Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A.Buenos Aires, Argentina (NYSE: TGS)

Home Heating Bill Relief for Low Income Americans - The Bush administration released $121 million in emergency relief funds to help low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled pay home heating bills this winter. The funds, through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), provide financial help for paying a household's energy bill, emergency assistance if a home's energy service is shut off, and a range of other energy-related services. The relief comes at a time when home heating costs are predicted to hit record highs, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, which says the national average cost to heat a home with oil will be $2,524, up from $1,962 last winter.

NPGA Supports Amendment that Protects Rural Propane Users - An amendment to a new homeland security bill is receiving widespread approval from the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill requires all propane marketers and customers who store more than 1,785 gallons of propane, regardless of location or type of operation, to submit facility information so that the DHS can determine security risk. The amendment would prohibit DHS from applying these regulations to rural businesses and communities that store fewer than 24,000 gallons. NPGA says that the amendent will save rural propane users, who are low security risks, from having to comply with costly and burdensome government rules.

Propane Reduces Farming Chemicals, Promotes Organic Agriculture - Research to find an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fumigants used to control crop-harming parasites is underway. The research, funded by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and conducted by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), uses a chemical-free, propane-fueled technology to control microscopic parasites that attack plant roots and affect the roots' ability to absorb moisture and nutrients. PERC says that using propane instead of ozone-depleting substances will ultimately benefit both farmers and the environment.