LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Families who need assistance paying their natural gas bills may receive help through Southern California Gas Co.'s (The Gas Company) Gas Assistance Fund program, which provides for a one-time grant amount of up to $150 on a customer's winter bill. The program is open to qualified customers facing financial hardships.
"Because of the wet and colder-than-normal weather over the past several months, many of our customers have been turning up their heaters to stay warm and the result will be higher natural gas bills," said Michelle Mueller, vice president of customer services for The Gas Company. "For those having trouble paying their gas bill, the Gas Assistance Fund may help."
The Gas Assistance Fund is a program that for more than two decades has helped thousands of Southern Californians - the elderly, disabled, or newly unemployed - who are struggling to pay their energy bills. This program is funded by voluntary contributions from the utility and its customers.
To seek assistance anytime between February and the end of April, eligible customers can go to The Gas Company Web site at www.socalgas.com, and search under residential assistance programs to find the nearest participating United Way of Greater Los Angeles' approximately 120 community agencies located throughout central and Southern California. These participating local organizations distribute the Gas Assistance Fund contributions of up to $150 to eligible income-qualified customers.
The one-time bill payment assistance is available to eligible customers on a first-come, first-served basis now through the end of April, or until funds are depleted. In addition, customers can call The Gas Company at (800) 427-2200 for assistance in locating participating agencies.
So far this year, nearly $185,000 in individual customer contributions has been collected for The Gas Company's Gas Assistance Fund. The Gas Company will provide up to $250,000 in matching dollars for the program from shareholder funds.
Last year, The Gas Company helped nearly 5,000 customers through a collection of individual contributions and corporate matching funds totaling $376,000. Since the Gas Assistance Fund was established in 1982, more than $10 million has been disbursed to families in need.
Mueller encouraged customers who may have difficulty paying their gas bills to contact The Gas Company to work out special payment arrangements or to receive information on the Level Pay Plan. Customer-assistance programs such as a 20-percent discounted rate to income-qualified customers with the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program are also available.
To reduce energy costs, The Gas Company suggests the following tips:
-- Focus on the furnace. Lower the thermostat 3 degrees to 5 degrees
(health permitting), which can save up to 20 percent of heating
costs. Every hour the furnace runs costs about $1.
-- Conduct regular maintenance. Cleaning and servicing will keep
heating systems operating safely and at peak efficiency.
-- Check furnace filters every month during the heating season and
clean or replace the filter when necessary.
-- When installing a new or cleaned filter, be sure to re-install
the front panel door of the furnace properly so it fits snugly.
Customers can visit The Gas Company's Web site, at www.socalgas.com, for more conservation and Gas Assistance Fund information.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.5 million consumers through 5.5 million meters. The company's service territory encompasses 23,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California. The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.