Energy Choice Becomes Way of Life for Dominion East Ohio Customers

May 22, 2002

About half of Dominion East Ohio's 1.2 million customers are buying natural gas commodities from alternative suppliers, realizing $66 million in savings in the first 18 months of the system-wide Energy Choice program expansion, company officials report.

Dominion East Ohio notes that more than 587,000 customers have chosen to buy natural gas from participating Energy Choice suppliers. Under Energy Choice, participating customers may choose to purchase natural gas from approved suppliers, while relying on Dominion East Ohio to continue delivering that gas to their homes or businesses.

"Customers have embraced Energy Choice with open arms," says Edgar M. Roach Jr., Dominion East Ohio chief executive officer. "Energy Choice has become a way of life for half of our customers, who have taken advantage of the chance to shop around for the best energy deal."

Dominion East Ohio encourages customers to explore their options under Energy Choice. There is no deadline for choosing a different supplier. Energy Choice is an ongoing program. However, some suppliers may have deadlines for particular prices or offers. In the face of volatile national natural gas market prices, Dominion East Ohio suggests that Energy Choice customers check with their current suppliers for any new offers, or review other supplier options. Company officials also recommend that customers contact their current supplier if they are considering another offer, to better understand all their options and to inquire about any possible early cancellation fees or penalties.

Customers can check the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's "Apples to Apples" chart, which provides information on participating Energy Choice suppliers and their current offers and prices, by calling the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's toll-free Gas Choice Infoline at 1-800-299-7271 or visiting their website at www.puc.state.oh.us. Residential customers can direct questions and receive free Energy Choice information by contacting the Ohio Consumer's Counsel, toll-free, at 1-877-742-5622 or visit their website at www.state.oh.us/cons.

To enroll in the Energy Choice program, customers must contact a supplier directly. The supplier then will officially notify Dominion East Ohio. Under rules of the program, developed jointly by Dominion East Ohio, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Dominion East Ohio cannot recommend a supplier or sign up customers for any supplier. The change of suppliers becomes effective approximately 60 days after sign up. This time period gives suppliers the time they need to secure gas supplies on behalf of their new customers.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a production capability of more than 3 trillion British thermal units of energy per day. Dominion has a diversified and integrated energy portfolio consisting of 22,000-megawatts of generation, 4.6 trillion cubic feet equivalent of natural gas reserves, 7,600 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline and 3.8 million franchise natural gas and electric customers in five states. Dominion also operates the nation's largest underground natural gas storage system with more than 950 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's web site at www.dom.com.

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