Summer 2015 newsletter bill insert / PA version / flat size: 12.5” x 10.875” / folded size: 6.25” x 3.625” / cmyk

Summer 2015 Pennsylvania Customer Newsletter

www.nationalfuelgas.com

Important Contact Information

For more information, including translation services, call 1-800-365-3234. Este folleto también es disponible en español. Para más información, llame al 1-800-365-3234.

PA Summer Newsletter 6-15

Things to think about:

• Help for the unemployed • Smell gas? Act fast!! • Tankless water heaters

No Tanks! Tankless Water Heaters• Endless hot water!• Longer unit life span!• Saves you money!

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) increased water heater efficiency standards in 2015, affecting the size and cost of typical storage tank models, especially those larger than 55 gallons. Now might be the time to think about an on-demand or tankless water heater for your home, which can save the typical family more than $100 per year on gas bills, according to the DOE.

Advantages of on-demand water heaters:• Endless supply of hot water• Life span can be twice as long as storage tank models• Significant space savings• Multiple venting options• Environmentally friendly

Keep in mind that even natural gas standard tank models will save you money and offer faster recovery times when compared with electric models.More information as well as a list of National Fuel Energy Partners who install and service water heaters can be found at: http://www.nationalfuelgas.com/ForHome/save_money.aspx.

For more information, contact: National Fuel’s Energy Services DepartmentPA: espa@natfuel.com / 1-800-551-5991.

Billing Questions and Customer ServiceIf you have a question, problem or request, please call us Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Erie area: 814-871-8200 All other areas: 1-800-365-3234 Or visit www.nationalfuelgas.com for more information.

Customers with hearing or speech difficulties are able to communicate with us on electronic display (TTY or teletypewriter) and can have a relay call placed to us by calling 7-1-1.

Customer Assistance CentersIf you’d like to talk with one of our representatives in person, our Customer Assistance Centers are staffed with helpful people who can assist you. Please check the locations listed below to find the office closest to you.

Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Erie: 1100 State Street, Erie, PA 16501

Oil City: 1 Relief Street, Oil City, PA 16301

A damaged natural gas pipeline or service line to a house may create an explosion hazard, severe property damage and loss of vital service. If you are planning a project that involves digging, trenching, drilling, grading or excavating:• Call 8-1-1 before you dig at least 3 full

business days before the start of your project.

• We’ll send a professional to conduct a FREE site survey and mark the underground lines on your property.

• Once your underground lines have been marked, you will know the approximate location of your utility lines.

• Respect the marks and dig with care using hand tools near underground lines.

• Have an emergency plan.8-1-1 is the national toll-free number you should call before you begin any digging project. Whether you are planning to do it yourself or hire a professional, smart digging means calling 8-1-1 before each job. In the unlikely event of a pipeline failure or leak, you may:• Smell a rotten egg odor;• Hear a hissing sound;• See dirt, grass or leaves blowing from

underground;• See water bubbling in a puddle or creek;

and/or• Notice a strange patch of dead grass.

Call 1-800-444-3130 with the exact location of what you’ve observed. Don’t assume that someone else has, or will, call to report the situation. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer calls about leaks or other gas emergencies.

Be Safe - Call Before You Dig, Drill or Blast!

Interstate Pipeline Markers Show What’s BelowThe U.S. relies on natural gas for nearly one-fourth of its energy needs. Produced almost entirely in the U.S., this clean and efficient energy source is the most popular heating fuel. More than 2.2 million miles of pipelines efficiently deliver natural gas every day to American homes safely and reliably. Running underground, this interstate pipeline infrastructure is generally identified with pipeline markers and runs along streets, private property, easements and cross country. In the case of residential streets, natural gas utility pipelines are not extensively marked but rest assured there is infrastructure underground that safely transports natural gas to our homes.

Interstate pipeline markers indicate the location, product carried and the pipeline operator’s contact information. The area on each side of the pipeline is known as a right-of-way. To ensure continued safety, the pipeline’s owners have the right to restrict certain activities on private property within a right-of-way. Pipeline markers serve a critical role by showing people who might be digging at the location of a pipeline corridor — because even minor damage to a pipeline could cause a leak or failure. We’ll always respect the property, but for the sake of safety, please ensure that the right-of-way provides access to underground pipes.

