January 24, 2003

A number of special programs are available to help customers of Dominion East Ohio, who are experiencing higher natural gas bills because of extremely cold temperatures.

With gas furnaces already operating longer and harder, and colder-than-normal temperatures predicted for the next several weeks, Dominion reminds customers of the availability of various energy assistance and payment plans, and recommends a list of conservation tips to help save energy. The company also advises customers to try to call between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Wednesdays through Fridays, for the quickest service since its call center experiences heavier than normal call volume on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The colder-than-normal winter weather not only means customers will use more natural gas, but also that costs are going up. The weather has driven up demand and natural gas prices on the national market. As a result, Dominion East Ohio sales customers, who purchase their natural gas directly from the utility, will see increases in their natural gas costs this winter, including an 11 percent increase in the gas cost rate for three months. Customers who purchase natural gas from participating suppliers under the Energy Choice program are covered by their respective supplier contracts at various prices.

Customers only have to fill out just one application form to be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). For an application, customers should call the State of Ohio HEAP office at 1-800-282-0880.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides a credit that is applied to a customer's heating bill. To qualify, a customer's yearly gross household income can be up to $13,290 for one person; $17,910 for two people; $27,150 for four; $36,390 for six. For details, call the state HEAP office toll-free at, 1-800-282-0880.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) helps a customer maintain gas service by paying 10 percent of his/her total monthly household income. To qualify, a customer must meet HEAP/PIPP income guidelines and apply for HEAP. To apply for PIPP/HEAP, customers should take proof of their total household income for the past three or 12 months to the local HEAP office. For the nearest HEAP office, customers should call toll-free, 1-800-282-0880. Call Dominion for more information.

For a customer with a past-due balance, Dominion offers the Current-Plus Plan to help better manage gas bills. After the customer decides how many months-up to six-it will take to pay off their balance, the company divides the current account balance by the number of months the customer selected, and adds that amount to the customer's current monthly bill. The Current-Plus Plan is available to all residential customers. If a customer joins this or any other payment plan, the customer must make the required payments in full and on time. To learn more about payment options or the Current-Plus Plan, call Dominion at 1-800-362-7557.

With the Budget Payment Plan, a customer pays a fixed budget amount each month. Dominion will review a customer's budget amount in February, June and October, and change it, if needed. Customers must be current with their bill to be eligible. To sign up, customers should call Dominion at 1-800-362-7557.

Residential customers of Dominion whose gas service has been disconnected for nonpayment, or are in danger of loss of service, may restore their service or avoid disconnection under special winter heating reconnection procedures in effect through April 15, 2003. Participating customers also have to agree to participate in a payment plan to pay off past-due balances. The reconnection procedure can only be used once between now and April 15, 2003. In accordance with a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio order, Dominion customers can maintain gas service or have it restored, by choosing one of the following:

• Pay the entire past-due balance shown on the bill, not to exceed $175;
• Pay past-due default payments if a customer is on a special payment plan, up to $175;
• Pay $175.

EnergyShare, a Dominion sponsored fuel assistance program of last resort, is designed to help needy individuals and families pay any type of winter heating bill-natural gas, wood, oil, kerosene or electricity. Customers should contact their Local Salvation Army office to apply. A grant of up to $500 may be awarded to eligible customers.

The Medical Certification Program delays a shutoff, or restores service, when it would be life threatening, or especially dangerous, to the health of a permanent member of a customer's household. Medical certification forms are available by calling Dominion. The program allows customers to make payment arrangements--it does not reduce the amount they owe.

Looking to save money on your gas bill? Consider these low-cost, no-cost conservation tips from Dominion.

• Protect your thermostat from drafts so your furnace turns on only when additional warmth is needed. Try to use doors furthest away from your thermostat.
• Change furnace filters according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Caulk and weather strip your windows and add door sweeps beneath doors for added insulation. Block off drafts at the bottom of doors with a rolled-up throw rug or bath towel.
• Avoid blocking radiators, heat registers and cold-air returns.
• Install storm windows and doors; they can reduce heat loss in these areas by 50 percent.