image description

Rates for Business

In many cases, the total cost of natural gas is more affordable than heating with other energy sources. Rates include four main parts. For a full breakdown of a Eastward Energy natural gas bill visit the “Understanding Your Bill” section of the website.

  • 1. Delivery Charges

    Fixed charge    

    A fixed charge each month that covers the cost of your service line, natural gas meter, customer account administration and 24 hour emergency service.

    •         Regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
    •         This fixed amount is charged regardless of the energy consumed.
    •         On a Eastward Energy bill this is called the Fixed Monthly Customer Charge (FMCC).

    Variable charge

    This fee is the cost to distribute natural gas through the Eastward Energy pipeline system to your property line.

    •         This charge is variable based on your consumption during a billing period.
    •         Regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
    •         On a Eastward Energy bill this is called the Base Energy Charge (BEC).

  • 2. Commodity Charge

    This is the cost of the natural gas you use each month.

    • The price for natural gas depends on weather and market conditions and is not regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
    • This charge is a pass through, meaning Eastward Energy does not add any additional mark-up.
    • On a Eastward Energy bill this is called the Gas Cost Recovery Rate (GCRR).

  • 3. Other Charges

    Cost of Carbon

    The provincial government’s mandatory cap-and-trade system to incent a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. There is a cost of carbon applied to fuels such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas, heating fuel, propane and electricity.

    The Transportation Cost Recovery Rate (TCRR)

    The cost to transport natural gas to the Eastward Energy distribution system. This includes fees associated with long-term natural gas transportation contracts including tolls on the major transmission routes across Canada and the United States, where the natural gas is sourced. This charge is regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Commercial Rate Class

There are different rate classes for commercial customers depending on the amount of gigajoules consumed in a year. Click below to view more details.

 

Rate Class 1 – Smaller businesses, retail shops, some restaurants and offices
Rate Class 1a – Schools or larger business, offices, and apartments.
Rate Class 2 – Large buildings including apartments, hotels, community centers and some manufacturing facilities.

Any customers consuming over 50,000 GJ/year will be classified as Rate Class 3 or 4.

  • Rate Class 1 Less than 500 GJ/year

    If your business were on natural gas today, your price for natural gas would be equal to paying:

    $0.899/L

    If you are paying more, you could be saving each month with natural gas.

    Example Rate Breakdown

    Commercial rates for Rate Class 1 as of October 1, 2023. The following data is calculated based on an average monthly consumption1 of 7GJs.

    Charge Type Monthly Rate Example Charge 1 (for 7GJ)
    Fixed Delivery Charge $21.87 $21.87
    Variable Charge per GJ $8.685 $60.80
    Commodity Charge per GJ $10.10 $70.70
    Other Fees $4.177 $29.23
    Total Month Charge2 - $182.60
    Total Annual Charge - $2191.20
    1. This is an average example of a rate breakdown and your consumption may vary from the average use depending on equipment, size of space etc.
    2. Does not include any special fees or applicable taxes.

    Prices and Rates are displayed differently on a bill. Learn more about how to read your bill here.

  • Rate Class 1a 500-4,999 GJ/year

    If your business were on natural gas today, your price for natural gas would be equal to paying:

    $0.798/L

    If you are paying more, you could be saving each month with natural gas.

    Example Rate Breakdown

    Commercial rates for Rate Class 1a as of October 1, 2023. The following data is calculated based on an average monthly consumption1 of 100GJs.

    Charge Type Monthly Rate Example Charge1 (for 100GJ)
    Fixed Delivery Charge $21.87 $21.87
    Variable Charge per GJ $8.685 $868.50
    Commodity Charge per GJ $7.45 $745
    Other Fees $4.177 $417.70
    Total Month Charge2 - $2053.07
    1. This is an average example of a rate breakdown and your consumption may vary from the average use depending on equipment, size of space etc.
    2. Does not include any special fees or applicable taxes.

    Prices and Rates are displayed differently on a bill. Learn more about how to read your bill here.

  • Rate Class 2 5,000-50,000 GJ/year

    If your business were on natural gas today, your price for natural gas would be equal to paying:

    $0.551/L

    If you are paying more, you could be saving each month with natural gas.

    Natural gas consumption can vary greatly with Rate Class 2 customers. Our Account Management Team is pleased to discuss the energy needs for your property and will provide a rate breakdown and cost savings estimates for your business.

Full Rate Details

View this month’s complete rate chart.

View Rates

Historic Rates

Gain insight into the cost of gas over the past few years.

Rate Tables

Ready to take the next step? Connect to natural gas.

Get In Touch Today