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Electric News Releases - 1999
October 1, 1999
Virginia Power's Energy Share Enters 17th Year
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Power launched Friday its annual
EnergyShare program designed to help assure that those in need will have a resource
for heating assistance when the weather turns cold.
"Thanks to the generosity of our customers, EnergyShare
has been available for each of the past 16 winters to help families in need
heat their homes," said Eva S. Teig, senior vice president-External Affairs
& Corporate Communications. "Yet, as we begin the program this year,
we find that the need for contributions continues to grow. We are asking our
customers and our employees to help once again those who have nowhere else to
turn."
Despite raising more than $1.2 million last year and helping
6,439 families -- including nearly 3,000 children, 800 senior citizens and more
than 1,700 disabled people -- the program had to turn away about 750 requests
for help when the funds were depleted.
"Sometimes during the winter months, families find themselves
having to make a choice of how to allocate too few dollars – food or heat,"
Teig said. "With help from EnergyShare, they don't have to make that choice.
Parents can keep their children both warm and nourished."
EnergyShare provides one-time financial aid to pay a winter
heating bill for wood, oil, kerosene, coal, natural gas or electricity. It is
a program of last resort for those who have exhausted other forms of assistance
or who do not qualify for such help.
EnergyShare is supported by donations from Virginia Power
customers and employees, and EnergyShare Partners. Virginia Power pays the program's
administrative costs, allowing all donations to go toward paying heating bills.
The utility also will contribute $50,000 in matching funds to help persons in
need pay their Virginia Power bill.
Virginia Power customers will receive an envelope in their
bill this month and again in February soliciting contributions to the program.
Another way customers can contribute to EnergyShare is by
adding an extra $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 or $35 monthly to Virginia Power bills.
The company's computer automatically recognizes these exact amounts as contributions
to EnergyShare. Contributions may also be mailed to EnergyShare, P.O. Box 12083,
Richmond, Va. 23241-0083. All contributions are tax deductible.
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, letters to their
employees or by mentioning it in newsletters, bulletins or public service announcements.
To qualify for EnergyShare assistance, a person must live
in the Virginia Power 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,
persons eligible can receive only one payment of up to $500 per heating season.
Last year, the average payment was $177.
Local health and social service agencies in Virginia Power's
service area distribute EnergyShare funds. These agencies will begin accepting
applications for assistance on Dec. 17. Payments go directly to the energy vendor
on behalf of the recipient.
Virginia Power is a subsidiary of Dominion
Resources Inc. (NYSE: D), an energy company with headquarters in Richmond.
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