The Citizens Energy-Distrigas heat assistance program (CEDHAP) provides eligible households who do not qualify for federal fuel aid with a $150 credit to their natural gas bills. In 2007, the program helped about 5,500 Massachusetts households, the companies noted.
Citizens Energy is administering the program, and Distrigas has committed about $1 million in funding each year from the proceeds of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes delivered to its LNG import facility in Everett, Massachusetts.
Since CEDHAP was launched in January 2005, thousands of Massachusetts households have used the program, with payments being made on behalf of customers of Bay State Gas, Berkshire Gas, Holyoke Gas & Electric, KeySpan, Middleboro Gas & Electric, NStar, Unitil and Westfield Gas & Electric, the companies said. More than 6,000 households are expected to benefit from the program in 2008.
