SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY Encourages Conservation To Combat Rising Natural Gas Prices PORT HURON, Mich., Nov. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY encourages customers to use conservation methods to combat higher heating costs during the 2003-2004 heating season, which began November 1. Simple steps, such as sealing windows and unused doors in addition to dialing down the thermostat can have a significant impact on peak season energy use. And making their homes more energy efficient is one way customers can counter the increasing cost of natural gas, said Francis Lieder, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Affairs for SEMCO ENERGY, Inc. SEMCO ENERGY, Inc. is the parent company of SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY. "All indicators are that natural gas prices will continue to rise. SEMCO ENERGY makes the most prudent gas purchases possible, but we are encouraging our customers to take steps to limit the amount of gas they are using," he said. The Gas Company also is willing to work with customers who find it difficult to pay their complete energy bill each month during the winter months, he said. "We recognize that energy costs, including the cost of natural gas payments, are taking a larger portion of our customers' incomes. We have a variety of programs available to help people better budget their payments." If a customer is going to be unable to pay their full bill, they should contact SEMCO ENERGY at 1-800-624-2019 before the payment is due. A payment plan can be set up for them. "We don't want to shut off any customer's service at any time of the year, certainly not in winter. We just need them to contact us before the situation gets to that point," Lieder said. Customers also can consult the SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY web site (http://www.semcoenergygas.com/ ) for tips on energy saving measures. The site also offers a link to the U.S. Department of Energy "Energy Savers" web page. SEMCO ENERGY, Inc. distributes natural gas to more than 385,000 customers combined in Michigan, as SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY, and in Alaska, as ENSTAR Natural Gas Company. It owns and operates businesses involved in natural gas pipeline construction services, propane distribution, intrastate pipelines and natural gas storage in various regions of the United States. In addition, it provides information technology and outsourcing services, specializing in the mid-range computer market. DATASOURCE: SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY CONTACT: Francis Lieder, Director of Corporate Communications & Media Affairs of SEMCO ENERGY, Inc., +1-810-987-2200, ext. 4186, fax: +1-810-989-4098, e-mail: Web site: http://www.semcoenergy.com/ http://www.semcoenergygas.com/

Copyright