Dominion Volunteers Help the Environment in 11 States

October 10, 2005

RICHMOND, Va. -- Dominion is celebrating the fifth year of its successful employee volunteer campaign, “Putting Our Energy to Work for the Environment,” by launching its biggest effort ever to improve parks, rivers, hiking trails and historic sites with 16 projects in 11 states.

Some of this year’s projects include working with a wildlife foundation founded by retired NASCAR driver Ward Burton to create an educational wildlife area for children in Halifax County, Va., and with Oklahoma City Department of Parks and Recreation to address erosion problems near the Oklahoma River.

“Every year, the projects we undertake seem to get better and better,” said Thos. E. Capps, chairman and chief executive officer. “These projects preserve and protect our beautiful natural and historic areas. They also make it easier for everyone to enjoy and benefit from the parks, schools, museums, trails and nature centers that we assist.”

Under the program, Dominion employees work with outside agencies to locate and plan a one-day project to improve the environment. The company provides one day off for volunteers to complete the project. About 40 Dominion employees typically volunteer for each event.

In addition, the company provides up to $2,500 for tools and materials for each of the projects.

In the five years that Dominion has been doing the environmental projects, the company has provided more than $170,000 for projects at 60 locations in 15 states. Dominion employees have provided nearly 200,000 volunteer hours to complete the projects.

The 2005 projects are:

Connecticut

  • Downtown Niantic: Volunteers from Millstone Power Station build stairs from the beach to the newly constructed boardwalk. Media Contact: Pete Hyde, (860) 447-4791, Ext. 4497

Massachusetts

  • Trustees of Reservations, Fall River: Volunteers from Brayton Point Power Station deck a roof at Copicut Woods and clean up a historical lane. Media Contact: Lisa Lundy-Kusinitz, (508) 646-5293.

North Carolina

  • Roanoke Rapids Canal Museum & Trail: Volunteers from Roanoke Rapids Power Station make trails more accessible by installing screen, crush and run. They also install split-rail fencing and build barriers. Media Contact: Chuck Penn, (757) 857-2367

Ohio

  • Nature Center at Shaker Lakes: Volunteers build garden boxes, paint drain pipes, install gutters, remove invasive plants and clear trails. Media Contact: Tracy Oliver, (216) 736-6219
  • Great Trails Council at Camp Manatoc: Volunteers paint dormitory and conference center, install new ceiling tile in conference center and work on landscaping. Media Contact: Tracy Oliver, (216) 736-6219

Oklahoma

  • Downtown Oklahoma City Riverfront: Volunteers work with the City of Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation to address abatement of erosion around and near the Oklahoma River. Media Contact: David Auchter, (281) 873-3661

Pennsylvania

  • Rocky Mount Elk Foundation in Elk County: Volunteers refurbish an environmental education classroom, build a new roof on a small springhouse, paint and stain foundation and stairways, and remove old fencing and posts. Media Contact: Elmore Lockley, (412) 497-6742
  • Indiana County Parks and Trails: Volunteers erect 700 feet of wooden fencing along portions of the Indiana County Park & Trails' Ghost Town Trail. In addition, volunteers place six benches along the trail to provide a rest stop for bikers and hikers. Vegetation will be trimmed to increase visibility around the sharp turns of this former railroad grade. Media Contact: Elmore Lockley, (412) 497-6742

Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island Audubon Society: Volunteers from Dominion’s Manchester Street Power Station pick up trash and clean a Rhode Island shoreline. Media Contact: Mitch Croker, (401) 457-9395

Texas

  • Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center in Houston: About 90 employees, some relocated from Dominion's New Orleans office, will repair and construct wooden decks, install fences and improve landscaping at the historic nature center in Houston. Media Contact: David Auchter, (281) 873-3661.

West Virginia

  • North Bend State Park in Ritchie County: Volunteers develop a scenic footpath around the newly constructed lake at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County. The multipurpose trail will accommodate hiking, running, mountain biking and horseback riding. Dominion employees work on sign placement, trail creation or trail maintenance. Media Contact: Bob Fulton, (304) 627-3200

Wisconsin

  • Kewaunee County Ahnapee State Trail: Volunteers from Kewaunee Power Station clear and haul brush from a 3.5-mile stretch of trail to prepare it for 2006 snowmobile season. Media Contact: Joe Reid, (920) 388-8198

Virginia

  • Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation in Halifax County: Volunteers from Clover Power Station rake, fertilize, seed and spread lime and straw on two acres that surround a new lake. Media Contact: David Botkins, (804) 771-6115
  • Mossy Creek Trout Stream in Mt. Solon: Partnering with Trout Unlimited, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and a local Boy Scout, Dominion volunteers renovate 11 sets of stairs to provide access to fisherman at Mossy Creek Trout Stream. Media Contact: Dan Genest, (804) 771-6115
  • Washington & Old Dominion Trail, Fairfax: Dominion volunteers from Northern Virginia offices build three informational kiosks, planting 100 trees and removing invasive vines. Media Contact: Le-Ha Anderson, (703) 796-9308
  • City of Hopewell: Volunteers spread gravel on trails and create a river overlook area with benches. Media Contact: Dan Genest, (804) 771-6115

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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Media: Corporate MediaLine, (804) 771-6115