HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-16-061 - Natural Gas Rates 2017
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: October 3, 2016
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Edmondson, Interim Director of Utilities,
519-741-2600 ext. 4754
PREPARED BY: Danny Persaud, Manager – Gas Supply Operations &
Regulations, 519-741-2600 ext. 4255
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 22, 2016
REPORT NO.: INS-16-061
SUBJECT: NATURAL GAS RATES
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the supply component of the natural gas rate be decreased to 9.5000 cents
per cubic meter from 10.5000 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers of
Kitchener Utilities effective January 1, 2017; and,
That the transportation component of the natural gas rate be increased to 5.0000
cents per cubic meter from 4.0000 cents per cubic meter for system gas
customers of Kitchener Utilities effective January 1, 2017; and,
That the delivery components of the natural gas rate be as proposed in
INS-16-
for all Kitchener Utilities delivery customers effective January 1,
061 - Appendix A
2017 – which represents no net change in delivery revenue attributed to Kitchener
Utilities’ costs; and further,
That the Ontario Cap & Trade component of the natural gas delivery rate be
established at 3.5647 cents per cubic meter for all gas customers of Kitchener
Utilities effective January 1, 2017 in accordance with the requirements of
Provincial legislation;
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener Utilities began its natural gas supply program in April 1998. The program was
initiated with the goals of mitigating the impact of the natural gas price volatility and
eliminating retroactive billing; which had become commonplace with the past provider.
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The system natural gas program uses a disciplined economic approach to secure
natural gas contracts in a portfolio which seeks to strike a balance between rate stability
and market responsiveness. The supply and transportation programs are cost-based
services and do not cross-subsidize with other Kitchener Utilities programs.
The following are key highlights of this natural gas rate change report:
- Kitchener Utilities was able to avoid a forecasted supply rate increase due to
warm winter conditions of 2015-16;
- There is no overall net impact to customers as a result of utility driven changes to
supply, transportation and M1 (<50,000 cubic meters annually) delivery rates;
- There is a favorable impact to the majority of M2 (>50,000 cubic meters annually)
customers as a result of a rate structure adjustment; and
- The overall net impact to all customers associated with this rate change is due to
the introduction of the Ontario Cap and Trade component, which is a legislated
requirement of the Ontario government effective January 1, 2017.
REPORT:
Kitchener Utilities’ natural gas rates are set annually, based on customer preference for
rate stability. These rates are impacted by supply, demand, and weather. Kitchener
Utilities natural gas rates have three components: gas supply, gas transportation, and
gas delivery.
Gas Supply:
- The charge for the natural gas commodity, fuel, and administration.
- Determined based on committed gas purchases, forecast consumption,
overhead, and gas inventory carryover.
- The total dollar value is divided by the forecast consumption to determine the
rate required to recover the costs.
- Lower natural gas market prices during the past year, primarily due to the warm
winter of 2015-16 resulting in a reduction in supply rates from 10.5 cents per
cubic metre to 9.5 cents per cubic metre.
Gas Transportation:
- The charge to bring natural gas supply purchased to Ontario.
- The cost to transport gas has increased due to market prices, causing actual
costs to be higher than the revenue received, resulting in an increase to
transportation rates from 4.0 cents per cubic metre to 5.0 cents per cubic metre.
Gas Delivery:
- The charge for delivering gas to the end user.
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- Includes transmission within Ontario, storage costs, pipeline infrastructure,
maintenance, meter reading, and bill processing.
- There are two components to the delivery charges: a daily fixed charge, and a
variable rate.
- For M1 and M2 customers, a rate reduction is proposed due to the reallocation of
administrative costs from the natural gas delivery program to the Ontario Cap &
Trade program.
- The M1 variable delivery rate is being reduced from 7.1543 cents per cubic meter
to 6.9890 cents per cubic meter.
- For M2 customers, the current variable delivery tiered rate structure is being
collapsed to a single rate, providing a revenue neutral impact to the utility.
- This change is favorable to a majority of customers in this rate class and results
in a simpler bill presentation.
- The new M2 variable delivery blended rate after accounting for Ontario Cap and
Trade is 6.1873 cents per cubic meter.
- The delivery components of the proposed natural gas rates are shown in
Appendix A.
