Atlanta Gas Light Company has decided that $1.1 million collected from customers for low-income energy assistance will be issued to United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta's 211 program. United Way 211 will administer the funds and refer eligible Georgia residents to participating community organizations for emergency utility assistance. Beginning December 18 metro Atlanta residents can call the United Way at 211 for assistance. Residents throughout Georgia will be eligible beginning December 30, outside of metro Atlanta please call toll-free 1-877-421-1243.

"What's always been paramount to us is that the money that's been entrusted to us by the customer is distributed efficiently to the people who need it most," said Paula G. Rosput, president and chief executive officer, AGL Resources. "We have carefully evaluated all the agencies who can best serve this need and believe United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and its 211 program is the right fit."

"Providing utility assistance for our community's most vulnerable residents is essential. No single individual or organization can do this alone," said Mark O'Connell, president of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. "Atlanta Gas Light Company and its customers recognize this and are investing significant resources to address this need. We appreciate their recognition of United Way 211's capacity to administer and distribute these resources."

To qualify for assistance, you must be a resident of Georgia and have an income of $38,362 or less for a family of four. For additional information on how to qualify for the program, call the United Way at 211.

Atlanta Gas Light Company is the largest natural gas distributor in the Southeast and provides delivery service to more than 1.8 million customers in Georgia, Chattanooga, Tennessee and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. It also is the primary subsidiary of AGL Resources, a regional energy holding company with operations throughout the Southeast. Although natural gas distribution is AGL Resources' core business, it also is engaged in other energy-related businesses, including retail energy marketing, retail and wholesale propane sales and customer care services for energy marketers. The company's home page address on the Internet is http://www.atlantagaslight.com/

SOURCE: Atlanta Gas Light Company