Texas Energy Future Holdings Limited Partnership—the holding company formed by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Texas Pacific Group and other investors to acquire TXU Corp.—and TXU recently announced that upon close of the transaction, TXU Energy will deliver a price cut totaling 15 percent for most residential customers compared to the prices in effect when the merger was announced. The companies say this price cut will lead to a combined savings of approximately $400 million annually or $395 per typical single-family household.

"This issue was debated during the 80th session of the Texas legislature . . . We listened closely and we understand that the driving force behind the legislation was the desire of elected officials to lower prices for residential customers," said Michael MacDougall, a partner with Texas Pacific Group.

As a result of the transaction, TXU Energy says it will provide most customers in its traditional service area, over one million customers, a 15 percent price reduction as compared to prices in effect when the merger was announced. This price reduction applies to residential customers in TXU Energy's traditional service area who have not already selected one of TXU Energy's other retail plans.

"This is another way that we plan to strengthen TXU's commitment to providing customer value," MacDougall said.

In addition to the price cut, upon the merger closing, these customers will receive price protection at the 15 percent discounted level through December 2008—protection against price increases due to changing energy market conditions.

"This 15 percent price cut will provide our customers with lower prices, price protection and an appreciation bonus payment unmatched by any competitor," said Jim Burke, chief executive officer, TXU Energy.

For more details, check out the TXU press release or order TXU Energy electricity service for your home now.

Just in time for the summer cooling season, First Choice Power is offering tips to help people save energy and money while staying cool.

"When temperatures go up, energy usage can go up, too," said Jeff Weiser, co-president of First Choice Power. "We want to share information with customers they can use to stay comfortable and save money at the same time."

10 Simple Tips for Saving Energy

• Thermostat setting: 78 is the number to remember. For each degree below the recommended setting in the summer, energy consumption increases by about 6 percent to 8 percent. Consider a programmable thermostat that raises or lowers the temperature by about 5 degrees when your home is unoccupied.


• During the day, close drapes and blinds, particularly on south-facing windows.


• Use floor and ceiling fans. Fans are more efficient than air conditioners; the average ceiling fan can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler but uses no more energy than a 100-watt light bulb.


• Weather strip and caulk leaks around windows and doors. Small leaks let cool air escape.


• Set the dishwasher to the air-dry mode to dry dishes, rather than using heat and energy to do it.


• Adding extra attic insulation will keep a home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.


• Air conditioners require regular maintenance at the start of the cooling season and periodic check-ups throughout the season.


• Clean the lint traps on dryers. Better yet, dry clothes outside on a clothesline.


• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy and last longer.


• And, as always, turn lights and televisions off when leaving a room.

Providing energy-saving tips and low-price energy plans is one more way First Choice Power is Simply Better, Weiser said. Read more about First Choice Power.

In honor of National Electrical Safety Month, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) urges consumers to become more knowledgeable about electrical safety during and after weather disasters.

"After severe weather is gone, electrical hazards can still cause deaths and injuries,"noted Brett Brenner, ESFI president. ESFI warns consumers to beware of electrical dangers associated with downed power lines, portable electric generators and electrical wiring or appliances that have been wet.

These precautions can help keep you and your family safe from electrical hazards during and after disasters:

• Take care when stepping into flooded areas—whether indoors or out. Submerged outlets, electrical cords and downed power lines can energize water, posing a lethal trap..
• Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them
• If you see someone who is in contact with a downed power line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Instead, call 911.
• Do not drive over downed power lines.
• Have portable electric generators installed by licensed electricians to ensure it meets local electrical codes and is properly grounded
• Keep the generator dry and do not operate it in enclosed or partially enclosed areas.
• Generators can produce high levels of deadly carbon monoxide very quickly; consider using a carbon monoxide detector.
• Do not use electrical wiring or equipment that has been wet. A qualified service repair dealer should recondition electrical equipment; a licensed electrician can inspect electrical systems.
• If outdoors during electrical storms, move to a low point. Stay away from metal items, including sports equipment, buildings, clotheslines, poles and fences. Avoid trees.
• Don't forget pets during thunderstorms. Doghouses are not safe from lightning. Chained animals can easily become victims of lightning.

For more safety tips, visit www.electrical-safety.org or call 703-841-3229.

Before you leave home in the morning, you run through a mental checklist: Keys? Check! Lights? Check! Blinds? Check!

There may be something you are missing that could be important to your family's safety. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, most Americans have never thought about running through a checklist that could save them from electrocution or electrical fire: an electrical safety checklist.

May is National Electrical Safety Month. As its sponsor, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has created a free, downloadable checklist covering electrical issues that may arise inside your home.

Covering every room from the kitchen to the basement, the checklist guides you through your home's electrical systems via a series of questions and suggested action items. Do your lights flicker when you turn on the vacuum cleaner? Engage a licensed electrician to determine if your home has enough electrical circuits. Are you protected from electrocution that can result from electricity interacting with water? Conduct a monthly test of the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the kitchen and bathroom.

To download this handy pdf checklist, go to www.esfi.org/home/indoor.pdf .

TXU Energy says it will donate $50,000 to the Dallas Area and Chisholm Trail chapters of American Red Cross to provide disaster relief assistance for the latest round of storm victims, and to help replenish Red Cross supplies to better prepare for future disasters. This partnership will provide emergency assistance to residents directly affected by this and future storms.

"Recovery can be difficult after a storm of this magnitude. We want to do our part to help those affected by the storm in their time of need," said Jim Burke, Chairman and CEO of TXU Energy.

Wednesday evening, much of central and north Texas experienced blustering winds and brutal showers throughout the evening and night, causing damage to homes and widespread power outages. Many were left without electricity and bare essentials were lost due to the storm. This TXU Energy donation will provide effected individuals with items such as safe shelter, food, clothing, clean-up items and financial assistance for those who suffered losses in the storm.

"In the past month, the Red Cross has responded to five major weather events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area," said Jason Smith, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of the Chisholm Trail Chapter. "Our ability to be prepared and to respond quickly could not be more important."

Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter echoes those sentiments. "We are so grateful to those at TXU Energy for this very generous gift. Not only will it help victims from this week, but will help families well into the future."

Last week, Red Cross volunteers began conducting a preliminary damage assessment. So far, reports show that approximately 40 homes across the Metroplex have sustained major damage. A total of three Red Cross shelters have been opened, and families have been assisted with safe shelter and assistance for food and clothing. Storm damage ranges from high winds, heavy rain, fires caused by lightning strikes, tornadoes and some hail. So far, the Red Cross is aware of damage in Fort Worth, Dallas, Midlothian, Terrell, Red Oak, Alvarado, Venus and other North Texas communities.

Due to the widespread nature of the storms, TXU is encouraging anyone who has sustained damage to their homes to contact TXU Energy Customer Service. You can also contact the Red Cross in Dallas at 214-678-4800 or Fort Worth at 817-335-9137.