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Columbia Gas of Ohio Makes $2.1 Million
Available for
Payment-Troubled Customers
Money available to customers who don’t qualify for traditional
assistance
programs
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbia Gas of Ohio announced today that
it has created a $2.1 million emergency assistance fund to
help customers who are having difficulty paying their heating
bills, but who don’t qualify for existing energy assistance
programs.
The
company is making available money that it received in refunds
from an interstate pipeline supplier in an effort to assist
families harmed financially by the recession and layoffs. The
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in December
approved a request, developed jointly by the company, the
Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and PUCO staff, to
create the fund.
These new funds will be available for utility bill payment
assistance to Columbia Gas of Ohio customers with incomes
between 175% and 200% of federal poverty guidelines. For a
family of four, the household income could be up to $42,400
per year.
“Our company is pleased to be able to offer some extra payment
assistance during this winter heating season,” said Columbia
Gas of Ohio President Jack Partridge. We understand that
current economic conditions, with job cuts being announced
almost daily, are making it tough on people, even those who
don’t qualify for traditional energy assistance programs.”
The
emergency assistance fund will be administered by local
agencies which distribute Home Energy Assistance Program
(HEAP) funds. Columbia customers who believe they are eligible
for this assistance should contact their local Community
Action agency directly to apply.
Eligible Lucas County residents may contact the Economic
Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo, Inc. (EOPA)
at 866-504-7392; Residents of Wood , Seneca, Ottawa and
Sandusky counties may contact WSOS Community Action
Commission, Inc. at 419-334-8911. Columbia customers who
aren’t sure which agency to contact may call the Columbia
Customer Contact Center at 1-800-344-4077 for information on
where to apply.
Columbia also announced today that money from its Rate Case
Fuel Fund is now available through the local Community Action
agencies. This fund is for customers with incomes below 175%
of federal poverty guidelines who have already exhausted all
other available funds, such as HEAP assistance. Columbia will
distribute $1.85 million through this fund over the next five
winter heating seasons. Customers who would like to apply to
this fund should contact their local Community Action agency.
“Through these two new funds, Columbia Gas of Ohio is
providing additional tools to help customers pay their bills
during the winter heating season,” Partridge said. “During
this time of serious economic challenges, we must do what we
can to assist customers who are struggling with their
finances.”
Columbia Gas of Ohio, with headquarters in Columbus, is one of
the nine energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE:
NI). Serving approximately 1.4 million customers in 60 of
Ohio’s 88 counties, it is the
largest natural gas utility in the state. NiSource
distribution companies serve approximately 3.8 million gas and
electric customers primarily in seven states. More information
about Columbia Gas of Ohio is available at:
ColumbiaGasOhio.com.
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