Gas News Release

October 18, 2000

More Than 163,000 Dominion East Ohio Customers Take Advantage of Energy Choice During Initial Enrollment

CLEVELAND -- More than 163,000 Dominion East Ohio customers, or 14 percent of a total 1.2 million customers, have opted to purchase natural gas commodities from an alternative supplier during the initial enrollment month of the Energy Choice program, company officials report.

Dominion East Ohio expects an increasing number of customers to participate in Energy Choice in the coming months. Under Energy Choice, participating customers may choose to purchase natural gas from one of several suppliers, while relying on Dominion East Ohio to continue delivering that gas to their homes or businesses. These customers also have the option of continuing to buy natural gas supplies from Dominion East Ohio at its regulated cost.

Natural gas commodity costs, the portion of the bill opened to competition via Energy Choice, account for more than two-thirds of a customer’s total bill. Dominion East Ohio does not earn a profit on these natural gas costs, which it passes directly to customers on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Thus, the company passes along any gas cost increases or savings directly to customers.

Dominion East Ohio’s Energy Choice program has generated extensive customer interest. The following information should help customers find the information they need to make an informed choice:

• Under Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulations, Dominion East Ohio cannot comment on specific Energy Choice suppliers’ offer or recommend one supplier over another. So, to save time and unnecessary calls, Dominion East Ohio advises customers to visit its web site for a current list of participating suppliers. The company urges customers to contact these suppliers directly to inquire about offers. Customers also can contact the PUCO directly for its “Apples to Apples” chart, which compares suppliers’ offers, available through the Commission’s toll-free Gas Choice Infoline at 1-800-299-7271 or by visiting their website at www.puc.state.oh.us. Residential customers also can direct questions and receive free Energy Choice information by contacting the Ohio Consumers’ counsel at 1-877-742-5622 or by visiting their website at www.state.oh.us/cons.
   
• Customers wishing to switch to another natural gas supplier must contact that supplier directly. Do not contact Dominion East Ohio to switch suppliers under Energy Choice. Again, under the rules of the program, Dominion East Ohio is not allowed to switch customers itself and must refer customers back to the supplier. Once a customer selects another supplier, Dominion East Ohio sends the customer a letter confirming that choice.
   
• Dominion East Ohio Gas cannot transfer customer calls to Energy Choice suppliers. If a supplier’s telephone line is busy, keep trying. If customers call Dominion East Ohio trying to get through to a supplier, they will be referred back to that supplier. So, to save time and potential frustration, customers must call suppliers directly.

Dominion is the nation’s largest fully integrated electric power and natural gas company, serving 4 million retail gas and electric customers in five states. The company has nearly 20,000 megawatts of generating capability, about 10,000 additional megawatts under some form of development and nearly 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. It is also one of the largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in North America. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.