Electric News Releases

December 13, 2000

Dominion Virginia Power Prepares for Possible Winter Storm

RICHMOND, Va.-- Dominion Virginia Power is preparing for the possibility of a winter storm that may bring a mix of snow, ice and freezing rain into parts of Virginia Wednesday evening.

“Our projections are that a storm may affect customers in the Shenandoah Valley, the Piedmont, Northern Virginia and parts of Central Virginia,” said Craig Ivey, vice president-Electric Distribution Operations. “We are checking personnel schedules and the availability of line and tree contractors to make sure we have additional repair crews ready to move immediately to attack any service problems the weather may bring.”

Customers are reminded to call Dominion Virginia Power toll free at 1-888-667-3000 to report any outages, other service interruption or downed power lines. Customers should assume that any downed power line is energized and keep a safe distance.

“The company also has taken inventory of replacement equipment should the storm break poles, cross arms and wire,” Ivey said. “Our supplies on hand are adequate to meet anticipated need.”

Dominion Virginia Power will move quickly to restore service that is interrupted by the storm; however, customers should consider taking routine steps to prepare for the severe weather, including:

• Check battery supplies for flashlights and radios.
• If portable heaters are used, make sure they are in safe working condition and operated in well-ventilated areas.
• If electrical generators are required, make sure they are properly wired and used.
• If service is lost, limit the number of times that you open and close your refrigerator and freezer.

Dominion Virginia Power asks that customers be aware of elderly relatives or friends who may need assistance if their homes lose power. Customers with a medical need for electricity are reminded to make sure they have alternate plans for care in the event their homes lose power.

Dominion, headquartered in Richmond, Va., is one of the nation’s largest producers of energy, with a production capability of 2.7 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy per day. The company has a power generation portfolio of more than 19,000 megawatts, which is expected to grow to more than 28,000 megawatts by 2005. Dominion is one of the largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in North America, with 2.8 trillion cubic feet of equivalent reserves. Dominion also serves 3.8 million retail natural gas and electric customers. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's web site at www.dom.com.

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