Photo: Carmen Weld

Sponsor Energy CEO Carolyn Martin, CTO Sander Steer and Kelowna SPCA Branch Manager Suzanne Pugh

A new natural gas program has launched in B.C., that promises 50 per cent of its profit for charity.

The announcement was made today the Kelowna BC SPCA shelter, one of the charitable recipients.

B.C. residents who pay natural gas bills now have the option with Sponsor Energy, to select a five-year fixed rate on natural gas and choose one of four charities - including the BC SPCA, the BC Cancer Foundation, the CNIB, and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre - who will benefit from a portion of Sponsor Energy’s profit.

“We are bringing something new and something exciting to B.C. It is an energy program that allows you to use your power for good,” says Sander Steer, CTO of Sponsor Energy.

For every gigajoule of natural gas consumed, 50 per cent of the company's margin will be donated to the one of the four charities, the customer gets to choose who. 

“B.C. Natural gas customers now have a choice on who they buy their natural gas from and we hope they will choose Sponsor Energy,” adds Steer. “Now you have a choice of using your natural gas for good.”

Kelowna SPCA Branch Manager Suzanne Pugh was pleased with the news and the financial assistance it could provide their organization.

“It is a great opportunity for the animals here in B.C.,” says Pugh. “Every animal that stays at the Kelowna shelter has an average cost of care of $660 per stay. So for every gigajoule consumed, you'll be able to donate directly back to the cause here, for the animals.”

The company says the model has already worked successfully in Alberta and they project hundreds of thousands of dollars ending up in the hands of the four B.C. charities.

“It’s a simple concept; families or businesses switch to Sponsor Energy and their choice of one of the four charities we've partnered with receives 50% of our margin from the gas bill each month at no additional premium to the customer over the stable fixed rate,” adds Steer.

“This is all happening with a competitively priced stable fixed rate product while creating a sustainable, predictable source of revenue for non-profits that helps the local community thrive.”

For more information on Sponsor Energy, check out their website here.