(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — With the holiday shopping season in full swing, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities are continuing to offer a unique gift alternative for customers; a home utility gift (HUG) certificate.

A HUG is a gift certificate that credits the utility account of any LG&E or KU customer. Instead of working like a traditional gift certificate, a HUG is a credit placed directly on a customer's account and is automatically subtracted from the customer's next bill. The purchaser receives a gift certificate to present to the recipient indicating the amount of the purchase.

The gift program has grown since its inception in 2002, with more than 400 HUGs purchased during the 2005 holiday season compared to more than 150 in 2004.

"These non-traditional gift certificates have been very popular with customers year-round," said Dave Vogel, Vice President of Retail Services for E.ON U.S. "The program offers a convenient alternative to customers looking for a practical holiday gift."

HUGS are ideal for individuals on fixed incomes, families in need, senior citizens, and young people just starting out on their own. Many customers also have purchased HUGs for nonprofit and social service organizations.

The certificates are available during normal business hours at all customer service walk-in centers. In order to credit the proper LG&E or KU account, customers should be prepared to provide the address of the HUG recipient.

HUGs start at $25 and can be purchased by cash or check.

E.ON U.S. LLC, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a subsidiary of E.ON A.G., the world's largest investor-owned energy services provider. E.ON U.S. is a diversified energy services company that owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 321,000 natural gas and 394,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 525,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.