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Contacts: Elizabeth
Castro (Media) (312)
240-4567 Douglas
Ruschau (Investor Relations) (312)
240-3818 |
For Immediate Release
December
1, 2006
Natural Gas Prices Rise as Winter
Approaches; Peoples Energy Offers Resources for Bill Management and Financial
Assistance to Area Customers
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The December gas charge for Peoples Gas
customers is 88.21 cents per therm. Although this is
higher than the November 2006 gas charge, it is still 21% lower than the December
2005 gas charge of about $1.12 per therm. The December
gas charge for North Shore Gas customers is 87.84 cents per therm
which is about 23% lower than the December 2005 gas charge of $1.14 per therm. The unseasonably
mild temperatures experienced in the area during November are unlikely to
continue, which means customers will likely be using
more natural gas to heat their homes, resulting in higher bills.
“We are relieved to see that natural gas
prices nationally are lower this year than they were last year, but we are strongly encourage customers to
take advantage of financial and conversation tools available to manage their
energy bills,” said Rodrigo A. Sierra, Vice President of Communications and Government
Relations.
The price of natural gas and related taxes make
up about 80% of a customer’s total bill. The utilities purchase supplies from
producers and deliver the natural gas to customers without a mark up. Peoples’
utilities have not raised their rates to delivery natural gas to customers for
11 years. The delivery rate makes up
only about 20% of a customer’s bill.
To help customers manage their energy usage
and bills, Peoples Energy recently launched
a new customer-focused Web site, www.keepingUwarm.com. The site provides customers with concise,
easy-to-access information about managing their bills this winter. The company
is taking a unique approach to communicating with customers by having them
answer questions like: What kind of natural gas user am I? How can I save
money? How can I manage my bills better? From there, the site provides
resources and information specific to customers’ needs.
The company reminded customers
facing financial difficulty of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) and the Peoples Energy Share the Warmth program, which opened for the
season in November. To
apply for LIHEAP, Peoples Gas customers should call CEDA at 1-312-456-4100, and
North Shore Gas customers call the LCCA at 1-847-249-4330.
The Peoples
Energy’s Share the Warmth fund,
which is administered by the Salvation Army, is another effective program that
provides one-time matching grants of up to $200 for eligible households. Customers
up to 200% of the poverty level are eligible and are encouraged to apply by
calling the Salvation Army at 1-773-725-1100.
To provide further outreach, on two
Saturdays this fall, Peoples Energy’s Team
H.E.A.T. (Home Energy Assistance Together) volunteers were joined by
volunteers from H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunity and Maintenance for the Elderly)
and the American Gas Association (AGA) to weatherize low- and fixed- income residents’
homes and provide useful information on energy conservation.
Last month, the
company participated in six regional
heating fairs which garnered high attendance. Five more fairs will be held
in December at the dates and locations below. Peoples Energy participates in the fairs along with elected
officials, CEDA, ComEd and other community groups to
bring financial assistance and conservation education directly into
communities. Attendees will receive a free weatherization kit.
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Dec. 2 –
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Dec. 6 –
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Dec. 9 –
Agricultural School,
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Dec. 13 – Home of
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Dec. 16 – Kennedy-
Peoples Energy, a member of the
S&P 500, is a diversified energy company comprised of three primary
business segments:
Gas Delivery, Oil and Gas Production and Energy Marketing. The Gas Delivery
business serves about one million retail customers in
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