Power bills going up on New Year’s Day

The Christmas bills will come early this year for Greater Trail as FortisBC has received approval to increase their rates by 6.6%

The Christmas bills will come early this year for Greater Trail residents as FortisBC has received approval to slap a total 6.6 per cent increase on residential power customers as of Jan. 1.

The power company gained the nod from the B.C. Utilities Commission for a 4.2 per cent increase in a revenue requirements decision, along with a 2.3 per cent increase from rate rebalancing.

For the average residential customer using 1,050 kWh per month, the change is an increase of approximately $7.07 per month.

There is some good news for small business owners. The cumulative rate adjustment on Jan. 1 will see business customers receiving a 5.5 per cent reduction in their bills.

However, lighting customers will see a 6.8 per cent increase and wholesale customers will see a 5.9 per cent increase as of Jan. 1 to their bills.

For more information on the 2012/2013 revenue requirement decision or to view the rate rebalancing information from December or April, 2011 please visit fortisbc.com.

Trail Daily Times