100-Year Journey Scrapbook

Our 100-year Journey
The Beginning
1909-1933
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A Time of Growth
1934-1959
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The Era of Innovation
1960-1982
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Becoming Dominion
1983-Present
The Beginning 1909-1933
Virginia Railway and Power Company
One of the first VR&P trolley cars in
Richmond, Virginia, travels along
its route on Broad and Robinson
streets. The Home for the Incurables,
a facility to help people with
permanent physical ailments,
is in the distance.
This transformer installation, supplying
power to the growing capital of Virginia,
towers over early vehicles on Richmond’s
streets in 1928.
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1795
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Dominion’s corporate ancestry can
be traced to the Upper Appomattox
Company, which was organized to
improve navigation and commercial
development on the James River
and its tributaries, including canal
operation to secure water rights to
the river.
1884
Virginia Electric Light and
Power Company is granted
a franchise by the City of
Richmond to provide light and
power. The Electric Company
of Virginia is incorporated to
provide commercial lighting
to downtown Norfolk, Virginia.
Both companies are part of
Dominion’s corporate ancestry.
1909
Virginia Railway and
Power Company (VR&P)
is formed, initially providing
customers with light and
power and operating street
railways.
Horse-drawn transportation becomes
a thing of the past as the convenience
of company trolley cars quickly
replaces them.
1911
The Norfolk and Portsmouth Traction
Company merges into VR&P, allowing
VR&P to enter the electric and
natural gas distribution markets in
the Tidewater area of Virginia.
Transportation and energy in one
A Norfolk line crew poses before a hard day of work.
A trolley line along Hull Street in Richmond shows the new
perspective of modern transportation circa 1928.
A 1924 VR&P storefront
displays new electric household appliances.
1925
A syndicate formed by Stone & Webster
purchases VR&P and forms Engineers
Public Service Company to manage VR&P.
Spotsylvania Power Company of
Fredericksburg merges with VR&P
and the company’s name is changed
to Virginia Electric and Power
Company (VEPCO).
1926
William W. Jones, an engineer for
VR&P, wins the company logo
contest in 1924 with this design.
VEPCO remains active
in the transportation
arena and receives a
30-year public-transit
franchise from the City
of Richmond to operate
streetcars.
1927
One year later, with the company
name changed to Virginia Electric
and Power Company, this adaptation
becomes the new logo.
The Norfolk Railway and Light
Company merges into VEPCO,
expanding the company’s presence in
the Tidewater region. During the year,
VEPCO also purchases several small
companies and distribution systems in
northeastern North Carolina.
1929
The U.S. stock
market crashes on
October 29, marking
the beginning of the
Great Depression.
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Employees at work and play
Linemen climb
poles with
belts and use
ladders in the
early years.
Bucket trucks
are years in the
future.
A Petersburg line crew takes a break on a rural road.
Teams from VEPCO’s transportation division assemble for a photo in
front of the building where they maintain Richmond’s streetcars.
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Play ball! This 1929 baseball team is one of many sports
teams to represent the company in its early years.
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Safety pays off for company workers at the 12th Street power plant
— the prize of this contest is a day off with pay. This 1931 sign proudly
displays their 417 days without an accident.
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In keeping with the “Work Hard, Play Hard” spirit, VEPCO
employees not only join together on sports teams but are
recognized for safety and first aid performance through
pennants and company picnics.
No one’s going away
hungry from this
VEPCO employee
picnic on Richmond’s
Belle Isle.
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A VEPCO women’s first aid crew receives
championship recognition in 1929.
Petersburg operators gather for a
company picnic at the Chesterfield
Hills Country Club, 1930.
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VEPCO’s public visibility
These award-winning Norfolk
billboards promote gas heating in
a 1931 ad campaign.
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In 1928 electricity lights this Broad Street
business in Richmond.
Electric lights illuminate a drafting room.
This handwritten bill from 1932 reveals
a charge of $1.03 for electricity and a 3¢
postage stamp.
VEPCO employees use voltmeters to verify voltage levels from
substations into residences and businesses whenever there’s a
question about adequate electricity.
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Educating consumers and investors
Performing in Norfolk, the VEPCO women show they are no
strangers to the stage. The Women’s Committee of the Public
Utilities Association of Virginia puts on a play called “Grandma
Electrified” during a meeting in 1931.
Home economists like these play a key role
in promoting the uses of electricity.
