Reliant announced it is once again opening 9 Beat the Heat Center locations in Houston, Dallas and Corpus Christi for Texans looking for ways to stay cool and minimize home electricity use.

Open now through September 30, the Reliant Beat the Heat Center locations are available to the entire community. In addition to an air-conditioned space, each location offers bottled water, light snacks and entertainment.

Since 2005, Reliant has contributed about $9 million through its CARE (Community Assistance by Reliant Energy) program for Texans who need help with summer electricity costs. This year Reliant will assist seniors and low-income residential customers with paying their Reliant electricity bills through the CARE program and contributions to social services agencies. Along with payment extensions and deferred payment plans, Reliant again will enable the City of Houston to help provide seniors new air conditioning units.

Reliant also touted the following plans for the summer:

• Reliant’s First Month Free plan -- offers customers a head start on the busy summer season by getting the first full month of electricity covered by Reliant.

• Reliant’s Predictable 12 plan (flat bill) -- lets customers pay the same amount each month for electricity, no surprises – no matter the season.

• Reliant’s Conservation 12 plan -- offers a low "energy charge" for first 1,000 kWh usage (energy charge is 2.7¢/kWh at Oncor; avg. rate is 6.8¢ @ 1,000 kWh)

Reliant said that it offers dedicated Reliant customer service agents to help individuals identify social agencies that can provide assistance with electricity bills.

Reliant also offers a Home Energy Checkup as a free service available to Reliant customers, in which customers receive an evaluation of their home’s energy efficiency and recommendations for improvement.

Average billing is also available