Gas News Release

January 25, 2001

Dominion East Ohio Pledges $1 Million to Energy Assistance Fuel Fund

CLEVELAND – Representatives of Dominion East Ohio kicked off the 2001 People-Helping-People Fuel Fund today by presenting a $1 million contribution to the Salvation Army to help needy customers.

Dominion East Ohio and the Salvation Army are teaming up for the 17^th year, and this contribution will push the Fuel Fund over the $2.1 million mark in overall last-resort energy assistance.

"Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures," said Edgar M. Roach Jr., chief executive officer, Dominion Delivery. "The coldest November and December on record and escalating prices for natural gas on the national market have created a hardship for many of our customers. We want to help."

The Salvation Army administers the program, with funds coming from the shareholders of Dominion, parent company of Dominion East Ohio.

Dominion East Ohio today announced the $1 million commitment to Major Bonnie Kirk, Divisional Program Secretary for the Salvation Army in Northeast Ohio. All Dominion East Ohio residential customers are eligible for last-resort energy assistance through the Fuel Fund, provided they have exhausted all other forms of aid and can show proof of an imminent utility shutoff. Eligible customers can apply for funding beginning February 5, 2001, by contacting their local Salvation Army.

The program has provided $1.1 million in emergency energy assistance since 1985 to more than 35,000 individuals in 11,000 area families. In addition to the Fuel Fund, Dominion East Ohio’s continual commitment to the community includes a separate $3 million annual contribution toward the company’s Housewarming program, which is administered through the Cleveland Housing Network.

The Fuel Fund will accept customer contributions again in 2001, which will be critical to providing needy customers an "extra margin of comfort and safety this winter heating season," Roach said. Fuel Fund contributions from the community will be used in the area from which they are received. Tax-deductible Fuel Fund contributions should be mailed to: The Salvation Army People-Helping-People Fuel Fund, P. O. Box 6538, Cleveland, OH 44115.

"The Salvation Army serves clients throughout our entire Dominion East Ohio service area," Roach said. "Its history of compassion and community commitment makes the Salvation Army the natural choice as our Fuel Fund partner."

"The Fuel Fund falls directly in line with the mission of the Salvation Army in providing assistance to needy families and individuals in our community," said Major Kirk. "We are pleased to be a partner in this effort and grateful to Dominion East Ohio and for their continued support and civic leadership."

Dominion East Ohio is a subsidiary of Dominion, which is headquartered in Richmond, Va., and 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.