Get ready for higher natural gas bills.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved rate increases for Union Gas that will add an extra $40 a year to the bills of the average customer in northeastern Ontario.

It starts April 1st.

The hike is $50 more a year in the northwest and up about $20 annually in southern Ontario.

The OEB says the large increases are mostly due to previous credits expiring.

Filed under: natural-gas, north-bay