Direct Energy Continues Opt-out Program for Trumbull County Aggregation

Warren, OH (4/14/2009) - Trumbull County Commissioners and Direct Energy are continuing to allow eligible residents and small commercial customers to participate in the county’s opt-out aggregation program. The Trumbull County opt-out aggregation is a program in which customers who are being served by the utility are automatically included in the opt-out aggregation unless they decide not to participate.

“The first opt-out period expired on March 1, 2009, but given the overwhelming interest from county residents, we’ve extended the program to allow customers who were previously ineligible the opportunity to participate,” said Mike Beck, vice president and general manager for Direct Energy.

The program includes a rate of $8.24 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) that began with the April 2009 bill cycle and ends with the March 2010 bill cycle. The rate excludes taxes and fees for services provided by the local utility Dominion East Ohio (DEO). This unique program also includes an additional discount of $0.10 per Mcf off the initial commodity price for senior citizens age 65 and older who are the primary owners of their residence.

The opt-out aggregation program is available only to eligible residents and small business owners who live or operate within a township or the unincorporated areas of the county (with the exception of Champion, Liberty and Bazetta Townships). To be eligible residents must be:
- supplied by and have local distribution service with DEO
- current on their bills with DEO
- not a Percentage Income Payment Plan customer.

Residents who were ineligible during the first opt-out period, but who now qualify, will receive an opt-out letter from Direct Energy the week of April 13th informing them that they will automatically be included in the program unless they contact Direct Energy to decline the offer. Eligible residents who previously declined to be part of the program, but who now want to join will need to contact Direct Energy’s Customer Service Department toll free at: 1-866-760-6040, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Those who receive natural gas under contract from a supplier other than the utility are not eligible for the opt-out aggregation program. If they are interested in participating in the program, such customers should compare their rate with the aggregation rate and consider any cancellation fee that their current supplier may charge before deciding to change to the aggregation program. Once DEO confirms that the customers are not served by another supplier, these customers may be included in the mailing for the next opt-out enrollment period.

The county’s agreement with Direct Energy was formed through a state-created opt-out aggregation program, which has already been approved by voters in Trumbull County. Aggregations allow municipalities and other governmental entities to choose a preferred natural gas provider through a competitive bidding process to deliver competitive rates by leveraging economies of scale. The provider and the local government then agree on a pricing methodology for natural gas that's based on volume buying.

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy, one of North America’s leading integrated energy companies, supplies natural gas to more than 200,000 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 Miami Township, Ohio. The company, a subsidiary of Centrica, also operates in Texas, the northeastern United States and across Canada. Direct Energy's commitment to helping others extends beyond Ohio. The company partners with other community-based organizations throughout North America to aid them in ending poverty and homelessness.

For additional information, contact:

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