Ducks Unlimited

RRI Energy awards conservation grant in Western Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH − March 13, 2009 − Ducks Unlimited (DU) recently received a grant of $20,000 from the RRI Energy Foundation directed towards conservation activities at Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Crawford County, Penn. The conservation organization will use the grant as matching funds to restore and enhance nearly 650 acres of that valuable wetland complex. Work will begin this spring.

The first phase of the work at Pymatuning will include 14.7 new acres of marsh wetlands, created by constructing earthen dikes and installing water-control structures. Future projects include improvements to be made on an additional 624.3 acres of scrub-shrub habitat to include the replacement of dysfunctional water-control structures. These wetland types provide a diversity of plant species and structural features that support feeding, breeding, nesting, over-wintering and migration habitat for wildlife.

The grant is an extension of a 10-year relationship between RRI Energy Foundation and Ducks Unlimited. The two organizations have worked together in several states improving wetlands that benefit waterfowl and other wildlife.

"Partnerships like this are invaluable when delivering conservation," said Scott Reinhart, Regional Biologist for Ducks Unlimited. "We thank RRI Energy for their continued support of not only Ducks Unlimited, but also the people, wildlife, and conservation of this important resource".

Ducks Unlimited will use the RRI funds as a match for Mellon Foundation-supported work in Western Pennsylvania. Additional partners include the Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania.

"RRI Energy recognizes its responsibility to not only generate reliable, affordable electricity, but also to care for the communities in which we operate," said Dave Freysinger, senior vice president, Generation Operations, RRI Energy.

RRI Energy has 18 power generating stations located in Pennsylvania and employs more than 1,000 people in the state. Its Niles, New Castle and Cheswick Generating Stations are located closest to Pymatuning. RRI is investing more than $435 million in emissions control related improvements at five Pennsylvania coal-fired generating plants, as part of the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.

RRI Energy, Inc. (NYSE:RRI) based in Houston, is one of the largest independent power producers in the nation with more than 14,000 megawatts of power generation capacity across the United States. These strategically located generating assets use natural gas, fuel oil and coal.

The company also provides electricity and energy services to retail and wholesale customers in the United States. The company provides service to approximately 1.8 million retail electricity customers primarily in Texas, including residential, small business, commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers. RRI recently announced an agreement to sell its Texas retail business to NRG Energy, Inc., which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2009. For more information, visit http://www.rrienergy.com. RRI routinely posts all important information on its Web site.

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization, with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States has lost more than half of its original wetlands—nature’s most productive ecosystem—and continues to lose more than 80,000 acres each year.

For information contact Kristin Schrader at 734.623.2000