Energy-Saving Advice (Minnesota)

Keeping community leaders informed

Helping CenterPoint Energy customers get through heating season

CenterPoint Energy reminds customers about their rights and responsibilities under the Cold Weather Rule (CWR), which protects residential customers having difficulty paying their natural gas bill from having their natural gas service disconnected from October 15 through April 15. It does not completely stop winter disconnection but it does provide customers extra protection as defined in the rule. To obtain extra protection, residential customers must:

• Contact CenterPoint Energy to establish a payment plan and

• Maintain their payment plan obligations

“We want our customers to be aware of the steps they need to take under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule,” said David Baker, vice president of operations for CenterPoint Energy. “If a customer is disconnected, they need to establish a payment plan to get their natural gas service restored and continue their payment plan to avoid having their natural gas service disconnected in the future.”

The payment plan will cover what is owed and the amount to be billed and will take into consideration a customer’s financial circumstances and any other special circumstances. The payment plan must also be agreeable to both the customer and CenterPoint Energy. If an agreed-upon payment plan cannot be reached, customers have a right to appeal under the rule.

All customers are eligible for protection under the CWR, but they must contact CenterPoint Energy to establish a payment plan. Company representatives are available to refer customers to agencies that may be able to help customers pay their natural gas bill and qualify them for payment plans. “We want to ensure our customers are prepared for the winter heating season ahead by helping them understand the conditions that will qualify them for a payment plan,” Baker added.

To qualify for CWR protection, contact CenterPoint Energy to set up a payment plan today at 612-372-4680 or 1-800-729-6164. For additional information about the Cold Weather Rule please visit CenterPointEnergy.com/readyforwinter.

Meter safety tips and when to call us

Meter safety tips and when to call us During winter, snow or ice can build up on or near meters, causing potentially dangerous conditions. Although meter problems due to weather are uncommon, follow these tips to help prevent them:

1. Keep meter area and a path to the meter clear of snow, leaves and debris. Do not use a snow blower or shovel near the meter

2. Do not attempt to remove ice from the meter yourself. You can use a broom to keep the snow cleared around and on top of the meter set assembly.

3. If there is ice on the meter, or one or more of the following conditions, call 612-321-5200 or 1-800-722-9326:

• Snow or ice formations are visible above the meter

• Meter is located below a downspout

• Overhang or eave does not fully extend over the meter

• Meter is located below a roof valley without a gutter

• Meter is located below an exterior water spigot

State law requires CO alarms in Minnesota

State law now requires carbon monoxide (CO) detection devices to be installed in homes within 10 feet of each lawfully used sleeping quarter.

CO is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating that is produced while burning fuels such as gasoline, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, natural gas, propane, heating oil and almost any other combustible material. When breathed into the body, CO combines with blood and oxygen absorption, which can cause illness or death. Symptoms mimic the flu and usually begin with a headache. If you suspect CO release or exposure, induce fresh air immediately and call 911.

To prevent CO build up:

• Make sure your fresh air intake(s) is unobstructed

• Have fuel-burning equipment regularly checked by a qualified technician (most manufacturers recommend annual check-ups)

• Check frequently for visible signs of problems, such as high indoor humidity, or soot or water collecting near a burner or vent

Never run your car or any other combustible engine in your garage or your home as CO can build up and move into the home causing illness and even death.

Call 612-342-4610 in the metro area, or tollfree 1-800-333-9365 or visit our Web site to purchase an alarm from CenterPoint Energy.

What to do if you smell gas

1. Leave immediately and on foot! Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell phones), your car or anything that could cause a spark.

2. Go to a safe location in a nearby home or building and call our Emergency Service/Gas Leak Hotline and dial 911 immediately. Never assume that someone else has reported the gas leak. Remember, CenterPoint Energy checks suspected gas leaks at no cost to you.

