The Crown-owned power company says bills are set to climb and warning residents about a phone scam. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Consumer Affairs

Saskatchewan residents to see power bills rise; SaskPower warns about phone scam

Dec 13, 2019 | 1:07 PM

Saskatchewan residents will be paying more for power in the new year.

The carbon tax is set to increase Jan. 1 from $20 a tonne to $30. SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry explained what the increase will mean for the average customer.

“It would be equal to about a 1.5 per cent bill increase for all customers, it depends on their consumption overall,” he said.

Cherry said this means the average residential customer will be paying $22 extra per year while the average farm will be looking at an extra $60 per year. Currently the tax is set to rise annually every year until 2022, when it will top out at $50 per tonne. The average is based on the amount of power being generated by fossil fuels.

“We calculate the rate based on the percentage of our power that’s coming from those sources,” Cherry said.

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Moving forward Cherry said the threshold for when the carbon tax kicks will also be dropping, as the tax kicks in after a certain amount has been emitted. The threshold for both coal and natural gas are set to lower in the future.

Cherry added people looking to reduce their bill should look into getting items like a block heater timer, using LED light bulbs along with using smaller appliances.

“More efficient energy use in all parts of your home you can do,” he said.

SaskPower also took time Friday to warn people about a phone scam. The company said some people have received calls trying to get them to buy smart meters for $900. Cherry said this is not how the corporation does business.

“We’re not asking anyone to pay for smart meters, they are not available to residential customers right now at all,” he said.

Currently SaskPower is planning to install 20,000 smart meters at businesses around the province. Cherry said anyone set to get a smart meter will get a message on their bill, followed by a letter before getting a phone call.

“If you get this call, we really encourage you to let us know,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn