Direct Energy Expands Service to the Baltimore Gas & Electric Area

Opening market to competition brings new options for Maryland electricity consumers

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Jun 08, 2010, 11:03 ET

BALTIMORE, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Maryland policymakers to support and sustain customer choice, Direct Energy is expanding its business to offer electricity to residential and small commercial customers in the Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. service area as of June 7, 2010, Direct Energy's new Residential President, Steven Murray, announced today.

Customers in this area will now have access to innovative and cost-effective electricity plans from Direct Energy, one of the nation's largest retail energy providers, to meet their energy needs. Specifically, Direct Energy will offer residential electricity customers a guaranteed 15 percent savings off the BG&E Standard Offer Service Rate (Schedule R) through September, and a 5 percent savings thereafter until May 2011.

"Direct Energy is a stable, financially strong company, offering integrated home services and energy products with a vision for growth and a commitment to competitive markets and the benefits they brings to consumers," Murray said. "Our core values of Simple, Friendly and Direct describe how we operate – offering consumers competitive pricing, straightforward products and simple answers to questions about their energy needs."

The BG&E territory represents more than 1 million potential residential customers in Baltimore and the 10 surrounding counties. Direct Energy's expansion into this territory will complement its already strong presence in Maryland, including its Home Services businesses – operating under the Chilltrol and Masters brand names – which provide indoor air quality, heating and cooling installations and related energy efficiency services for residential customers.

In addition, Direct Energy Business has supplied electricity to Maryland businesses since 2004. Direct Energy Business serves commercial and industrial customers, including Maryland's General Service Administration (GSA) buildings in the BG&E utility territory.

"This is an exciting time for energy consumers in Maryland. With greater choice, consumers will no longer have to conform their energy needs to a one-size-fits-all solution. They will be able to select what best fits their household's energy and budget needs," Murray said.

Murray added, "This would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of many state leaders, including Governor Martin O'Malley's Administration, the Maryland General Assembly and the Maryland Public Service Commission. Everyone involved in this effort has acted with the best interests of the Maryland energy consumer in mind."

Customers can learn more details about Direct Energy's products and services by calling 1-888-200-7930 or by visiting the company's website at: www.directenergy.com

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 5 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 20 states and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.

SOURCE Direct Energy