Powered for community service

We think electricity is available at the flip of a switch, but there are some people for whom necessities are not that easy to come by. Two local suppliers of electricity, Dominion Virginia Power and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), have helped many people and organizations—with money, materials, education and volunteers—through volunteer efforts.

“We lend support in partnership with others,” said Le-Ha Anderson, manager for media and community relations for Dominion Resources Services Inc. “Through monetary support and volunteerism through our employees. We also help with Energy Share, a heating and cooling assistance program. We have the Dominion Foundation that partners with states and localities. We have people on boards and work with community leaders.”

“We have NOVEC Helps, a … nonprofit organization that gives us more freedom,” said Donna Snellings, public and government relations liaison for NOVEC. “NOVEC does a lot, but it has a budget, so if something new comes up we can go to NOVEC Helps.”

Prince William County is the largest NOVEC user of electricity, but it also provides electricity in areas of Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Clark counties, as well as Clifton, Fairfax Station, Centreville and Stafford. It is a cooperative started in 1983 that was preceded by Prince William Electric Cooperative.

Dominion Virginia Power is one of many Dominion companies that transmit, generate and distribute electricity in 14 states. In Virginia it provides electricity only, with gas being distributed in other states.

Both companies support many of the same events and charities in Prince William County. For years each has been a sponsor of the Wild Western Prince William County Farm Tour, a fun and educational event for parents and children to enjoy.

Read the full story in the print version of the Observer.