April 14, 2017 – A new partnership in Connecticut between Operation Fuel and Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) will benefit low-income customers who have trouble paying for their heating bills. NPU is the first utility in the state to serve as a fuel bank for Operation Fuel.
NPU is taking applications from Norwich residents for the winter energy assistance program until May 31, and will start taking more applications on July 5. All households that heat with oil are required to submit applications by April 28.
Norwich Public Utilities has been a fuel bank for Operation Fuel since November 2016, when NPU customer service representatives were trained to take applications for Operation Fuel.
“Without our fuel banks and their dedicated staff, many vulnerable families and individuals would not have access to Operation Fuel’s services,” said Operation Fuel Director of Community Programs Brenda Watson.
Ruth Smith, NPU’s Customer Service Manager, said, “We are very excited to work with Brenda Watson to establish NPU as a fuel bank so our residents would still have a local resource for assistance from Operation Fuel.”
The utility said this program is an example of the willingness of NPU to work with customers who may have fallen behind or find themselves in challenging circumstances.
