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December 5, 2005
Naperville, Ill. – Nicor Gas has filed $1.13 Gas Supply Charge (GSC) for the month of December. The GSC is the cost Nicor Gas pays for gas, which is passed through to customers with no mark-up. Costs are down from November's $1.19 per therm, but still higher than the December 2004 filing of 70 cents per therm.
A National Situation
Factors like tight supply, increasing demand, extreme weather, and international events have pushed natural gas prices to their highest levels ever. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) current elevated prices, due to colder temperatures and increasing demand, may continue to rise as the winter heating season progresses.
What is Nicor Gas Doing About This Situation?
Nicor Gas is committed to delivering safe reliable natural gas service to our customers. As such, Nicor Gas ensures there is an adequate supply of gas for its customers this winter heating season. The company sustains its reliability by maintaining its seven storage fields located in Illinois and also having access to eight interstate pipelines. The combination of storage and access to a variety of suppliers helps the company keep costs lower during cold winter months
Outreach – This year Nicor Gas has joined with Government and Advocacy Groups in an aggressive consumer outreach campaign. The company is participating in more than 30 community energy assistance fairs to reach low-income customers with important messages about conservation, financial assistance and other programs that are available to provide needed support.
Providing Financial Assistance – Nicor Gas recently joined forces with Jewel-Osco to help provide additional funding to the Nicor Gas Sharing Program. By shopping at Jewel-Osco stores on certain days in December, customers can have five percent of their purchases donated to the Sharing Program. The Sharing Program provides one-time annual grants to customers who currently earn up to two-hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level. This year the Sharing program has more than $500,000 available.
"We know we are facing the possibility of higher gas costs this winter, so we are doing all we can to help our low income customers meet their heating needs. This partnership with Jewel-Osco will help make more funds available to assist customers pay their bills this winter heating season," said Chris Suppes, vice president of sales and customer care.
Informing Customers about Gas Costs – In an effort to share the latest information on gas costs, Nicor Gas has updated its Web site to help customers stay informed this winter heating season. New to the Web site is the winter planning guide, which helps customers assess what their bills could be for the heating season; a comprehensive gas cost Q & A to address customer questions and a section on why your bill may vary, to provide customers with information on billing. "The company's Web site provides customers with easy access to information on gas costs, at anytime," said Suppes.
For more information on gas costs, financial assistance programs or conservation methods please visit www.nicorgas.com.
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for over 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. | 
