Enbridge Gas Inc. received approval from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) for a rate increase effective October 1.The average homeowner will see an increase ranging from $7 to $44 a year on their natural gas bill depending on where they live in the province.
In a statement announcing the rate increase, Enbridge Gas officials noted that the last rate adjustment was in April during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. That, and a past winter that was warmer than normal, resulted in “historically low natural gas prices” for the province. The company held down the price of natural gas “in recognition of the economic challenge many families and businesses faced as a result of COVID-19.”
Now with the approach of winter again, the demand for natural gas is expected to increase but Enbridge officials claim the price for natural gas is still lower than it was three years ago. The company will offer payment plan assistance program for families and businesses still struggling to manage their finances because of the pandemic.
That includes a specific plan for low-income families. The OEB also has a COVID-19 Engergy Assistance Program to help homeowners and businesses pay down their energy bill debts since the pandemic began.
More information on the rate increase and on payment assistance programs is available at www.enbridgegas.com/gas-rates-oct-2020.
