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February 4, 2003
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Nicor Gas today announced that the gas supply charge (GSC) for February 2004 is 60 cents per therm, down from January's GSC of 69 cents. Last year, the monthly GSC in February was 55 cents per therm.
To provide an update on how Nicor's current GSC of 60 cents could impact customers' natural gas expense for February 2004, the following chart features estimated total gas bills for three sizes of homes:
| House Size |
Typical Usage |
Cost Per Therm (GSC) |
Estimated Total Bill*
|
| 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. |
199 therms |
60 cents |
$143 |
| 2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft. |
225 therms |
60 cents |
$161
|
| 3,000 to 3,500 sq. ft. |
250 therms |
60 cents |
$177 |
*Bill estimates assume that natural gas is used for a home furnace, cooking range, clothes dryer and water heater and base distribution costs and taxes of $0.024 per therm used. Estimates do not account for mid-month billing cycles, the efficiency of home insulation and/or the working condition of the noted natural gas appliances. Many factors can cause customers' gas bills to vary greatly from household to household and from business to business.
Despite recent sub-zero temperatures, national weather bureaus still categorize the 2003-2004 heating season as being close to normal for most parts of the country. And, although there are less than eight weeks of winter left, due to the unpredictable nature of weather it's still too premature to assess how natural gas costs and usage for this heating season will finish up.
Given the current cold spell gave way to a considerable amount of snow, Nicor Gas also reminds customers about the importance of keeping their outdoor gas meters and regulators clear of snow and ice. Taking such measures gives Nicor the ability to read the meter, and it helps meters and regulators function properly for the continuation of gas service to the home or business. The following tips can help keep meters and regulators running properly throughout the winter:
- Use a broom, instead of a shovel, to remove snow from the meter. The weight and sharp edges of most shovels could damage the meter or service line.
- Clear any hanging icicles from above the meter.
- Clear snow away from the vents of natural gas appliances, such as the clothes dryer vent.
- If the meter is encased in ice, call Nicor Gas at 1-888-Nicor4U (642-6748).
Nicor Gas encourages customers to "Get with the Plan" whether that includes signing up for a bill-payment program, inquiring about bill payment assistance and/or taking steps to use energy more efficiently. "Keeping the Warmth In and Cold Out," Nicor's 10-page guide to energy efficiency, can be downloaded from the Nicor Gas Web site at www.nicorgas.com. And, as always, customers can obtain useful information about the national factors that influence natural gas costs and how it affects their gas bills locally by reading their gas bills and bill inserts, visiting the Web site or by calling Nicor Gas' toll-free number at 1 888 Nicor4u (642-6748) to speak directly to a customer representative.
Nicor Gas is one the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor, Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas services for 50 years. The Company serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Gas Web site at www.nicorgas.com.
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