SCE&G Donates $250,000 and Matches Contributions Up to $100,000 to Help Low-Income Customers Keep Warm this Winter

October 9, 2008

Community action agencies begin taking applications Nov. 5
Columbia, SC – October 8, 2008 – South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G) today announced a corporate gift of $250,000 to Project SHARE, a financial assistance program funded by SCE&G customers and employees to help low-income customers pay their winter heating bills. Additionally, the company will provide a dollar-for-dollar match on customer and employee donations up to $100,000 through the end of 2008. One hundred percent of Project SHARE contributions go to help people in need.

An Aiken County resident who received assistance from Project SHARE told his story: “It gets so cold in this old house; feels just like an ice box. There’s no insulation. I can’t even close the windows all the way. Some friends told me about Project SHARE, so I called the local community action agency.  Without Project SHARE, I wouldn’t have made it through the winter on my fixed income. I sure appreciate the help.”

Local community action agencies administer Project SHARE using guidelines set by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity to determine eligibility. To contribute to Project SHARE, visit www.sceg.com to download a contribution form or use the form inserted in your November bill. Mail the completed form with your SCE&G payment, drop it off at an SCE&G Customer Service office, or mail it to SCE&G, Columbia, S.C.  29218. To apply for assistance starting Nov. 5, call your local community action agency (visit www.oepp.sc.gov/oeo for contact information).

“Considering the economic challenges facing so many people from the gasoline pump to payment of energy bills, we anticipate a tough heating season that will leave even more families in need of help to heat their homes,” said Kevin Marsh, SCE&G president. “We hope this dollar-for-dollar match will inspire those who are able to give so that Project SHARE can help more families have a warm winter.”

Since its inception in 1986, Project SHARE has provided more than $7 million to help nearly 41,000 low-income customers in communities served by SCE&G. The current gift comes during Energy Awareness Month, which SCE&G is observing by helping customers prepare for the winter heating season, encouraging efficient use of energy, and promoting the development of renewable energy resources. Visit www.sceg.com to learn more about energy efficiency and renewable energy.

South Carolina Electric & Gas Company is a regulated public utility that provides natural gas service to approximately 305,000 customers in 38 counties in South Carolina. The company also is engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 646,000 customers in 24 counties in the central, southern and southwestern portions of the state.