March 2018
Dominion Energy ArtStars winners brighten communities
ArtStars WiseJams program students showcase their musical talent.
This year's Dominion Energy ArtStars award-winners are brightening communities and inspiring a whole new generation of talented students and performers across Virginia. The five non-profit organizations being honored as 2018 Dominion Energy ArtStars were granted $10,000 each for bringing outstanding arts or cultural education into K-12 schools.
The following ArtStars winners and their exceptional programs were recognized at the 2018 Virginia Commission for the Arts 50th Anniversary Program:
- ART 180 provides free art programs to young people in challenging circumstances at partner organizations and its own teen center in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond. See how ART 180 is helping students gain confidence and find their creative voices.
- Light House Studio in Charlottesville, a nonprofit filmmaking center, hosts 134 workshops for students in the Shenandoah region to develop their vision and build their creative skills. See how Light House Studio is empowering youth to express themselves in positive ways.
- Sandler Center for the Performing Arts provides access for students in grades Pre-K through 8 to live performances throughout the academic year in Virginia Beach.
- Signature Theatre of Arlington uses theater to engage 2,000 high school students in the arts while strengthening key academic skills in literacy and critical thinking.
- Virginia's Heritage Music Trail in Abingdon incorporates traditional Appalachian music instruction in southwest Virginia schools.
Dominion ArtStars Awards recognize arts organizations that best demonstrate the ability to advance the synergy between arts and education for the benefit of students and their communities.
Dominion Energy crews back from Puerto Rico: Restoration work tough, but rewarding
After a month of challenging restoration work on an island far from home, 82 Dominion Energy electric crews and support staff returned to Virginia in mid-February safe and sound.
“We had long, 14-hour work days that would start at 5 and go until 7 in the evening,” said Sean Feely, a returning lineman from Mechanicsville, Virginia. “It was hard to see people who had been out of lights for months … but great to be able to see their faces smile and light up when we were able to get the power back on and how happy they were.
Many of the residents had been living without electric service since Sept. 20, 2017, when Hurricane Maria wiped out much of the island’s infrastructure.
The Dominion Energy contingent worked through unfamiliar and harsh conditions to restore power in the mountainous Carolina region of Puerto Rico, about 30 minutes northeast of San Juan. Daily challenges included high temperatures, intense humidity, hazardous terrain, poor road conditions and uninvited visitors in the form of iguanas and boa constrictors.
All in all, the team managed to set 226 new poles, rework hundreds more, and restring or replace over 14 miles of electric wire to restore close to 2,000 customers.
When Dominion Energy crews arrived Jan. 18, only 50% of the residents in the Carolina region had power. A month later, 85% in that region were back on and about 80% of all Puerto Ricans had electric service.
Returning employees said they were touched and grateful for the hospitality and constant appreciation shown by the local people. Residents who had been without power for months still found a way to cook and deliver lunches to Dominion Energy line crews nearly every day. When Dominion Energy crews were reassigned to the other side of the mountain, the food kept arriving!
The company’s emergency response required months of pre-planning and coordination with utility partners in Puerto Rico along with peers in transportation, supply chain, safety, travel services and many other disciplines. The logistical effort included the shipment by barge of 57 bucket trucks and other vehicles, as well as hundreds of transformers and materials needed to support this successful and complex restoration project.
For more, watch a video recap of the restoration work and interviews of linemen from Dominion Energy.
Six surprising facts about energy-saving LEDs
You may already know that LED bulbs are very efficient, using 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that if every American home replaced just one bulb with an ENERGY STAR® rated LED, the total annual energy savings would be more than $566 million. Here are some remarkable facts about LEDs.
- High quality LED bulbs have a rated lifetime of 25,000 hours or more. At an average of five hours a night, 365 days a year, an LED could last up to 14 years!
- Prices to purchase LEDs have dropped significantly in the last 10 years. Since 2008, the cost for LED bulbs has dropped by around 90 percent. Today, you can buy an ENERGY STAR® certified 60-watt equivalent LED bulb for as little as $1.50.
- LEDs come in different color tones. Looking for a warm light for a little atmosphere, or a sharper tone for crafting? LEDs have you covered. Look on the product label for color temperature in Kelvin (K). A lower temperature (2700K) provides a warm, yellowish light, while a higher temperature (5000K) bulb produces a cooler, higher contrast light.
- Some LEDs are the brightest bulb in the room. Advanced 'smart' features are available with some LED products. With an accompanying app, you can remotely turn bulbs on and off, dim them, change their color, and set them on a schedule and other cool stuff. The features available depend on the model you choose.
- LEDs are better for the environment. In addition to using less energy, LEDs contain no mercury, a hazardous material found in fluorescent lamps and other types of lighting. A DOE study found that LEDs have a lower overall environmental impact than incandescent bulbs and CFLs.
- LEDs were invented by accident. In 1961, two engineers at Texas Instruments were working on laser diodes for radar antennas when they accidentally discovered the first light-emitting diodes. These LEDs were in the infrared (non-visible) range. Visible LEDs were first developed by GE researchers in 1962.
