May 27, 2010

NORFOLK, Va. – May 27, 2010 – Weather forecasters are predicting a busy 2010 hurricane season. Virginia Natural Gas reminds customers to prepare now, before a hurricane hits. The season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30.

“We have emergency plans to handle any weather crisis, including hurricanes,” said Robert Duvall, vice president, Virginia Natural Gas. “The safety of our customers, their families and our employees is paramount. Our crews are trained to handle any natural gas emergency before, during and after a hurricane hits.”
 
Virginia residents who purchase hurricane and emergency supplies now through Memorial Day will receive tax incentives. Consumers are allowed exemptions of sales tax on certain supplies and equipment needed for hurricane season purchased from May 25 through May 31. Residents looking for a list of those items can visit www.tax.virginia.gov.
 
In the case of a hurricane warning, Virginia Natural Gas offers these hurricane safety tips: 
 
Hurricane preparation: 

• Virginia Natural Gas customers are advised to leave their natural gas service on, even in the event of an evacuation. Customers should not attempt to turn gas off at their meters. Most gas appliances have safety valves that shut off the flow of gas automatically if the pilot light goes out.
• Stay tuned to radio or TV for critical bulletins.
• Board up windows, garage and porch doors. Large windows should be braced inside and out. Taping windows will lessen the hazard of flying glass.
• Move valuables to upper floors if possible to avoid water damage.
• Bring in pets and loose objects such as toys, furniture, and trashcans.
• Fill containers with several days supply of drinking water (including sterilized bathtub).
• Stay indoors on the downwind side of the house with a door or window on that side of the house open.
• If ordered to evacuate, quickly secure your home and leave immediately. Follow evacuation orders regardless of what the weather is at the time. It may be sunny and calm when the evacuation order comes, but this lead time is necessary to insure your safety.
• Emergency Car Kit should include:

• Battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Booster cables
• Fire extinguisher (5lb A-B-C type)
• First aid kit and manual
• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins, and peanut butter.
• Secure pet carriers for cats and small dogs, sturdy leashes/harnesses for larger dogs, and appropriate crates or cages for other types of pets such as reptiles, birds, etc.

Back-up generators
Natural gas generators are fully automatic. Within seconds of an outage, the unit comes on, supplies power, and switches off when power returns - without any help from the owner. Units are sound insulated and comply with emissions standards. More than two million U.S. businesses will experience power outages that last longer than eight hours, costing thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

 “Gas stations, businesses, and individual residents have the option of utilizing a natural gas backup generator, ensuring on-demand, and dependable electricity during power outages,” said Duvall. “It’s one of the benefits of using natural gas. When the power goes out, it stays on.”

Using a natural gas generator is just one way a customer can save resources. Under the new energySMART conservation program offered by Virginia Natural Gas, customers can also reduce their energy consumption and cut their monthly utility costs by requesting a free programmable thermostat or taking advantage of the rebates offered for customers upgrading to high efficiency natural gas equipment. Visit www.virginianaturalgas.com for more details on energySMART.

About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE: AGL), provides retail natural gas sales and distribution services to 271,000 customers in southeast Virginia.  For more information, visit www.virginianaturalgas.com. 

About AGL Resources
AGL Resources (NYSE: AGL), an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves approximately 2.3 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout North America. As a current 85 percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. The company also owns and operates Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com. 
 
Contact:           AGL Resources           
                        Tami Gerke
                        Office: 404-584-3873
                        Cell: 404-558-2307 
                        tgerke@aglresources.com