July 26, 2005

RICHMOND, Va. – Dominion (NYSE: D), one of the nation's largest energy companies, unofficially set a record one-hour peak demand of 17,610 megawatts Monday from its Virginia and North Carolina electricity customers.

With regional temperatures and humidity expected to remain extremely high for today and tomorrow, this record may be broken again soon. The company is asking its customers to use energy wisely and be aware of the dangers posed by the current heat wave. Customers with special needs — particularly elderly and ill persons who do not have air conditioning — should be checked on frequently.

Demand from the company’s 2.2 million electric customers in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina unofficially reached 17,610 megawatts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday. The previous record was established on July 19, 2005 at 17,305 megawatts. Final, official numbers should be available soon.

The company is urging all residents — especially the elderly and young children — to take precautions when going out in the heat and to limit outdoor activities. In cooperation with local officials, Dominion is urging those in need to seek shelter at two cooling stations in Richmond from noon-7 p.m. through Thursday, where the Red Cross will provide water.

The shelters are operated by the Department of Social Services and are located at Southside Community Services Center, 4100 Hull Street, and Marshall Plaza, 900 East Marshall Street. For more information on the shelters, residents can call 804-646-7046.

To stay safe in this uncomfortable weather, Dominion urges everyone to:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. If you must work outside, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Stay indoors in a cool place, especially during the afternoon when temperatures are highest.
• If you must go outdoors, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Try to wear natural products such as cotton and avoid synthetics.
• Be especially sensitive to pets, allowing them to stay inside when possible and keep them hydrated with plenty of water.

During this dangerous heat wave, Dominion is especially concerned about the elderly. The company, in conjunction with the Virginia Department for the Aging, provides box fans through the Fan Care program to elderly Virginians who need help cooling their homes. Elderly customers who need such assistance are encouraged to call the Department for the Aging toll free at 1-800-552-3402 or contact their local Area Agency on Aging office. For additional information on cooling assistance from the state, click here: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/energyasst.html

Dominion also encourages its customers to use energy wisely. The following energy conservation tips require little or no expense and could help lower electric bills while keeping homes comfortable:

• Postpone activities that require hot water — such as washing dishes or clothes — to early morning or late evening. This will keep from adding more heat and humidity to the home.
• Raise the temperature setting on the thermostat. For every degree raised, customers can save as much as 3 percent on cooling costs.
• Turn off unnecessary incandescent lights during hot weather. They add to the heat in the home. Consider switching to cooler, energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs where light is needed.
• Use ceiling fans and portable floor fans to move the air around in the home. If the home does not have air conditioning, fans are essential for cooling. In homes with air conditioning, fans allow residents to raise the thermostat and save energy without affecting comfort.
• Close drapes during the hottest times of the day to block heat from entering the home and save energy.
• Make sure window air conditioners are sized correctly. Ones that are too small will run constantly but not cool the room. Ones that are too large use more energy than necessary.
• Clean filters to window air conditioning units or clean or replace filters to central air conditioning systems. Clogged filters cause air conditioners to use more energy to keep rooms or homes cool.
• Clear attic vents. If the home has an attic fan, make sure it is functioning properly.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with an energy portfolio of about 28,700 megawatts of generation, about 6 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves and 7,900 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline. Dominion also operates the nation's largest underground natural gas storage system with more than 965 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and 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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