Deregulated Natural Gas Prices for Your Business

Here are the competitive natural gas price offers for Alberta.

The price on the chart may not match a renewal offer you have received since some marketers offer slightly lower prices to customers renewing with them.

Prices without sign up online capability are kept up to date on a best efforts basis. If customers are interested in those companies they should contact the company to confirm.

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Why put up with high long distance rates? Find out how you can save on long distance.

Deregulated natural gas for your home.

Gas Rebates in Alberta

Until 2006, the Alberta Government provides a rebate to customers should prices go too high in the winter months (November to March). The rebate will be triggered when two of the three Alberta gas utilities' prices climb above the set levels.

This rebate is payable whether you buy your gas at the variable rate from the utility, or have locked into a fixed price contract with a marketer. So, you might want to lock in, then if market prices go up not only do you benefit by having a fixed rate, you also get a progressively higher rebate.

Regulated AltaGas Utility Rate

The utility's Commercial Rate is not available at this time.

Who in Alberta has choice?

You have the choice to buy from a deregulated natural gas supplier if you buy your gas from ATCO Gas or AltaGas Utilities Inc. If you are supplied by a rural gas co-operative, you do not have that choice unless you are a business (non farm) customer and use more than 10,000 GJ of natural gas per year. Municipally owned natural gas companies have the option of offering choice to consumers, but are not required to do so.

Regulated rates are not fixed rates, nor can they be

In Alberta, the Alberta Energy Board regulates utility rates. Utilities can and do apply changes to rates retroactively! They can't offer fixed contracts. By signing up with an energy marketer you can avoid these unexpected rate changes. Or, join an Energyshop.com natural gas buying group. We competitively tender your natural gas needs to deregulated natural gas marketers! As you can see from the previous chart, they can offer you an arrangement to fit your situation.

• See the current natural gas price forecast.

Comparing and deciding among the various offers

In the new deregulated industry, buying natural gas is like getting a mortgage. You can choose between contract terms between 1 and 5 years. You can choose to lock in for a long period at a fixed rate, or choose totally variable rates and take your chances that rates won't go through the roof. This decision depends on your budget, and what you expect gas prices to do over the next few years.

You may cancel a contract that you sign within 10 days of receiving a copy of that contract. In addition, if the seller came to your home and the contract was signed in your home, and if the service doesn't start within 30 days of the promised delivery date stated in the contract, you have up to a year to cancel the contract.

What's included in retail gas prices

If you choose to buy from a gas marketer, your gas service won't change. You will still get a bill from your distributing utility which will indicate a regulated Delivery Charge - about 20% of your bill - that goes to the utility, and a Gas Supply Charge - the remaining 80% - that goes to the gas marketer you chose. If you also have rental equipment or a service contract, these will appear as well.

Example: A typical annual gas bill is $1,000. Twenty percent of that, $200, is a regulated transportation and delivery charge. The remainder, $800, is the gas supply charge. A gas marketer offering a 10% saving is offering a saving of $80, which is 10% of the $800 gas supply charge. The saving on the total gas bill is 8%, which is about $80 saving on a $1,000 gas bill.

Learn more about deregulated gas markets and marketers.

Have you seen a different price recently?

If you've seen a price from a marketer that is different from the list above, and would like to report the price to Energyshop.com so others can make an informed purchasing decision, enter it below. All comments are welcome.

• Retail Natural Gas Equipment Installation Cost Chart