Direct Energy Regulated Services Announces Natural Gas Rates for November

Calgary, AB (10/30/2009) - Direct Energy Regulated Services has announced default natural gas rates for November 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 November regulated natural gas rate is increasing from the October rate of $3.303 per GJ to $4.623 per GJ.
- This rate reflects a market price for November supplies of approximately $4.837 per GJ as reported by the NGX, and incorporates an adjustment of ($0.214) per GJ for October and prior months.
- The typical residential gas bill for November based on an average 15 GJ of consumption would be approximately $138 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 November regulated natural gas rate is increasing from the October rate of $3.439 per GJ to $4.651 per GJ.
- This rate reflects a market price for November supplies of approximately $4.837 per GJ as reported by the NGX, and incorporates an adjustment of ($0.186) per GJ for October and prior months.
- The typical residential gas bill for November based on an average 10 GJ of consumption would be approximately $129 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 states plus DC and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.

For additional information, contact:

Lynzey MacRae, Public Relations Specialist
Direct Energy Regulated Services
403-290-6775
lynzey.macrae@directenergy.com
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.