Direct Energy Committed To Ohio Consumers And Competition

Columbus, Ohio (12/23/2011) - Direct Energy, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related service providers, is pleased that Ohio continues to move forward towards competition. Last week the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted two agreements that will determine electric generation rates for American Electric Power (AEP) customers in Ohio beginning January 1, 2012. AEP has filed their tariff and pending rehearing this tariff will allow customers to make decision based on the best price for them. Direct Energy supports the efforts in this case to keep Ohio open for business and is happy AEP made the filing, allowing customers to make informed choices in regards to their energy supplier.

"We are very pleased with the order of PUCO, and that AEP filed their tariffs this morning, which allows the continuous move towards a more competitive market for consumers in Ohio", said Teresa Ringenbach, Senior Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Direct Energy. "The actions of PUCO and AEP have provided customers with the benefit of choice and reduced market uncertainty." Under the PUCO order announced last week, AEP will merge its Ohio operating companies and transition to a new business model where competitive bid auctions set default generation rates. Similar auctions have led to lower generation rates for customers of other Ohio electric utilities.

Direct Energy is committed to enhancing competition in Ohio, and will continue to advocate for the benefits of competition to consumers. Competitive markets deliver significant benefits to North American residential and business customers. Direct Energy will continue to grow and support Ohio, with the company recently announcing its entry into the Ohio Power and Dayton Power and Light market territories.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related service providers with over 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 states and 10 provinces in Canada.

For additional information, contact:

Bethany Ruhe
Direct Energy
Phone: 1-412-667-5616
Cell: 1-412-841-3818
Bethany.Ruhe@directenergy.com