National Grid Helps Keep Massachusetts' Customers Warmer This Winter

WALTHAM, MA (11/18/2010)(readMedia)-- At a time when many in Massachusetts could use financial help the most, National Grid is committing $50,000 to help those in need pay their heating costs and to promote the Good Neighbor Energy Fund during this winter heating season. The company has made a corporate donation to the Fund each year since it was established in 1985, including $900,000 in contributions over the past five years.

"Slow recovery from the recession means many of our neighbors continue to struggle paying their bills, including energy bills," said Marcy Reed, National Grid senior vice president of Public Affairs. "We're asking our customers to consider making a contribution to the fund to help others make it through these difficult times."

Throughout the winter, electricity and natural gas customers can make donations by using Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelopes that will be included periodically with their bills. The Fund, which is administered by the Salvation Army, assists families who do not qualify for Low-Income Heating Assistance with one-time grants of up to $300.00. Last year, contributions from sponsoring utilities, utility customers, corporate donors and charitable foundations totaled more than $470,000 with nearly 1,475 families in the Commonwealth receiving grants. Since 1985, the Fund has distributed more than $16.5 million in heating assistance grants.

"National Grid has been a valued corporate partner in the Good Neighbor Energy Fund for the past 25 years," said Salvation Army Divisional Commander Major William Bode. "The company has consistently been a leading donor to the Fund, upon which so many families rely."

National Grid also is working with the Salvation Army to make available to its clients discounted ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs. The CFLs are sold at many of the Salvation Army store locations for $.99 cents.

National Grid wants to remind customers that there are several other programs available to help manage energy costs:

• Low-income discount rate – Discount rates are available to many National Grid electricity and/or natural gas customers, based on service area and certain eligibility requirements. For more information about availability of low-income rates and to determine eligibility, customers should contact their local energy assistance agency, Community Action Agency or state department of social services.

• Billing Options – National Grid's budget billing program helps to spread payments out more evenly across the year. This is particularly helpful to those on fixed incomes. Visit www.nationalgridus.com for more information on this and other payment programs.

• National Grid's website, www.powerofaction.com, features energy efficiency programs and saving tips, a list of qualified energy services companies and much more.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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