Additional aid coming to agencies helping families with winter home heating
Monday, February 24, 2014
Despite a warm-up this
weekend, the mercury is dropping once again as the chill of the winter season keeps
a firm hold across the area. Winter 2014 is trending colder overall, with
January and February to date each coming in about 35% colder than last
year. The extreme conditions put a freeze on the finances of many who are still
struggling to deal with the cold weather’s impact on their heating bills.
We want to assist community action
agencies’ efforts in taking some of the strain off residents needing assistance.
Today, Kentucky Utilities Company and Old Dominion Power Company announced they’re
contributing more than $90,000 to 20 community action agencies across the
utilities’ service territories. Community action agencies in Barbourville, Bowling
Green, Covington, Flemingsburg, Frankfort, Harlan, Hopkinsville, Jackson, Jamestown,
LaGrange, Lebanon, Lexington, Manchester, Mayfield, Owensboro, Pineville, Richmond,
Shelbyville and West Liberty in Kentucky, as well as Norton, Va., are receiving
the funds.
“We know residents and
nonprofits alike have been feeling the pinch of the weather’s impact this
season,” said John P. Malloy, vice president of Customer Services for KU and
ODP. “By working with the Community Action Council and other community action
agencies in Kentucky and the Appalachian Community Action and Development
Agency in Virginia, it’s our hope they’ll be able to use these grant dollars to
reach out to those having trouble making ends meet right now.”
The aid is part of an
additional $200,000 we’ve identified to be allocated to community action
groups, shelters and other nonprofit organizations within its service territories
— specifically to address heightened concerns stemming from the unusually cold
season.
In addition to providing the
grants, we are also willing to work with residential customers challenged by
the cold weather’s impact on their utility bills. Residential customers
anticipating difficulty paying their bills are encouraged to contact customer
service representatives, who will address their individual situation. LG&E
customers can call (502) 589-1444 and KU and ODP residential customers can dial
(800) 981-0600.
