Electric News Releases

June 2, 2000

Virginia Department for the Aging, Virginia Power Begin 10th Consecutive Year of Fan Care

RICHMOND, Va. – For the 10th consecutive year, the Virginia Department for the Aging and Virginia Power began providing box fans Thursday to elderly Virginians who will need help cooling their homes this summer.

Virginia Power, a subsidiary of Dominion (NYSE: D), is the primary sponsor of Fan Care, a public-private partnership administered by the Department for the Aging.

Fan Care provides free box fans to elderly Virginians within the Virginia Power service area who meet eligibility requirements. In 1999, more than 2,395 fans were distributed through the Fan Care program.

"We're certainly pleased with the success of Fan Care," said Dr. Ann McGee, Commissioner of the Department for the Aging. "There are many elderly Virginians who are in poor health and confined within their homes. The cooling effects of just one fan is enough to make the hot days of summer more bearable."

Virginia Power donated $27,500 to the Fan Care program this year, most of which will go toward the purchase of fans.

"Since its inception, our decade-long partnership has provided more than 15,000 fans to elderly Virginians," said Edgar M. Roach Jr., Virginia Power chief executive officer. "We're committed to helping those in need who simply cannot afford air conditioning."

For the sixth year, Wal-Mart is serving as the sole retailer providing fans to local Area Agencies on Aging at a discounted rate as a Fan Care Partner. This will enable the program to purchase more fans with the available funding.

Local Area Agencies on Aging administer Fan Care by screening applicants and distributing fans. To be eligible for Fan Care, an individual must:

Live in Virginia. Be age 60 or older. Have a need for cooling assistance. Meet income guidelines defined by the Area Agencies on Aging.

Eligible clients can receive one fan per cooling season, and the fans become the property of the recipients. The program will continue until Sept. 30 or as long as funds last.

The Association of Electric Cooperatives sponsors the program in the areas it serves. Virginia Power invites other utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities and businesses to contribute as Fan Care partners.

Anyone can make a tax-deductible contribution to Fan Care by mailing a check in any amount to the local Area Agency on Aging nearest to them. Checks should be made payable to the agency; a list of agencies is available upon request. Organizations wishing to become Fan Care Partners should contact the Virginia Department for the Aging toll-free at (800) 552-3402.

Virginia Power is a subsidiary of Dominion, which provides natural gas and electricity to 4 million customers in five states. For more information on Dominion, visit the company on the Internet at www.dom.com.

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