Duke Energy : Progress continues tradition of neighbors helping neighbors

• The company, its employees and customers team up to raise funds to help families struggling to pay their winter energy bills

• The program provided Carolinas customers with $600,000 in bill assistance in 2016

CHARLOTTE - Despite unseasonably mild temperatures so far this year, winter weather and potentially higher winter energy bills are still in this season's forecast. That's why Duke Energy Progress is continuing its 31-year tradition of partnering with employees and customers to lend a hand to those struggling to pay their energy bills.

The Energy Neighbor Fund is an assistance program for Duke Energy Progress customers in need, helping eligible individuals and families cover home energy bills regardless of their heating source. Eligibility is determined by the Energy Neighbor Fund partner agencies.

'Thanks to contributions from our customers, employees and the Duke Energy Foundation, the Energy Neighbor Fund has helped thousands of households by providing more than $16 million since the program began in 1985,' said David Fountain, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. 'This generous support provides a meaningful impact for thousands of people across the Carolinas.'

In 2016, Duke Energy Progress, its employees and customers provided $600,000 in bill assistance to North Carolina and South Carolina customers through the Energy Neighbor Fund.

One hundred percent of funds collected from customers and employees goes directly to agencies helping those in need. Each donation is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000, by the Duke Energy Foundation, and funds are distributed locally through social service agencies, community action agencies or United Way organizations. Duke Energy offers similar energy assistance programs across all of its service territories.

'We are committed to providing affordable energy to all of our customers, but we know some struggle to keep their homes warm during the winter,' said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. 'We want to remind our customers of the resources and support available to help with their winter bills.'

Contributing online to the Energy Neighbor Fund is quick and easy and contributions may be tax deductible. Additionally, Duke Energy Progress provides energy efficiency products, services and information to help customers save energy and money. For more information and to contribute to the Energy Neighbor Fund, visit duke-energy.com.

Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides about 12,900 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.5 million customers in a 32,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 7.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. The company also distributes natural gas to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its commercial business operates a growing renewable energy portfolio and transmission infrastructure across the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

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Media contact: Ryan Mosier

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