Virginia Natural Gas Donates $125,000 to Salvation Army to Help Low-Income Residents With Heating Bills

December 20, 2004

NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 20, 2004) — Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), a subsidiary of Atlanta-based AGL Resources (NYSE:ATG), gave the Salvation Army an early Christmas present Friday when the natural gas company donated $125,000 in additional funding for EnergyShare, a program that helps low-income families and the elderly pay their heating bills.

EnergyShare assists individuals who have exhausted all alternatives for heating assistance through social services. VNG contributes to the program, matching its customers’ donations, while The Salvation Army distributes the funds.

“Since 1995, VNG has contributed $512,500, and our customers have contributed an additional $240,000 to the program,” said Hank Linginfelter, president of Virginia Natural Gas and senior vice president for AGL Resources’ Mid-Atlantic region. “Our EnergyShare donations are targeted to the needy in Hampton Roads.

“We’re pleased to make this special donation in addition to the $40,000 VNG annually contributes to Energy Share,” Linginfelter added. “Our great customers donate a similar amount every year. Everyone who knows anyone who needs help paying a gas bill should tell them about EnergyShare.”

The Salvation Army will take applications for EnergyShare beginning in January. Applicants for this assistance must first call to make an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted.

For information or an appointment, call during the following hours:

South Hampton Roads, 543-8100
9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Suffolk, 539-5201
9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Peninsula, 838-4875
9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Anyone can donate to EnergyShare by writing a check payable to EnergyShare and sending it to:

EnergyShare
P.O. Box 12737
Norfolk, VA 23541-0737

VNG Budget Payment Plan
Another way to manage heating costs during the winter heating season is the VNG Budget Payment Plan, which offers customers a convenient way to level “swings” in their monthly gas bills. Customers pay fixed monthly amounts throughout the year based on actual gas use. VNG periodically reviews accounts to keep payments in line with fuel charges and usage factors. While there is no charge for using the plan, customer accounts must be paid in full and customers must have satisfactory payment records to enroll in the plan.

Other sources of assistance:

Social Services
Ashland, 804-365-4100
Newport News, 757-926-6077
Charles City, 804-829-9702
Norfolk, 757-664-6000
Chesapeake, 757-382-2000
Suffolk, 757-923-3000
Hampton, 757-727-1800
Virginia Beach, 757-437-3200
Hanover, 804-365-4100
Williamsburg, 757-220-6161
James City, 757-259-3100
York County, 757-890-3930

Norfolk Agencies
Homeless Prevention (referrals only), 757-625-4543
Salvation Army, 757-455-9677
Lutheran Council, 757-623-0155
Stop, 757-858-1364
Navy Relief, 757-464-9364
Tidewater AIDS (HIV POS ONLY), 757-583-1317
New Hope Christian, 757-855-3637
Union Mission, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mon-Wed-Fri, 757-627-8686 (Diane White)
Norfolk Urban Outreach, 757-461-4213
United Way, 757-547-8454
Planning Council, 757-622-9268

Newport News Area
CBN (Operation Blessing), 757-245-7376
Help (Hampton Only), 757-850-8956
Immaculate Conception Catholic, 757-826-0393
Our Lady of Mt Carmel, 757-599-3950
Salvation Army, 757-875-1969
United Way, 757-873-9328