Energy Company Lends a Helping Hand to Dallas, Tarrant County Customers

Direct Energy offers customers affected by the recent storms extra time and assistance with electricity payments

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Apr 06, 2012, 10:12 ET

DALLAS, April 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Energy, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers has announced it will be providing customers in Dallas, Tarrant, Ellis and Kaufman County a two week leeway on making their electricity payments following recent tornadoes. Direct Energy and First Choice Power customers in these counties have the ability to hold on making payments until April 18, 2012.

"At Direct Energy we are committed to making a difference to our customers. We hope by providing this extra time, we are giving our customers peace of mind so that they can focus instead on those things which are most important in such a time of crisis, their loved ones," said Jim Steffes, vice president and general manager of Direct Energy. "Helping to support the communities in which our employees and customers live and work is always top of mind, and we strive to help out in whatever way possible, big and small."

Direct Energy customers can also lend a helping hand by contributing to the Direct Energy Neighbor-to-Neighbor bill assistance program, which helps families facing financial strain assistance in paying for their utility bills. Customers may contribute to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program by checking the "bill assistance" box on their monthly bill, located on the tear-off portion of the bill 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 entering the amount they would like to contribute. All donations are tax-deductible.

Direct Energy, along with its sister brands CPL Retail Energy, WTU Retail Energy and First Choice Power has donated more than $4 million since 2003 to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. These funds are distributed to fellow Texans and customers through 29 community action agencies. For more information, visit www.directenergy.com/neighbortoneighbor.

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, WTU Retail Energy and First Choice Power 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. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com/Texas.

SOURCE Direct Energy