The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has approved new natural gas prices for Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge) and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership’s (EPCOR) customers to take effect October 1, 2022.
The Quarterly Rate Adjustment Mechanism (QRAM) is the process by which the OEB adjusts the prices that natural gas customers pay for the natural gas that they use and to reflect changes in natural gas market prices.
These price changes are approved to take effect on the 1st of the month in January, April, July, and October each year.
The OEB does not allow utilities to earn a profit on the sale of natural gas, regardless of market fluctuations in price.
Other Rate Changes
The OEB also sets rates that natural gas utilities can charge for the delivery and storage of natural gas.
Any changes to those rates that are approved by the OEB between QRAM decisions also take effect on the first day of the next calendar quarter.
Reasons for Changes to Natural Gas Bills
QRAM
Several factors give rise to the change in natural gas prices approved for Enbridge and EPCOR’s QRAM for the October 1 to December 31 period (October QRAM):
- Natural gas prices remain high because of sustained global demand for North American liquefied natural gas and uncertainty in the global energy landscape.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA):
- U.S. natural gas inventories are still more than 11% below the 5-year average.
- U.S. domestic demand remains strong, driven by consumption of natural gas for power generation in the U.S. due to higher-than-normal summer temperatures, and continued high global demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas.
Other Rate Changes
There are no other rate changes affecting natural gas customer bills on October 1, 2022.
Total Annual Bill Impact
As noted in Table 1, beginning October 1, 2022, the total annual bill impact* for residential customers using a typical amount of natural gas in each rate zone will be:
| Rate Zone and Typical Annual Usage for a Residential Customer | Enbridge Gas Distribution 2,400 m3 |
Union South 2,200 m3 |
Union North East 2,200 m3 |
Union North West 2,200 m3 |
EPCOR Aylmer 1,780 m3 |
EPCOR South Bruce 2,149 m3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Annual Bill (Current) | $1,517.63 | $1,334.34 | $1,572.96 | $1,456.08 | $1,157.52 | $1,939.94 |
| Total Annual Bill (Beginning Oct. 1, 2022) | $1,591.81 | $1,438.92 | $1,736.79 | $1,545.67 | $1,222.32 | $1,946.81 |
| Total Annual Bill Impact | $74.18 | $104.58 | $163.83 | $89.59 | $64.80 | $6.87 |
| Percentage Change | 4.9% | 7.8% | 10.4% | 6.2% | 5.6% | 0.4% |
About the QRAM
Natural gas is a commodity that is bought and sold on North American energy markets. At any given time, its price fluctuates based on a variety of factors including supply and demand, seasonal changes, levels of stored natural gas, and major weather events. Enbridge and EPCOR update their forecast of market prices every three months and use that forecast to seek the OEB’s approval of their proposed changes to natural gas commodity prices. These proposed changes cover:
- Future costs: This is based on a forecast of market prices for natural gas over the next 12-month period.
- Past costs: This is based on the difference between what the utility previously forecast that their customers would pay and what their customers actually paid. This kind of adjustment is needed because the gas prices charged to customers are based on forecasts, which are never exact. This may be called the Gas Price Adjustment or Cost Adjustment on your bill. It can increase or lower the rate accordingly. For example, if a utility collected more from customers than it paid for gas in the past, the difference is credited back to customers through a lower rate. Likewise, if not enough was collected by the utility, the rate will be higher.
The OEB does not allow utilities to earn a profit on the sale of gas, regardless of market fluctuations in price.
Additional Information and Resources
- Understanding your natural gas bill
- Find out about natural gas rates for supply, and why they vary throughout the year.
- Approached by a retailer? Before you enter into an energy contract for natural gas, be sure to do your homework.
Programs to Support Natural Gas Customers
A number of programs are available to support energy consumers.
- Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
This program provides a grant towards a customer’s electricity and/or natural gas bill if they’re behind on their bill and may face having their service shut off. It is for emergency situations. - Rules to protect low-income customers
Electricity utilities, unit sub-meter providers and rate-regulated natural gas utilities follow customer service rules specific to low-income customers. These include waiving security deposits, and allowing longer payment times under arrears payment plans. - Enbridge – To help Enbridge consumers save energy and lower their natural gas bill, Enbridge offers rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades and free upgrades for income-qualified homes.
About the OEB
The OEB is the independent regulator of Ontario’s electricity and natural gas sectors. It protects the interests of consumers and supports the collective advancement of the people of Ontario. Its goal is to deliver public value through prudent regulation and independent adjudicative decision-making which contributes to Ontario’s economic, social and environmental development.
Contact Us
Media Inquiries
Phone: 416-544-5171
Email: oebmedia@oeb.ca
Consumer Inquiries
416-314-2455/1-877-632-2727