AGL Resources Offers to Fund Half of Seasonal Reconnection Charge for Eligible Customers Seeking Natural Gas Service

December 13, 2001

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - In a filing to the Georgia Public Service Commission, AGL Resources’ subsidiary, Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC), has offered to waive half of the seasonal reconnection charge for those customers eligible to receive low-income energy assistance funding from the Georgia Department of Human Resources. The other half of the seasonal reconnection charge will be deferred through the winter and prorated over a three-month period beginning in April. AGL Resources will provide funds to AGLC to cover the waived charge.

For those customers disconnected for non-payment and not qualified for low-income energy assistance funding, AGLC will prorate the seasonal reconnection charge for six months commencing with the date of reconnection. The seasonal reconnection charge represents a portion of the AGLC base charges for the months a customer was disconnected.

The offer will be part of a filing made to the PSC in which Atlanta Gas Light reaffirms its willingness to become the provider of last resort for those customers who are unable to obtain service with established marketers. Under the proposal, originally submitted in November, AGLC would offer a cost-based rate to consumers, currently .15 to .25 per therm below the rates offered by marketers.

“We have reached a critical juncture with cold weather upon us and nearly 50,000 customers throughout Georgia still disconnected from natural gas service,” said Susan McLaughlin, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light Company. “By waiving half of the seasonal reconnection charges owed to AGLC and deferring the remainder until April, AGL hopes to be as much a part of the solution as possible for those customers truly in need.”

In an earlier filing, AGL Resources announced it would fund the $25 reconnection fee for qualified low-income customers. The company is working closely with the Georgia Department of Human Resources to ensure that low-income customers are able to benefit from these offerings and have heat this winter.

Only those customers qualified to receive funding through the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be eligible for the offer. To be eligible for assistance, a family must meet an income equal to or less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a one-person household, that would be $12,885; for two persons $17,415; for three persons $21,945; for four persons $26,475; for five persons $31,005; for six persons $35,535; for seven persons $40,065; and for eight or more persons $44,595.

For more information, qualified applicants should contact their local Community Action Agency or call the Division of Family and Children Services at 1-800-869-1150 statewide or 404-657-3426 or 404-657-3427 locally.