RICHMOND, Va., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is providing an additional $2 million in funding for Dominion's EnergyShare cooling assistance program to help the elderly and those in need find relief from the summer heat and humidity. Applications are being accepted for the year-round program, which helps eligible individuals pay their heating and cooling bills.

"EnergyShare has been helping Virginians in need for more than 28 years," said Paul D. Koonce, chief executive officer of Dominion Virginia Power. "Summer heat and humidity can jeopardize the health and safety of the elderly and those who struggle to stay cool in their homes. EnergyShare also enables people to assist friends and neighbors by contributing to this cooling assistance funding.

"We are grateful to the customers, businesses and Dominion employees who donate to the program. More than $1.2 million helped nearly 5,500 families pay their cooling bills last year," Koonce said.

To qualify for EnergyShare cooling assistance, an individual must have received a disconnection notice (not required for those over 60 years of age) and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Have exhausted all other available sources of cooling assistance;
• Demonstrate a personal or family crisis, or
• Be income-eligible.

A qualified individual can receive a one-time maximum payment of up to $300.  The program runs through Sept. 30.  Local health and human service agencies administer the program. For more information, individuals should contact Dominion's Customer Service Center at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).

Fan Care, now in its 20th year, also assists seniors in Virginia with cooling their homes.  Dominion is again partnering with Wal-Mart and the Virginia Department for the Aging to provide free fans to qualified individuals who live in the company's service area. Fan Care is funded by an annual grant of $50,000 from Dominion.

Local Area Agencies on Aging administer Fan Care by screening applicants and distributing the fans.  Those eligible can receive one fan per cooling season. The program will run through Sept. 30 or as long as funds are available. To inquire about eligibility, contact the Virginia Department for the Aging at 1-800-552-3402.

About EnergyShare

Dominion's EnergyShare program has donated more than $36 million to families in need during its 28-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 and social services agencies cover 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 are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 11186, Richmond, Va. 23230-1186. Information on EnergyShare and pre-addressed envelopes for contributions to the cooling assistance program will be included in July bills mailed to customers.

About VDA

The Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) is the designated State Unit on Aging for Virginia.  The department's objective is to help Virginians find the information and services they need to lead healthy and independent lives as they grow older.  Their mission is to foster the dignity, independence and security of older Virginians by promoting partnerships with families and communities. Visit the VDA Web site at http://www.vda.virginia.gov .

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 system and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power