HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-074 - Natural Gas & Carbon Rates
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: October 2, 2017
SUBMITTED BY: Greg St. Louis,Director of Utilities,
519-741-2600 ext. 4538
PREPARED BY: Danny Persaud, Manager Gas Supply Operations &
Regulations, 519-741-2600 ext. 4255
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 21, 2017
REPORT NO.: INS-17-074
SUBJECT: NATURAL GAS & CARBON RATES
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the supply component of the natural gas rate be decreased to 9.0000 cents
per cubic metre from 9.5000 cents per cubic metre for system gas customers of
Kitchener Utilities effective November 1, 2017; and,
That the transportation component of the natural gas rate be decreased to 4.5000
cents per cubic metre from 5.0000 cents per cubic metre for system gas
customers of Kitchener Utilities effective November 1, 2017; and,
That the delivery components of the natural gas rate be changed as proposed in
INS-17-074 - Appendix A for all Kitchener Utilities delivery customers effective
November 1, 2017; and further,
That the Ontario Cap & Trade component of the natural gas delivery rate be
increased to 3.8719 cents per cubic metre from 3.5647 cents per cubic metre for
all gas customers of Kitchener Utilities that do not manage their own compliance
in accordance with Provincial legislation,effective November 1, 2017;
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.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
3 - 1
ressed a preference for rate stability and Council
has expressed a preference for market responsiveness. 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.This is achieved by purchasing future gas up to a maximum of 3 years
out at a declining portfolio percentage instead of the 5 year horizon previously
employed. The supply and transportation programs are cost-based services and do not
cross-subsidize with other Kitchener Utilities programs.
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. As a natural gas distributor in Ontario, Kitchener Utilities is mandated to comply
with this legislation and must purchase carbon allowances & credits on behalf of its
The following are key highlights of this natural gas rate change report:
- Kitchener Utilities is combining natural gas supply and transportation
components to align with the industry trend and to simplify the natural gas bill;
- Kitchener Utilities is able to avoid a forecasted supply rate increase due to warm
winter conditions of 2016-17;
- The proposed rates result in a net reduction to the overall bill for all system
gas customers as a result of utility driven changes (excluding Ontario Cap and
Trade) to the gas supply rate and adjustment to delivery rates;and
- Anincrease to the provincially legislated Ontario Cap and Trade component
of the delivery rate.
REPORT:
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 delivery, and Ontario
Cap& Trade.
Gas Supply and Transportation:
st
As of January 1 2017, Union Gas has combined the natural gas supply and
transportation components on their bill to reflect changes in market dynamics and
st
simplify their accounting and bill presentment.Effective November 1,Kitchener staff
will also be combining the natural gas supply and transportation components on the bill
to form a holistic Ontario landed price herein referred to as, .
3 - 2
Staff has thoroughly reviewed the impacts of this change and found that combining the
components will be beneficial to both system gas customers and staff of Kitchener
Utilities.
hecosts for the natural gas commodity,
fuel, administration, and transportation to Ontario. It includes 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.
For the 2017 Budget, staff expected that natural gas commodity prices and
consumption would be higher due to expectations of an average winter (unlike the
previous two winters) and increased summer demand for gas power generation.With a
higher than average rate stabilization account position, Staff recommended under-
collecting revenue by lowering the supply rate to reduce this position. 2017 actuals to
date have resulted in lower than expected natural gas commodity prices and
consumption over the past year, primarily due to another warmer than average winter
and reduced gas power demand due to a cooler than average summer. This has again
resulted in ahigher than average rate stabilization account position and staff is
recommending to under-collect revenue to reduce this position by having a combined
supply and transportation rate reduction.
- The combined gas supply rate is to be reduced by 1.0000 cent per cubic metre
from 14.5000 cents per cubic metre to 13.5000 cents per cubic metre.
Gas Delivery:
The Gas Delivery charge includes all costs for delivering gas to the end user.It includes
transmission within Ontario, storage costs, pipeline infrastructure, maintenance, meter
reading, and bill processing.There are two components to the delivery charges: a fixed
charge, and a variable rate.
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 customer classes. While this shift does
not generate additional revenues overall (revenue neutral), 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 M1 (all customers consuming less than 50,000 cubic meters annually)
variable delivery rate is decreased by 0.1519 cents per cubic metre from 6.9890
cents per cubic metre to 6.8371 cents per cubic metre.
- The M2(all customers consuming greater than 50,000 cubic meters annually)
variable delivery rate is to be increased by 0.25 cents per cubic metre from
6.1873 cents per cubic metre to 6.4373 cents per cubic metre.
- The M4(firm industrial & commercial contract customers,consuming 4,800 to
140,870 cubic meters annually) monthly delivery commodity charge is to be
3 - 3
increased by 0.5000 cents per cubic metre from 0.8000 cents per cubic metre to
1.3000 cents per cubic metre.
- The M5(interruptible industrial & commercial contract customers,consuming
4,800 to 140,870 cubic meters annually) monthly delivery commodity charge is to
beincreased by 0.5000 cents per cubic metre from 2.4039 cents per cubic metre
to 2.9039 cents per cubic metre.
- The delivery components of the proposed natural gas rates are shown in
Appendix A.
As a result of this change, non-system gas M4 and M5 customers will see an average
overall bill increase (including Ontario Cap & Trade if applicable) of approximately 13%
to a maximum of 20%. Kitchener has not increased M4 and M5 rates since 2013.
