LG&E, KU contribute additional $50,000 to Winterhelp, WinterCare heating assistance programs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With the winter heating season off to a frigid start, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company are bolstering financial support for their heating assistance programs by an additional $50,000.

Specifically, Community Winterhelp and the WinterCare Energy Fund each will receive $25,000 to supplement customer donations, which continue to be matched $1-for-$1 by the companies through March 31 — four times the traditional amount.

After a relatively mild November, the region experienced the coldest December in the last 10 years and one of the coldest Decembers in the last 30 years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, December was 26 percent colder than normal, with 26 days below average.

"As families continue to deal with the effects of a harsh winter and economic uncertainty, we want to ensure those least able to pay their energy bills have greater access to the heating assistance funds supported by our companies," said John P. Malloy, Vice President of Energy Delivery — Retail for LG&E and KU.

"Our community's support of Winterhelp and WinterCare by individuals and organizations is critical, and with the announcement of our additional $50,000 contribution, donations to those assistance programs will go even further to help customers in need."

Community Winterhelp and the WinterCare Energy Fund are nonprofit organizations supported and promoted by LG&E and KU, in addition to other utilities throughout the state. Each organization's funds are managed by an independent third party, (the Louisville Urban League for Winterhelp and Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas counties for WinterCare). These third-party agencies determine recipient eligibility. Combined, the programs have raised nearly $7.3 million since 1983 to help families in need pay their winter heating bills.

LG&E and KU residential customers may donate to the programs by making a monthly pledge or a one-time contribution that can be added to their monthly bill. Customers can also donate online at www.lge-ku.com.

For eligibility requirements or additional information about Winterhelp, LG&E customers can call 502-561-6836.

KU customers should contact their local community action agency for eligibility requirements or information regarding WinterCare. 

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 397,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 543,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.