CNG plan helps customers with gas bill payments

Hartford, CT, January 22, 2003 - Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation (CNG) has matching funds available to help qualified home heating customers pay their natural gas bills this winter. A household may even qualify for matching funds for past years' unpaid bills.

The Matching Payment Plan is available only to CNG's home heating customers. To be eligible, a customer must apply for and receive energy assistance.

For every dollar a customer pays, that customer's bill may be reduced by an additional $2 on the amount owed. An outstanding gas bill can be reduced substantially this heating season by participating in the plan. Applying is easy and confidential, and approval is quick!

Natural gas customers who received energy assistance and were on the Matching Payment Plan last year need not call CNG's office unless monthly payment information has not been received. Even households who were on the plan last year but did not complete payment arrangements may qualify for aid.

CNG also offers its customers' a budget bill plan, which spreads a household's heating costs into equal monthly payments. Payment arrangements are available, too. Customers may call 860-727-3034 (Greater Hartford area) or 203-869-6900 (Greenwich) for information.

Higher income households may be eligible for from Operation Fuel. For more information energy assistance programs or Operation Fuel, contact InfoLine by dialing 211.

Editor's Note: Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation is a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation (NYSE: EAS). CNG provides natural gas service to approximately 155,000 customers in 21 municipalities in the greater Hartford and New Britain areas and Greenwich. Energy East is a super-regional energy services and delivery company in the Northeast. Energy East is a leader in promoting competition and is committed to profitably growing its energy infrastructure. Energy East serves 2 million customers (1.4 million electricity and 600,000 natural gas) in upstate New York and New England.

Contact:
Robert Brennan
Director, Public Affairs
Connecticut Natural Gas/Southern Conn. Gas
(203) 795-7739
rbrennan@soconngas.com