Direct Energy Offers Discounted Electricity Rate to Pittsburgh Promise Community

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh Promise and Direct Energy have partnered to provide employees and students' families of the Pittsburgh Public Schools with a special electricity supply rate through Direct Energy's Direct Choice program. This special offer is in addition to the $100,000 that Direct Energy donated to The Pittsburgh Promise last month.

As part of its Direct Choice program with The Pittsburgh Promise, Direct Energy will offer members of the Pittsburgh Public Schools community who receive electricity service from Duquesne Light a 12 month fixed rate plan of $.0749 per kWh. With this rate, participants can receive up to 20% savings off of Duquesne's current residential supply rate for electricity until May 2012. The 20% savings is only guaranteed after May 2012 due to Duquesne Light's potential rate change. However, participants who choose this low, fixed rate can rest assured that they are locked into the $.0749 per kWh rate for full 12 months, protecting them against rising electricity rates. Direct Energy will not charge a cancellation fee should participants choose to change providers at any time, allowing customers the ability to have full control over their electric bills.

"We are thrilled to be able to work in conjunction with The Pittsburgh Promise to help Pittsburgh Public Schools' families and employees cut costs on electricity bills. With a portion of the proceeds from this offer going back to The Pittsburgh Promise, this is truly a win-win for everyone," says Cory Byzewski, Vice President and General Manager of Direct Energy Residential US North. "We believe in The Pittsburgh Promise and the work it does for Pittsburgh's youth. This is a great way for us show that appreciation."

"The support of a dynamic and growing company like Direct Energy is important to The Promise and the entire region. As more students have the opportunity to pursue education beyond high school, we'll see a direct impact on our region's economic vitality," said Saleem Ghubril, Executive Director of The Pittsburgh Promise.

Direct Choice is a marketing agreement between Direct Energy and The Pittsburgh Promise that allows residents to lock in their electricity price for a specified period of time. Employees and students' families associated with the Pittsburgh Public Schools must actively enroll in this program to benefit. Direct Energy encourages new participants that are under contract with another supplier to review their contracts for potential obligations prior to enrolling.

To learn more about this offer, customers can contact Direct Energy toll free at 1-800-523-1780 or by visiting www.DirectEnergy.com/Promise.

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 45 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

About The Pittsburgh Promise

The Pittsburgh Promise, a scholarship program for Pittsburgh Public School students, advocates for improving the quality of education and increasing the preparedness and diversity of the region's workforce.  Pittsburgh has the largest Promise program in the United States.  For more information about The Pittsburgh Promise, visit www.pittsburghpromise.org.

SOURCE Direct Energy