HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-14-015 - Natural Gas Rates Staff Rgpor t
I r rc'.�► t .R Infrastructure Services Department wmkitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 11, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Wally Malcolm, Director of Utilities, 519-741-2600 ext 4538
PREPARED BY: Loraine Baillargeon, Manager, Asset Optimization, 519-741-
2600 ext 4532, Jim Gruenbauer, Manager, Regulatory and Gas
Supply, 519-741-2600 ext 4255
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: July 31, 2014
REPORT NO.: INS-14-015
SUBJECT: Natural Gas Rates
RECOMMENDATION:
That the supply component of the natural gas rates be increased to 19.0 cents per
cubic meter from 16.5 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers of the City
of Kitchener effective September 1, 2014; and,
That the transportation component of the natural gas rate be decreased to 3.0
cents per cubic meter from 4.0 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers
of the City of Kitchener effective September 1, 2014; and
That the delivery components of the natural gas rates be changed as proposed in
INS-14-015 - Appendix A for all Kitchener delivery customers effective September
1, 2014.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener Utilities began a gas supply program in April 1998 to arrange supply for
Kitchener Utilities' customers who did not choose to buy from a gas marketer. The
program was initiated with the goals of mitigating the impact of the natural gas price
volatility and eliminating retroactive billing that had become common place with the past
provider, Union Gas. Recent changes to the Gas Purchase Policy will continue with
these goals while moving the rates charged closer to the market rate.
The system gas program uses a disciplined economic approach to secure natural gas
contracts in a portfolio. The supply and transportation programs are cost-based
services and do not cross-subsidize with other Kitchener Utilities profits.
Efforts continue to mitigate the risk of price volatility through active management of the
portfolio.
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REPORT:
Gas rates are changed, at least annually, driven by various events. The gas rates have
three components, Gas Supply, Gas Transportation and Gas Delivery.
"Gas Supply rate" is the charge for the natural gas commodity, fuel and administration.
The Gas Supply rate is determined based on the committed purchases, forecast
consumption, overhead and inventory carryover. The total dollar value is divided by the
forecast consumption to determine the rate needed to recover the costs. The budget
will be affected in that the budget rate is lower than the proposed rate. Higher market
prices during this past extremely cold winter have necessitated this increase. Currently,
the budget is negatively affected as the costs are greater than the revenue received.
The recommended rate increase is needed to bring the program's projected stabilization
reserve to an appropriate position at the end of the upcoming winter season. It should
be noted that the recently approved change in the gas purchase policy to yield a more
market responsive price for the system supply portfolio may result in greater rate
volatility and variances from budget over time.
"Gas Transportation rate" is the rate charged to bring gas supply purchased in Alberta
to Ontario. Since July 2013, this rate is determined similar to the Gas Supply rate. As a
result, the recommendation is to reduce the rate to one that is more reflective of the
actual costs of transportation. The budget will be affected in that the budget rate is
higher than the proposed rate. Currently, the budget is favorably impacted as the costs
are lower than the revenue received. The recommended rate decrease is needed to
bring the program's projected stabilization reserve to an appropriate position at the end
of the upcoming winter season.
"Gas Delivery rate(s)" are the rates charged for delivering gas within Ontario to the
customer's meter. This includes transmission within Ontario (pipeline border to
Kitchener, storage costs), pipeline infrastructure and maintenance (within Kitchener),
meter reading and bill processing. With respect to the Gas Delivery charges, there are
two components, a daily fixed charge and a variable rate that is charged for the actual
or estimated volumes consumed in a particular billing period. Over the past several
years, the variable rate has been decreasing and the fixed charge increasing. This shift
is done to better match the recovery of fixed costs to provide delivery service to utility
customers by fixed customer charges. The shift is revenue neutral, in total, to the
average residential customer. The budget may be impacted by consumption variances
from forecast and from the timing of the change (September vs July).
The delivery components of the proposed natural gas rates in Appendix A include a
modest shift in the recovery of costs of infrastructure and maintenance of the Kitchener
distribution system between smaller and larger non-contract general service customers.
While this shift does not generate additional revenues overall, it is designed to better
align the budgeted delivery revenues from each customer class with the costs to serve
them, based on their consumption patterns and use of the system. The proposed
delivery rates also include separation of charges for storage from delivery. This has no
impact on the customers overall bill.