3. Never try to repair a gas leak yourself. Leave all repairs to a trained technician.

For meter, CO and gas safety information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/besafe

CenterPoint Energy
24-hour – Emergency Service/Gas Leak Hotline
Twin Cities metro area: 612-372-5050
Toll-free: 1-800-722-9326

In this issue:

» Meter safety tips
» New Natural gas safety
education K-12
» Free furnace tune-ups
for customers in need
» In your community
» Energy saving ideas
» Contact us

Gas Affordability Program available for qualifying customers

CenterPoint Energy encourages customers who have received a LIHEAP grant for 2009-2010 to apply for CenterPoint Energy’s Gas Affordability Program (GAP). GAP helps qualifying customers keep gas bills manageable by lowering monthly bills and helping with the costs of past due balances. Also, once accepted into the program, participants will not have their gas service shut off, as long as they continue to make agreed upon payments. Customers who are active in GAP at the end of 2009 will be automatically enrolled in the 2010 program. To learn more, please call 612-372-4727 or 1-800-245-2377.

Someone you should
know

Kelly Chase, Senior Marketing Specialists

Kelly Chase promotes the residential rebate programs that save energy and money for more than 14,000 of CenterPoint Energy’s residential customers each year. She has been with the company for more than 18 years. For 12 years, she has been in the utility Marketing group providing heating dealers and plumbers with information that they can share with customers about the benefits of high-efficiency natural gas heating and water heating equipment.

CenterPoint Energy offers up to $200 rebates for residential customers for replacing inefficient heating systems and water heaters. More information about rebate offerings can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/
rebates.

Favorite part of her job Chase enjoys talking with customers about saving energy and money at events such as the Minnesota State Fair, Living Green Expo and National Night Out. “There are many opportunities that customers can take advantage of that will help them reduce their energy consumption,” said Chase. She provides this money saving tip: Customers should also consider requesting a home energy audit this fall to uncover more ways to save energy. Some energy saving improvements may also qualify for tax credits. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ energyaudit for more information.

Away from the office Chase enjoys preserving memories through scrapbooking.

In your Community

New natural gas safety education program
for K-12

During American Education Week (Nov. 15 – 21), CenterPoint Energy’s Corporate Community Relations group is launching a K-12 natural gas safety education program, which includes a Web site designed to increase awareness of natural gas safety for students of all ages. Energy Underground features age-appropriate resources. Students will learn valuable natural gas safety information, such as how to detect a gas leak, have the opportunity to write their own TV commercial and conduct experiments such as making fossils or conducting earthquakes.

The site, which is funded by CenterPoint Energy, also contains energy conservation information, lesson plans, resources and education links for teachers, and games and activities for students.

“The program allows for consistent and regular natural gas safety communications to public and private schools throughout CenterPoint Energy’s service areas,” said Jean Krause, director of Corporate Community Relations. K-12 schools in your community will be receiving information regarding CenterPoint.EnergyUnderground.com.

CenterPoint Energy provides free furnace tune-ups for customers in need

For a second year, Home Service Plus® technicians and others will be donating time to perform free 15-point furnace tune-ups, safety checks and emergency repairs for low-income CenterPoint Energy customers. Corporate

Community Relations is working with Community Action Agencies in Anoka County, Minneapolis and Suburban Hennepin counties to identify eligible recipients for the free furnace tune-up which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14. The volunteer event is a collaboration between CenterPoint Energy’s Home Service Plus and its local unions: the Gasworkers Local 340, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 949 and Office Professional Employees International Union 12 along with other local community action programs.

Energy Saving Ideas

Home Energy Audits wrap a home in comfort and energy savings.

CenterPoint Energy’s low-cost Home Energy Audits are a great tool to learn more about ways to improve the efficiency and comfort of your home. Our state-certified energy auditor will visit the home to conduct a Standard Audit for $25 (for some income levels, the audit is free) and leave a complete report with specific actions you can take to get ready for winter. Participants also get up to $25 in free weatherization materials. Or, select a more in-depth Home Performance Audit for $100.

