Union Gas provides emergency heating relief for low-income families

Launches 2014 Winter Warmth program

CHATHAM, ON, Feb. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas is launching its annual Winter Warmth program, which offers emergency relief to low-income families who have difficulty paying their natural gas bills.

The program, which begins each winter season and runs year-round, operates in partnership with 29 community agencies across the province. It allows customers to receive one-time financial assistance of up to $500 per household per year.

"There are families in need across the province who may require a little extra support to get through this particularly cold winter," said Steve Baker, president of Union Gas."We're very proud to offer that support through the Winter Warmth program, which makes a positive impact in the communities we serve each and every year."

Since 2007, about 7,500 low-income families in communities served by Union Gas have received assistance from Winter Warmth, through emergency relief grants totaling over $3.7 million.

In addition to participating in the Winter Warmth program, the company also contributes to the needs of low-income customers by delivering energy conservation programs.

"Conservation is one of the most powerful, long-term ways to permanently lower natural gas use. It empowers customers to help manage household expenses by lowering their energy bills," added Baker.

Union Gas provides a range of tools and education to give consumers the power to take control and manage their energy use. For more information, visit uniongas.com/energyefficiency.

Eligibility
Eligible participants include Union Gas customers from low-income households who, due to reduced income or personal difficulties, are in arrears or at risk of going into arrears on their gas bill and have exhausted all other sources of financial support.

Union Gas also promotes conservation as a long-term solution to permanently lower heating bills, providing a range of tools and education initiatives designed to give consumers the opportunity to take control and manage their energy use. For more information, please visit uniongas.com/energyefficiency.

How the Fund Works
Union Gas contributes funding to the program, while United Way of Chatham-Kent determines and manages the level of funding for each agency based on its assessment of individual community need. Each year, the agencies that locally manage the Union Gas Winter Warmth program are asked to communicate to United Way of Chatham-Kent the amount of funding required to help families in their communities, who in turn work with these communities to address granting needs. For additional information on Winter Warmth and a list of local delivery agencies visit uniongas.com/community/winterwarmth.

For more than 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through significant economic investments, hundreds of jobs, millions in municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, thousands of volunteer hours for community organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers  for 2014, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected]