Dominion Begins 22nd Year of EnergyShare

October 1, 2004

RICHMOND, Va - With the price of home heating costs rising again, the need is even greater this winter for EnergyShare, Dominion’s program to help those in need stay warm. Dominion begins accepting EnergyShare donations today for the 2004-05 season.

The theme for the 22nd year of the EnergyShare is “What if your choice was food, heat or medicine?” EnergyShare helps individuals and families in need heat their homes after all other assistance has been exhausted. Dominion works with state, local and private social agencies to assist eligible people.

Every dollar contributed to this fund pays heating bills regardless of the type of fuel used.

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 company contributes $50,000 in matching funds to help persons in need pay their Dominion bill.

Last year EnergyShare collected more than $983,000, which assisted 4,682 families in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, including 1,818 children, 795 senior citizens and 1,377 disabled people.

To qualify for EnergyShare assistance, a person must live in the Dominion 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.

Customers can contribute to EnergyShare by adding an extra $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 or $35 monthly to their Dominion payments or by including a separate check with their payments for any amount. An envelope will be inserted in customers’ bills in October soliciting contributions. All contributions are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 12083, Richmond, Va. 23241-0083.

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 and letters to their employees or by mentioning it in newsletters, bulletins and public service announcements.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy with an energy portfolio of about 25,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion also serves about 5 million 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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CONTACTS:    
Media:

Daisy Pridgen, 804-771-6115