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April 10, 2008
Dominion Expands EnergyShare Weatherization
Program in Central Virginia
- New pilot will partner with ElderHomes
- Helps families save money, remain comfortable
for years to come
- Previous EnergyShare participants are eligible
MECHANICSVILLE, Va.— Dominion is expanding its EnergyShare
weatherization pilot program with a $50,000 donation to fund the addition of
energy-saving equipment and materials to homes of previous EnergyShare recipients
in central Virginia.
The EnergyShare weatherization pilot started today at the
Mechanicsville, Va., home of Margaret Lawrence, whose 1950s brick rancher received
additional insulation, new ductwork, fluorescent lighting and a new energy-efficient
heating system.
Dominion’s donation was made to ElderHomes to purchase
equipment and material to weatherize up to 40 homes in Richmond City and surrounding
counties. ElderHomes is a non-profit community development corporation whose
mission is to improve the housing and living conditions of low-income, older
adults, and persons with disabilities in the greater Richmond area. ElderHomes
specialists will install the equipment and make the improvements.
"Now in addition to providing financial help with seasonal
heating or cooling bills, Dominion is partnering with the state to provide assistance
that will help families stay comfortable and save money for decades," said
Eva T. Hardy, Dominion executive vice president-Public Policy & Corporate
Communications. "We expect this pilot to be successful and look to grow
this part of the EnergyShare program next year."
"ElderHomes helps low-income individuals of all ages
live safely and independently in their homes, and weatherization is part of
the home repair and construction services we offer," said Lee Householder,
chief executive officer. "About 75 percent of our clients are over age
60. The aging population is especially vulnerable during periods of extreme
heat or cold, and there is no substitute for the comfort and safety offered
by a properly weatherized house."
Dominion’s contribution will supplement the Virginia
Weatherization Assistance Program, which is administered by the Virginia Department
of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD). Each of the homes selected for
the pilot program will receive weatherization improvements based on the home’s
condition.
VDHCD administers the Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program
and allocates funds to local community action agencies, including Area Agencies
on Aging and non-profit housing organizations, which administer the program
at a local level.
"The donation made by Dominion will allow additional
homes to be weatherized this year through the program," said Bill Shelton,
director, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. "We
are pleased to continue our partnership with Dominion and look forward to a
continuing relationship in the future."
In addition to having their homes weatherized, pilot program
recipients will receive information on no-cost energy-savings measures.
About Dominion
Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of
energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,500 megawatts of generation, 1.1
trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas and oil reserves and 14,000
miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline. Dominion
also owns the nation’s largest underground natural gas storage system
and operates more than 975 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves
retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information about Dominion, visit
the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.
About EnergyShare
Dominion’s EnergyShare program has donated more than $25 million to families
in need during its 25-year history and is supported by donations from Dominion
customers, employees and EnergyShare partners, including businesses, churches
and civic organizations. Local health and social service agencies in the company’s
service areas distribute the funds. Because Dominion pays all administrative
costs, 100 percent of the funds donated go directly to help those requiring
assistance.
Persons in need are allowed to apply for EnergyShare assistance
to help pay a winter heating bill of any type. Each household is permitted up
to $500 per season in heating assistance. Eligible seniors in Dominion’s
service area will be allowed to apply for cooling assistance of up to $200 per
season. The new program will help pay summer cooling bills for seniors age 60
and older who are income-eligible and need assistance. Additionally, free fans
are provided to seniors age 60 and older who demonstrate a situation at home
that threatens their health and who have a need for cooling equipment.
Customers can contribute to EnergyShare by adding an extra
$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 or $35 monthly to their Dominion Virginia Power bills
or by including a separate check with their payments for any amount. All contributions
are tax deductible and can be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 11186, Richmond,
VA. 23230-1186.
About the Virginia Department of Housing and Community
Development
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is committed to
creating safe, affordable, and prosperous communities to live, work and do business
in Virginia. VDHCD partners with Virginia’s communities to develop their
economic potential, regulates Virginia’s building and fire codes, provides
training and certification for building officials, and invests more than $100
million each year into housing and community development projects throughout
the state, the majority of which are designed to help low-to-moderate income
citizens. By partnering with local governments, nonprofit groups, state and
federal agencies, and others, VDHCD is working to improve the quality of life
for Virginians. Visit the VDHCD Web site at: www.dhcd.virginia.gov.
About ElderHomes
ElderHomes Corporation is a non-profit community development corporation whose
mission is to improve the housing and living conditions of low-income, older
adults, and persons with disabilities in the city of Richmond, towns of Petersburg,
Hopewell, Colonial Heights and Ashland, and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield,
Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan. ElderHomes was founded in
1992 by the Capital Area Agency on Aging (CAAA). The CAAA believed that it could
best serve its constituents’ housing needs by forming a community development
corporation to develop and expand existing housing services. Since its inception,
ElderHomes has helped more than 7,000 households.
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