CONSOL Energy Teams Up with Four Universities to Help the Dollar Energy Fund

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) is teaming up with four regional universities for a good cause during the 2011 college football season. The campaign is part of an effort to raise money for the Dollar Energy Fund, a non-profit organization providing a helping hand to those who struggle to maintain utility service.

The four universities—Marshall University, Ohio University, Penn State University and Virginia Tech—in cooperation with CONSOL has developed a weekly college football quiz which allows individuals to participate on their smart phone or via the Internet. Those who answer correctly will be entered to win two game tickets and a grand prize of four home game tickets with a VIP experience.  

For each quiz taken, either by text message or online, CONSOL will donate one dollar to the Dollar Energy Fund up to $50,000. This contribution will assist households who have difficulty maintaining safe and adequate utility service. As with any donation to the Dollar Energy Fund, 100 percent of these funds will be matched by partnering utility companies, thereby doubling the effect of the donation.

"This is a great way for college football fans to not only test their knowledge of their favorite team, but at the same time help families in need before the cold weather hits," said Laural Ziemba, director of community relations, CONSOL Energy. "We're happy to partner with these great institutions and their fans to help such a worthy cause that impacts many families in the communities where we have operations."

Another purpose of the quiz is to educate fans about the benefits of coal and gas.  When fans visit their team's quiz website, they will learn interesting facts about coal and natural gas, as well as how it's a low cost resource to generate energy.

Each university's quiz can be accessed in several ways. During home games fans will be alerted through in-game announcements on the video board and each university has a special website that will post the weekly sports quiz. Fans can also join groups on Facebook to participate. The entire campaign is also supported by online and radio advertising.  

"We're proud to partner with CONSOL Energy and these great universities this fall.  This is an engaging and fun way to involve more members of the community to support the Dollar Energy Fund and its mission," said Chad Quinn, chief operating officer, Dollar Energy Fund.  " It's simple, the more text messages and quiz takers we get, the more money we can raise for families who need help to pay their utility bills."  

To access each team's weekly quiz, visit the following websites:

• Marshall University  - www.marshallsportsquiz.com
• Ohio University - www.ousportsquiz.com
• Penn State University - www.psusportsquiz.com
• Virginia Tech - www.vtsportsquiz.com

CONSOL Energy Inc., the leading diversified fuel producer in the Eastern U.S., is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Equity Index and the Fortune 500. It has 11 bituminous coal mining complexes in five states and reports proven and probable coal reserves of 4.4 billion tons. It is also a leading Eastern U.S. gas producer, with proved reserves of over 3.7 trillion cubic feet. Additional information about CONSOL Energy can be found at its web site: www.consolenergy.com.

Dollar Energy fund was founded in 1983 and has grown to become one of the largest utility hardship programs in the United States. Dollar Energy Fund is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Since 1983, the organization has provided over $84 million in utility assistance grants to more than 300,000 low-income families and individuals in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.  Individuals interested in contributing to Dollar Energy Fund can do so through their utility bills, by sending donations directly to Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, or through the organization's website.  Additional information can be found on Dollar Energy Fund's website, www.dollarenergyfund.org.

SOURCE CONSOL Energy Inc.