Duke Energy Partners with the Arbor Day Foundation To Plant Up to 100,000 Trees in State Forests

Nebraska City, Neb. (April 23, 2010) – Duke Energy and the Arbor Day Foundation are teaming up to plant up to 100,000 trees in state forests in five states served by Duke Energy.

Duke Energy will donate $100,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation if participation in the company's paperless billing program increases by 100,000 customers in 2010.

The trees will be planted in state forests or other agreed-upon locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

"By planting trees, Duke Energy is setting a fine example of how corporations can make a positive impact on our world," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees planted by Duke Energy will help clean the air, add vital habitat for wildlife and will help restore important forested lands for future generations to enjoy."

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

"Duke Energy is committed to serving its customers in sustainable ways," said Gianna Manes, Duke Energy senior vice president of retail customer products and services. "By partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, we hope to encourage more of our customers to reduce their environmental impact and sign up for the convenience of paperless billing."

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About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, conservation and education organization of more than one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.

About Duke Energy: Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com. To learn more and contribute to the discussion about the energy issues of today and the possibilities of tomorrow see www.sheddingalight.org.