Direct Energy, a leading integrated energy company with Canadian head offices based in Toronto, was named for the second consecutive year to the Corporate Knights magazine annual ranking as a Top Foreign Corporate Citizen in Canada 2010.

This is the second national corporate responsibility accolade Direct Energy has received in 2010. Direct Energy was also named to the Maclean's Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations for 2010 report.

Direct Energy was recognized for programs such as the 2010 Volunteer Challenge where the company challenged its employees across North America to log 10,000 volunteer hours for the year; its commitment to energy efficiency technology through the development and piloting of smart home energy management systems; and leadership in carbon disclosure through their contribution to Centrica's annual Carbon Disclosure Project submission.

Corporate Knights Magazine, the magazine for clean capitalism, is an independent Canadian-based media company that publishes the world's largest circulation magazine with an explicit focus on corporate responsibility.

Methodology used for the Best 50 Corporate Citizens ranking is based on environmental, social, and governance indicators found in the public domain. At Direct Energy, across our operations we work to embed the principles and practices of sustainability and community into our business. While we support a number of organizations, our corporate responsibility focus areas are finding solutions to homelessness, climate change and environment, vulnerable customers and encouraging charitable and volunteer efforts.

• Finding Solutions to Homelessness - By creating innovative partnerships with charitable organizations and engaging our employees and our lines of business, we understand that solving complex social issues such as homelessness requires a long-term and consolidated commitment.
• Vulnerable Customers - Direct Energy is committed to supporting vulnerable households in an effort to help families secure the basic energy they need to maintain safe and healthy living conditions. By providing opportunities that support energy efficiency, budget management and financial assistance, Direct Energy believes in a grassroots approach to helping those most in need.
• Environment - Climate Change - Direct Energy believes that there will continue to be a demand for energy derived from fossil fuels, which cause disturbances to the climate and the natural environment. We look to enable our customers and our communities to participate in the transition towards a low-carbon future through energy-efficient products, support for innovative technology and investing in and supporting the development of products and technologies that help our customers to manage supply and demand.
• Encouraging Charitable and Volunteer Efforts - Direct Energy is committed to supporting our employees through employee volunteer grants, creating employee volunteer opportunities, matching contributions for charitable fundraising and by fostering an environment that encourages staff members to share their knowledge with the community. In 2010, Direct Energy launched the volunteer challenge encouraging employees to log a collective10,000 hours of volunteer time throughout the year. Direct Energy also sponsors community volunteer recognition programs in markets across North America.

For more information on how we get involved, you can download Direct Energy's Corporate Responsibility Report.

To be considered in the top foreign corporate set, companies must be in the top 150 on FP500 with headquarters outside of Canada. The Top Foreign Corporate Citizens are the companies in the top ten per cent of the 3,000 companies evaluated for the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.

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

Direct Energy

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 21 states plus DC and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.

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