As Winter Approaches, Chattanooga Gas Company Reminds Consumers of Natural Gas Safety.

Business Editors

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2002

With the approach of cold weather, residents of Bradley and Hamilton counties will be firing up their natural gas furnaces.

Natural gas is an efficient, clean-burning fuel that is safe to use, but as with any fuel, homeowners should be aware of the steps to take in the event of an emergency.

"At Chattanooga Gas Company, commitment to safety is something we do all day, every day," said Larry Buie, general manager of Chattanooga Gas Company (CGC). "We want to make sure our customers are educated about safety, too. While we work very diligently to prevent leaks, they sometimes occur. We want to educate our customers about the correct way to handle a leak."

Natural gas is colorless and odorless, so a substance called mercaptan is added to give gas a distinctive "rotten egg" smell. While natural gas is non-toxic, it is combustible, said Buie.

If the "rotten egg" smell is detected, you should leave the premises immediately. Then, call Chattanooga Gas Company at 1-877-427-4321.

According to Buie, homeowners should remember the following:

-- If the rotten egg odor is detected, vacate the premises immediately.

-- Do not attempt to locate the gas leak.

-- Open doors and windows as you leave if it is possible to do so.

-- Don't smoke or strike matches.

-- Do not turn lights off or on. Do not unplug electric appliances.

-- Do not use a telephone.

-- When you are away from the house or the location in question, call CGC at 1-877-427-4321.

-- Do not return until a CGC representative gives the "all clear."

Safety tips about carbon monoxide

If natural gas furnaces and appliances are not maintained and operated properly, Buie said, they can produce carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous. Carbon monoxide has no odor, taste or color. Warning signs include any unusual behavior in gas appliances or a yellowish-color flame on a gas appliance burner.

"It is important to have a licensed professional inspect furnaces and appliances annually to make sure that they are working properly and are vented correctly," Buie said. "Fall is the perfect time to do this. The checkup will also insure that your natural gas furnace is operating at peak efficiency."

For additional safety information, please visit the Chattanooga Gas Company web site at www.chattanoogagas.com.

About Chattanooga Gas Company

Chattanooga Gas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources Inc. (NYSE: ATG), provides retail natural gas sales and distribution services to 60,000 customers in southern Tennessee. For more information, visit www.chattanoogagas.com.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources Inc. (NYSE: ATG) is an Atlanta-based energy services holding company. Nearly 2 million natural gas customers are served through subsidiaries Atlanta Gas Light Company, Virginia Natural Gas and Chattanooga Gas Company. Houston-based subsidiary Sequent Energy Management provides asset management services, including the wholesale trading, marketing, gathering and transportation of natural gas. As a member of the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. AGL Networks, the company's telecommunications subsidiary, owns and operates a fiber optic network in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.