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Programs Available to Help Elizabethtown Gas Customers Manage Winter Heating Bills

UNION, NJ. – March 24, 2014 – As the region experienced some of the coldest sustained temperatures in more than a decade, causing residents to use more energy to heat their homes, Elizabethtown Gas is taking the opportunity to make customers aware of a new energy assistance program, as well as bill payment options to help customers better manage their winter heating costs. 
  
Qualified customers, whose household income falls outside the limits for other energy assistance programs, can apply for the Payment Assistance Gas and Electric (PAGE) grant. The newest financial benefit, which is administered by Eatontown-based Affordable Housing Alliance, provides a one-time grant up to $700 for gas customers and up to $700 for electric customers. 
  
Applicants must meet a series of eligibility requirements, which includes receiving notice of past due payments, and have not received assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) during the current heating season or Universal Service Fund (USF) within the last six months. 
  
“There are several programs to help natural gas customers manage their heating costs,” said Brian MacLean, vice president of operations for Elizabethtown Gas. “We encourage our customers to get informed and take action that will help them better control their heating costs.” 
  
Consumers have several options, including enrolling in the Budget Payment Plan, a bill management program that minimizes the "peaks and valleys" in their bills by allowing customers to pay an amount evenly distributed over a 12-month period. They also can sign up for My Account online, which analyzes energy use and compares past and present usage. 
  
The energySMART program gives customers more control on how much natural gas they use and save by making small, cost-effective steps. In addition to energy efficiency measures, customers can take advantage of a number of other energy-saving opportunities and incentives, such as rebates of up to $1,400 for installing high-efficiency natural gas equipment. 
  
Customers also will have several opportunities to get additional information about available energy assistance programs at six community street fairs:

• Sunday, May 4; Cranford, NJ

• Saturday, May 17; Woodbridge, NJ

• Sunday, June 15; Hackettstown, NJ

• Sunday, June 22; Metuchen, NJ

• Saturday, Oct. 11; Westfield, NJ

• Sunday, Oct, 26; Flemington, NJ 

For more information about the PAGE grant and other bill payment and financial assistance programs, please visit www.elizabethtowngas.com.