SEATTLE, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Cascade Natural Gas Corporation
(NYSE: CGC) announced that it will contribute an extra $100,000 to its Winter
Help low-income energy assistance program. Eighteen community service agencies
in Washington and Oregon will receive the $100,000 in the coming weeks. The
funds, allocated based on the anticipated needs in the communities, will help
Cascade's customers pay for their natural gas bills.
    "Recently, the nation has been faced with significant increases in energy
costs. It is evident that the higher prices we must pay for our gas supplies
can result in hardship for many of our customers," said Brian Matsuyama,
Cascade's Chairman, President & CEO. "We feel that this extra $100,000 dollars
will provide much needed help for those who will be most adversely affected.
This contribution is in addition to $30,000 that we have already committed for
this year's Winter Help program."
    The company will also distribute copies of its Practical Energy Savings
Tips brochure to these agencies so those customers can take appropriate
conservation measures. To help even out their winter heating bills, customers
will also be encouraged to join the company's Budget Payment Plan.
    Cascade established Winter Help in 1989 as a means to help disadvantaged
customers pay their energy bills. In past years, the company, its employees,
and concerned customers have contributed more than $640,000 to Winter Help.
Energy payments are made from Winter Help funds on behalf of qualifying
customers, after the community service agency has evaluated each applicant's
need. Since 1989, Winter Help has assisted more than 3,000 Washington and
Oregon families.

                        Practical Energy-Saving Ideas

    Using energy wisely can reduce consumption and save money on utility
bills. Here are ten energy conservation tips:

    1.  Seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings, such as pipes or
        ducts with caulking or weather-stripping.
    2.  Insulate pipes or ducts that run through unheated areas.
    3.  Set thermostats between 65 and 70 degrees during the winter, at least
        5 degrees lower when sleeping and at 58 degrees when away from home
        for more than a few hours. (Warmer temperatures are recommended for
        homes with ill or elderly persons or infants).
    4.  Set water heater temperatures at 120 degrees, and install water-flow
        restrictors in showerheads and faucets.
    5.  Change or clean filters in heating and cooling units twice a year.
        Close vents and doors in unused rooms.
    6.  Use drapes, shutters, awnings, shade trees, glass with reflective film
        or solar screens to keep sunlight out in the summer and let it in
        during the winter.
    7.  Check to see if attic and basement (or crawl spaces) have the
        recommended level of insulation. Check with your local building
        inspector for this information.
    8.  Consider storm or thermal windows and doors or double paned glass. A
        less expensive alternative is plastic sheeting, which can be
        temporarily fastened over doors and windows to retain heat or air
        conditioning.
    9.  Be sure that dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers are
        fully loaded before operating.
    10. When buying new appliances, compare energy efficiency ratings and
        annual operating costs. A slightly higher initial cost for a
        high-efficiency appliance could pay itself back in a very short time
        through energy savings and lower utility bills.

    Cascade Natural Gas Corporation is a Seattle-based local distribution
company that provides natural gas service to 184,000 residential, commercial,
industrial and transportation customers in 90 communities in Washington and
Oregon.  The Company's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

                Winter Help Community Service Agency contacts:

    Aberdeen, WA
       Coastal Community
       Action Program                   Vicki Petitt        800-828-4883
    Baker City, OR
       Community Connection             Mary Jo Carpenter   541-523-6591
    Bellingham, WA
       The Opportunity Council          Annette DeSalvo     360-734-5121
    Bend, OR
       Central Oregon Community
       Action Agency Network            Melanie Harper      541-548-2380
    Bremerton, WA
       Kitsap Community Resources       Mike Botkin         360-478-2301
    Kennewick, WA
       Benton Franklin Community
       Action Council                   Donna Anderson      509-545-4065
    Longview, WA
       Lower Columbia Community
       Action Council                   Sheila Girt         360-425-3430
    Moses Lake, WA
       North Columbia Community
       Action Council                   Carolyn Schell 509-765-9243
    Mt. Vernon, WA
       Skagit County Community
       Action Council                   Marie Stangeland    360-416-7585
    Ontario, OR
       Malheur Council on
       Aging                            Belinda Rimirez     541-889-7651
    Shelton, WA
       Mason County Community
       Action Council                   Dale Lewis          360-438-1100
    Toppenish, WA
       Northwest Community
       Action Center                    Elma Soliz          509-865-7630
    Walla Walla, WA
       The Salvation Army               Lt. James Lloyd     509-529-9470
       Community Action Program
       East Central Oregon              Donna Kinnaman 541-276-1926
    Wenatchee WA
       Chelan Douglas County
       Community Action                 Hazel Harwood       509-662-6156
    Yakima, WA
       Yakima Valley Opportunity
       Industrialization Center         Monica Stout        509-452-2555

    CONTACT:  Frank Mansell, Director, Public Relations, 206-381-6838, or
fmansell@cngc.com, or Julie Marshall, Director, Customer Service,
206-381-6789, or jmarshall@cngc.com, both of Cascade Natural Gas Corporation.

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