Matching Payment Plan, Budget Bill and Conservation
Options Help CNG Customers Manage Their Gas Bills

Hartford, CT, December 5, 2001 - As the cold weather approaches, the Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation wants to remind its customers that help is available to those customers who may have difficulty paying their home heating bills.

Programs available to customers are a Matching Payment Plan, which can dramatically reduce heating customers' bills, budget billing and conservation programs.

"We offer our customers a Matching Payment Plan that, in some cases, can reduce a customer's bill by as much as 66%," said William Reis, CNG's Vice President Business Development. "Under the Matching Payment Plan, for every dollar the customer pays, his or her bill may be reduced by an additional $2.00. More than 12,000 CNG residential heating customers took advantage of this Plan last heating season. We know, however, that there are many more customers out there who are qualified to participate in the program, but simply may not be aware of it or just don't seek help."

Help is just a phone call away.
CNG is encouraging its heating customers who may be having temporary difficulty paying their gas utility bills to contact a Company representative to find out if they are eligible for energy assistance or fuel bank funds. The telephone number to call is (860) 727-3555. Customers also may call their local community action agency or InfoLine at 211.

"We also encourage our customers to take advantage of a number of other programs that help customers manage their energy costs," says Mr. Reis, "such as payment arrangements, budget billing and, of course, conservation."

Payment Arrangements
Payment arrangements are also available for CNG customers who do not qualify for energy assistance program. Customers should call is (860) 727-3034, and follow the prompts. The automated voice response unit is activated 24 hours a day.

Budget Billing
CNG's budget billing program equalizes payments over a 12-month period, so there are no surprises when the cold weather hits. It is the best way for customers to keep pace with their gas bills. To find out more about budget billing, customers are asked to call (860) 524-8361.

Conservation, an easy way to reduce energy bills
One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to reduce energy use and cut costs is through simple conservation measures such as caulking around windows and using an inexpensive doorsweep to seal off floor drafts. CNG has a number of energy conservation programs in place that can help its all residential heating customers reduce their energy bills. Participation in a specific program is contingent upon a customer's qualifications. CNG customers are encouraged to call (860) 727-3555 to learn about the conservation programs that the Company offers.

Editor's note: CNG delivers natural gas energy to approximately 155,000 customers in 24 municipalities in greater Hartford, New Britain and Greenwich. CNG is a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation (NYSE:EAS), 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 services 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