Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund Announces $20,000 Grant From Sponsor TransCanada

CRANSTON, RI, March 11, 2015 – The Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund, a cooperative effort between the energy companies in the state, The Salvation Army which administers the Fund and Rhode Islanders to assist those in temporary crisis with their energy bills, announces that it has recently received a $20,000 donation from one of its energy sponsors, TransCanada. TransCanada owns and operates the Ocean State Power generating facility in Burrillville, Rhode Island. The donation to the Fund is part of a broader $60,000 investment by TransCanada to support energy assistance programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well.

“TransCanada is proud to continue to support the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund,” said Stuart Ormsbee, Manager of Power Marketing for TransCanada. “The assistance the Fund provides to residents who need help meeting their electric and other utility bills is critical during this challenging winter season.” The 2014-’15 goal of the Good Neighbor Energy Fund’s “Warm Thy Neighbor” campaign is to raise $500,000 and provide energy assistance to 1,500 families.

“We appreciate the support of TransCanada and all the energy companies who sponsor the Fund,” said Major Wendy Kountz, Rhode Island State Coordinator of The Salvation Army. “Receiving this grant during the winter season is ideal as it will help satisfy the increasing requests for energy assistance.”

TransCanada generates over 1,250 MW of clean and competitively-priced power at its facilities in Rhode Island, western Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, with nearly 700 MW from renewable hydro- and wind-powered sources. The company markets its power to wholesale, commercial and industrial retail electricity customers throughout New England, including major corporations, hospitals, colleges, universities and several state and government facilities. TransCanada currently serves over 200 towns and cities as well as a number of public school systems.

The Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund is a safety net for families who do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs such as LIHEAP. The Fund’s campaign relies on the generosity of individuals, families and local corporations for support. The Salvation Army distributes contributions to families who qualify based on specific household income and family member guidelines.

Fund sponsors – Dominion Resources, Entergy RISEC, National Grid, Pascoag Utility District, Petro Home Services and TransCanada’s Ocean State Power – participate through various giving programs. Rhode Islanders most often donate to the Fund via the yellow donation envelopes that are enclosed with energy bills through the end of March. Those interested in donating to the Fund can also text “WARM” to 41444 on their mobile phone, send a check payable to “Good Neighbor” to The Salvation Army, 34 Commercial Street, Cranston, RI 02905 or visit www.rhodeislandgoodneighbor.org.

Since its establishment in 1986, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has raised over $12.3 million and helped more than 42,750 families who have been in temporary crisis and in need of energy assistance. For more information about the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund, please call (401) 490-0240 or visit www.rhodeislandgoodneighbor.org.

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