December 12, 2003

RICHMOND, Va. - EnergyShare, Dominion's program to help individuals and families in need stay warm this winter, will begin accepting applications Friday for the 2003-04 season.

The program helps those in need heat their homes after all other assistance has been exhausted. Dominion works with state, local and private social agencies to identify eligible people. Every dollar contributed to this fund goes to pay heating bills regardless of the type of heat used. Call Dominion's Customer Service Center, toll-free at 1-888-667-3000 for information about the nearest screening agency.

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

Last winter, EnergyShare assisted 5,536 families in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, including 2,230 children, 861 senior citizens and 1,507 disabled people.

Local health and social service agencies in the Dominion service area accept the applications for EnergyShare assistance and distribute the funds. Payments go directly to the energy vendor on behalf of the recipient.

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

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy with an energy portfolio of more than 24,000 megawatts of generation. Dominion also serves 5.3 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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