickness or other illness. BCUC told me they hope to have things wrapped up by July, but the extension request may move things a bit further. I hope not, as we are all in the same boat and it’s too easy to stall for a longer time.”
While the rates have yet to be finalized, they have been approved in the interim, and residents will notice the increased charge on their bills already.
Van Brabant says she’d like to mail out the petition papers March 1. “I encourage everyone to go to Willow Hall, the TR Library or Home Hardware and sign, if they haven’t already.”
Many have submitted letters to the BCUC, one, from Joseph Kettellaper, says “I’m writing to voice my concerns about another rate increase by PNG in my area. I already pay higher natural gas delivery rates than 99 percent of homes in the province. My cost of gas is only slightly lower than the PNG rates from Vanderhoof to Kitimat and every other household in the province has lower rates than us. How does PNG keep getting away with raising rates? Our natural gas rate is 3x the rate of Fortis customers. We have way less access to rebates for home upgrades than they do in the rest of the province. Don’t tell me it’s because we’re north or remote, Fortis is in Fort Nelson with less than 1/3 the rate per GJ.”
Winston Ho says “The gas costs here are already double the costs of what they are in nearby Dawson Creek and Fort St John. To increase rates by 10.5% is just unreasonable. This far exceeds CPI. Especially when Fort St John and Dawson Creek are only increasing by 2.5%. What is the justification for this? Winter heating costs are already very expensive and most families simply can’t afford such a substantial increase.”
VanBrabant says that’s a big concern for her, too. “The North is becoming an affordable living destination for many families as the South’s real estate market continues to grow exponentially and we can’t make it unaffordable for these families with outrageous gas prices, especially with our long cold winters.”
In addition to the petition, concerned residents can submit a letter to the BCUC, as Ho and Kettellapper did, above. VanBrabant says the BCUC is accepting submissions until April.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
