Dominion Virginia Power Provides Information to Help Low-Income Customers and Those in Financial Distress

- Many do not know about available assistance to help pay or reduce energy bills
- Session locations include Virginia Employment Commission offices
PRNewswire
RICHMOND, Va.

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is conducting informational sessions at Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) offices and other locations to help low-income customers and those in financial distress become aware of ways to reduce their energy usage and pay their energy bills.

"More than half of the people with whom we talked during our initial sessions did not know about the assistance that can help eligible customers pay their energy bills" said Gianna Clark, vice president of customer operations for Dominion. "It is important for our customers to know that assistance is available. We want to help them find it."

At the sessions, Dominion representatives are available to discuss billing options and provide guidance for applying for assistance from Dominion's EnergyShare program and programs offered through the Virginia Department of Social Services.

"The VEC is happy to provide any information and assistance to our customers during these tough economic times," said VEC Commissioner Dolores Esser. "We are happy to have Dominion Virginia Power on-site in our office to assist customers."

Dominion experts also provide a host of energy conservation tips to save both energy and money. Customers who want to share energy conservation tips can do so on Dominion's energy conservation blog at http://e-conserve.blogspot.com.

Also available is information about applying for the weatherization program offered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Upcoming programs will be offered:

  • Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., VEC, 5520 Cherokee Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria;
  • Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to noon, Williamsburg Library, 515 Scotland St., as part of the United Way of Greater Williamsburg's Community Resource Fair;
  • Sept. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., VEC, 2111 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville;
  • Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., VEC, 8093 Elm Drive, Mechanicsville;
  • Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., VEC, 600 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, and
  • Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Henrico Hall in the Richmond Raceway Complex as part of the VEC's 2009 Veterans Day Career Fair.

Any customer having difficulty paying a Dominion bill should contact the company toll-free at 1-888-667-3000.

About EnergyShare

Dominion's EnergyShare program has donated more than $35 million to families in need during its 27-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 to EnergyShare go directly to help those requiring assistance.

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 can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 11186, Richmond, Va. 23230-1186. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

About Dominion

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage systems and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power

SOURCE: Dominion Virginia Power

Web site: http://www.dom.com/