Dominion Virginia Power Provides $2.5 Million To Help Customers With Energy Costs

-Funds being contributed to company's EnergyShare cooling and heating assistance program

-Applications being accepted starting June 1 for grants of up to $300 for summer energy bill payments

-Fan Care also is offered for eligible seniors

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May 31, 2012, 09:00 ET

RICHMOND, Va., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is providing $1 million this summer to help Virginians in financial need pay part of their cooling costs, bringing the company's 2012 contribution to its EnergyShare program to $2.5 million. Applications are being accepted June 1 through Sept. 28 to participate in the year-round cooling and heating assistance program in Virginia.

"These grants make a real difference in the quality of life for those most in need who are struggling to stay cool in their homes in the summer heat and high humidity," said Paul D. Koonce, chief executive officer of Dominion Virginia Power. "EnergyShare is funded by Dominion, its customers and its employees and has been helping families in need for three decades."

An eligible individual can receive a one-time payment of up to $300 to help meet cooling costs. Local health and human services agencies administer the program. For information, contact Dominion's Customer Service Center at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) or visit www.dom.com, search: EnergyShare.

To qualify for EnergyShare cooling assistance, an individual must have received a disconnection notice (not required for those age 60 or older) and meet at least one of the following criteria:

Have exhausted all other sources of cooling assistance, or
Have a personal or family crisis, or
Be income-eligible.

Last year, EnergyShare helped nearly 5,000 families pay part of their summer energy costs.

Additionally, the Fan Care program is being offered again this year to help Virginia seniors with cooling their homes. Dominion is partnering with the Virginia Department for the Aging to provide free fans to qualifying seniors who live in the company's service area. Under a $50,000 grant from Dominion, local area agencies on aging screen applicants and distribute fans.

Eligible individuals can receive one fan per cooling season. The program runs through Sept 28 or as long as funds are available. For information on Fan Care, contact the Virginia Department for the Aging at 1-800-552-3402.

About EnergyShare
Dominion's EnergyShare program has donated more than $54 million to families in need during its 30-year history and is supported by donations from Dominion, its customers, employees and EnergyShare partners, including businesses, churches and civic organizations. Local health and social service agencies in the company's service areas distribute the funds. Because Dominion and social services agencies cover administrative costs, 100 percent of the funds donated to EnergyShare go directly to help those requiring assistance.

Customers can contribute to EnergyShare by adding an extra $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 or $35 monthly to their Dominion Virginia Power bills 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 91717, Richmond, Va. 23291-9717.

About VDA
The Virginia Department for the Aging fosters the independence and well-being of older Virginians and supports their caregivers through leadership, advocacy and oversight of state and community programs, and guides the Commonwealth in preparing for an aging population. VDA works with local Area Agencies on Aging as well as various other public and private organizations, to help older Virginians, their families and loved ones find the services and information they need to lead healthy and independent lives. About 1 million Virginians are age 65 and older, a number that will increase considerably as Baby Boomers enter their retirement years. By 2030, one in every five Virginians, or almost 2 million people, will be age 65 and older. To learn more about VDA, visit www.vda.virginia.gov.

About Dominion
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27, 500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

Follow us on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DomVAPower. 'Like' us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power