Texans Raise More Than $4,700 To Help Neighbors

Houston, TX (11/3/2011) - Direct Energy and its customers raised $4,758.94 to help their fellow Texans thanks to social media. The money raised will go towards the energy provider's Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, which assists customers struggling to pay their electricity bills.

Direct Energy recognizes that emergencies happen, and often they cause financial strain. With that in mind, the company challenged its customers this summer to be good neighbors and encouraged them to donate to the bill-assistance program.

Direct Energy donated $1 for each person who "Liked" the company's Facebook page during August and September. It also challenged its customers to donate to the program when making a payment toward their electricity bill online. The total donation surpassed the amount raised online last year.

"We want to do more than provide our customers a service. We want to engage them to help our community and make a difference," said Jim Steffes, Direct Energy's vice president and general manager. "With this past summer's record-breaking heat, it was more important than ever to help one another. This was our way of saying thanks and that we're here to help."

This year, the retail electric provider increased its annual contribution to its program by 20 percent to $600,000. Since Jan. 1, these funds have allowed the company to help more than 835 families. Of these funds, a total of $25,791 went out to 296 families in East Texas between June and August.

But colder temperatures in the foreseeable future also mean many families will need help with their heating bills. Direct Energy encourages its customers to continue donating to the program to help as many people as possible.

Customers may continue to contribute to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program by checking the "bill assistance" box on the tear-off portion of their monthly bill (located just below the total due). Online-paying customers can help fund this program by checking the "bill assistance" box located under the payment amount in Step 1 and then entering the amount they would like to contribute.

These funds are distributed to fellow Texans and customers through 28 community action agencies. Funding still is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit Neighbor to Neighbor.

About Neighbor-to-Neighbor

Through a local community action agency, those who qualify for the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program may receive up to $600 in assistance during a calendar year. Each agency screens applicants and determines who will receive assistance. To qualify, recipients must be Direct Energy customers, reside at the service address and be financially responsible for monthly electricity expenses. They also must meet the income eligibility criteria.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Through its Direct Energy, CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, the company is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns three power generation facilities and a series of energy-related services companies - including Wendland Air Conditioning and Heating. 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:

Shabina Zakaria
Direct Energy
(713) 877-3611
Shabina.Zakaria@directenergy.com