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FortisBC warns natural gas supply could be cut by 50 per cent this winter

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(via Unsplash)

Earlier this month, FortisBC asked customers to reduce their use of natural gas in the wake of a rupture and fire along the Enbridge pipeline near Prince George.

The supplier asked all natural gas customers in the province to turn down their thermostats as well as reduce use of all other natural gas appliances in order to conserve energy.

Now, Fortis is announcing that the natural gas system will be challenged in times of high demand throughout the winter. In fact, they expect that the regional gas supply will be limited to 50 to 80 per cent of normal levels.

“We are actively working to make more gas available for our customers. For example, we’ve worked with TransCanada to maximize output of the Southern Crossing pipeline that feeds into the Interior from Alberta and are actively working with industrial customers to optimize their energy use – keeping them running while minimizing system impacts. We are also working on securing additional natural gas in the open marketplace to best support the province’s gas supply,” FortisBC said in a release.

“We appreciate the efforts that have been made by our customers to conserve natural gas and encourage them to continue to limit their natural gas use wherever possible to ensure all British Columbians are able to access natural gas for essential uses."

 

On Friday, October 19, Enbridge released a statement stating that they expected their ruptured 36-inch natural gas transmission line to be repaired as well as in service by mid-November.

Now, the company adds that both the 36 and 30-inch transmission lines will only be running at 80 per cent capacity. What’s more, they are not expected to return to maximum operating pressure throughout the winter.

— Elana Shepert, Vancouver is Awesome