In the world of utility rates, some do better than others. This is certainly true when it comes to power and it isn’t just a matter of the actually utility rates either. It many cases, other fees are used to pad the bill and gain revenue, likely in an attempt to hide rate increases. Lets examine SaskPower, for example. In the following billing you can clearly see a charge for just under thirty dollars as a base price regardless of usage. So even if you don’t use any power a bill of close to $40 after taxes will be issued anyway.
The consumption rate is also high at 14.895 cents a kWh combining for a pretty hefty utility bill.
Other provinces have base and consumption rates which are much more reasonable. In Manitoba the base rate can clearly be seen to be only $9.84. That is only 32.8% of what Saskatchewan is charging for the same thing. Not only that, but the actual kWh rate is only 9.97 cents to boot. That is 67% of what SaskPower wants.
Granted Manitoba is mostly hydro based production as opposed to coal or gas but it isn’t just power rates. This extends to natural gas too. The process of raping Saskatchewan residents continues there. Again we see a basic charge of $26.50 just for the pleasure of receiving a bill coupled with a cubic metre rate of 11.13 cents for delivery and 12.64 cents for the gas – sort of like doubling rates over and above the ridiculously high base rate. Its shocking.
While SaskEnergy is busy taking more from residents we see in Manitoba, the same utility that delivered the power also delivers the gas, but the base rate is $14.75 instead. Actual gas and delivery charges are different with Manitoba at only 8.39 cents a cubic metre for gas but 15.38 cents for delivery compared to 11.13 cents for delivery and 12.64 for fuel but it comes in as pretty much the same 11.89 cents overall. Double the base rate, though.
These base rates cannot be attributed to population either. Manitoba has 1.5 million to 1.27 in Saskatchewan which is maybe a 15% difference. Not enough to account for 66% and 50% more in basic service rates.
So yes, its a bit shocking to see such a dramatic difference.