A green group is taking legal action against the natural gas company FortisBC in British Columbia, claiming that it is presenting its product as more environmentally friendly than it actually is through its advertising.
The lawsuit by the Stand Environmental Society alleges that FortisBC's advertisements overstate the amount of renewable natural gas in its system, when the majority of it comes from fossil fuels.
Court documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court state that FortisBC inaccurately represents that its business and products adhere to the climate targets set by the province.
The legal action asserts that the company is misleadingly suggesting that its products are more affordable than using electric heat pumps and that its renewable natural gas is certified as carbon neutral. However, even highly efficient gas furnaces produce higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to heat pumps.
The lawsuit claims that FortisBC has engaged in deceptive practices, breached consumer protection laws, and requests a court order for the company to release corrective advertisements and to be banned from making these misrepresentations in future ads.
Fortis has not been immediately available for comment on the lawsuit, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
