KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Aquila, Inc. (NYSE:ILA) is increasing its donation to the company's Aquila Cares program in its seven-state Midwest service area where customers are affected by higher U.S. energy prices, a company official said today.
Aquila Cares helps qualifying individuals in Aquila communities pay energy bills and make emergency repairs to heating and cooling equipment.
"To reach out and help those in our communities who may have difficulty paying heating bills this winter, we have increased our contribution to the Aquila Cares program five-fold, from $100,000 to $500,000 across our service area," said Norma Dunn, senior vice president of corporate communications.
Aquila will match customer and employee contributions to Aquila Cares, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $250,000. Also, Aquila is separately donating an additional $250,000 to the program. If customers and employees donate the full $250,000, the program will provide a total of $750,000 in assistance funds. Aquila's previous maximum contribution was $100,000, with the company matching 50 cents on every dollar contributed.
Since 2001, the Aquila Cares program has provided more than $1 million in customer and company funds to assist residents in the company's service area. Aquila Cares contributions are distributed by the following local assistance agencies in each state.
-- Colorado: Energy Outreach Colorado
-- Iowa: Project Helper, administered by the Iowa Community
Action Association
-- Kansas: HeatShare, administered by the Salvation Army, and
Warm Hearts of Douglas County
-- Michigan: The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW)
-- Minnesota: HeatShare, administered by the Salvation Army
-- Missouri: United Way of Greater St. Joseph and Mid America
Assistance Coalition
-- Nebraska: HeatShare, administered by the Salvation Army
Customers may make tax-deductible contributions to Aquila Cares on their monthly bill by calling Aquila Customer Service at 1-800-303-0752, or sending a check payable to Aquila Cares, P.O. Box 11975, Kansas City, MO 64138. Nearly 5,000 customers currently help their neighbors by including Aquila Cares contributions with their monthly energy bill payments.
"We encourage our customers to take steps now to help manage their monthly bills," Dunn said. Customers interested in spreading their gas bills evenly over 12 months can enroll in Aquila's StreamLINE(R) billing option by calling 1-800-303-0752.
While Aquila has taken actions to mitigate the price of natural gas for its customers, Dunn recommended that customers consider the following energy conservation measures to help reduce their energy use and further reduce winter bills.
-- Adjust the thermostat during the day and night. Set the
thermostat at 68 degrees during the day, and lower it a few
degrees at night.
-- Lower the water heater temperature a few degrees.
-- Use cold water whenever possible. Many laundry detergents
are effective in cold water.
-- Check furnace filters monthly and clean or replace as needed.
-- Don't block heating vents with furniture or clutter.
-- Caulk and seal around windows and doors.
-- Add insulation in the home's attic.
-- Install a setback thermostat that will automatically lower
temperature settings at night and at other designated times.
-- More energy-saving tips are available at www.aquila.com.
Aquila also is matching employee, retiree and customer contributions, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000 in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In addition, the company is posting all of its open positions with agencies assisting hurricane victims in finding jobs.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila operates electricity and natural gas distribution utilities serving 1.3 million customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The company also owns and operates power generation assets. More information is available at www.aquila.com.