October 1, 2002

RICHMOND, Va. - Dominion Virginia Power celebrated Tuesday the 20th anniversary of EnergyShare, the company's hallmark fuel assistance program. During the past two decades, EnergyShare has collected $17.7 million to help families in need pay their heating bills.

"This is a significant milestone for the company, our partners and especially for the 95,000 families who have benefited from EnergyShare," said Edgar M. Roach Jr., president and chief executive officer. "Serving a community is about heart, spirit and compassion, something our employees and our customers have in abundance."

Built around a special anniversary theme of EnergyShare: 20 Years of Fighting the Other Cold War, the EnergyShare commemorative program at Dominion Virginia Power's downtown Richmond offices included a large donation of cold weather clothing by company employees to benefit the Richmond Adult Rehabilitation Center. Volunteers loaded 25 wardrobe boxes filled with coats, sweaters and blankets into a Salvation Army truck.

EnergyShare helps those in need pay a wintertime heating bill after all other forms of financial assistance have been exhausted. EnergyShare funds can be used to pay for any type or heating bill: oil, gas, kerosene, wood or electricity. Dominion Virginia Power works with state, local and private social service agencies to identify eligible recipients of EnergyShare funds.

Last year, EnergyShare collected more than $1 million, which assisted 5,008 families, including 2,050 children, 750 senior citizens and 1,413 disabled people.

"Now, more than ever, we need to think of our neighbors who may be less fortunate. EnergyShare is an easy way to assist directly a family in crisis," Roach said.

Local health and social service agencies in Dominion Virginia Power's service area accept applications for EnergyShare assistance and distribute the funds. Payments go directly to energy vendors on behalf of those helped. Every cent donated goes to benefit people in need because Dominion pays for the program's administrative expenses. In addition, Dominion Virginia Power contributes $50,000 each year in matching funds.

EnergyShare is supported by donations from Dominion Virginia Power customers, employees and EnergyShare partners. Businesses, churches and civic or other organizations can become EnergyShare partners by donating money or services directly to the program. Partners also can promote EnergyShare through bill inserts or letters to their employees, or by mentioning it in newsletters, bulletins or public service announcements.

During the 2001-2002 heating season, EnergyShare assisted families in the following localities:

• Central Virginia -- $277,000 collected and 1,476 families assisted.
  (Altavista, Chatham, Charles City, Charlotte Courthouse, Chesterfield, City of Richmond, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Essex, Farmville, Goochland, Greensville/Emporia, Hanover, Hopewell, King & Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond County, South Boston, South Hill, Sussex, and Westmoreland)
  
   
• Eastern Virginia -- $284,000 collected and 1,246 families assisted.
  (Chesapeake, Franklin, Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of Wight, James City, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and York)
  
   
• Northern Virginia -- $259,000 collected and 1,160 families assisted.
  (Alexandria, Arlington, Caroline, Dale City, Dumfries, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fredericksburg, Herndon, King George, Leesburg, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William, Quantico, Springfield, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Triangle, Warrenton and Woodbridge)
  
   
• Western Virginia -- $105,000 collected and 646 families assisted.
  (Allegheny, Augusta, Bath, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Clifton Forge, Covington, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Fincastle, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Louisa, Orange, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Staunton, Shenandoah, Waynesboro, Woodstock)

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a production capability of more than 3 trillion British thermal units of energy per day. Dominion also serves more than 3.8 million franchise natural gas and electric customers in five states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.
 

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