On October 7, Centra Gas Manitoba Inc., a subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro, filed a General Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba (PUB) in response to their Order directing Centra to file an application by that date.
The application seeks approval, on an interim basis, of an average natural gas general revenue increase of 4.5 per cent effective November 1, 2024, to be finalized at the conclusion of the application review process.
For a typical residential household, the proposed November 1, 2024, rates would result in an average increase of approximately 3.9 per cent, or $2 per month. This is the first General Rate Application filed by Centra since 2018.
In the application, Centra states the increase is needed to ensure revenues can cover the costs of running the natural gas system and performing the maintenance needed to continue providing reliable, safe, and effective service to customers. The application is also asking for PUB approval to adjust rates that include costs to transport natural gas to Manitoba and to store gas in the summer months for use in the winter.
The General Rate Application does not include gas commodity rates which are adjusted quarterly by the PUB in a separate process.