February 2018
Dominion Energy Employees Help Restore Power to Puerto Rico
On January 18, 2018, 71 Dominion Energy employees voluntarily boarded a plane to Puerto Rico where they will work for a minimum of four weeks to help restore the island’s electric grid, which was devastated by hurricanes last fall.
Upon arrival, they synced up with the company’s advanced team, bringing the total to 80 employee volunteers including line crews, logistics support, security, and more.
Read about the sacrifices, fears and excitement of three brave Dominion Energy employees as they journey through the restoration trip of a lifetime to help others in need.
Dominion Energy is one of several investor-owned electric companies deploying a total of 1,500 restoration workers to Puerto Rico. With this new wave of mutual assistance, the total number of power restoration workers on the island totals more than 5,500 working in partnership and under the direction of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Edison Electric Institute, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Dominion Energy Supports Critical Community Needs
As part of its ongoing commitment to communities, Dominion Energy jump-started the new year with more than $1 million in grants to help feed, shelter and care for people in need across the company’s footprint. Donations will be shared by 161 nonprofit organizations providing critical community services in 11 states. Browse VIDEOS spotlighting how these programs serve communities. A state-by-state listing of all recipients are also posted online.
This is the third year that the company has given more than $1 million in critical community needs grants through the company’s foundation.
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation grants are limited to organizations defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Foundation grants are funded by shareholder dollars.
High Bills? We have options.
January 2018
December 2017
The holidays are a great time for having fun with friends and family, but the extra energy costs can cause a real post-season letdown. With these easy money-saving tips, you can enjoy lower energy bills this holiday season and into the new year ahead.
- ENERGY STAR® certified LED decorative light strings use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent lights and last up to 10 times longer. While you're at it, change out those old bulbs around your house to high-efficiency LEDs as well.
- Make sure to turn off your dazzling light display late at night or when you're not at home. It's safer and you'll avoid wasting energy. Add convenience by installing a timer to automatically turn lights on at dusk and off at any time you set. View our holiday lighting calculator to see how much energy you’re using for your holiday lighting.
- With a little creativity, you can reduce or eliminate the need for energy-using decorative lights. Reflective bulbs and tinsel add extra shine to your tree without using energy.
- Bake several dishes at once; it takes the same amount of energy to operate a full oven as it does a nearly empty one. Keep lids on pots; food cooks faster and uses less energy. After cleanup, run the dishwasher only when you have a full load.
- Turn down the temperature when holiday guests arrive. Extra bodies in the house mean extra heat at no cost to you. Even when guests aren’t over, lower your thermostat to 68 degrees.
- Traveling for the holidays? Give your energy bill a break too. Turn off all lights before you leave. Set the timer if you still want to show off your outdoor lighting display at night. Adjust the thermostat to a lower temperature to save energy. If you have a programmable unit, set it to 'vacation' mode. Also, lower the temperature setting on your water heater tank to reduce standby heat loss.
- Save energy all year long by installing (and using) a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostat models include advanced features, such as self-programming and remote control.
Here are more winter savings tips.
With the winter months ahead, long summer days and the sun’s brightest rays seem distant. No matter the season, solar energy generation is a key component of Dominion Energy's clean energy growth.
To create a cleaner and smarter energy future, we’re introducing more solar energy across the country. It’s all part of our commitment to provide electricity with clean renewable energy.
Since 2013, we've helped bring 1,200-megawatts (MW) of large-scale solar into operation in nine states, enough energy to power about 300,000 homes at peak solar output.
With winter at our door, it’s time to make sure your home is ready for cold weather. The following tips—for every area of your home—will help minimize energy costs and keep your family comfortable all season long.
Doors and Windows
- Replace worn weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Caulk gaps in windows and door glass.
- Install storm doors if you don't already have them.
- Replace older, single-pane windows with new, high-performance models.
Insulation and Sealing
- Add or replace attic insulation as needed.
- Look for gaps around attic doors and other attic access areas, such as ceiling light fixtures. Seal with foam or weather stripping.
- Check for gaps in basement rim joists (where the foundation meets wood framing) and around plumbing and wiring access. Seal by stuffing with insulation or with expandable foam or caulk.
Heating System
Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your heating system.Replace your furnace filter throughout the heating season according to the manufacturer's guidelines.Install a programmable thermostat; it will save energy by automatically lowering temperatures at night and when you are away from home.If your heating system is older, upgrade to an ENERGY STAR certified high-efficiency furnace or heat pump. Chimney and Fireplace
- Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your chimney.
- Repair or replace a loose-fitting fireplace damper to prevent heat loss through the chimney.
- Keep the damper closed whenever the fireplace is not in use.
- Install fireplace inserts, covers, glass doors or flue sealers to prevent heat loss through your chimney.
Outside
- Replace missing or damaged roof shingles.
- Clean the gutters and make sure downspouts point away from the house.
- Make sure the flashing around the chimney and vent pipes is sealed tightly.
- Trim tree limbs that touch or hang over your house.
Looking to save more? A home energy audit is a great way to uncover energy losses in your home and find opportunities to lower your utility bills this winter and beyond. Check to see if you qualify for Energy Conservation programs.
