Wec Acquisition : Natural gas use skyrockets in Chicago as temperatures plummet

For Release: 01/12/2016

Peoples Gas injects $1M into Share the Warmth financial assistance fund for customers

Chicago - Chicagoans are turning up the heat to cope with the bitter cold. Peoples Gas' natural gas send out for Chicago more than doubled over the weekend and is expected to peak on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at more than 1.33 million dekatherms. To support customers that need help with higher heating bills due to the extreme drop in temperatures, Peoples Gas is adding an additional $1 million to its Share the Warmth fund. Share the Warmth is a financial assistance program that helps low-income families with their heating bills. Eligible customers who make a payment toward their bill receive a matching grant of up to $200.

'We realize some customers need financial assistance to help keep up with their monthly gas bills, especially during the coldest months,' said Michelle Rindt, vice president - customer service. 'Share the Warmth helped more than 5800 Peoples Gas customers last year and with the additional support announced today, there is $2 million available to help keep homes warm this winter. I encourage customers to apply now while funds are available.'

Applications for Share the Warmth will be taken this Saturday, Jan. 16 at a utility resource fair located at the Rauner Family YMCA of Metro Chicago, 2700 S. Western Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To apply for a Share the Warmth grant, customers only need:

• Proof of household income or any financial assistance for the past 30 days for all members of the household over age 18
• And
• Your current residential heating bill.

Share the Warmth is administered by the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA). Customers who can't attend the utility resource fair can apply at a CEDA intake site during normal business hours. To find the location of the nearest application site, Peoples Gas customers can call CEDA's hotline at: 1- 800-571-CEDA (2332).

Customers also can visit peoplesgasdelivery.com for tips on energy conservation and energy efficiency - two great tools to help manage energy costs.

Peoples Gas reminds customers that federal law requires regular inspection of natural gas meters and service pipes located inside homes. To avoid any disruption to your natural gas service or financial assistance, please ensure you allow Peoples Gas to inspect your meter when necessary.

About Peoples Gas Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 831,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the city of Chicago. This year, Peoples Gas is celebrating 165 years of delivering safe and reliable natural gas service. You can find more information about natural gas safety, energy efficiency and other energy-related topics at peoplesgasdelivery.com.

Integrys Energy Group Inc. issued this content on 2016-01-12 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 2016-01-12 14:58:23 UTC

Original Document: http://www.integrysgroup.com/news/view_article.aspx?reckey=02732