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The recommended rates result in a significantly lower overall customer impact than
those approved by the OEB effective April 1, 2014. Union Gas increased their rates
resulting in an annual increase of $200 per average residential system gas customer
while Enbridge Gas increased their rates resulting in an annual increase of $400 per
average residential system gas customer. These increases were due to the fact that
their gas purchases over this past cold winter were significantly higher than the forecast
cost. Kitchener Utilities' active management of its system portfolio mitigated the impact
of higher market prices on supply costs due to the harsh winter.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Theme: Financial Management
Strategic Direction: -Invest and manage assets strategically;
-Ensure responsible use of public funds within a supportive policy framework;
-Maximize value through cost effective service delivery
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The combined impacts of the supply and delivery rates are expected to produce an
increase of 4.7% or approximately $40 per year for the average residential system gas
customer. In estimations for Rate Category M1 customers, an annual average
consumption amount for residential customers of 2,100 m3 is used.
Rate M2 customers (commercial/industrial) can expect to see an overall increase of
approximately 2% which includes a decrease in the variable delivery rate.
The impact on large volume and contract customers will depend upon their consumption
and contract demand parameters
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
CONCLUSION:
Kitchener Utilities will work with the Communications Division to ensure that media are
provided with a media release to inform customers, an insert is being prepared to be
distributed with utility bills in September, and an alert will be printed on the envelopes
regarding rate changes.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, DCAO, Infrastructure Services
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APPENDIX A
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
NATURAL GAS
GENERAL SERVICE RATE M1
Applicability
To residential and non-contract commercial and industrial customers that consume less than 50,000 m3/year.
Rate
Daily Fixed Charge S .73
and
VARIABLE STORAGE COMMODITY TRANSPORTATION NET RATE
DELIVERY
RATE
¢/m3 ¢/m3 ¢/m3 ¢/m3 ¢/m3
First 100 m3 6.6742 .73 19.0 3.0 29.4042
Next 150 m3 6.4797 .73 19.0 3.0 29.2097
All Over 250 m3 6.0197 .73 19.0 3.0 28.7497
Supplemental Service to Commercial and Industrial Customers Under Group Meters
Combination of readings from several meters may be authorized where meters are located on contiguous pieces of property
of the same owner not delivered by a public right-of-way. In such cases, an additional service charge shall be rendered each
month in the amount of $15.00 per month for each additional meter so combined. This service is to assist in the
administration of the billing for multiple meters on the same property. It does not contemplate amalgamating the
consumption readings for the purpose of qualifying for lower delivery rates..
Meter Readin!s
Gas consumption by each customer under this rate schedule shall be determined by periodic meter readings,provided that in
circumstances beyond the control of the Company, such as strikes or non-access to a meter. The Company may estimate the
monthly consumption between the meter readings and render a monthly bill to the customer.
Effective
September 1,2014
Policy Relatine to Terms of Service
1) Gas purchased under this rate schedule shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer, unless resold as
"motor vehicle fuel gas",as that term is defined in Ontario Regulation 805/82.
2) Customers who temporarily discontinue service during any twelve consecutive months without payment of the
monthly fixed charge for the months in which the gas is temporarily disconnected shall pay for disconnection and
reconnection.
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CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
NATURAL GAS
GENERAL SERVICE RATE—M2
Applicability
To residential and non-contract commercial and industrial customers that consume 50,000 m3 and more per year.
Rate
Daily Fixed Charge $2.30
and
VARIABLE STORAGE COMMODITY TRANSPORTATION NET RATE
DELIVERY
RATE
¢/m3 ¢/m3 ¢/m3 ¢/m3 ¢/m3
First 1,000 m3 5.9366 .71 19.0 3.0 28.6466
Next 6,000 m3 5.8577 .71 19.0 3.0 28.5677
Next 13,000 m3 5.6226 .71 19.0 3.0 28.3326
Allover 20,000 m3 5.3405 .71 19.0 3.0 28.0505
Supplemental Service to Commercial and Industrial Customers Under Group Meters
Combination of readings from several meters may be authorized where meters are located on contiguous pieces of property
of the same owner not delivered by a public right-of-way. In such cases, an additional service charge shall be rendered each
month in the amount of $15.00 per month for each additional meter so combined. This service is to assist in the
administration of the hj!!jRg for multiple meters on the same property. It does not contemplate amalgamating the
consumption readings for the purpose of qualifying for lower delivery rates.
Meter Readings
Gas consumption by each customer under this rate schedule shall be determined by periodic meter readings,provided that in
circumstances beyond the control of the Company, such as strikes or non-access to a meter. The Company may estimate the
monthly consumption between the meter readings and render a monthly bill to the customer.
Effective
September 1,2014
Policy Relating to Terms of Service
2) Gas purchased under this rate schedule shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer, unless resold as
"motor vehicle fuel gas",as that term is defined in Ontario Regulation 805/82.
3) Customers who temporarily discontinue service during any twelve consecutive months without payment of the
monthly fixed charge for the months in which the gas is temporarily disconnected shall pay for disconnection and
reconnection.
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CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
NATURAL GAS
FIRM INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACT RATE—M4
Applicability
To a customer who enters into a contract for a minimum term of one year,that specifies a daily contracted demand as follows:
Between 4,800 m3 and 140,870 m3.
Rate
1. Bills will be rendered monthly and shall be the total of:
i) A Monthly Demand Charge
First 8,450 m3 of the daily contracted demand, 45.90
Next 19,700 m3 of the daily contracted demand, 19.80
All m3 over 28,150m3 of the daily contracted demand, 16.80
ii) A Monthly Delivery Charge
First 422,250 m3 delivered per month .4
Next volume equal to 15 days use of daily contracted demand .4
For remainder of volumes delivered in the month .4
iii) A Storage Charge
All volumes .4
iv) A Monthly Gas Supply Rate
Utility Sales
Commodity&Fuel 19.0
Transportation 3.0
22.0
2. Over-run Charge
Authorized overrun gas is available provided that it is authorized by the Corporation in advance. The Corporation will not
unreasonably withhold authorization. Overrun means gas taken on any day in excess of 103% of contracted daily demand.
Authorized overrun will be available April 1 through October 31, and will be paid for at the rate of 2.0640 ¢/m3 for the
delivery and,if applicable, a gas supply rate of 22.0¢/m3.
Unauthorized overrun in any month shall be paid for at the rate of 6.6466¢/m3 for the delivery and total gas supply charge
for system supplied volumes at the rate of 22.0¢/m3.
3. Minimum Annual Charge
In each contract year, the customer shall purchase from the Corporation or pay for a minimum volume of gas equivalent to
150 days use of contracted demand. Overrun gas volumes will not contribute to the minimum volume. In the event that the
customer shall not take such minimum volume, the customer shall pay an amount equal to the deficiency from the
minimum volume times a rate of 4.5¢/m3, and if applicable, a gas supply charge of 22.0¢/m3.
In the event that the contract period exceeds one year,the annual minimum volume will be pro-rated for any part year.
Effective
September 1,2014
Policy Relatine to Terms of Service
Gas purchased under this rate shall not be resold, directly or indirectly b y the customer. 5 — 6
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
NATURAL GAS
INTERRUPTIBLE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACT RATE—M5
Applicability
To a Customer who:
A) enters into a contract for a minimum term of one year that specifies a daily contracted demand between 4,800 m3 and
140,870 m3 inclusive.
and,
B) has an alternate fuel supply and combustion system available.
Rate
I. The price of all gas delivered shall be determined on the basis of the following schedules:
Monthly Fixed Charge $560.00
and
A) Delivery Charge
Daily Contracted Demand Level(CD)
4,800 m3 < CD -1 17,000 m3 2.2039
17,000 m3 < CD L 30,000 m3 2.0611
30,000 m3 < CD 50,000 m3 1.9859
50,000 m3 < CD J 70,000 m3 1.9332
70,000 m3 < CD F- 100,000 m3 1.8955
100,000 m3 < CD L 140,870 m3 1.8584
B) Storage Charge
Storage .2
C) Gas Supply Rate
Utility Sales
Commodity&Fuel 19.0
Transportation 3.0
22.0
2. Over-run Charge
Authorized overrun gas is available provided that it is authorized by the Corporation in advance. The Corporation will not
unreasonably withhold authorization. Overrun means gas taken on any day in excess of 105% of contracted daily demand.
Authorized overrun will be available April I through October 31, and will be paid for at the rate of 2.0640 ¢/m3 for the
delivery and,if applicable, a gas supply rate of 22.0¢/m3.
Unauthorized overrun in any month shall be paid for at the rate of 6.6466¢/m3 for the delivery and total gas supply charge
for system supplied volumes at the rate of 22.0¢/m3.
3. Minimum Annual Charge
In each contract year, the customer shall purchase from the Corporation or pay for a minimum volume of gas equivalent to
150 days use of contracted demand which will not be less than 700,000 m3 per annum. Overrun volumes will not
contribute to the minimum volume. In the event that the customer shall not take such minimum volume, the customer shall
pay an amount equal to the deficiency from the minimum volume times 4.5¢/m3 for the delivery charge and if applicable, a
gas supply charge of 22.0¢/m3).
Effective
September 1,2014
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Policy Relatine to Terms of Reference
Gas purchased under this rate shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer.
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