In an effort to assist in combating triple-digit temperatures in Texas, Dallas-based TXU Energy recently pledged $120,000 to People Attempting to Help (PATH). As the number of Texas residents and families in need of utility assistance grows, TXU has offered continuous contributions for the past 20 years, helping organizations such as PATH ensure that low-income families can afford to use their air conditioners.

With TXU assistance, PATH has developed an Energy Aid Program specifically for the 2.1 million TXU customers in Texas. According to an article by Kelsey McKinney in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, the demand for electricity in many low-income homes means that other essentials such as food and rent are shelved in order to keep up with the hefty cost of cooling Texas residences.

"There are many people who put their lives at risk by not turning their air conditioner on because they know they cannot pay the bill," said Christina Fulsom, executive director of PATH.

With more than 50 reported deaths in 2005 due to exposure to heat, and the recent August temperature climb into triple digits, the demand for air-conditioning assistance is daunting. PATH directs as many people as possible to local, air-conditioned shelters open to the public, and every summer conducts a box-fan drive to offer some reprieve from the deadly heat. But, unfortunately the fans are only mildly effective, so the need for monetary assistance to provide viable cooling options grows each year.

Oncor, a subsidiary of TXU Corp, distributes electricity to more than 3 million homes and businesses, and according to a recent TXU press release, began preparing for summer 2007 in 2002, budgeting more than $80 million for projects.

"Oncor trains year-round for the Texas summer marathon," said Rob Trimble, president and chief operating officer, Oncor. "New, innovative technology combined with old-fashioned, ongoing maintenance keeps Oncor ready to deliver power when it's needed. Until now, rainy weather has kept temperatures below normal, but the heat and humidity expected this week will make it seem like triple digits, even if it's not."

With the preparation for summer heat being Oncor's top priority, and TXU's recent donation to PATH, Texas families can rest assured that there are actual options for keeping their homes sheltered from the deadly summer temperatures.

For more information see TXU news.

Last week, TXU Energy announced new customer protections, including a summer moratorium on disconnects for critical care, low-income, and customers that are at least 62 years of age. TXU Energy will also waive deposit requirements for low-income residential customers that are at least 62 years of age and for all customers with a good record of timely payments. Additionally, TXU Energy will not charge customers penalties for canceling month-to-month electric service.

"In this competitive market, being responsive to customer needs and providing innovative solutions is essential, and TXU Energy is proud to be offering these protections for our customers," said Jim Burke, chief executive officer of TXU Energy. "We will continue our efforts to provide excellence in customer service, innovation and value."

For more information on all the customer protection programs, check out the TXU press release.

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.

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.

To promote Texans' energy efficiency and conservation, TXU Energy is funding a portion of a General Electric (GE) consumer discount coupon for Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. TXU Energy and GE will distribute the CFL coupons in a newspaper insert advertisement that will run across the state on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2007, giving more than two million households the opportunity to participate in the program.

TXU Energy and GE are offering this discount on purchases of GE's Energy Smart™ light bulbs, which save energy and money, and last longer than conventional incandescent bulbs. The coupon will consist of an instant, in-store $2 discount on individually packaged or multipack ENERGY STAR®-qualified CFLs at designated retailers.

ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs provide a simple and easy way for consumers to save energy and money on their electric bill. Replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with CFL bulbs, customers will both lower their electricity use by nearly two-thirds for the same amount of light, and save money on their electric bills.

This is one of the first programs in a broader TXU Energy consumer education program to promote energy efficiency and conservation. TXU Energy is dedicated to delivering products and services that help consumers lower their use of natural resources, thereby improving the environment and saving money at the same time.

"In addition to our announcements to significantly lower prices, TXU Energy is also the leader in assisting customers with energy conservation efforts, by increasing awareness and providing simple and low-cost ways to save electricity," said Jim Burke, CEO of TXU Energy.

For more information, check out the TXU Energy press release.