Ontario Cap and Trade Charge:
As referenced in Council report INS-16-067, The Ontario Cap and Trade Program is a
provincially legislated emission trading system launched by Ontario Liberal Government
in May 2016 to reduce the impacts of climate change. The proposed rate required to
meet Kitchener Utilities’ mandated compliance is a summation of the cost of emission
allowances purchased on behalf of its customers, facility related greenhouse gas
reduction expenses and administrative expenses. For the average residential customer
consuming 2,100 cubic meters annually, this would result in an approximate net
increase of $71 on their annual natural gas bill. These cost forecasts are in line with
those of the government and other natural gas distributors.
Kitchener Utilities must purchase emission allowances on behalf of its customers. In
2017, carbon will be administered into the Ontario market through government auctions.
Based on the projected minimum auction price of $18.09 per tonne of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions, the cost of emission allowances to ratepayers is 3.3704 cents per
cubic meter. There is a risk that this rate may increase on the next rate adjustment
should the actual cost of emission allowances be higher. New capital funding for billing
system changes and exploration of facility related greenhouse gas reduction projects
results in a 0.0147 cents per cubic meter impact to the rate. Administrative costs
include costs for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of emissions, purchasing
emission allowances & credits, managing the utility carbon portfolio, business process
changes and Union Gas Cap & Trade administrative expenses. These costs result in
0.1796 cents per cubic meter impact to the rate. Approximately 95% of the Ontario Cap
and Trade charge is attributed to the cost of emission allowances and paid to the
Province.
In discussing the Ontario Cap and Trade charge at Committee, two issues were raised:
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1) Should the rate change be deferred from November 1, 2016 to January 1, 2017?
Kitchener Utilities recommends moving the November 2016 rate change to
January 2017 to be aligned with the introduction of the Ontario Cap and Trade
charge, which is mandated to be implemented on January 1, 2017. Having this
single rate change allows more time to communicate to customers, is less
confusing to customers and reinforces the concept of rate stability, which is
widely valued by customers. The only increase to customers is the Ontario Cap
In other words, there is no
and Trade mandatory charge.
communications/transparency benefit to splitting up the rate change
between November and January, given that the only rate impact most
customers face under either billing scenario is the impact of the Ontario
Cap and Trade mandatory charge.
2) Should the administrative and facility-related component of the Ontario Cap and
Trade charge be excluded until more is known about the program?
5% of the Ontario Cap and Trade mandatory charge relates to administrative and
facility-related expenses. 94% of the administrative expenses are a reallocation
Administrative costs
of existing costs from the natural gas delivery program.
should remain with the Ontario Cap and Trade charge as they reflect the
correct allocationof costs to administer the program
in accordance with the
proposed framework established by the Ontario Energy Board.
The facility-related expenses include $20,000 for billing system adjustments and
$20,000 of seed funding for facility-related projects. These are very modest
allocations. If facility-related projects are removed, the overall Ontario Cap and
Trade charge would be reduced from 3.5647 cents per cubic metre to 3.5573
cents per cubic metre and reduce the estimated net annual impact from $71.39
to $71.23. This is a very minor reduction to the annual natural gas bill.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic
vision through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The proposed natural gas rates result in no change to the residential customer based
on Kitchener Utilities natural gas program costs. For the average residential customer
consuming 2,100 cubic meters annually, the Ontario Cap and Trade mandatory charge
will increase the natural gas bill annually by 10%. The net impact to the average
residential customer represents an annual increase of approximately $71.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Kitchener Utilities will work with the Corporate Communications and Marketing Division
to ensure that media outlets are provided with a press release to inform customers. An
insert is being prepared to be distributed with utility bills in November and January and
information will be posted on the Kitchener Utilities’ and City website.
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Cynthia Fletcher, Interim Executive Director,
Infrastructure Services
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APPENDIX A
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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 $ .73
And
SUPPLY TRANSPORTATION VARIABLE ONTARIO CAP NET RATE
COMMODITY DELIVERY RATE & TRADE
33333
¢/m ¢/m ¢/m ¢/m ¢/m
ﻲﻵﯿﻵﮭ
9.5 5.0 3.5647 25.0537
Note: For billing purposes, “Ontario Cap & Trade” component is added to “Variable Delivery Charge”.
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
billing
of the 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 Corporation, such as strikes or non-access to a meter. The Corporation may estimate
the monthly consumption between the meter readings and render a monthly bill to the customer.
