For most British Columbians, energy affordability isn’t that hard to define―it’s being able to pay your energy bill without having to compromise on other necessities. But delivering that outcome reliably, safely and over the long term is anything but simple.
At a time when many families and businesses are feeling stretched, we know even modest bill increases can have real consequences at the kitchen table and on the bottom line.
At FortisBC, affordability is not a standalone initiative or a short-term fix. It is a principle embedded in how we operate, plan and make decisions every day. Our responsibility is to deliver safe, reliable energy services while helping customers manage costs, even as market volatility, regulatory decisions and government policies continue to shape the energy landscape.
We build affordability into our operations, capital planning and customer support, with a focus on operating efficiently and investing prudently. We carefully manage both day-to-day operations and long-term infrastructure spending to reduce impacts on rates for customers. At the same time, we’re focusing on safety, reliability and sustainability, which are not competing goals but rather critical elements of our business that must be advanced together―none can be sustained without the others.
Putting these priorities into practice means making co-ordinated decisions across all areas of our business, including how we invest in the energy system.
The benefits of this approach are tangible. Through our Gas Advanced Metering Infrastructure project, we are upgrading more than one million gas meters across B.C. This modernization helps reduce our operating costs and will give customers access to daily energy use data, empowering them to make more cost-effective energy choices.
Behind the scenes, we also manage energy supply strategically to reduce price volatility. When market conditions allow, we purchase natural gas in the summer when prices are lower and store it for winter use. We sell surplus energy back into the market to offset costs and offer deferral accounts to provide stable rates over time. On the electricity side, we displace higher-cost long-term purchase agreements with lower-cost market options when possible, always with an eye on maintaining system reliability.
Affordability also means helping customers use less energy. We continue to increase investment in conservation and energy-efficiency programs that help customers lower energy use and reduce emissions.
Even with these efforts, we know that customers’ circumstances vary. That’s why we offer multiple ways to connect with us and flexibility in billing, with options such as our Equal Payment Plan, payment flexibility and a variety of payment options. Rates are reviewed by the British Columbia Utilities Commission to ensure fairness and cost recovery, while our customer service teams work one-on-one with customers to find solutions that fit individual needs.
There is no silver bullet for affordability but the choices we make today shape tomorrow’s realities. By staying disciplined and focused, we’re making choices that help keep energy within reach for the people and communities who depend on it every day.
Michelle Carman is FortisBC’s vice president of customer service and external communications.