For customers concerned about the recent buyout and how it will effect them, TXU released a statement yesterday outlining how the company's pricing will be changing in the near future:

"As a result of the merger transaction with KKR and TPG, TXU Energy will provide a 10 percent price reduction for residential customers in its traditional service area who have not already selected one of TXU Energy's lower priced offers. Additionally, TXU Energy customers entitled to receive the two remaining customer appreciation bonus payments of $25 per quarter will receive those payments."

"Customers will begin receiving 6 percent of the 10 percent reduction in approximately 30 days with the additional 4 percent reduction at the close of the transaction."

TXU Electric Delivery recently announced a year-long initiative to help the public avoid electrical injuries by keeping safety information in the spotlight throughout the new year. Electrical safety tips appropriate to the various seasons will be released publicly at least monthly.

"As our lifetime theme indicates, the value of electrical safety has no boundaries," said Rob Trimble, president and chief operating officer, Electric Delivery company. "It applies every day through every season of the year and is equally vital to children and seniors and everyone in between."

Tips for this month focus post-holiday safety, especially for kids with new electronic toys.

• Be sure that any new electric-powered plug-in toys bear the seal of United Laboratories or another recognized certification specialist.
• Teach children not to carry electrical toys and products by the cord.
• For older children, teach the right way to unplug an electrical product by holding the plug not the cord.
• For younger children, install childproof electric outlets in your home.

"With more than a century of experience delivering power to homes and businesses in Texas, we are proud to pass along our expertise to help keep you and your family safe. Electric Delivery is pleased to sponsor this public awareness campaign on behalf of our employees, who put safety first every day, and the communities in Texas we are privileged to serve," said Trimble. "We urge everyone to memorize these tips and apply them every day at home and at work. You may be surprised at how many you haven't thought about."

TXU Electric Delivery is encouraging consumers to do a fall check-up of their homes and businesses to see how they can conserve energy year-round. For example, did you know that you can reduce annual energy bills by more than $250 by having your home weatherized? Typical weatherization measures include installing insulation, sealing ducts, tuning and repairing heating and cooling systems, mitigating air infiltration and reducing base load consumption.

Electric Delivery's Energy Efficiency Program consists of eight components that assist in making your home or business more energy efficient. This program's goal is to lower energy usage system-wide. Some components are aimed at consumers, others target businesses.

"Our programs provide incentives to contractors, which the contractors can pass on to the consumer, to help encourage consumers to install energy-efficient appliances or make adjustments or upgrades to their homes or businesses that will result in using less energy," said Michael Stockard, energy efficiency manager, Electric Delivery.

Over the life of the energy efficiency program through 2005, TXU Electric Delivery has saved over 350 megawatts of peak demand or enough energy to power 73,500 homes. One megawatt equals the amount of energy used by 210 homes for one year. The company says even more energy savings are on the way in 2006.

Worried about your electricity service during the latest cold front? TXU Electric Delivery says it is ready for whatever Texas weather has in store.

"We are monitoring the weather and adjusting our workforce requirements based on what we believe we will experience," said Rob Trimble, president and chief operating officer, TXU Electric Delivery. "This includes everything from holding over crews, calling in more crews and mobilizing troubleshooters as necessary. Contractors and other utilities that are not experiencing cold weather are also available to assist if needed. This is our normal approach to winter storms."

TXU Electric Delivery crews weatherized company trucks and cold-weather equipment in anticipation of freezing temperatures. Diesel trucks with plug-in heaters will be ready to roll, along with four-wheelers and four-wheel drive trucks in rural areas. Employees will be dressed for safety and comfort wearing thermal clothing and weather slickers designed to protect them during work on electrical circuits.

"We are very proud of our crews," said Trimble, "They have been honored with the Edison Electric Institute's 'Emergency Assistance' award in recognition for their tremendous efforts in helping to restore power in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Their professionalism, rapid response, productivity and attention to safety set the standard for the industry."

The subsidiary of TXU also has some good cold-weather tips for Texas residents:

• Stay away from downed power lines and call 9-1-1.
• If your power goes out, don't assume the electric company knows—call the phone number on your electric bill.
• Power is restored first to those critical emergency services like police, fire and hospitals, then to the largest number of residential and business customers.
• Don't touch objects that are in contact with a power line. That includes tree limbs.