SaskEnergy rates going down, for now

Come November, homeowners who pay monthly bills to SaskEnergy will see a decrease in their monthlyenergy costs, averaging out to approximately $4 less per month, pending approval by the provincial cabinet.

The Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel made the recommendation Friday, after consulting with the Crown corporation. The cut is equivalent to a 6.7 per cent decrease.

The rate review panel advises the provincial government on rate applications put forward by SaskPower, the SGI Auto Fund and SaskEnergy. The panelreviews each rate application and provides independent public reports on those applications, weighing what it refers to as "the fairness and reasonableness of the rate change," according to its website.

SaskEnergy's original request was for a 14 per cent decrease in the commodity rate for natural gas, and for a4.5 per cent increase to the daily service rate.

According to the report filed by the review panel, this is the first time that the panel "received a request for a combined commodity rate and delivery service rate adjustment in the same application."

The panel also noted its concerns over possible future rate increases outlined in the report. Specifically, the fact thatSaskEnergy forecastedit would need to increase delivery service rates by approximately 8 per centin2016 and by 4 per cent every year, from 2017 to 2020.

If approved by cabinet, the proposed rate decrease would take effect on Nov. 1.