Effective
January 1, 2017
Policy Relating 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
SUPPLY TRANSPORTATION VARIABLE ONTARIO CAP NET RATE
COMMODITY DELIVERY RATE & TRADE
33333
¢/m ¢/m ¢/m ¢/m ¢/m
ﻲوﯿﯾى
9.5 5.0 3.5647 24.2520
Note: For billing purposes, “Ontario Cap & Trade” component is added to “Variable Delivery Charge”.
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
billing
of the 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 Corporation, such as strikes or non-access to a meter. The Corporation may estimate
the monthly consumption between the meter readings and render a monthly bill to the customer.
Effective
January 1, 2017
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:
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Between 4,800 m and 140,870 m.
Rate
1. Bills will be rendered monthly and shall be the total of:
3
¢/m
i)A Monthly Demand Charge
3
First 8,450 m of the daily contracted demand, 45.90
3
Next 19,700 m of the daily contracted demand, 19.80
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All m over 28,150m of the daily contracted demand, 16.80
ii) A Monthly Delivery Charge
First 422, 250 m3 delivered per month 0.4
Next volume equal to 15 days use of daily contracted demand 0.4
For remainder of volumes delivered in the month 0.4
iii) A Storage Charge
All volumes 0.4
iv) An Ontario Cap & Trade Charge
All volumes 3.5647
Note: For billing purposes, “Storage” and “Ontario Cap & Trade” component is added to “Monthly Delivery Charge”.
v)A Monthly Gas Supply Rate
Utility Sales
Commodity & Fuel 9.5
Transportation 5.0
14.5
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.
3
Authorized overrun will be available April 1 through October 31, and will be paid for at the rate of 2.0640¢/m for the
3
delivery and, if applicable, total gas supply rate of 14.5¢/m.
3
Unauthorized overrun in any month shall be paid for at the rate of 6.3526¢/m for the delivery and total gas supply charge
3
for system-supplied volumes at the rate of 14.5¢/m.
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
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volume times a rate of 4.5¢/m, and if applicable, a total gas supply charge of 14.5¢/m.
In the event that the contract period exceeds one year, the annual minimum volume will be pro-rated for any part year.
Effective
January 1, 2017
Policy Relating to Terms of Service
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Gas purchased under this rate shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer.
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
NATURAL GAS
INTERRUPTIBLE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACT RATE – M5
Applicability
To a Customer who:
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A) enters into a contract for a minimum term of one year that specifies a daily contracted demand between 4,800 m and
3
140,870 m inclusive and,
B) has an alternate fuel supply and combustion system available.
Rate
1. The price of all gas delivered shall be determined on the basis of the following schedules:
Monthly Fixed Charge $560.00
and
3
¢/m
A) Delivery Charge
Daily Contracted Demand Level (CD)
33
4,800 m17,000 m 2.2039
< CD
33
17,000 m30,000 m 2.0611
< CD
33
وﻵﯿيﻵ
30,000 m50,000 m
< CD
33
50,000 m70,000 m
وﻵىىﻮ
< CD
33
وﯿﻵيي
70,000 m100,000 m
< CD
33
100,000 m140,870 m
وﯿيﯿﻰ
< CD
B) Storage Charge
Storage 0.2
C) Ontario Cap & Trade Charge
Ontario Cap & Trade 3.5647
Note: For billing purposes, “Storage” and “Ontario Cap & Trade” component are added to “Delivery Charge”.
D) Gas Supply Rate
Utility Sales
Commodity & Fuel 9.5
Transportation 5.0
14.5
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.
3
Authorized overrun will be available April 1 through October 31, and will be paid for at the rate of 2.0640¢/m for the
3
delivery and, if applicable, total gas supply rate of 14.5¢/m.
3
Unauthorized overrun in any month shall be paid for at the rate of 6.3526¢/m for the delivery and total gas supply charge
3
for system-supplied volumes at the rate of 14.5¢/m.
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
3
150 days use of contracted demand which will not be less than 700,000 m 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
3
amount equal to the deficiency from the minimum volume times 4.5¢/m for the delivery charge and if applicable, a gas
3
supply charge of 14.5¢/m).
Effective
January 1, 2017
Policy Relating to Terms of Reference
Gas purchased under this rate shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer.
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