RICHMOND, Va - With the price of home heating
costs rising again, the need is even greater this winter for EnergyShare, Dominion’s
program to help those in need stay warm. Dominion begins accepting EnergyShare
donations today for the 2004-05 season.
The theme for the 22nd year of the EnergyShare
is “What if your choice was food, heat or medicine?” EnergyShare
helps individuals and families in need heat their homes after all other assistance
has been exhausted. Dominion works with state, local and private social agencies
to assist eligible people.
Every dollar contributed to this fund pays heating
bills regardless of the type of fuel used.
EnergyShare is supported by donations from Dominion
customers, employees and EnergyShare partners. Dominion covers the program's
administrative costs, allowing all donations to go toward paying heating bills.
The company contributes $50,000 in matching funds to help persons in need pay
their Dominion bill.
Last year EnergyShare collected more than $983,000,
which assisted 4,682 families in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, including
1,818 children, 795 senior citizens and 1,377 disabled people.
To qualify for EnergyShare assistance, a person
must live in the Dominion service area and be in danger of losing an important
source of heat. A recipient must have a household income no higher than one-half
of the local median income level, be unemployed or demonstrate a personal or
family crisis. To ensure the widest possible distribution of EnergyShare assistance,
eligible persons can receive only one payment of up to $500 per heating season.
Customers can contribute to EnergyShare by adding
an extra $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 or $35 monthly to their Dominion payments
or by including a separate check with their payments for any amount. An envelope
will be inserted in customers’ bills in October soliciting contributions.
All contributions are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O.
Box 12083, Richmond, Va. 23241-0083.
Businesses, churches and civic or other organizations
can become EnergyShare partners by donating money or services directly to the
program. Partners also can promote EnergyShare through bill inserts and letters
to their employees or by mentioning it in newsletters, bulletins and public
service announcements.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers
of energy with an energy portfolio of about 25,500 megawatts of generation.
Dominion also serves about 5 million retail energy customers in nine states.
For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.
