Dominion East Ohio, Energy Marketers Increase EnergyShare Funding
CLEVELAND – Dominion, in partnership with its Energy
Choice suppliers, today announced plans to increase funding to its EnergyShare
program, which provides last-resort fuel assistance to eligible customers. A
combined contribution of over $100,000 was presented to Major Richard Gulley,
Area Coordinator of the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland. The Army administers
the program.
Natural gas provider Direct Energy initiated the idea and
kicked off the pledge drive with a $25,000 donation. Other participants include
Dominion East Ohio Energy, Interstate Gas Supply, WPS Energy Services, Vectren,
Exelon Energy and Commerce Energy.
"Nationally, natural gas costs have reached record levels
and this is a major concern among our customers," said Jay Johnson, president
and chief executive officer of Dominion Delivery. "We are pleased that
Direct Energy initiated this move and that several Energy Choice marketers could
partner in contributing. This increase in funding will benefit many households
throughout our Ohio service area."
"One of our main goals at Direct Energy is to ensure
an affordable source of energy for all consumers," said Mike Senff, regional
general manager, Midwest Business Markets for Direct Energy. "We were pleased
to work with Dominion to bring this program to life and help keep more Ohio
families warm this winter."
EnergyShare helps pay home heating bills for qualified individuals
living in Dominion’s service area. It pays for any heating source and
is a program of last resort for the elderly, the ill, or anyone who faces financial
hardships from unemployment or family crisis. Payments go directly to vendors
on behalf of those helped. Last year, the program raised more than $1.1 million
and helped 5,536 families. The Salvation Army will begin accepting applications
for EnergyShare assistance on January 3, 2006.
Dominion has committed $1 million company-wide to supplement
its customer contributions to its EnergyShare Program. Dominion East Ohio customers
can also contribute to the EnergyShare program directly to EnergyShare, The
Salvation Army, P.O. Box 5487, Cleveland, OH 44101-0847, or by making a bill
overpayment of $1, $2, $6, $12, $18, or $36 on their monthly gas bill.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy,
with an energy portfolio of about 28,100 megawatts of generation. Dominion also
serves retail energy customers in nine states. For more information about Dominion,
visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.
