Some help on Medicine Hats Gas Pricing Conspiracies

Ive reached the opinion in the last couple of days that anyone who wants to say things about their perception of gas pricing in Medicine Hat should show a little responsibility and do some research before venting either verbally or through social media. Instead of referencing non-scientific sources like gossip, hearsay, and speculation, lets try some readily available public information; hard data, if you will. First, if you think that the price is somehow set arbitrarily or that City Council somehow decides current pricing, just have a look at our own bylaws. Its available at http://www.medicinehat.ca/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=769. The section you want is Schedule A, Section 2 Rates and Charges, which describes how our gas price is set as an average of several other Alberta gas providers. It is done automatically, without human intervention by anyone at our city. Second, if you think that high gas prices are a local phenomenon, a simple Google search for Natural Gas Prices will deliver a good current view of how things look on the local, North American, and global scale. Check out http://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/weekly/ for a US-wide view of the gas market, and the AECO and ARP data on the Alberta Energy site at http://www.energy.alberta.ca/NaturalGas/725.asp One of the wackiest theories that has popped up lately is that the City is somehow diluting the gas feed, so that the gas burns less efficiently even though you pay full price. Wow. To understand exactly how unlikely that is, you should read up our own Gas bylaw (see above) on the regulations in the Alberta Gas Utilities Act at http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/G05.pdf, and the portions of the Canada Weights and Measures Act (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/W-6/) which pertain to equipment in the delivery and sale of natural gas. Basically, if this is even possible, youd have to break a bunch of local, provincial, and federal laws. Oh yeah. If you think the City doesnt provide enough warning time regarding gas pricing, and that they should have seen this coming, maybe learn how and when gas prices are set. The City announces their price the day after the AECO spot price is set (see http://www.energy.alberta.ca/NaturalGas/725.asp again, as well as http://www.ngx.com/?page_id=243, and http://www.energy.alberta.ca/NaturalGas/1316.asp), which is the main reference for our market average system. You cant get much faster. Lastly, if you want to talk about how the Medicine Hat Advantage has disappeared with regards to utility pricing and cost of living here, there are some easy ways to check that. If you like the gossip and hearsay route, maybe simply ask someone who doesnt live hear how your utility bill and property taxes compare to theirs. If you prefer scientific data, one decent reference is the Vital Signs Report for SouthEast Alberta. The 2013 report has an average utility statement for Medicine Hat, but doesnt compare it directly to other similar communities. The 2012 edition does, thankfully, and clearly shows Medicine Hats combined utilities being well below Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Red Deer

throughout 2011 and 2012. Check out that report at http://cfsea.ca/new/wpcontent/uploads/2012/04/VITAL-SIGNS-2012-final.pdf. In addition, Calgary and Edmonton both routinely conduct studies on property taxes and utility rates for households. You may have to dig a little, but they do reference Medicine Hat. In almost every instance, Medicine Hat is the lowest cost of living in Alberta, and often one of the lowest in Canada. The Calgary study from 2011 can be viewed at http://www.calgary.ca/CA/fs/Documents/Corporate-Economics/Residential-Property-Taxes-and-UtilityCharges-Survey/Residential-Property-Taxes-and-Utility-Charges-Survey-2011.pdf?noredirect=1 and the Edmonton study from 2010 at http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/PropertyTax_Final_2010_Final_Report.pdf The bottom line is this; I know its frustrating to get surprised by a charge you didnt expect, but it doesnt help anything to point fingers and place blame without doing a little to understand WHY the situation is what it is. The reality is that we have it pretty good in Medicine Hat, as far as this particular issue is concerned. The problem with negative speech when its inaccurate is that it breeds more negativity. Often, a little bit of research and self-education will shed a pile of light on to the issue at hand, and help everyone understand. If you are seriously upset about natural gas prices, the most obvious course of action is to take measures to use less gas. Consider making your home more energy efficient. There are plenty of resources out there on that front, and in many cases rebates or subsidies available through government programs. Just dont place blame where its not due. Thats not fair to yourself or the person you are blaming.