The cost of higher education can be a strain for many families and a pain in the pocketbook for students trying to manage on their own. Reliant Energy is helping out with a $33,250 contribution to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund. Reliant Energy representatives presented the check to Show executives on Feb. 9.

?Education means better options and opportunities for the future,? said Jason Few, Reliant Energy President. ?Supporting great programs like the Show's Educational Fund and helping young people reach their goals is a big part of Reliant's commitment to the communities we serve.?

The $33,250 Reliant donated to the Show's Educational Fund was generated by hundreds of Show volunteers and fans. Reliant donated $25 to the Show for each supporter that signed up for electricity services at www.reliant.com/cep/rodeo. The program is still active and Reliant is doubling the donation to $50 when new and existing customers sign up between now and April 30.

?Reliant is a long-time Heritage Partner and supporter of the Show,? said Skip Wagner, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president. ?Reliant's strong commitment to helping communities and positively impacting youth through education complements the work that we've been doing for nearly eight decades to brighten the future for Texas students.?

The Show's Educational Fund and supporters like Reliant Energy help deserving students who otherwise could not pay for the cost of attending a college or university.

?I didn't know exactly how I was going to afford college, but now I feel better knowing I will receive this award,? said Latifah, former student at Waller High School and Show scholarship recipient. ?I am thankful beyond words because I needed this scholarship more than anything.?

Currently, more than 2,000 students are on Show scholarships, attending more than 100 different Texas colleges and universities. The value of these scholarships is approximately $30 million. All recipients of Show scholarships must demonstrate academic potential, citizenship/leadership and financial need, and they must attend a Texas college or university.

As a Heritage Partner, Reliant has supported the Rodeo for many years. The company's employee volunteers serve on dozens of Show committees. In addition, Reliant's parent company NRG Energy donated $10,000 to the Show's Educational Fund this year through the NRG Employees Charitable Fund. Since the charitable fund's inception in 2006, NRG has donated $42,000. In the last year, Reliant and NRG have donated nearly $80,000 to the Show through charitable giving activities.

Since its inception in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has had an extraordinary impact on the lives of countless young men and women. More than $265 million has been committed to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence?, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs.

About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:

The 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs Tuesday, March 1, through Sunday, March 20. The Show is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable event, committed to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. For tickets and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

About Reliant Energy:

Reliant Energy provides electricity and energy services to more than 1.5 million retail customers?including homes, small and large businesses, manufacturing facilities, government entities and institutions across Texas. As part of NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), Reliant Energy is backed by one of the nation's largest power producers. NRG owns and operates nearly 26,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including more than 11,000 megawatts of capacity in Texas. For more information about Reliant Energy products and services, visit www.reliant.com.

Reliant Energy
Pat Hammond, 713-537-2157