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Deadline for Energy Assistance Program Looms
PRNewswire
HAMPTON ROADS, Va.
Virginia Natural Gas will host educational town hall meetings to remind those who have trouble paying their natural gas bills that they still have time to sign up for home heating assistance prior to the Nov. 10 deadline. Virginia Natural Gas has partnered with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development on the Energy Assistance Program, which helps reduce home energy bills through weatherization measures and fuel assistance. "Now is the time to act before the Nov. 10 deadline passes and the cold of winter sets in," said Hank Linginfelter, president of Virginia Natural Gas. "By being proactive and taking advantage of these energy assistance programs, low- and fixed-income consumers can get help with their energy payments. "We are coordinating with civic organizations, faith-based organizations and community leaders to hold informational meetings to spread the word about the program and help people sign up," he said. "We encourage our customers to attend these meetings to learn how to get the assistance they need." Virginia Natural Gas representatives will hold informational meetings and help customers sign up. If your group or organization is interested in arranging one of these meetings, please contact Cathie France at Virginia Natural Gas at 757-616-7507. The Energy Assistance program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through grants to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as funds from the Virginia Department of Social Services' Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The services are for low-income families, particularly for households that have elderly persons, individuals with disabilities and families with children. The program provides fuel assistance to eligible households that need help with the cost of home heating. To be eligible for Fuel Assistance, there are certain income guidelines and living arrangements that must be met. Applications are now being accepted until Nov. 10. This is the only sign-up period, so consumers are encouraged to act now by contacting their local social services agency for eligibility guidelines and applications. In addition, the weatherization assistance component of the program provides direct installation of energy-saving measures such as: sealing air- leaks with insulation, caulking, and weather-stripping; repairing leaky duct systems; repairing and/or replacing inefficient or unsafe heating systems; and installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. A professional crew will visit a home and determine what measures should be implemented. Consumers that need help with their energy payments and have exhausted all alternatives available through social services also may be eligible for help from Virginia Natural Gas' EnergyShare program. Virginia Natural Gas coordinates with the Salvation Army to operate EnergyShare, an energy assistance program that invites the public to help by making donations through their natural gas and electric bill payments. The company matches those funds up to $30,000 per year in addition to making other contributions and to funding the Salvation Army's administration of EnergyShare. Although the enrollment period for families to get help from EnergyShare does not begin until January, Linginfelter said Virginia Natural Gas customers are welcome to make donations now. To make a contribution, customers should just add $1, $2, $5, $10, $15 or $20 to their monthly bill payments. Editor's Note: Attached is a list of important contact information that may be used in conjunction with this release. About AGL Resources AGL Resources Ranked by Forbes as one of the 10 Best Managed Utilities and No. 250 in the Forbes Platinum 400 as well as No. 647 on the Fortune 1000 and No. 40 in the Fortune gas and electric utilities sector in 2006, AGL Resources reported revenue of $2.7 billion and net income of $193 million in 2005. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout the East and Midwest. As a 70 percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. AGL Networks, the company's telecommunications subsidiary, owns and operates fiber optic networks in Atlanta and Phoenix. The company also owns and operates Pivotal Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com. About Virginia Natural Gas Virginia Natural Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources Contact Information for Energy Assistance For more information on the Energy Assistance Program and to learn if you qualify, call the number in your area: - Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach - 757-858-1397
- James City County, Newport News, York - 757-229-9389
- Charles City, Hanover, New Kent - 804-233-2827
- Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews,
Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland - 804-758-2386.
- Or on the web at: www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.html
- Or: www.dhcd.virginia.gov/HOUSING/HEE/Weatherization.htm
For more information on the EnergyShare Program, please call The Salvation Army nearest you to make an appointment. Please note that walk-ins are not accepted. South Hampton Roads - 757-543-8100
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - noon and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Suffolk - 757-539-5201
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - noon and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
On the Peninsula - 757-838-4875
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - noon and 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service
Virginia Natural Gas customers who are having trouble paying their bills are encouraged to reach out to the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). Call 1-800-251-CCCS or visit www.cccsinc.org or www.cccsenespanol.org. First Call Analyst: SOURCE: AGL Resources Inc. CONTACT: Sarah Huddle, +1-804-788-4485, or cell, +1-804-248-0489, or |