Home economists prepare to teach a seminar about the ways
electric kitchen appliances can help with household chores.
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A bus equipped with the latest electric appliances allows VEPCO
home economists to take their demonstrations to rural areas.
These stock certificates were given
to the company’s early investors.
These pages from the
1912 VR&P Annual
Report show gross
income of $2.2 million.
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A Time of Growth
1934-1959
A group of
VEPCO workers
poses for a
photograph.
This 1948 view
of Possum Point
Power Station was
taken before it
began operation
later that year.
With the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,
VEPCO sets out to expand its electricity
coverage throughout the state.
1935
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Congress enacts the
Public Utility Holding
Company Act to regulate
electric utilities, by either
limiting their operations
to a single state, or forcing
them to divest of their
operating companies.
1936
Motorbuses begin to replace
electric streetcars on the
route from Richmond to
Petersburg. Congress enacts
the Rural Electrification Act
to provide federal funding for
the installation of electrical
distribution systems to serve
rural areas of the United States.
1940
The Securities and Exchange
Commission brings
proceedings against the
Engineers Public Service
Company (VEPCO’s holding
company), and in 1942
orders a divestiture of all
its transportation and gas
companies.
1941
The U.S. enters
World War II after
the bombing of
Pearl Harbor on
December 7.
1944
VEPCO merges with
the Virginia Public
Service Company,
more than doubling
the company’s service
area and making it one
of the largest electric
utilities in the nation.
This 1954 aerial view of the
Roanoke Rapids Hydroelectric
Plant looks upstream.
This employee uses new equipment to
answer calls at the “Trouble Desk” in 1934.
1947
Engineers Public
Service Company
dissolves and
VEPCO becomes
an independent,
publicly owned
utility with 450,000
electric and gas
customers.
1949
The last
trolley
operates in
Richmond in
September.
1953
The Portsmouth
Power Station begins
operation. The U.S.
Supreme Court
rules in favor of
VEPCO building a
hydroelectric power
plant on the Roanoke
River in North
Carolina.
1955
VEPCO completes
the Roanoke
Rapids
Hydroelectric
Plant, the
company’s largest
hydroelectric
plant at the time.
1956
VEPCO joins
three other
southeastern
utilities to
construct a
prototype nuclear
reactor in Parr
Shoals, South
Carolina.
1957
Yorktown
Power
Station begins
operation.
1958
The Gold Medallion
Home Program
is introduced to
promote better
wiring, lighting, and
the use of electrical
appliances. Its goal
is to help customers
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“Live Better
Electrically.”
This 1943 letter of invitation to wives of VEPCO employees encourages
them to work for the company when their husbands go off to war.
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Women Unite
Across VEPCO’s service area during World
War II women pitch in, such as this
woman operating a blueprint machine in
Norfolk’s engineering department.
VEPCO encourages its employees to support the
war effort, even keeping up the spirits of the
soldiers on leave. These VEPCO women serve as
hostesses at the Parking Lot Canteen
on 7th and Grace streets in Richmond.
This woman trains as a Norfolk
bus operator in 1943.
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Pamphlets like these help VEPCO’s
agricultural engineers explain how much
easier life could be on the farm with
the wonders of electricity.
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“live better electrically”
Reddy Kilowatt, the famous red
cartoon figure designed by an Alabama
Power Company engineer in 1926,
conveys messages about ways to
use electricity to VEPCO and other
utility customers across the country.
An agricultural engineer takes time
to demonstrate how this electric
well-pump can distribute water
around the farm.
In 1954, crowds gather on the streets of
Kilmarnock to see the new vapor lights.
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vepco gets the word out
The VEPCOVIAN, the
company’s monthly
employee newsletter,
conveys important
information during its
production from 1927
through 1968.
The Red Cross recognizes the VEPCOVIAN
for its efforts in the 1956 campaign.
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Pages from the VEPCOVIAN reveal the newsletter’s emphasis on office safety and
civic involvement, as well as its humorous features.
vepco takes
pride in
everything
it does
The VEPCO logo keeps pace with the times between
1929 and 1950.
VEPCO wins an advertising award for its
brochure on the Portsmouth Power Station.
In the 1950s, employees receive this handbook
and service record.
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The Era of Innovation
1960-1982
An employee adjusts a microwave antenna
atop VEPCO’s general office building in
Richmond. Microwave is the newest addition
to the company’s communication facilities.