Ontario Cap and Trade:
The Ontario Cap and Trade program is a provincially legislated program and Kitchener
Utilities is mandated to comply. This is not a utility driven program. The Ontario Cap
and Trade charge includes all costs of procuring carbon allowances & credits onbehalf
of customers,projects to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from its operations, and administrative expenses.This charge is applicable to
all customers excluding large customers with emissions greater than 10,000 tonnes that
have opted to enroll into the program and manage their own compliance obligation. The
cost for carbon allowances and credits are expected to increase over time.
In 2017, staff selected a budget carbon allowance unit price of $18.09 per tonne of
carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (COe). With recent positive uptake of the
2
program, prices are expected to increase over time. Staff therefore recommendsan
increase to cover the ongoing cost of compliance.
- The Ontario Cap & Trade component of the variable delivery rate is to be
increased by 0.3072 cents per cubic metre from 3.5647 cents per cubic metre to
3.8719 cents per cubic metre.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
vision through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The net impact on the overall bill to the average system gas residential customer
consuming 2,100 cubic metres annually attributable to Kitchener Utilities natural gas
program is a decrease of 3% ($24)and the mandated Ontario Cap and Trade program
3 - 4
costs is an increase of 1% ($6). This represents an effective decrease of approximately
2%($18) onthe overall bill.
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 of
the new rates. An insert and on-bill message is planned to be distributed with utility bills
in November and information will be posted on the Kitchener Utilitiand City website.
INFORM
advance of the council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Cynthia Fletcher, Interim Executive Director,
Infrastructure Services
3 - 5
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 per year.
Rate
Daily Fixed Charge $ .7300
And
SUPPLY COMMODITY & VARIABLE DELIVERY ONTARIO
NET RATE
TRANSPORTATIONRATECAP & TRADE
3333
¢/m¢/m¢/m¢/m
13.50006.83713.871924.2090
Note: For Ontario Cap & TradeVariable Delivery Charge
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
November 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
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.
3 - 6
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 $2.3000
And
SUPPLY COMMODITY & VARIABLE DELIVERY ONTARIOCAP & NET RATE
TRANSPORTATIONRATETRADE
3333
¢/m¢/m¢/m¢/m
13.50006.43733.871923.8092
Ontario Cap & TradeVariable Delivery Charge
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
November 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
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.
3 - 7
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 (CD) as follows:
33
Between 4,800 m and 140,870 m.
Rate
1. Bills will be rendered monthly and shall be the total of:
i)AFixed Demand Charge:
33
First8,450 mof the daily contracted demand,45.9000¢/m
33
Next19,700 mof the daily contracted demand,19.8000¢/m
333
All mover28,150mof the daily contracted demand,16.8000¢/m
ii)A Variable Delivery Charge (incl. storage):
3
First 422,250 m3 delivered per month1.3000 ¢/m
3
Next volume equal to 15 days use of CD1.3000 ¢/m
3
Remainderof volumes delivered in the month1.3000 ¢/m
iii)An Ontario Cap & Trade Charge:
Commodity Rate3.8719¢/m
Note: For billing purposes, Ontario Cap & Tradecomponent is Monthly Delivery Charge
iv)A Monthly Gas Supply Charge:
3
Supply Commodity & Transportation13.5000¢/m
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 2.809041¢/m plus the
3
applicable Ontario Cap & Trade component for the delivery and, if applicable, total gas supply rate of 13.5¢/m.
3
Unauthorized overrun in any month shall be paid for at the rate of 6.4373¢/mplus the applicable Ontario Cap & Trade
3
component for the delivery and total gas supply charge for system-suppliedvolumes at the rate of 13.5¢/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
33
volume times a rate of 1.833¢/m, and if applicable, a total gas supply charge of 13.5¢/m.
In the event that the contract period exceeds one year, the annual minimum volume will be pro-rated for any part year.
Effective
November 1, 2017
Policy Relating to Terms of Service
Gas purchased under this rate shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer.
3 - 8
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
NATURAL GAS
INTERRUPTIBLE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACT RATE M5
Applicability
To a Customer who:
3
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
Delivery Charge (incl. storage):
Daily Contracted Demand Level (CD)
333
4,800 m<CD <17,000 m2.9039¢/m
333
17,000 m<CD <30,000 m2.7611¢/m
333
30,000 m<CD <50,000 m2.6859¢/m
333
50,000 m<CD <70,000 m2.6332¢/m
333
70,000 m<CD<100,000 m2.5955¢/m
333
100,000 m<CD <140,870 m2.5584¢/m
i)An Ontario Cap & Trade Charge:
3
All volumes3.8719¢/m
Note: For billing purposes, Ontario Cap & Trade component are Delivery Charge
ii)A Monthly Gas Supply Charge:
3
Supply Commodity & Transportation13.50000¢/m
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 2.809041¢/m plus the
3
applicable Ontario Cap & Trade component for the delivery and, if applicable, total gas supply rate of 13.5¢/m.
3
Unauthorized overrun in any month shall be paid for at the rate of 6.4373¢/mplus the applicable Ontario Cap &Trade
3
component for the delivery and total gas supply charge for system-suppliedvolumes at the rate of 13.5¢/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 multiplied by 1.833¢/mfor the delivery charge and if applicable,
3
a gas supply charge of 13.5¢/m).
Effective
November 1, 2017
Policy Relating to Terms of Reference
Gas purchased under this rate shall not be resold, directly or indirectly by the customer.
3 - 9