Implementing our auditor’s energy-saving recommendations is one of the best ways to wrap your home in energy savings. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/energyaudit or call 612-321-5011 (1-800-234-5800, ext. 5011).

CenterPoint Energy rebates offset the purchase costs of high-efficiency natural gas heating equipment and water heaters. You must submit your application during the year the equipment is installed, so contact the dealer, plumber or retailer of your choice now. You also may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $1,500 when you install qualifying heating systems.

Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/rebates and submit rebate applications by Dec. 31.

Energy Saving Ideas for business

Custom Energy Analysis – Request one today and cut energy costs.

Find savings you can bank on by requesting a Custom Energy Analysis for your commercial building from CenterPoint Energy today to help you manage your energy costs. If you’re looking for ways to reduce the energy use and costs in your facility, turn to the experts.

A certified energy auditor will thoroughly inspect your facility’s natural gas use and provide a detailed written report, including:

Recommendations for energy improvements
Potential CenterPoint Energy rebates
Estimated costs for implementing improvements
Estimated payback period if changes are made
Projected energy-savings
When you make at least one qualifying improvement, the Analysis

is free! CenterPoint Energy wants to help customers use energy wisely. Our Custom Energy Analysis is valued at $1,200, but is provided to CenterPoint Energy customers for only $200. Plus, we’ll fully reimburse your $200 if you make at least one energy improvement that qualifies for a CenterPoint Energy rebate within one calendar year of the analysis date.

Act today and find your energy-savings. Contact your account manager or call the Business Customer Hotline at 612-321-4939 (1-877-809-3803).

Natural gas prices remain low due to economy and ample supplies

Click on images to view larger chart

Natural gas prices are currently lower than last heating season, thanks to several factors ranging from the recessionary economy and increased supply resulting in storage levels well-above average. “With the economic situation dramatically curtailing many manufacturing and production operations, there has been a significant decrease in natural gas demand in the last year,” said Doug Peterson, director of Marketing and Sales at CenterPoint Energy. “Based in part on this reduction in demand, natural gas storage levels are up 17 percent over last year and up 18 percent over the five-year average.”

In addition to a slower economy, a relatively cool summer resulted in less natural gas demand for electric generation, further increasing storage levels. In addition, “unconventional” production of natural gas through shale fields is up substantially, further increasing supplies and pushing prices down. “This shale field production is called ‘unconventional’ because it uses a different type of drilling technology. It is projected to increase domestic natural gas supplies by 43 percent by 2030, and is expected to have a positive, long-term impact on natural gas pricing,” added Peterson.

When the economy begins to recover and natural gas demand increases, prices are expected to increase. However, CenterPoint Energy proactively works to minimize price volatility by managing a diversified natural gas supply portfolio designed to provide a reliable supply of gas at a reasonable cost. With the lower price of natural gas, an average residential bill in Minnesota that was $137 per month last winter could average $110 this coming winter, excluding taxes. The actual difference will vary depending on the amount of natural gas used and actual prices.

Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/gasprices to receive the latest pricing information and our monthly natural gas pricing update.

Important phone numbers
Gas Leak Emergency	911 and 612-372-5050	800-722-9326
Call Before You Dig	811 or 651-454-0002	800-252-1166
Billing or Credit Assistance	612-372-4680	800-245-2377
Energy Audit/Conservation Programs	612-372-4727	800-245-2377
New Gas Line Installations	612-321-5123	800-342-4166
Engineering and Design Service	612-321-5426	800-342-5800
Restoration Inquiries	612-321-5042	800-342-5042
Other Departments not listed	612-372-4664	800-234-5800

Local Government Relations
Al Swintek	612-321-4799

State Government Relations
Susan Turbes	612-321-4850

Community Relations
Suzanne Pierazek Elli Fisher	612-321-4828 (Metro) 507-387-1931 (Greater MN)