PUCO's Approval of AEP's Rate Hike Delivers Cost Control to the Customer

Pittsburgh, PA (8/8/2012) - The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today voted in favor of continuing to open the AEP service territory to new companies who supply electricity. Today's decision will allow AEP the revenue it requires to continue to meet its customer obligations and earn a reasonable rate of return, while ensuring that barriers to competition are removed. Ohio's competitive electricity market behind AEP has restrained offers to small commercial and residential customers for years. Today's decision will put the power to control their electricity costs in the hands of even the smallest customer," said Cory Byzewski, Vice President and General Manager for Direct Energy. Direct Energy looks forward to continuing to work with the PUCO to allow as many suppliers as possible to reach Ohioans and put the power to control electricity costs in the hands of the customer.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy Business is headquartered in Pittsburgh PA and 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:

Camille Harris
Public Relations
Camille.Harris@directenergy.com
1-412-667-5207