VEPCO linemen adhere to safety standards.
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1963
1965
1968
1970
1971
1972
The company
starts to offer
its employees
a savings
plan.
VEPCO constructs
the nation’s first
500,000-volt
transmission
system, beginning
at Mt. Storm Power
Station in West
Virginia.
VEPCO begins
installing underground
electric distribution
lines for residential
customers. This
technical innovation
becomes standard
for newly developed
residential areas.
VEPCO establishes
an environmental
department, the
first for an investorowned electric
utility.
VEPCO receives national
recognition for its
environmental efforts
in cooling water at
its Chesterfield Power
Station. The company
also receives the Award
of Excellence from Electric
Light & Power magazine.
Surry Power Station,
the company’s first
nuclear power
generator, comes on
line, comprising 25
percent of VEPCO’s
energy production.
This home economist uses her
bakeware for educational purposes.
Reddy Kilowatt graces the front of an apron.
A station
superintendent
observes construction
of Chesterfield Power
Station Unit 4, the
most efficient high
pressure boiler of its
kind at the time.
An Alleghany County, Virginia, farmer discusses
his energy needs to keep his operation going.
1973
1977
1978
1981
1982
The 1973 OPEC oil embargo creates
many challenges for VEPCO throughout
the decade. Subsequent oil shortages and
rising costs cause energy prices to rise
and prompt VEPCO to initiate one of the
largest oil-to-coal conversion programs in
the nation.
Construction of the Bath
County Pumped Storage
Station begins, which
becomes the world’s
largest pumped storage
hydroelectric plant
at the time.
North Anna
Power Station,
the company’s
second nuclear
generator, begins
commercial
operation.
VEPCO offers
its customers the
opportunity to invest
in the company’s
common stock
through monthly
coupon payments.
VEPCO establishes
“EnergyShare” to
help customers in
need pay winter
heating bills.
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Employees are reminded of the
benefits they have from VEPCO.
A member of
VEPCO’s bowling
team demonstrates
the “Work Hard,
Play Hard” spirit.
Vepcovian covers are
signs of the times.
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Eiler
In 1972, Hurricane Agnes takes its toll on VEPCO’s
facilities, closing the 12th Street power plant and
the company’s operations center in downtown
Richmond. Grayland Ave. becomes the site of
an emergency system control center.
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Upper reservoir
Lower reservoir
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An aerial view of construction
The Bath County Pumped Storage Power Station is
conceptualized in 1971 as an economical means of
generating power during the day when demand is
high and using coal and nuclear generation at night
when demand is low to pump water back up the
mountain. VEPCO completes the plant in 1985, at
the time the largest hydroelectric facility of its kind,
with a generating capacity of 2,100 megawatts.
VEPCO is proud to show off its
new headquarters at One James
River Plaza—inside and out.
VEPCO employees mobilize in
Chesterfield after an ice storm.
Charlottesville employees walk for the March of Dimes.
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The first VEPCO nuclear reactor vessel
heads to Surry Power Station in 1970.
An employee in the boiler room of
the Chesterfield Power Station.
Photo courtesy of Fred King
These Norfolk linemen are inspecting vibration damage to a wire just above the
Elizabeth River. They are working from a hook ladder secured to a wire held
by fellow linemen in a boat below.
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The Vepcovian gets a new face and
name—Currents—in keeping with the
changing times. Currents was published
from 1969 through 2000.
VEPCO is the subject of many
political cartoons over the years.
Bill inserts promote the
EnergyShare program to
VEPCO customers.
This employee travels throughout VEPCO’s
service area to educate school and civic
groups about the role of nuclear energy
with an award-winning program called
“This Atomic World.”
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Becoming Dominion: 1983-Present
The first logo for the new holding company is revealed
in 1984.
Employees perform many kinds of work in the field.
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1983
1984
1986
1988
1990
1995
2000
Dominion
Resources,
Inc., is
formed as
a holding
company
and VEPCO
becomes
its largest
subsidiary.
VEPCO changes its
operating names
to Virginia Power,
North Carolina
Power, and West
Virginia Power
and implements
a new logo and
identity program
along with a new
logo for Dominion
Resources.
Virginia Power establishes
the nation’s first licensed
above-ground facility to
store spent nuclear fuel.
Dominion Resources sells
West Virginia Power. The
Virginia State Corporation
Commission rules that
Dominion Resources and
its non-utility subsidiaries
remain financially,
commercially, and
operationally separate
from the company’s
regulated electric utility
franchise.
Virginia Power
enters the
competitive
bidding market
and seeks to
purchase 1,750
megawatts
of merchant
generating
capacity.
The first U.S.
combined-cycle
generating
unit goes into
operation at the
Chesterfield Power
Station. Dominion
Resources sells its
Virginia Natural
Gas subsidiary
to Consolidated
Natural Gas
(CNG).
Clover Power
Station, the
company’s
first generating
facility to be
built in many
years, begins
operation
Dominion Resources
merges with CNG, one
of the nation’s largest
natural gas companies,
and rebrands itself
to unify all operating
companies under the
name “Dominion.” As
part of this process,
Dominion Resources
splits into three different
operating units:
“Dominion Delivery,”
“Dominion Energy,” and
“Dominion Exploration
& Production.”
Employees donate their time for
the good of the community.
It’s the company way.
2001
2002
Dominion acquires
the Millstone
Power Station
in Connecticut,
adding this
nuclear generator
to the company’s
superregional
footprint.
Dominion
acquires
the Cove
Point
liquefied
natural gas
facility in
southern
Maryland.
2003
Hurricane Isabel
hits Virginia and the
Atlantic Coast. During
Isabel, more than
1.8 million Dominion
electric customers are
without power. To aid
in the restoration effort,
Dominion initially
assembles a workforce
of 7,000. Ultimately,
more than 12,000
people contribute to
the effort.
2005
Dominion defines its core
values: Safety, Ethics,
Excellence, and One
Dominion (teamwork).
With almost 96 years
of service behind it, the
company identifies the
values that have kept
Dominion a successful
business. The company
also acquires three New
England power plants
and a nuclear station in
Wisconsin.
2007
Dominion sells most
of its natural gas
and oil exploration
properties as part
of a strategic
realignment. The
company focuses on
power generation;
energy distribution;
transmission; natural
gas storage, and
energy retail sales
and services.
2009
As part of a
heightened emphasis
on environmental
stewardship and
sustainable business
practices, Dominion
adds renewable
energy to its
generating mix and
hybrid electric cars
and trucks to its
service fleet.
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In 2003, Dominion is capable of transmitting more
than 24,000 megawatts of electric capacity.
A Dominion employee at Cove Point has a discussion
about tank pressures with the control room.
A Dominion lineman works
on a “blue sky” day.
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These employees work alongside a gas pipeline.
A Dominion representative works
in the customer call center.
The North Anna Power Station in Virginia is a vital part of the
company’s emissions-free nuclear fleet.
Dominion still uses this logo
developed in 2000.
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Hurricane Restoration
These poles, bent by the force
of Hurricane Isabel in 2003,
threaten traffic below in
Chesapeake, Virginia.
Under the dim skies of Hurricane Charley in
2004, this Dominion lineman’s effort continues.
Nearly 100 Dominion vehicles support restoration
efforts in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area
following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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Kids say “Thank You!”
Dominion uses more than 12,000 people—including
line crews from 22 states and Canada—to help with the
restoration efforts after Hurricane Isabel. As part of the
effort, the company replaces 10,705 utility poles.
This Dominion crew uses teamwork to get the job done.
A cartoon recognizes the contribution of linemen.
Dominion provides 260 linemen and support staff for the
relief effort in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.
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Looking to the Future
In Providence Forge, Virginia, a lineman
works to maintain the power lines.
This artist’s rendering shows the future Virginia City Hybrid
Energy Center in Wise County, Virginia.
Dominion Cove Point LNG is located on the
Chesapeake Bay in Cove Point, Maryland, and is one
of the nation’s largest liquefied natural gas facilities.
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This Dominion co-owned wind turbine in West Virginia is silhouetted against
the setting sun. It is part of the NedPower Mount Storm Wind Project that
generates up to 264 megawatts of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Dominion is operating two hybrid bucket trucks that use battery power both for
driving and for operating the bucket. The truck’s diesel engine provides power
to recharge the batteries and runs far less often than that of a standard truck,
producing lower emissions and less noise. The company is taking steps to reduce
vehicle emissions, conserve fossil fuel, and contribute to quieter on-location work
environments by adding hybrids to its vehicle fleet.
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