CL&P And Yankee Gas

Winter Protection Programs End May 1

BERLIN — The Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P) and Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas) remind customers that the Winter Protection Program for 2007-08 is scheduled to come to a close on May 1. CL&P and Yankee Gas participants with an outstanding balance should call as soon as possible to make payment arrangements.

CL&P and Yankee Gas are willing to work with customers who are having financial difficulties. CL&P customers are urged to call CL&P’s Credit & Collections Center at 800-286-2828 (860-947-2828 in the Hartford and Meriden calling areas) to make payment arrangements. Yankee Gas customers should call 800-438-2278 to request payment arrangements for their gas bill.

The Winter Protection Program is one of several programs CL&P and Yankee Gas offer individuals and families with financial challenges. The companies work year-round with social service providers and agencies to educate customers on the programs available in the cities and towns they serve, including energy assistance through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). CEAP provides financial assistance to help Connecticut residents pay their heating bills. As an example, a household with an income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines ($30,975 for a family of four) would qualify for CEAP. Households with elderly or disabled members qualify for CEAP with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($41,300 for a family of four).

Another energy assistance program, the Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP), provides energy assistance to moderate-income households whose income is at or below 60 percent of the state median income level ($55,323 for a family of four).

The deadline to apply for energy assistance is May 1. Customers should call 211 immediately for local agency information regarding where they can apply for energy assistance.

“We encourage customers with financial challenges to apply for energy assistance which can reduce what they need to pay toward their energy bills,” said John Ferrantino, director of customer solutions for CL&P and Yankee Gas. “CL&P and Yankee Gas also provide other customer programs, such as matching payment plans and weatherization programs, that can help further reduce customers’ energy burdens.”

The Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership, also known as WRAP, is one of the many programs offered through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF), CL&P and Yankee Gas. According to the US Department of Energy, low-income customers use a greater percentage of their income to pay for energy — 14 percent — as compared to 3.5 percent for other households. WRAP provides low-income customers with a comprehensive range of weatherization, energy conservation, and educational services in order to reduce their energy usage.

CEEF promotes efficient energy use, helps residents and businesses save on their electric bills, advances economic development, reduces electric demand, and helps reduce air pollution. CL&P administers the CEEF through conservation programs that serve residential customers, including low- and fixed-income customers, as well as business and municipal customers. Connecticut’s energy-efficiency programs are funded by the conservation charge on customers’ electric bills.

For information regarding CL&P’s or Yankee Gas’ weatherization programs, call 800-388-WRAP (9727).

Additional information on Connecticut’s energy-efficiency programs can be found at CTEnergyInfo.com.