Gas News Release

March 6, 2001

Dominion Hope Files For January Rate Increase

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. -- Dominion Hope, in preparation for the end of a natural gas rate freeze that has been in place since November 1998, has filed a new rate case with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia that would take effect on Jan. 1, 2002.

Nationally, natural gas prices have more than doubled since 1998. Using projected prices for next winter, the filing calls for a 53 percent rate increase. Today's filing includes both a gas cost rate to recover the company's cost for natural gas and a base rate. The gas cost rate could be adjusted as market gas prices change between the filing and next January. The rate case is filed early so the Public Service Commission can hold public hearings and review it. The proposed rates are designed to provide for the purchase of gas supplies and the continued safe and reliable operation of Dominion Hope's delivery system.

Although current higher natural gas prices are currently not affecting Dominion Hope customers, that may change when the freeze ends on Dec. 31, 2001. If natural gas prices remain at or near current levels, Dominion Hope will have to raise its rates in order to acquire adequate supplies of natural gas at market prices to meet customers' demands. The company buys the most reliable gas at the lowest available price.

"In 1995 and again in 1998, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia and Dominion Hope implemented a system that will save our customers over $100 million by the end of 2001," said Edgar M. Roach, Jr., chief executive officer of Dominion Hope. "Current rates are only a nickel higher than they were six years ago. We want to reassure our customers that we will continue to make every effort to purchase natural gas at the lowest possible price."

Assistance is available for customers who have difficulty paying their gas bill. Arrangements can be made for budget and special payment plans. Also, government aid is available through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and through the Salvation Army’s Heat Fund. For additional information about these programs, contact Dominion Hope at 1-800-688-4673.

Dominion Hope, headquartered in Clarksburg, has 115,000 natural gas customers in West Virginia. It 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.