United Way Partners with Elizabethtown Gas to Offer Customer Heating Assistance

March 5, 2007

Elizabeth, N.J. March 5, 2007 – Freezing weather and high energy prices will be on everyone’s minds this winter. That’s why United Way and Elizabethtown Gas have formed a critical partnership to provide heating assistance for Elizabethtown Gas customers that are in danger of having their utilities turned off.

Elizabethtown Gas customers are urged to call United Way’s 2-1-1 helping to find out if they qualify for heating assistance. Calls to 2-1-1 are free from any landline or cell phone in New Jersey.

“Working families that live below or slightly above the poverty line face a daily struggle with life’s everyday needs, such as paying for utilities, food and rent,” said James W. Horne, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Union County. “In many instances they must decide between buying food for their children and paying utility bills.”

Elizabethtown Gas customers in Union County, Hunterdon County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Morris County, Sussex County and Warren County may be eligible for assistance. United Way’s certified agency partners Proceed Inc., Urban League, and Elizabethport Presbyterian Center will also assist in the implementation of the assistance program.

“Our primary goal is to ensure that heating assistance is made available to each Elizabethtown Gas customer that qualifies for help,” said Don Carter, vice president of Elizabethtown Gas. “Support will be focused on Elizabethtown Gas customers who do not qualify for LIHEAP or NJ Shares assistance, but are still in danger of having their utilities turned off or whose natural gas service is already off. Hurricane Katrina evacuees that have relocated to New Jersey will also be eligible for assistance.”

Elizabethtown Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources, provides natural gas delivery service to more than 266,000 residential, business and industrial natural gas customers in New Jersey. To ensure that the company is able to reach as many customers as possible, Elizabethtown Gas is collaborating with a number of agencies that administer energy assistance programs. The company has contributed $20,000 each to PROCEED, PRAB, NORWESCAP, and New Jersey Shares.

United Way’s role in this energy assistance partnership is just one program the non-profit organization has developed to improve local lives. United Ways across the country focus on what matters most in our communities by developing and investing in programs that address the root causes of community needs – why problems exist. As such, United Way programs are not just “stop gap” measures, but ultimately preventative ones that affect powerful and lasting change.

United Way works by creating community collaborations by building partnerships, assessing needs and service gaps, forging consensus and leveraging resources to make a measurable difference. Community partners often include schools, government policy makers, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, voluntary and neighborhood associations, community development corporations and the faith community.

The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.

AGL Resources Contact: Patrice Harris Media Relations Specialist p. 757-616-7533 e. pharris@aglresources.com

United Way of Greater Union County Contact: Jackie Park Albaum Communications Director p. 908-353-7171 x112 e. jackie.park@uwguc.org