Direct Energy Selected as Winning Supplier in Standard Choice Offer Auction Direct Energy to supply natural gas to more than 60,000 additional customers throughout the Dominion East Ohio service territory

Dublin, OH (5/7/2009) - As a winning supplier in the Dominion East Ohio (DEO) Standard Choice Offer auction (SCO), Direct Energy began supplying natural gas to more than 60,000 customers throughout the DEO service territory in April 2009. The company currently serves more than 250,000 natural gas customers in both the DEO and Columbia Gas of Ohio footprint.

In February 2009, DEO held an auction whereby all choice-eligible customers who were supplied with natural gas by DEO were assigned to a competitive supplier. Direct Energy was one of 10 suppliers who participated in the bidding process. The auction also set the regulated SCO monthly variable rate approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The new rates will be announced at the beginning of each month.

“As a company with thorough knowledge and experience in the Ohio natural gas market, we want to assure customers who will see the Direct Energy name on their bill that there will be no interruption in service and all that is changing is the name on the bill,” said Mike Beck, vice president and general manager for Direct Energy. “We want to encourage customers that will receive their supply from Direct Energy to access information on our web site or contact us if they have any questions about the auction or our company.”

Direct Energy has set up a page on its web site dedicated to information about the auction. Customers can access the site at: www.directenergy.com/ohio or speak directly with a Direct Energy representative at 1.866.628.4271.

The SCO auction is an effort on behalf of DEO to foster the growth of the Ohio natural gas competitive market by moving choice-eligible customers from utility to competitive supply. In April 2005, DEO initiated the process to exit the natural gas supplier function to encourage customers to make the switch to competitive supply.

“By removing itself from the natural gas sales business, the utility is ushering in the next logical phase of a free enterprise market where customers not only have access to choice but also firsthand experience of how it works,” said Beck. “As more Ohioans become exposed to competition, they will be able to make informed choices about the variety of natural gas options available to them in the market.”

Ohio’s natural gas market continues to be one of the most successful markets in the U.S. Recent data indicates that 64 percent of Dominion East Ohio customers, including residential, small business and large commercial have switched to a competitive supplier. Across the state, more than 50 percent of the customers who are eligible to participate in Ohio’s energy choice program are being served by a competitive supplier.

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy, one of North America’s leading integrated energy companies, supplies natural gas to more than 250,000 customers in Ohio. The company has operated in Ohio since 2004, and has a regional office located in Dublin. Direct Energy also provides energy related services to residential and business customers through its U.S. Home Services business that is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. The company, a subsidiary of Centrica, also operates in Texas, the northeastern United States and across Canada.

For additional information, contact:

Yvette Hamilton
Direct Energy
(713) 877-5818
yvette.hamilton@directenergy.com

Direct Energy is one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related services providers with over five million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 21 states in the United States plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.