Winter weather is just around the corner, and Elizabethtown Gas wants New Jersey residents to know there is help available for those who may have trouble paying their heating bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program designed to assist those in need. Sign up starts on November 1.

"We want to spread the word and let low- and fixed-income residents know they can get help with their energy payments by completing a LIHEAP application," said Don Carter, vice president of Elizabethtown Gas. "If residents are not enrolled, they are not eligible for help. It is unfortunate to think that help is available and yet there may be people who will not be able to take advantage of this program by not enrolling."

To apply, residents can attend the November informational meetings listed below hosted by Elizabethtown Gas. Residents who cannot attend the meetings but would like more information should contact their county LIHEAP office by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-510-3102.

  Meeting dates and times

  Monday, November 5           Elizabeth Office              9AM-1PM
                               12 West Jersey Street
                               Elizabeth, NJ

  Thursday, November 8         Jersey Garden Mall            10AM-3PM
                               651 Kapkowski Rd
                               Elizabeth, NJ

  Monday, November 12          Perth Amboy Office            9AM-1PM
                               296 State Street
                               Perth Amboy, NJ

  State and local programs

Those who call 2-1-1 also may request a referral to one of the many other energy assistance programs that are available. Some of these programs are described below.

  -- Universal Service Fund (USF) is a low-income energy assistance program
     funded by the state of New Jersey Societal Benefits fund. It provides
     monthly credits on heating bills if the New Jersey Department of Social
     Services determines that the bill exceeds a certain percentage of
     household income for qualified applicants. Call 866-240-1347.
  -- USF Fresh Start is a state program offering automatic enrollment for
     first-time USF customers whose past-due amount is greater than $60.
     Participants who pay 100% of their current gas bills for 12 months,
     over a 15 month period of time, will have their past-due balances
     erased. There is no need to apply if already enrolled in USF.  Those
     USF enrollee's eligible for the Fresh Start program will automatically
     receive a letter.
  -- The Lifeline Credit Program provides an annual grant of $112.50 per
     person for natural gas and electric bills, and is administered by the
     New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. This program is
     available to senior citizens 65 and older who meet income requirements
     and adults 18 and older who receive Social Security disability.  Call
     800-792-9745.
  -- New Jersey SHARES is a non-profit corporation organized to provide
     assistance to individuals and families living in New Jersey who are in
     need of temporary help in paying their energy bills. It provides a one-
     time grant, which is administered by local social service agencies.
     Call 866-792-4273.

  Weatherization

In addition to seeking assistance with heating bills this winter, there are other steps all customers can take to prepare their homes and energy budgets for the winter heating season. New Jersey Comfort Partners, a state run program, provides free home energy analysis and education as well as weatherization measures for those who qualify. Call 888-773-8326 for more information.

Elizabethtown Gas offers the following advice for maximum cost savings, safety and comfort:

  -- Add weather stripping and caulking to doors and windows to seal gaps.
     As much as 30 to 40 percent of a home's energy loss is attributed to
     outside air penetrating the house.
  -- Check for appropriate insulation around the pipes, walls, attic and
     floor. Choose the right R-value, which is a measure of insulating
     power. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power, which provides
     greater household energy savings and cost savings.
  -- Turn down the water heater's thermostat setting to about 120 degrees
     and switch to "vacation" setting when you'll be away for a few days.
  -- Use warm or cold water setting when washing clothes and rinse with cold
     water.
  -- Separate heavier clothes (towels, heavy cottons) from the lightweight
     fabrics (synthetics) for more efficient drying.
  -- Install a low flow showerhead. Showers use less hot water than baths.
  -- Close off unoccupied rooms and close heating vents.
  -- Use exterior doors farthest from the thermostat.
  -- Use the sunlight to warm rooms. Close drapes and blinds at night to
     retain heat.
  -- Fully load dishwashers, washing machines and dryers before running.
  -- Install storm or thermal windows and doors.
  -- Install a water heater insulation wrap around the sides of the water
     heater. Never put insulation on the top of the heater or near the
     bottom.

For more information: Elizabethtown Gas: www.elizabethtowngas.com American Gas Association: www.aga.org National Association of Home Builders: www.nahb.org U.S. Department of Energy: www.eere.energy.gov.

About Elizabethtown Gas

Elizabethtown Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources, provides delivery service to more than 266,000 residential, business and industrial natural gas customers in New Jersey. In operation since 1855, the company serves parts of Union, Middlesex, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Morris and Mercer counties. For more information, visit www.elizabethtowngas.com.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources , an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves more than 2.2 million customers in six states. As a 70 percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout the nation. The company also owns and operates Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.

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SOURCE: Elizabethtown Gas