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Summer 2015 newsletter bill insert / PA version / flat size: 12.5” x 10.875” / folded size: 6.25” x 3.625” / cmyk

Don’t neglect when you detect a gas odor!Natural gas, in its natural state, is colorless and odorless. Because of this, natural gas providers must add a harmless, non-toxic odorant to it to make it more readily detectable. These odorants are typically mercaptans and produce the well known “gassy odor” that is associated with natural gas, usually described as a rotten egg smell.If you detect a faint smell of gas, check to see if you have a pilot light out or a burner that is not completely turned off. Then open windows and doors to ventilate. Do not attempt to re-light without ventilating the area first. If you smell a strong gas odor, or are unable to detect the cause of the odor:

DO:• Leave the premises.• Call National Fuel’s emergency line, 1-800-444-3130, from a different

location.

DON’T:• Switch lights on or off.• Light any matches.

Natural gas is one of the most safe and clean-burning energy sources available. At National Fuel, providing safe, reliable natural gas service at the lowest possible price is our highest priority.

Go Green with Paperless BillingReceiving your bills by mail wastes precious time, money, paper and postage. Once enrolled in National Fuel’s Online Services, you can easily:

• Stop getting paper bills;• Stop writing checks and save on stamps;• Receive 24-hour access to your

account; and• Stabilize your monthly bill.

Sign up online at www.nationalfuelgas.com.

Direct Pay - The Fastest and Easiest Way to PayWith the Direct Payment Plan, your monthly gas payment will be deducted automatically from your checking or savings account on the day the bill is due. That means no more check writing, check charges, postage costs, or waiting in line. And it’s FREE! Sign up online at www.nationalfuelgas.com or call us at 1-800-365-3234.

Making Bill Paying EasierHelp yourself and help the environment:

The Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund, a first-come, first-served home-heating assistance grant program, is open to provide assistance to low-income northwestern Pennsylvanians to help pay for energy-related expenses. Qualifying recipients may receive a one-time grant of up to $400. In order to qualify for a grant, applicants must fall into at least one of the following classifications:• Be at least 55 years old; OR• A member of their household must

be handicapped or have a disability that reduces the household’s income; OR

• Have a certified medical emergency; OR

• Be receiving unemployment benefits.

Applicants must have made at least 4 payments to their heating bills within a 12-month period from the date of application (including one within the last 90 days) and have evidence of need. Monthly income and expenses will be verified, and grant applications are processed by administering agencies. Applicants must reside in National Fuel’s service territory; however, they are not required to be a National Fuel customer.Neighbor For Neighbor is funded by contributions from National Fuel Gas Company, its customers and employees, and other private entities.

This fund was established by National Fuel in 1983 and has offered grants to more than 9,000 northwestern Pennsylvanians, totaling more than $2 million.The Utility also offers other programs and services and referrals to other third-party assistance programs to customers who are struggling with their heating bills. For example, in the Low Income Residential Assistance Program, eligible customers can receive a discount between 10% - 70% off of the regular residential rate determined by household size and income. To find out more, call 1-800-365-3234 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.nationalfuelgas.com and look under the Payment Assistance section of the website. If you are having any difficulty paying your bill, call National Fuel as soon as possible. Our experienced representatives can work with you to find a payment plan or an assistance program.

Eligible unemployed and elderly northwestern Pennsylvanians may receive up to $400 to help pay energy-related bills.

Eligible families or individuals in need of payment assistance are encouraged to contact the following to find the nearest agency and determine the necessary documentation to bring to the application interview:BUTLER Butler Salvation Army (724) 287-5532CLARION United Way of Clarion County (814) 226-8760 CLEARFIELD Clearfield Com. Action/DuBois Family Service Center CPCA - Clearfield (814) 765-1551CRAWFORD Associated Charities (814) 827-8223 Center for Family Services (814) 337-8450ELK & CAMERON Northern Tier Community Action (814) 486-1161 ERIE GECAC (814) 459-4581 McKEAN Salvation Army (814) 368-7012MERCER Community Action Partnership of Mercer County (724) 342-6222VENANGO United Way of Venango County (814) 676-6545WARREN & FOREST Economic Opportunity Council (814) 726-2400

PennsylvaniaNeighbor For Neighbor Agencies

Neighbor for Neighbor expands help to jobless

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