Helping Daycares Control Energy Costs: Direct Energy Teams Up With The Pittsburgh Association For The Education Of Young Children

Pittsburgh, PA (10/17/2011) - In its continued efforts to make a meaningful difference in the communities it serves, Direct Energy has partnered with the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) to provide PAEYC-member child care facilities and employees a special electricity rate in the Duquesne Light service area. Additionally, Direct Energy will sponsor PAEYC's upcoming 5K and 1-mile walk.

Child care facilities and their employees are eligible for a low, fixed electricity rate of $.0709 per kWh for 12 months for all of PAEYC's 1,500 members in 1,300 child care facilities within the Duquesne Light service territory. Not only will PAEYC child care facilities be able to receive this special rate, but their employees will be able to take advantage of it as well. Since Direct Energy serves both business and residential customers, it was able to put together this program to offer both parties a way to control energy costs. Those who participate will be protected against the potential of rising electricity rates and there will not be an early cancellation fee, should they choose to change providers.

"We are extremely happy to partner with Direct Energy to be able to give back to child care providers by offering potential cost-savings. We want to ensure that child care facilities and their employees know that we appreciate the effort that they put into supporting early childhood education each and every day," says PAEYC Executive Director, Michelle Figlar.

Cory Byzewski, Vice President and General Manager for Direct Energy US North, states "Direct Energy is committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. Collaborating with the PAEYC allows us to do just that. These are the type of innovative programs and products that healthy competition brings to energy markets, and I'm thrilled to see the positive impact it has on institutions like PAEYC."

On Sunday, October 23rd, 2011, Direct Energy will sponsor PAEYC's first annual 5K for Learning and 1-mile walk. The event will take place at the North Park Boathouse in Allegheny County and is intended to raise awareness about the importance of play, physical activity and education for young learners. The 5K for Learning is set to begin at 9:00 am with the 1-mile walk starting shortly after at 9:15 am. Both events will be a day of fun for the whole family and strollers are welcome. Entire families can participate in the 1-mile walk for just $10. For more information on how to become a sponsor or how to register for either event, please call PAEYC at (412) 421-3889 or visit http://www.pghaeyc.org.

"We hope that Direct Energy's involvement encourages others to sponsor and participate in this wonderful event as well," says Figlar.

About PAEYC

The Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) was established in 1980 as a local affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and has a current membership of close to 1,500. PAEYC serves as the premier resource for educators of young children in Western Pennsylvania, serving Armstrong, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. PAEYC provides advocacy and public policy information, professional development, community engagement and early childhood quality enhancement projects.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 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 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

For further information, please contact:

Bethany Ruhe
Direct Energy Business
1-412-667-5616 (office)
1-412-841-3818 (mobile)
Bethany.ruhe@directenergy.com