Piedmont Natural Gas reminds its communities in the Carolinas and Tennessee that help is available for people in need

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: [email protected]

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

SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas