Most Albertans may soon get a 45 percent break in natural gas prices.
Atco Gas has proposed dropping natural gas rates on July 1, a reflection of falling wholesale prices.
Atco has applied to the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board to set new rates.
The new rate in the northern half of Alberta for residential and commercial clients will drop to $4.95 per gigajoule from $8.77.
From Red Deer south the rate will drop to $5.41 per gigajoule from $9.81.
Atco has applied for the new rates to be effected from July 1 to Jan. 31, 2002.
Atco has about 810,000 customers.
Many customers were hit hard last winter by the spike in prices, which peaked at $16.90 per gigajoule.
