Progress Energy to fund grants to further a balanced solution for the region's energy needs

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 24, 2008) -- Progress Energy and the Community Energy Advisory Council (CEAC) will accept applications beginning today for up to $25,000 in grants for local initiatives that complement a sustainable, balanced energy strategy. The CEAC is a panel of local leaders formed in 2007 as an advisory group to help the company develop solutions for current and future energy needs.

Proposals may deal with energy efficiency, energy conservation, energy education, or other related project or program. There is no minimum dollar amount for the requests, and proposals may be submitted to fund portions of larger projects.

Applications may be submitted immediately and must come from a tax-exempt organization. A maximum two-page application will be accepted, and it should include the IRS name of the receiving organization, number of customers and population served by the grant request, budget for the program and/or organization, timeline for the project or program for which the grant is requested, the impact on energy reduction for Western North Carolina, and how that impact will be measured. Requests should be mailed to Martha Thompson, 555-A Brevard Road, Asheville, N.C., 28806; or e-mailed to martha.thompson@pgnmail.com.

The deadline for submittals is Feb. 29. The CEAC has established a subcommittee to review the applications, and the recipients will be announced via news release and Progress Energy's WNC Web page, www.wncenergyfuture.com.

Progress Energy Carolinas named the community panel in May to help the company implement energy-efficiency programs (to meet an aggressive PEC goal of achieving 2,000 megawatts of efficiency) and to advise the company on plans to meet the region's electricity demands reliably, affordably and in an environmentally sound manner. The panel includes 18 members who represent local government, environmental organizations, renewable energy companies and area businesses.

Progress Energy, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 250 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $10 billion in annual revenues. The company includes two major utilities that serve more than 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. 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. The company also is the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for customer service. Progress Energy serves two fast-growing areas of the country, and the company is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.

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