Dominion Expands Weatherization Pilot In Greater Hampton Roads Area

-New pilot partners with Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
-Helps families remain comfortable for years to come
-Previous EnergyShare participants are eligible

March 27, 2008

NORFOLK, Va. – Dominion is expanding its EnergyShare weatherization pilot with a $50,000 donation to fund the addition of energy-saving equipment and materials to homes of previous EnergyShare recipients in the South Hampton Roads area.

In this 25th year of EnergyShare, the weatherization pilot project began at the Norfolk home of  Joseph and Shirley Hall, whose residence will receive additional insulation, caulking around the windows, weather stripping, ductwork and a new gas furnace.

Dominion donated $50,000 to Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia for equipment and material to weatherize up to 40 homes in the South Hampton Roads area. Agency home weatherization specialists from the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project Inc. (The STOP Organization) will make the improvements.

"Now in addition to providing one-time help with seasonal heating or cooling bills, Dominion is partnering with the state to provide assistance that will help families stay comfortable 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."

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

"Older people are especially vulnerable during periods of extreme heat or cold," said John Skirven, CEO of Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. "There’s no substitute for the comfort and safety offered by a properly weatherized home."

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

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

About EnergyShare

EnergyShare 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 Dominion

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,500 megawatts of generation.  Dominion serves retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.

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.  DHCD 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, DHCD is working to improve the quality of life for Virginians.  Visit the DHCD Web site at: www.dhcd.virginia.gov.

About Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia is the regional organization in South Hampton Roads that supports and enriches the lives of older Virginians and their families through advocacy, education, information and comprehensive services. For one-third of a century, Senior Services has changed the lives of tens of thousands of the region’s seniors for the better. They've served over two million meals, contributed more than five million hours of senior volunteer services, driven seniors over 10 million miles and helped thousands of seniors live in their homes independently as an alternative to nursing home care.

About the STOP Organization

The Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project, Inc., The STOP Organization, provides a range of services and activities which have quantifiable and potentially major impacts on the root causes of poverty. STOP has years of experience providing services to its low-income population through its diverse program offerings. STOP recognizes that specific dysfunctions within a family are general indicators of multiple problems. Therefore, the "Total Family Concept" is espoused in its delivery program.  Families are provided with a range of services that extends beyond treatment of the problem immediately at hand.

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CONTACTS:    
Media: Charles E. “Chuck” Penn, (757) 857-2367