RICHMOND, Va. – Dominion will contribute $1 million to EnergyShare, its heating assistance program that helps those in need stay warm.  Dominion urges its customers also to contribute as frigid temperatures continue to envelop Virginia.

"A record number of customers have called for help in the past weeks with the arrival of this very cold winter air," said Jay L. Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Dominion Delivery.  "The need is critical.  Help must come now." View a video.

Calls for assistance are expected to increase. Temperatures across the state have dipped as low as the single digits over the last week and forecasts have it remaining colder than normal for the foreseeable future.

"It’s time for everyone to contribute to EnergyShare or consider making an additional contribution," said Maj. Dan Proctor, Richmond commander of the Salvation Army, which serves as the EnergyShare processing agency.  "EnergyShare has always helped those in need, and their need is greatest when we have this type of weather."

EnergyShare is supported by donations from Dominion customers, employees and EnergyShare Partners.  Dominion covers the program's administrative costs, allowing all donations to go toward paying heating bills.  The utility also contributes $50,000 in matching funds to help persons in need pay their Dominion Virginia Power bill.

Dominion customers can help fund 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. Customers can use EnergyShare contribution envelopes included with their February bills. All contributions are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 11186, Richmond, Va. 23230-1186.

Every dollar contributed to EnergyShare goes to pay heating bills regardless of the type of heat used – oil, wood, kerosene, natural gas or electricity.  Persons should call toll-free 1-888-667-3000 for the nearest screening agency.

To qualify for EnergyShare assistance, a person must live in Dominion’s service area and be in danger of losing an important source of heat.  A recipient must have a household income no higher than one-half of the local median income level, be unemployed, or demonstrate a personal or family crisis.  To ensure the widest possible distribution of EnergyShare assistance, eligible persons can receive only one payment of up to $500 per heating season.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy with an energy portfolio of about 28,000 megawatts of generation. Dominion also serves retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

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