Georgia Natural Gas (GNG) is primed for a major initiative that will donate $1.1 million to assist Atlanta-area seniors with properly weatherizing their homes. The plan also aims to educate residents statewide on energy conservation.

"These organizations face enormous financial challenges to meet the needs of low-income senior citizens," said GNG President Michael Braswell. "We are pleased to partner with them this year to weatherize more than 350 homes of senior citizens. GNG continues to be committed to helping seniors not only through philanthropy but also through our special discounted price plan for low-income senior citizens."

In addition to its weatherization initiative, GNG will donate $100,000 to the Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.), the state's oldest energy assistance fund. Since 1983 H.E.A.T. has distributed more than $15.5 million to nearly 78,000 Georgia households. The GNG donation specifically will fund statewide energy conservation education through print and broadcast materials produced by H.E.A.T.

"We have partnered with H.E.A.T. for more than five years, providing them $1.8 million in direct financial support and encouraging our customers to donate, as well," said Braswell. "H.E.A.T. will do an excellent job of ensuring that consumers throughout the state understand the importance of energy conservation and the low-cost and no-cost steps they can take to save on energy costs."

Georgia Natural Gas is the state's leading natural gas provider dedicated to clean-burning, dependable natural gas, as well as an industry leader in community service with an effort to improve lives through volunteering and corporate donations.

For information regarding Georgia Natural Gas and its community service programs, please see GNG Industry News.

Georgia's best-known gardener is now an "Earth Friendly Partner", joining MXenergy's program that enables homeowners and businesses to offset CO2 emissions from natural gas usage.

The MXenergy Earth Friendly Partnership funds the planting of trees that naturally absorb harmful CO2 emissions and help reduce effects of global warming. The program is available to all commercial and residential customers of MXenergy in Georgia.

Retired from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Reeves was raised on a poultry farm in rural Fayette County. He hosts "The Lawn and Garden Show with Walter Reeves"on NewsTalk 750 WSB-AM every Saturday morning from 6-10 a.m. The program is the most listened-to radio show in Atlanta each Saturday.

"If you grow up working with the soil, you realize early on the importance of protecting Mother Nature. That is why I'm excited to be joining forces with the MXenergy Earth Friendly Partnership," said Walter Reeves. "As MXenergy's spokesman and enthusiastic customer, I am able to lend a hand in planting trees, whether I'm in the garden or not, and what can be better than that!"

According to company estimates, if all MXenergy customers went "carbon neutral," the environmental impact would be equivalent to removing 700,000 cars from the roads each year.

For more information, please see the MXenergy press release.

Imagine a winter without any way to heat your home? For several low income homes in Georgia, this is their reality. You can help your neighbors by contributing to the Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.). H.E.A.T. is the oldest statewide fuel fund program in Georgia. They help low-income households meet their energy needs through partnerships with concerned citizens, energy companies, state government, community action agencies, corporations, and other organizations.

To find out how you can contribute, you can go to the H.E.A.T Web site and even make your tax deductible donation online.