March 20, 2007

Reliant Energy, HDHHS Announce Funding for Energy Efficiency Home Improvements As Part of Larger Consumer Education Program

HOUSTON, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) and Reliant Energy today announced a program that will fund home energy efficiency improvements for up to 900 Reliant Energy customers as part of a larger consumer awareness and education program.

The Reliant Energy PowerHouse Program will fund about 900 energy efficiency home repairs for low-income Reliant Energy customers in select areas throughout Houston. The program offers a stair-step educational approach, meaning Reliant Energy customers must attend an energy efficiency awareness workshop and bill review session to qualify for the energy efficiency home improvements.

Home improvements will include:

• attic insulation
• refrigerator (if purchased before 1993)
• a window air-conditioning unit
• door and window replacement and/or treatment

Low-income Reliant Energy customers in select ZIP codes should receive an information package indicating they are eligible to participate in the home improvement program. Customers with further questions about eligibility can call 713-497-6666.

Although the home improvements are available for Reliant Energy customers, the energy efficiency awareness workshops are open to anyone in the Greater Houston area. The energy efficiency workshops and bill review sessions will be offered through five HDHHS Multi-Service Centers, including Acres Homes, Denver Harbor, Kashmere, Southwest and Sunnyside. Residents can call the center closest to them for dates and times of the energy efficiency and bill review workshops.

"Reliant Energy is committed to helping consumers make the most of their energy dollar," said Tracy Carmen-Jones, vice president, Reliant Energy Community Involvement. "The smallest energy efficiency home improvements, such as replacing weather stripping around doors and windows, can help lower electric bills and reduce overall consumption."

"The Houston Department of Health and Human Services is excited to launch the PowerHouse Program with Reliant Energy through our Multi-Service Centers," said Stephen Williams, director, HDHHS. "The energy efficiency awareness aspect of the program, as well as the funding for energy efficiency home improvements, will be increasingly important for consumers as the summer months approach."

About HDHHS: The mission of HDHHS is to provide leadership in the promotion and protection of the health and social well being of the Houston community through advocacy, education and community-based health services. For more information, visit https://www.houstonhealth.org.

About Reliant Energy: Reliant Energy Inc. (NYSE: RRI), based in Houston, provides electricity and energy services to retail and wholesale customers in the United States. In Texas, the company provides service to nearly 1.9 million retail electricity customers, including residential, small business and commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers. Reliant also serves commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers in the PJM (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland) market.

The company is one of the largest independent power producers in the nation with approximately 16,000 megawatts of power generation capacity across the United States. These strategically located generating assets utilize natural gas, fuel oil and coal. For more information, visit https://www.reliant.com/corporate.