Natural gas prices are set in an integrated North American marketplace where the price of natural gas is determined based on supply and demand.  Natural gas rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas companies charge regulated rates above $5.50 per gigajoule (GJ). The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has verified the natural gas costs of the major service providers, and a rebate will not be triggered for February. This is the sixth time during the past 33 winter months that a rebate has not been issued.

Since 2003, the Natural Gas Rebate Program has provided more than $1.8 billion in assistance to Alberta consumers. The Natural Gas Rebate Program runs from October to March for most consumers. This is the time frame when Alberta residences use about 80 per cent of the total natural gas consumed for the year. Rebate amounts increase as the price of natural gas rises, with the maximum cost of natural gas to most Alberta consumers capped at $8.75/GJ.

Homes and businesses using either the regulated rate or a competitive contract rate receive rebates under the program. Large scale commercial or industrial consumers, select agricultural producers and those who heat their homes with other fuels need to apply for rebates.

A combination of wise energy use and reduced natural gas rates can help lower your gas costs. Information on energy conservation in the home is available at www.climatechangecentral.com.

More information on Alberta's Natural Gas Rebate Program can be found at www.energy.alberta.ca or by calling the Natural Gas Rebate Program office at 1-877-422-0330.