ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Jan. 8, 2007) -- Progress Energy Florida raised more than $438,000 in 2006 for its Energy Neighbor Fund, which provides assistance to families in Florida communities who need help paying their energy bills.

The Energy Neighbor Fund is maintained through voluntary contributions from customers and employees of Progress Energy Florida. In 2006, the company and its customers raised $438,610, which included a $200,000 contribution from the Progress Energy Foundation.

"We are proud of the impact the fund has had in helping so many Floridians to afford energy during winter months," said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "Our customers and our employees share the commitment to help those who are facing a crisis to pay their energy bills."

All of the funds collected from Progress Energy customers and employees through the Energy Neighbor Fund are distributed through local social service agencies to needy households, and donations to the program are tax deductible. Since 1988, Progress Energy and its customers have raised nearly $8 million and helped thousands of families in financial need pay their power bills.

To contribute to the Energy Neighbor Fund, checks may be mailed to: Progress Energy, P.O. Box 33199, St. Petersburg, FL 33733, or you can register online. For more information about receiving assistance through the Energy Neighbor Fund, customers should contact Progress Energy at 1-800-700-8744 or visit www.progress-energy.com.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), provides electricity and related services to nearly 1.7 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Progress Energy is the 2006 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence. In 2005, the company also received the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for dedication, commitment and sustained improvement in customer service. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.

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Media contact: Progress Energy Florida 24-hour media line (866) 520-6397