Direct Energy Steps in to Keep Lights on for Harrisburg Holiday Parade

Energy provider saves cancelled Harrisburg parade with grand sponsorship, will serve as Grand Marshal

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Nov 18, 2011, 09:11 ET

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Energy, North America's largest energy and energy services provider, found themselves in a unique position this year. When the capital city of their home state of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, announced it was cancelling their holiday parade due to financial difficulties, Direct Energy wanted to save the parade. The popular tradition had been a holiday staple for over 25 years, and businesses and families expected this year to keep the tradition alive. So Direct Energy, who serves residential, business and small business customers in Harrisburg, made a quick decision to fund the parade and truly make a difference in their customers' lives.

The parade will kick off at noon this Saturday, November 19th, in downtown Harrisburg. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend.

"We are fully committed to helping the communities in which we live, work and serve," says Cory Byzewski, Vice President for Direct Energy. "We wanted to ensure that the city of Harrisburg has its historic parade, so we decided to offer the city a grand sponsorship that would let the parade continue its grand tradition."

Direct Energy has 3,000 business customers in the state of Pennsylvania, and serves almost 53,000 residential customers in the PPL utility territory (which covers Harrisburg) alone.

Direct Energy recently launched the first time of use product offered by a retailer in PPL, Free Power Saturday. Customers who sign up for this product do not get charged for any of the electricity they use on Saturday's. "We are encouraging all of Harrisburg to move as much of their usage to Saturday as they can," said Byzewski. "Except for this Saturday. This Saturday we want them and their families out and enjoying the parade."

Since Direct Energy's business and US North residential groups made the decision in 2009 to establish its North American headquarters in Pittsburgh, the company has seen its work force grow by over 100 people. Today, Direct Energy has almost 400 employees in its Pittsburgh office in Liberty Center. Direct Energy has a positive economic impact of $45 million annually in the state of Pennsylvania, and has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to help improve education and energy efficiency outreach throughout the state.

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.

SOURCE Direct Energy