Trumbull County Partners with Direct Energy to Offer Exclusive Natural Gas Rate Competitive rate will help consumers keep energy costs down

Warren, OH (1/12/2009) - Trumbull County Commissioners have selected Direct Energy, one of the largest retail energy providers in North America, to serve as the supplier for the county’s aggregation (“Opt-out”) and endorsement (“Opt-in”) natural gas programs. The programs are available only to residents and small business that live or operate within the Dominion East Ohio (DEO) service territory.

A fixed rate of $8.24 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) has been set for the first 12 months of each program. The rate will go into effect March 2009 and covers the April 2009 through March 2010 bill cycles. The rate excludes taxes and fees for services provided by DEO. Both offers also include 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.

“We are pleased that through Direct Energy, we were able to lock in a fixed rate for the residents and small businesses of our community,” said Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda.

“Our goal was to offer a program that provided residents some rate relief so they don’t have to worry about unmanageable energy bills, while they also grapple with mortgage, car payments and other household necessities,” said Mike Beck, vice president and general manager for Direct Energy.

All residents and small businesses that live or operate within the unincorporated areas of the county (with the exception of Champion, Liberty and Bazetta Townships) and are currently receiving their natural gas supply from DEO will automatically be enrolled into the aggregation program unless they call Direct Energy to “Opt-out” by March 1, 2009. Information regarding how to “Opt-out” of the program will be mailed out in early February.

Those who are not automatically enrolled in the aggregation program can choose to “Opt-in” to join the county's endorsement program. Those wishing to "Opt-In", or senior citizens requesting the discount, will need to call Direct Energy directly at 1-866-803-4618 beginning January 12, 2009. Direct Energy encourages customers to enroll by March 1, 2009, to ensure they start the program with April 2009 billing cycle. If customers enroll after March 1, 2009, they will be enrolled in the next billing cycle.

Residents and small businesses who live in unincorporated areas in Trumbull County will receive information via mail describing the program in early February. Those who participate in the programs will continue to be billed by Dominion East Ohio -- Direct Energy's charges will appear as a line item on the bill.

To learn more about Trumbull County’s aggregation and endorsement programs contact Direct Energy’s Customer Service Department toll free at: 1-866-803-4618, 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.

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.