April 10, 2008

MECHANICSVILLE, Va.— Dominion is expanding its EnergyShare weatherization pilot program with a $50,000 donation to fund the addition of energy-saving equipment and materials to homes of previous EnergyShare recipients in central Virginia.

The EnergyShare weatherization pilot started today at the Mechanicsville, Va., home of Margaret Lawrence, whose 1950s brick rancher received additional insulation, new ductwork, fluorescent lighting and a new energy-efficient heating system.

Dominion’s donation was made to ElderHomes to purchase equipment and material to weatherize up to 40 homes in Richmond City and surrounding counties. ElderHomes is a non-profit community development corporation whose mission is to improve the housing and living conditions of low-income, older adults, and persons with disabilities in the greater Richmond area. ElderHomes specialists will install the equipment and make the improvements.

"Now in addition to providing financial help with seasonal heating or cooling bills, Dominion is partnering with the state to provide assistance that will help families stay comfortable and save money for decades," said Eva T. Hardy, Dominion executive vice president-Public Policy & Corporate Communications. "We expect this pilot to be successful and look to grow this part of the EnergyShare program next year."

"ElderHomes helps low-income individuals of all ages live safely and independently in their homes, and weatherization is part of the home repair and construction services we offer," said Lee Householder, chief executive officer. "About 75 percent of our clients are over age 60. The aging population is especially vulnerable during periods of extreme heat or cold, and there is no substitute for the comfort and safety offered by a properly weatherized house."

Dominion’s contribution will supplement the Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD). Each of the homes selected for the pilot program will receive weatherization improvements based on the home’s condition.

VDHCD administers the Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program and allocates funds to local community action agencies, including Area Agencies on Aging and non-profit housing organizations, which administer the program at a local level.

"The donation made by Dominion will allow additional homes to be weatherized this year through the program," said Bill Shelton, director, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. "We are pleased to continue our partnership with Dominion and look forward to a continuing relationship in the future."

In addition to having their homes weatherized, pilot program recipients will receive information on no-cost energy-savings measures.

About Dominion
Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,500 megawatts of generation, 1.1 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas and oil reserves and 14,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline.  Dominion also owns the nation’s largest underground natural gas storage system and operates more than 975 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.

About EnergyShare
Dominion’s EnergyShare program has donated more than $25 million to families in need during its 25-year history and is supported by donations from Dominion customers, employees and EnergyShare partners, including businesses, churches and civic organizations. Local health and social service agencies in the company’s service areas distribute the funds. Because Dominion pays all administrative costs, 100 percent of the funds donated go directly to help those requiring assistance.

Persons in need are allowed to apply for EnergyShare assistance to help pay a winter heating bill of any type. Each household is permitted up to $500 per season in heating assistance. Eligible seniors in Dominion’s service area will be allowed to apply for cooling assistance of up to $200 per season. The new program will help pay summer cooling bills for seniors age 60 and older who are income-eligible and need assistance. Additionally, free fans are provided to seniors age 60 and older who demonstrate a situation at home that threatens their health and who have a need for cooling equipment.

Customers can contribute to EnergyShare by adding an extra $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 or $35 monthly to their Dominion Virginia Power bills or by including a separate check with their payments for any amount. All contributions are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 11186, Richmond, VA. 23230-1186.

About the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is committed to creating safe, affordable, and prosperous communities to live, work and do business in Virginia. VDHCD partners with Virginia’s communities to develop their economic potential, regulates Virginia’s building and fire codes, provides training and certification for building officials, and invests more than $100 million each year into housing and community development projects throughout the state, the majority of which are designed to help low-to-moderate income citizens. By partnering with local governments, nonprofit groups, state and federal agencies, and others, VDHCD is working to improve the quality of life for Virginians. Visit the VDHCD Web site at: www.dhcd.virginia.gov.

About ElderHomes
ElderHomes Corporation is a non-profit community development corporation whose mission is to improve the housing and living conditions of low-income, older adults, and persons with disabilities in the city of Richmond, towns of Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights and Ashland, and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan. ElderHomes was founded in 1992 by the Capital Area Agency on Aging (CAAA). The CAAA believed that it could best serve its constituents’ housing needs by forming a community development corporation to develop and expand existing housing services. Since its inception, ElderHomes has helped more than 7,000 households.
 

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