Terasen Gas changing name to FortisBC

VANCOUVER – Terasen Gas is shifting its brand name to FortisBC effective March 1, the company announced on Wednesday.

Terasen was aquired by Newfoundland-based Fortis Inc. in 2007 but continued to operate under its own logo, although FortisBC already has a presence in southeastern British Columbia.

The companies will share a common brand name and a new logo.

“The Fortis companies in B.C. are known today by several names such as Terasen Gas, Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island), Terasen Gas (Whistler) and FortisBC, all of which are separate legal entities and will remain as such. However, going forward our customers will know all these companies under the shared name FortisBC,” John Walker, president and CEO, Terasen Gas and FortisBC, said in a news release.

“This change identifies the gas business more fully with other Fortis Inc. operations and reflects its position as part of the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. The companies that will comprise FortisBC account for more than 50 per cent of the total assets of Fortis Inc., a Canadian owned company headquartered in St. John’s, Newfoundland,” the release said.

“Terasen Gas has been a part of the Fortis family since 2007,” Walker said.

“Aligning our strengths and resources leverages our expertise in gas, electricity and integrated energy solutions, and provides customers one name through which to know all of our energy offerings. There is much work to be done, and we are uniquely positioned to help British Columbia meets its energy goals in the coming decades.”

The release said the most noticeable immediate change will be that, starting March 1, natural gas customers will notice a new name on their monthly utility bill: FortisBC instead of Terasen Gas. Customers will continue to receive separate natural gas and electricity bill statements.

“With the roll-out of the shared FortisBC name and a new logo, other changes will also be visible including new signs on facilities and office buildings, the new logo on natural gas and electricity service vehicles, new work wear for employees, and a new website (www.fortisbc.com).”

Fortis employs more than 2,00o people in B.C. FortisBC and Terasen Gas have invested more than $1 billion in B.C. since 2007, and their combined B.C. operations have assets of $6.4 billion.