Direct Energy Regulated Services Announces Natural Gas Rates for May

Calgary, AB (4/30/2009) - Direct Energy Regulated Services has announced default natural gas rates for May 2009. These rates will apply to customers who have not chosen a competitive supplier within the ATCO Gas North and South service territories. The rates have been verified by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

North Service Territory

The North territory includes customers living in and north of the City of Red Deer.

· For customers in the ATCO Gas North service territory, the May regulated natural gas rate is decreasing from the April rate of $3.670 per GJ to $3.077 per GJ.

· This rate reflects a market price for May supplies of approximately $3.328 per GJ as reported by the NGX, and incorporates an adjustment of ($0.32) per GJ for April and prior months.

· The typical residential gas bill for May based on an average 6 GJ of consumption would be approximately $72 in the North.

South Service Territory

The South territory includes customers living south of the City of Red Deer.

· For customers in the ATCO Gas South service territory, the May regulated natural gas rate is decreasing from the April rate of $3.575 per GJ to $3.061 per GJ.

· This rate reflects a market price for May supplies of approximately $3.328 per GJ as reported by the NGX, and incorporates an adjustment of ($0.27) per GJ for April and prior months.

· The typical residential gas bill for May based on an average 6 GJ of consumption would be approximately $53 in the South.

The Natural Gas Rebate Program (NGRP) expired on March 31, 2009. The Alberta Government reviewed the program and determined that the NGRP does not align with government priorities of energy efficiency and conservation and alters natural gas price signals by masking the true cost of natural gas used by consumers. The program will not be renewed for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Further information on regulated gas supply and a complete list of competitive retailers can be found on the Alberta government’s customer choice website at: www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca

About Direct Energy
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 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.

Direct Energy® is a subsidiary of Centrica plc. All rights reserved. Centrica was created following the demerger of British Gas plc in 1997 and is now a leading supplier of energy and related services. To read more about Centrica plc please visit www.centrica.com.