How rates are set
Our rates reflect the costs to provide natural gas service and maintain the distribution system. We will work carefully to ensure new rates are fair and affordable while still addressing operational requirements and supporting investment that will allow us to continue to provide safe natural gas and reliable service to the community.
Gas commodity
As an EPCOR customer, you pay the same price as we do for natural gas. In Ontario, utilities do not earn a profit from the sale of natural gas.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) sets the rates four times a year for the gas you use based on the commodity price of natural gas on the market. Market prices change due to supply and demand, as well as weather.
Every three months, we will request approval from the OEB to adjust rates to reflect customer consumption and the market price of gas from the previous quarter. Rates could increase if the previous rate did not cover the actual market price of gas or could decrease to credit customers if the market price was lower than expected. You will receive notice of these Quarterly Rate Adjustment Mechanisms (QRAM) with your monthly bill.
Gas distribution
The OEB also approves the rates EPCOR charges to deliver natural gas to our customers. These charges include the costs to store natural gas at the Dawn Hub in southwestern Ontario, transport gas to your home or business and to build, operate and maintain the system.
Rate classes and charges
Your EPCOR bill details the charges related to your natural gas services. To learn more about what the individual line items on your bill mean, visit understanding your bill.
Each year EPCOR will file an application with the Ontario Energy Board for approval of the next year's rates.
The rates below are effective September 1, 2020