CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With returning cold
temperatures and potential negative impacts from the ongoing
federal government shutdown, Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding its
customers and communities of programs for people who need
assistance paying their energy bills.
"Higher energy bills this time of year can make financial
hardships even more stressful for individuals and families who
already struggle to make ends meet," said Barbara Ashford, director of community relations
for Piedmont Natural Gas. "And now with some federal government
workers facing uncertainty about when to expect their next
paycheck, temporary assistance could be just a phone call away.
"Piedmont Natural Gas customers can take advantage of our Equal
Payment Plan or may even be eligible for a temporary payment
arrangement. Others who need help paying their energy bills,
including people who are not Piedmont customers, may qualify for temporary
assistance from our Share the Warmth program."
Share the Warmth Roundup
Since 2003, Piedmont Natural Gas, its customers and the Piedmont
Natural Gas Foundation have donated nearly $3.5 million to Share the Warmth – an energy
assistance program that helps individuals and families pay their
monthly energy bills. People in need do not have to use natural gas
or even be a Piedmont Natural Gas customer to qualify for
assistance.
Share the Warmth funds are distributed through Piedmont's partner agencies, which are listed
below. Call or visit the appropriate agency to inquire about
eligibility:
- North Carolina
-
- Crisis Assistance Ministry (Mecklenburg County)
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services (all other North
Carolina counties)
- South Carolina
-
- South Carolina Office of Economic
Opportunity (Anderson,
Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties)
- Tennessee
-
- Metro Action Commission (Davidson County)
- Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency (Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson counties)
- Highland Rim Economic Corporation (Dickson County)
Equal Payment Plan (EPP)
Piedmont's Equal Payment Plan
helps eligible customers manage their energy costs by allowing them
to pay an estimated, equal monthly bill amount. Piedmont estimates a customer's total annual
natural gas usage and then spreads the payments as evenly as
possible across a specific period of time. Since EPP customers know
what their bill amount will be each month, they avoid receiving
unexpected higher bills during colder months when natural gas usage
is greater.
To learn more or to enroll, visit:
- Equal Payment Plan
(http://www.piedmontng.com/youraccount/onlineservices/eppfaq.aspx)
Payment Arrangements
For customers having trouble paying their Piedmont Natural Gas
bill, customer service representatives are available Monday through
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern
time to review accounts and discuss options that may include
a payment arrangement.
For more information or to see if they qualify for a payment
arrangement, customers should contact Piedmont's customer service department via
either method below:
- Call: 800.752.7504
- Email: customerselfservice@duke-energy.com
About Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy services company whose
principal business is the distribution of natural gas to more than
1 million residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well
as power plants, in North
Carolina, South Carolina
and Tennessee.
Piedmont is routinely
recognized by J.D. Power for excellent customer satisfaction, and
was named by Cogent Reports in 2017 as one of the most trusted
utility brands in the U.S.
Piedmont Natural Gas is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE:
DUK).
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding
companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a
generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is
transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy
grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas
infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and
communities it serves.
A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018
"World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's
Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news
releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke
Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Corporate Communications
877.348.3612
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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas