Dominion Continues to Accept Applications for EnergyShare Heating Assistance Program

- Eligible individuals can receive up to $600 toward energy bill payments

- Call 1-866-DOM-HELP for information on nearest screening agency

- Nearly 12,500 families received assistance last year

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Feb 04, 2013, 09:00 ET

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With several weeks of winter still to come, Dominion continues to accept applications for EnergyShare, its heating assistance program aimed at helping individuals and families in need stay warm during the cold winter months.

"EnergyShare grants make a real difference in the quality of life for those most in need who are struggling to stay safe and warm in their homes this winter," 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 more than three decades."

EnergyShare is Dominion's year-round energy assistance program that helps individuals and families in need. It is a program of last resort for the elderly, the ill and anyone facing financial hardships from unemployment or family crisis and needing help paying heating or cooling bills. Now in its 32^nd year, EnergyShare has raised $55 million and helped a half-million people.

Eligible EnergyShare applicants may receive a one-time payment of up to $600 per heating season. To qualify for assistance, an individual must live in Dominion's customer service area and meet one of the following criteria:

Have a disconnection notice or be in danger of losing their primary heating source;
Meet income-based eligibility requirements as determined by screening agencies;
Be unemployed, or demonstrate a personal or family crisis.

Customers can call Dominion's customer service center at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to find the closest agency.

Dominion customers can help fund 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. Customers can use contribution envelopes included with their February bills. Donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 91717, Richmond, Va. 23291-9717.

About EnergyShare

Dominion's EnergyShare program has donated more than $55 million to families in need during its 32-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 or P.O. Box 370, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870-0370.

About Dominion

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,400 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 website at www.dom.com.

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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power