Dominion Awards $1 Million for Educational Programs Exploring Energy and the Environment

- K-12 and higher education grants will help nearly 100 learning institutions in 11 states
- Focus on energy, environment, workforce development

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- From wetland restoration to green roof technology, this year's Dominion educational grants will engage students of all ages in a variety of outstanding energy- and environmental-focused science, math and technology programs. Some of the higher education grants also support workforce training programs.

For the 2016-17 academic year, schools and educational institutions in 11 states will share grants totaling $1 million from the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources.

"This year's grants will support a variety of innovative programs encouraging young people to learn the essential skills needed to tackle real-world issues," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation. "They will help students gain knowledge and experience with technologies that are leading the way to a greener energy future."

Dominion's K-12 Education Partnership will give 66 K-12 schools and educational organizations grants that support the study of energy and the environment. The Higher Education Partnership will award 30 college and post-secondary schools up to $50,000 each to fund projects in energy, environmental studies, engineering and workforce development.

A few of this year's higher education grant recipients include:

  • George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., will be awarded $20,000 for the study of the ecological benefits and maintenance requirements of a green roof. Students will use sensors to measure storm-water runoff from a campus parking deck designed and "landscaped" to serve as an experimental green roof.
  • Kent State University in North Canton, Ohio, will be awarded $25,000 for its "Wired Wetland" program that will fund the real-time collection of environmental data from Kent State Stark Pond and Wetland Research area.
  • Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., will receive $35,000 to develop an online interactive educational game giving students a platform to make strategic business and engineering planning decisions about energy needs and delivery using a model of the modern electricity infrastructure.
  • University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., will be awarded $24,500 for its study and measurement of carbon dioxide in Long Island Sound. Students will learn about stresses on the ecosystem while establishing a potentially important historical database.

Four hundred grant applications were considered. Recipient schools and educational organizations are located in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Dominion Resources is the parent company of Dominion Virginia/North Carolina Power, Dominion East Ohio, Dominion Hope, Dominion Transmission, Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission and Millstone Power Station in Connecticut.

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion companies. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, support education and promote community vitality. Dominion Foundation grants are funded by shareholder dollars and not borne by customers. For more information about Dominion, visit www.dom.com.

 

SOURCE Dominion

For further information: New England: Ken Holt, 860-447-1791, kenneth.a.holt@dom.com or New York/Maryland/Pennsylvania: Frank Mack, 804-771-3141, frank.mack@dom.com or Karl Neddenien, 410-286-5749, karl.r.neddenien@dom.com or North Carolina: Pam Pekrun, 252-255-2142, pam.pekrun@dom.com or Ohio: Tracy Oliver, 216-736-6219, tracy.a.oliver@dom.com, Neil Durbin, 216-736-6239, neil.j.durbin@dom.com or South Carolina: Kristen Beckham, 803-873-0972, Kristen.m.beckham@dom.com or Virginia/Tennessee: Central/Western: Janell Hancock, 804-771-6115, Janell.Hancock@dom.com or Eastern: Bonita Harris, 757-857-2700, Bonita.B.Harris@dom.com or Northern: Chuck Penn, 703-796-9308, Charles.Penn@dom.com or West Virginia: Robert E. Fulton, 304-627-3200, Robert.E.Fulton@dom.com or Robert C. Orndorff, 304-627-3146, Robert.E.Orndorff@dom.com