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Yankee Gas Press Release
From The Northeast Utilities System
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mitch Gross, CL&P
Jeff Tilghman, Yankee Gas
Office:
(860) 665-5221
(860) 665-3931
After Hours:
(800) 286-2000
(800) 286-2000
CL&P and Yankee Gas Offer Payment Programs and Winter Shut-off Protection;
Customers Encouraged to Look Into Options
BERLIN, Connecticut, October 16, 2006 –
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and Yankee Gas Services Company offer programs to assist customers who may have difficulty paying their electric and natural gas bills this winter, or who want to spread their energy costs over a year.
·
Winter Protection Program
CL&P
and
Yankee Gas
offer
Winter Protection Programs
that protect hardship customers from electric service shut-offs or natural gas shut-offs for non-payment from November 1, 2006, to April 15, 2007. To qualify, a customer's total household income will be considered. Additional criteria that may also qualify a customer for Winter Protection can include aid to the blind, elderly and disabled, temporary family assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, general assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a serious or life-threatening illness in the household. Customers still receive their bills and should try to pay what they can each month to avoid a larger balance due when the protection period ends.
·
Matching Payment Program
This program allows low-income customers with past-due balances to work out monthly payment arrangements so their service is provided year-round. Customers must heat with electricity to qualify for the CL&P Matching Payment Program or heat with natural gas to qualify for the Yankee Gas Matching Payment Program. In addition, a customer's total household income will be considered, they must apply and qualify for energy assistance funds and must make and keep a monthly payment arrangement. CL&P and Yankee Gas customers who maintain eligibility under the Matching Payment Program will see an additional reduction in their past-due amount for every dollar paid. Customers who successfully complete the program will also receive a match on their energy assistance reward, up to a zero balance.
CL&P customers who want more information about the Winter Protection and Matching Payment programs are encouraged to call 800-286-2828 (860-947-2828) in the Hartford and Meriden calling areas). Yankee Gas customers should call 800-438-2278.
·
WRAP Program
Both
CL&P
and
Yankee Gas
have
WRAP
(Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership) programs to assist low-income customers (renters or owners) by making their homes more energy-efficient, while promoting energy conservation. Through this program, customers can lower their energy use, conserve hot water, reduce heat loss and switch to energy-efficient lighting.
For more information, or to obtain a WRAP application, call 800-388-9727.
·
Budget Payments
CL&P
and
Yankee Gas
offer a
Budget Payment Program
that lets customers pay the same amount each month. Based on energy usage history, an average monthly bill is calculated and customers receive 11 equal monthly bills. In the twelfth month, customers are billed the regular budget payment -- plus any balance due, or less any credit owed, based on actual usage.
To sign up for CL&P's budget payment program, call 800-286-6235 or visit www.cl-p.com. To sign up for the Yankee Gas budget payment program, call 800-989-0900 or visit www.yankeegas.com.
NUSTART Program
The
NUSTART
Program helps low-income CL&P customers maintain year-round electric service. Customers can reduce and eliminate past-due balances if they pay their monthly budget amount on time, each month.
To learn more about the NUSTART program, call 800-286-5844.
Low-income customers may also qualify for state administered programs, including the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) or the Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP). There are also programs such as Operation Fuel that assist customers who are not eligible for state or federal assistance. Call Infoline 2-1-1 to learn more about these.
CL&P and Yankee Gas have established strong relationships with the social service community in order to ensure that low-income customers are effectively served. Our annual Social Agency Forums on Energy are being held tomorrow, October 17, in Cromwell; Thursday, October 19, in Norwalk; Tuesday, October 24, in Ledyard; and Thursday, October 26, in Waterbury.
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With nearly 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is an active member in the communities it serves, offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental education. CL&P is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.
Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas) is Connecticut’s largest natural gas distribution company, delivering safe, reliable natural gas service to approximately 196,000 customers in 71 cities and towns. Yankee Gas is expanding Connecticut's energy options and increasing customer choice by extending the availability of clean, efficient natural gas throughout the state. Yankee Gas is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.yankeegas.com.
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