National Grid | Corporate Info

KeySpan Foundation Provides $160,000 to Help Needy Families Stay Warm this Winter

Company Also Donates Hundreds of CO Detectors to Help Save Lives

Hicksville, NY, February 14, 2005 - Robert B. Catell, chairman and CEO of KeySpan Corporation, joined the KeySpan Foundation today in presenting a $160,000 check to United Way of Long Island and area fuel funds in its service territory to help families in need pay their heating bills.

Ninety thousand dollars are earmarked for Project Warmth, which provides one-time grants to help financially stressed Long Island families pay their heating bills. The remaining funds will go to HeartShare in New York City, the Salvation Army in Boston, and the Neighbor Helping Neighbor fund in New Hampshire.

“We all know it’s been a tough winter already, however I’m proud that our Foundation is able to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Bob Catell, chairman & CEO of KeySpan. “Today’s donation reinforces our commitment to these families in need and will assist them in managing their energy bills, regardless of what type of fuel they use.”

The funds are sorely needed. In fact, KeySpan last week joined low-income advocates, fuel fund organizations, and energy providers in calling for Congress to raise future appropriations for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides funds to help low-income households pay fuel and utility bills.

“The KeySpan Foundation is pleased to participate in the vital effort, because people shouldn’t have to choose between paying their energy bills and buying food,” said Foundation Executive Director, Bob Keller.

A United Way program, Project Warmth is supported by individual donations and corporations. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 11,000 Long Island families have received assistance through Project Warmth. Over the years, KeySpan has been the largest corporate supporter of the program; the KeySpan Foundation and KeySpan employees have collectively contributed over $1.1 million to Project Warmth.

"KeySpan's support of Project Warmth from the beginning has been vital to the program's success over the years and our ability to help Long Islanders make it through heating emergencies," said Patrick Foye, president & CEO of United Way of Long Island. "Project Warmth helps more than 1,200 families each winter who have one-time financial crises. Less than 15 percent of our grantees need assistance the following year, indicating we are truly providing them with the opportunity to get back on track. The United Way of Long Island charges no fees for running the program; all of the money raised goes to those in need."

Just as it did last year, KeySpan has also provided 250 Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors to Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy to distribute to low-income families.

"Nassau County appreciates the generosity of our private corporations like KeySpan in helping our residents most in need during these coldest months of the year," said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. "And just as important as a warm house, is warming it safely. These carbon monoxide detectors will be put to immediate use, and will provide a real service while at the same time continuing to raise awareness about an important safety issue in our own homes."

"We in Suffolk County commend KeySpan and the United Way on behalf of our residents in need who will rest a little easier this winter knowing they can heat their homes properly through Project Warmth," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. "It is also comforting to know that through KeySpan's generous donation of carbon monoxide detectors, we can help avert potential tragedies in Suffolk caused by this silent killer and continue to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home."

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of any fossil fuel. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Anyone who suspects carbon monoxide poisoning in their home should get fresh air immediately and call the local fire department. To prevent CO poisoning, residents should install a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL standard.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

KeySpan is happy to provide customers with easy and inexpensive steps to reduce household energy consumption and manage the costs of keeping their homes and families warm. One of the easiest and most effective ways of managing costs is to enroll in the company's balanced billing program. The program offers customers a budget payment plan to defer the effects of increases by spreading the costs over twelve even monthly payments. To sign up for the program, call 1-800-930-5003.

Other energy saving tips include:

Turn down your thermostat - Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and five to 10 degrees lower when sleeping, at work or on vacation. Every degree over 70 can use as much as 3 percent more heating fuel.

Seal air leaks - Caulking windows and weather-stripping around doorframes will slow down the rate at which cold enters your home.

Let the sun shine in - Where you have southern exposure, open drapes, screens or blinds on your windows during daylight hours. Close them at night to prevent heat loss through the windows.

Keep doors and windows closed when heat is on - Close fireplace damper when not in use.

Insulate your attic - Make sure there is between 6-1/2 and 9-1/2 inches of insulation in your attic. You could save nearly 25 percent of your heating and cooling.

The company has a trained staff of consumer advocates to coordinate social service assistance. For more information about these programs, contact Project Warmth at 631-940-3700, New York City HeartShare at 1-800-599-HEART, and the New England Salvation Army at 617-542-5420.

A member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, KeySpan Corporation (NYSE:KSE) is the fifth largest distributor of natural gas in the United States and the largest in the Northeast, operating regulated gas utilities in New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire that serve 2.6 million customers. These customer-focused businesses are complemented by a portfolio of service companies that offer energy-related products, services, and solutions to homes and businesses. KeySpan is also the largest electric generator in New York State, with approximately 6,600 megawatts of generating capacity that provides power to 1.1 million customers of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) on Long Island and supplies approximately 25 percent of New York City’s capacity needs. KeySpan also operates LIPA’s transmission and distribution system under contract to LIPA. In addition to these assets, KeySpan has strategic investments in pipeline transportation, distribution, storage, and production. KeySpan has headquarters in Brooklyn, New England, and Long Island. For more information, visit KeySpan’s web site at www.keyspanenergy.com.

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