Customers Have Until April 30 to Register for Energy Assistance Programs

Hartford, CT, April 15, 2002 - Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation (CNG) is reminding its customers of two important deadlines.

Monday, April 15, 2002 is the last day natural gas heating customers who are certified hardship are protected from termination of service for nonpayment of gas bills.

Customers have until Tuesday, April 30, 2002 to apply for energy assistance and the Company's Matching Payment Plan.

CNG's Matching Payment Plan is a great way for customers to reduce their gas bills. Customers who qualify for matching funds may see an additional $2 reduction in their gas bill for every dollar paid to the Company. Since the program's inception in more than a decade ago thousands of customers have taken advantage of the payment match; many have totally eliminated or significantly reduced their past due balances. Customers must receive energy assistance in order to be eligible for the Company's Matching Payment Plan.

Customers should call Info Line at 211 or their local Community Action Agency to find out if they qualify for energy assistance. If they exceed the income guidelines, they are encouraged to call CNG's customer information department at (860) 727-3555 to make payment arrangements.

Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation (NYSE:EAS), provides natural gas energy to approximately 150,000 customers in the Greater Hartford and New Britain areas and Greenwich. Energy East Corporation, 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