Dominion East Ohio, Energy Marketers Increase EnergyShare Funding

December 21, 2005

CLEVELAND – Dominion, in partnership with its Energy Choice suppliers, today announced plans to increase funding to its EnergyShare program, which provides last-resort fuel assistance to eligible customers. A combined contribution of over $100,000 was presented to Major Richard Gulley, Area Coordinator of the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland. The Army administers the program.

Natural gas provider Direct Energy initiated the idea and kicked off the pledge drive with a $25,000 donation. Other participants include Dominion East Ohio Energy, Interstate Gas Supply, WPS Energy Services, Vectren, Exelon Energy and Commerce Energy.

"Nationally, natural gas costs have reached record levels and this is a major concern among our customers," said Jay Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Dominion Delivery. "We are pleased that Direct Energy initiated this move and that several Energy Choice marketers could partner in contributing. This increase in funding will benefit many households throughout our Ohio service area."

"One of our main goals at Direct Energy is to ensure an affordable source of energy for all consumers," said Mike Senff, regional general manager, Midwest Business Markets for Direct Energy. "We were pleased to work with Dominion to bring this program to life and help keep more Ohio families warm this winter."

EnergyShare helps pay home heating bills for qualified individuals living in Dominion’s service area. It pays for any heating source and is a program of last resort for the elderly, the ill, or anyone who faces financial hardships from unemployment or family crisis. Payments go directly to vendors on behalf of those helped. Last year, the program raised more than $1.1 million and helped 5,536 families. The Salvation Army will begin accepting applications for EnergyShare assistance on January 3, 2006.

Dominion has committed $1 million company-wide to supplement its customer contributions to its EnergyShare Program. Dominion East Ohio customers can also contribute to the EnergyShare program directly to EnergyShare, The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 5487, Cleveland, OH 44101-0847, or by making a bill overpayment of $1, $2, $6, $12, $18, or $36 on their monthly gas bill.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with an energy portfolio of about 28,100 megawatts of generation. Dominion also serves retail energy customers in nine states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

 

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Jeff Zidonis, (216) 736-6228