National Grid : HeartShare and Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Help Upstate New York Customers in Need Reduce Cold-Weather Heating Expenses

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation is helping to reduce cold-weather heating expenses for National Grid's upstate New York customers in need with a $10,000 donation to the Care & Share Energy Fund, a low-income heating fund established by National Grid in 1981. Dominion Energy, a provider of natural gas transportation and storage services, has offered since 2004 a similar donation for National Grid's customers.

'Receiving the donation today is particularly meaningful as the cold temperatures across the region continue to pose a challenge for customers,' said Alberto Bianchetti, National Grid Central New York Regional Executive. 'Thanks to the generosity of Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, our Care & Share program will continue to support customers who need assistance the most.'

The Care & Share Energy Fund is administered by National Grid's long-standing partner HeartShare Human Services of New York to provide grants of up to $200 a year to eligible low-income families who need assistance paying their winter heating bills.

'Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation is proud to have the opportunity to partner once again with National Grid and HeartShare Human Services of New York to help support National Grid's upstate New York customers in need,' Stanley Ossowski, manager, northern area, Dominion Energy Transmission. 'As an organization, we are committed to supporting meaningful projects like the Care & Share Energy Fund program that encourage energy efficiency and provide customer assistance.'

HeartShare is a Victorine Q. Adams Excellence Award winner, earning national recognition for institutional innovation and achievement in serving low-income consumers. Its Energy Assistance and Community Development Program reaches thousands of households across New York state through a network of utility and public partners.

'For more than 30 years Care & Share has helped thousands of families in crisis keep warm,' said Joe Guarinello, HeartShare Vice President for Energy Assistance and Community Development. 'The continued support by National Grid and its employees for the Care & Share Energy Fund shows their commitment every day to the customers they serve. HeartShare joins a 'circle of help' of more than 75 community organizations to get families the assistance they need. HeartShare thanks partners Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation for adding to the circle of help with their $10,000 grant to Care & Share.'

Households receiving public assistance, supplemental security income, food stamps or other public assistance, or the elderly, may qualify for the federal Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides financial aid to income-eligible participants. Customers eligible for HEAP also will qualify for National Grid's Energy Affordability Program.

National Grid customers can apply in person for Care & Share funds by visiting intake centers across upstate New York. Customers must receive HEAP to be eligible for Care & Share funding and provide their HEAP award letter as part of their application.

To hear the list of intake centers, contact HeartShare toll free at 1-855-852-2736. National Grid customers can also contact HeartShare at 718-422-4207 to process their Care & Share application over the phone. Visit the HeartShare website for more information.

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation's parent company, Dominion Energy, has also coordinated its own energy assistance program for Dominion Energy customers. Since the program's inception in 1982, the program has helped more than 780,000 people facing financial hardships stay comfortable in their own homes.