CenterPoint Energy
The January billing price is lower than last year due mainly to warm weather nationally and a strong storage situation. "The result has been good news for our customers because prices so far have been lower than anticipated," said Joe Klenken, a regulatory specialist for CenterPoint Energy. "The unseasonably warm start to winter in Minnesota was present throughout much of the nation and helped moderate wholesale market prices for natural gas by driving down demand."
Assuming normal weather in January (an average of the last 10 years), a typical residential customer can expect a bill of approximately $215 for the month. Actual bills will depend on how much natural gas individual customers use and how much the weather deviates from what is normal for the month.
With large heating months still ahead, customers are encouraged to help their neighbors pay their heating bills by contributing to the HeatShare program. Administered by The Salvation Army and supported by CenterPoint Energy and other utilities, HeatShare helps pay heating bills for the elderly, physically challenged and persons in need. Contributions to HeatShare are tax deductible and are distributed to customers in Minnesota. To contribute, go to http://centerpointenergy.com/ or look for the solicitation in the January TouchPoint. CenterPoint Energy founded HeatShare in 1982 and supports the program through company and customer contributions.
For more information about programs and services offered by CenterPoint Energy, call (612) 372-4727 or (800) 245-2377 or visit the Web site at http://centerpointenergy.com/saveenergy . Customers concerned about paying their natural gas bill should contact the company immediately to learn about the Cold Weather Rule, energy assistance and payment options.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, and pipeline and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $17 billion. With about 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state's largest natural gas distribution company, serving more than 778,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 259 communities. Home Service Plus(R), the company's non-regulated business in Minnesota, offers products and services in the categories of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and appliance repair, and HVAC and hearth equipment sales. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/ .
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SOURCE: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CONTACT: Media Pager, Minnesota, +1-612-538-1234, or Rolf Lund,
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Energy, Inc.