Some relief on heating bills could be coming to Saskatchewan residents this winter. SaskEnergy has applied Rate Review Panel for an overall rate decrease.

Based on prices for natural gas, SaskEnergy is looking to reduce the commodity rate for natural gas to $4.30 per gigajoule, down from $4.84 per gigajoule. The 54 cent decrease would make the price the second lowest since 2000, and according to the Crown corporation, would better reflect forward market pricing heading into 2016.

The delivery rate charged by SaskEnergy will be increasing, though. It will be going up by $1.75 per month for customers. That increase is to address additional cost pressures connected to enhanced safety and integrity programs, as well as to ensure reliable service for customers.

Despite the increase in the delivery rates being requested, Dave Burdeniuk, the director of media relations with SaskEnergy, said it will still benefit customers in the long run. "Overall, when combined, your bill will be going down, on average about 5.4 per cent, or about $53 annually for the average homeowner," he explained.

The rate decrease request, if approved by the Rate Review Panel, and the provincial government, will take effect on November 1st of this year.