Significant increase in energy assistance funds available this yearElizabethtown Gas advises residents to apply early for heating assistance

October 30, 2008

Union, N.J. – Oct. 30, 2008 – President Bush and Congress released $5.1 billion in funds nationally to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) this year, an increase of 36 percent over last year. These additional funds, more than $185 million, can reduce energy costs for qualified residents who need assistance. Elizabethtown Gas urges its customers to sign up to participate and make sure they will stay warm this winter.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federal program designed to assist those in need. The application process begins on November 3rd and runs through the end of March, unless there is an extension.
 
"Low- and fixed-income residents need to apply early,” said Don Carter, Elizabethtown Gas vice president. "Getting the proper paperwork completed quickly can expedite the process of getting the funds before the temperatures begin to plummet.”

To apply, residents can attend one of the informational meetings hosted by Elizabethtown Gas. 

Meeting dates and times:

Monday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 9:00am - 1:00pm
Elizabeth Office
12 West Jersey Street
Elizabeth, NJ

Friday Nov. 14 and Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 9:00am - 1:00pm
Perth Amboy Office
296 State Street
Perth Amboy, NJ

Residents who cannot attend the meetings but would like more information should contact their county LIHEAP office by calling 2-1-1 or (800) 510-3102.

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

State and local programs

• 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 gas and electric 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 $225.00 per person divided between their 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 program designed for those households that have a higher income than guidelines allow in order to qualify for energy assistance programs. It provides a one-time grant, which is administered by local social service agencies. Call 866-792-4273. 

Elizabethtown Gas, through its parent company AGL Resources and the AGL Resources Private Foundation, donated $115,000 to energy assistance programs in New Jersey this past year. The funds are used to assist residents in paying their monthly heating bills.

About Elizabethtown Gas
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. 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 (NYSE: ATG), an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves more than 2.3 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout North America. 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 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. 

 
Contact:           AGL Resources           
                        Tami Gerke
                        Office: 404-584-3873
                        Cell: 404-558-2307
                        tgerke@aglresources.com