Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Consumers’ Counsel: Winning Dominion bid may benefit consumers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – August 29, 2006 –Today, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, stated that it believes that the winning bid produced during the Dominion East Ohio rate auction is acceptable and most likely will benefit consumers over the next 23 months.

“This is good news for residential customers. We are pleased that so many natural gas suppliers stepped up and participated in this successful auction,” said Janine Migden- Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “By securing a bid of $1.44, Dominion customers who have not chosen an alternative natural gas supplier will likely see rates that are lower than what they would have been through the current Gas Cost Recovery rate system.”

The winning bid is awaiting approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which is expected within the week. The OCC encourages the PUCO to approve the bid, which it believes is in the best interest of residential natural gas consumers.

If the bid is approved, this is the rate that would be combined with the settlement price for natural gas as traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange to set the Standard Service Offer that many Dominion customers would pay for the next 23 months. If the PUCO rejects the bid, it may determine that another auction is necessary or that Dominion must keep the GCR in place as its rate for non-choice customers.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.