Dominion Foundation Makes Second Donation to High Knob Tower Restoration

ST. PAUL, Va., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominion Foundation has made a second donation to the High Knob Enhancement Corp. for its High Knob Observation Tower Restoration Project in Wise County.

The Dominion Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Dominion, the parent company of Dominion Virginia Power, which is building the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County. Company representatives presented a $10,000 check to representatives of the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, which is involved in the tower restoration effort, at the power station construction site.

The Dominion Foundation made a $15,000 contribution in 2008 to the estimated $560,000 price tag for the project.

"Dominion is pleased to make a second contribution toward the tower restoration effort," said Charlie Scott, project site manager for Dominion. "A new High Knob tower will provide an added opportunity for visitors and local residents alike to enjoy the rich natural beauty of this part of Virginia."

The original High Knob observation tower, which was built with Job Corps labor, was destroyed by arson on Halloween night in 2007. High Knob is located in the Jefferson National Forest and is one of the highest peaks in Southwest Virginia. Parts of five states can be seen from its peak on a clear day.

Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., created a task force to work on the tower replacement that evolved into the formal restoration effort. So far, $450,000 has been raised for the project, which includes federal and state funds and $130,000 in private contributions.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,000 megawatts of generation.  Dominion serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com/.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power