Progress Energy encourages public use of the lands and waters surrounding its generating facilities. The company routinely enters into cooperative agreements with state resource agencies to provide access and use of facility lands for fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, camping, boating, skiing, rafting and swimming. Reservoirs associated with Progress Energy's facilities contribute more than 22,000 acres of public waters for boating, fishing and other recreational activities. Progress Energy also has donated or leased land around several company reservoirs to local government agencies for use as public recreational parks.

A unique public-private partnership between Progress Energy and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Pigeon River Fund supports projects that improve water quality in the French Broad and Pigeon River basins.

Progress Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to cooperate in the management of rare plants along Progress Energy power line corridors. The agreement protects rare plant species and associated unique biological communities by minimizing disturbances during corridor maintenance. The company also is working with the S.C. Heritage Trust Program to identify similar unique areas in South Carolina. The program aims to preserve and protect the special elements of natural diversity and natural areas in the Carolinas.