Direct Energy Regulated Services Files September Rates
CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwire – Aug. 26, 2008) – Direct Energy Regulated Services (DERS), a business unit of Direct Energy Marketing Limited, has filed with the Alberta Utilities Commission proposed regulated natural gas rates for September 2008. Upon approval, these rates will apply to customers who have not chosen a competitive supplier within the ATCO Gas North and South service territories.
North Service Territory
The North territory includes customers living in and north of the City of Red Deer.
– For customers in the ATCO Gas North service territory, the proposed September regulated natural gas rate is decreasing from the August rate of $11.230 per GJ to $5.124 per GJ.
– This rate reflects a market price for September supplies of approximately $7.15 per GJ as reported by the NGX, and incorporates an adjustment of ($2.03) per GJ for August and prior months.
– The typical residential gas bill for September based on an average 5 GJ of consumption would be approximately $70 in the North.
South Service Territory
The South territory includes customers living south of the City of Red Deer.
– For customers in the ATCO Gas South service territory, the proposed September regulated natural gas rate is decreasing from the August rate of $12.692 per GJ to $7.055 per GJ.
– This rate reflects a market price for September supplies of approximately $7.15 per GJ as reported by the NGX, and incorporates an adjustment of ($0.10) per GJ for August and prior months.
– The typical residential gas bill for September based on an average 5 GJ of consumption would be approximately $77 in the South.
The Alberta Government’s Natural Gas Rebate Program applies from October to March. No provincial rebate will be applied from April to September.
Further information on regulated gas supply and a complete list of competitive retailers can be found on the Alberta government’s customer choice website at: www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca.
Backgrounder
In the North Service Territory, how will a typical bill this month compare to previous months based on 5 GJs (including rebates, where applicable)?
– September 2008, a typical residential bill will be $77
– September 2007, a typical residential bill was $56
– August 2008 (based on 3 GJ), a typical residential bill was $77
In the South Service Territory, how will a typical bill this month compare to previous months based on 5 GJs (including rebates where applicable)?
– September 2008, a typical residential bill will be $70
– September 2007, a typical residential bill was $62
– August 2008 (based on 3 GJ), a typical residential bill was $80
How does this month’s rate compare to previous months?
The graph below shows regulated natural gas rates each month for the past year.
To view a graph of Regulated Gas Rates, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RegGasRates.pdf
How much natural gas does a typical residential customer use?
____ Natural gas consumption for a typical residential customer – GJ ——————————————————————– ——- Jan__ Feb__ Mar__ Apr__ May__ Jun__ Jul__Aug__ Sep__ Oct__ Nov__ Dec__Total ——————————————————————– ——- 20____17____15____ 9____ 6____ 4____ 3____3____ 5____10____15____19____126 ——————————————————————– ——-
How does this month’s market price compare to last month?
The regulated rate is based in part on the current market view of natural gas prices for the month, as reported by NGX:
– As of the time the rate application was filed, the market price for September is $7.15 per GJ.
– The market price last month at the time of filing was $8.81 per GJ.
– Last month’s actual market price was approximately $7.78 per GJ.
Why are there adjustments this month?
The formula used to calculate the regulated rate accounts for any over- or under-recoveries of actual gas costs arising from differences in:
– normal and actual weather, which affects the volume of natural gas consumed; and
– forecast and actual market prices occurring in August and prior months.
When are natural gas rebates triggered?
According to Alberta’s Natural Gas Price Protection Regulation, rebates are triggered during the months of October through March when the approved cost of procuring natural gas for two of the three regulated gas providers exceeds $5.50 per GJ. The cost of procuring natural gas makes up the most significant portion of the regulated rate. No provincial rebate will be applied from April to September.
Why do natural gas prices fluctuate?
Natural gas prices are set in an open and competitive market, and are influenced by many variables throughout North America and the world. These variables include supply and demand, production and exploration levels, storage injections and withdrawals, continental weather patterns, pricing and availability of competing energy sources, and market analysts’ views of future trends in any of these or other variables. Natural gas prices in Alberta are not typically a function of localized weather.
Why are North and South regulated natural gas rates different?
DERS is required by the Alberta Utilities Commission to purchase natural gas for ATCO Gas’ North and South systems separately. Each system has slightly different load, weather, and supply characteristics that result in a different mix of Monthly and Daily Index purchases.
For more information, please view the September 2008 regulated natural gas rate applications on DERS’ website at www.directenergyregulatedservices.com
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