Winter can be a particularly hard time for those in need and US Operations have a number of established assistance programmes.

Community Winterhelp

Community Winterhelp raises over $1 million each year which assists low- income customers with their winter heating bills. Contributions are received from residential customers, businesses and non-profit organisations and
LG&E matches them dollar-for-dollar during the winter months (25 cents per dollar in the remainder of the year). Residential customers may donate in various ways, including rounding up their bill to the nearest dollar or through monthly pledges. The funds for Community Winterhelp are administered by third parties with distribution based on income. As well as encouraging customers to donate, LG&E also tells them how to apply for assistance.

Project Warm

LG&E donated $82,500 to Project Warm, an agency that aims to educate low-income customers about conservation and offers assistance to low-income elderly or disabled customers in the LG&E service area. This has included sealing air leaks, adding loft insulation and offering basic energy education. Every year, Project Warm sponsors the Project WARM Blitz - an event where volunteers, including a large number of LG&E employees, work to insulate the homes of eligible individuals and families.

Financial planning

We recognise the part that good financial planning can play in helping customers meet their bills. This was particularly so at a time when gas prices were rising. We therefore encourage customers to sign up for our budget-billing programme that spreads payments equally across the year. The number of budget billing customers has risen by 19 per cent.

Credit counsellor

We have created a full-time position of credit counsellor to help customers gain access to all available aid, including federal funds. The credit counsellor serves as the liaison between service agencies and LG&E and advises on low-income issues. During 2001, some 250 fuel poor customers were assisted by the counsellor.