Temporary measure aims to get more customers restored for heating season

Waltham, Mass. – National Grid is again temporarily lowering the down payment a Rhode Island electricity or natural gas customer must make to have service restored after losing service for non-payment. The company is taking the action to help customers as colder weather looms and the state’s economy continues to struggle. The offer is similar to plans offered in the past two years. It was approved this week by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and will expire on December 1, 2009.

The amount of the down payment and the repayment period are based on a percentage of the customer’s total balance. Participating customers must also remain current on their monthly bills to continue to qualify for this restoration plan.

Rhode Island customers interested in finding out if they qualify for the service restoration plan, are having difficulty paying their natural gas and electricity bills or would like to better manage their bills through budget payment plans should call the following numbers:

• Electricity customers – 888-211-1313

• Natural gas customers – 800-870-1664

To help customers create savings for themselves and to benefit the environment, National Grid is urging people to pledge to use three percent less energy every year for the next ten years through its Three Percent Less Energy Pledge campaign. Customers can learn more about National Grid’s programs at www.powerofaction.com.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.