Dec 09 - PRNewswire-FirstCall


At a White House meeting with President Obama today, Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers said: "Passing climate change legislation will give us the 'rules of the road' needed to invest in clean energy to put more people to work."

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO )

Rogers, head of America's third-largest electric utility, joined Obama and leaders from the U.S. energy, environment and labor sectors to discuss the role of climate change legislation in stimulating new energy technologies and jobs.

"This country needs major investments in new energy technologies, including clean coal, advanced nuclear, wind, solar, smart grid and energy efficiency," Rogers said. "The sooner we pass climate change legislation, the more rapidly Duke Energy and other electric utilities can make these investments and create jobs."

Rogers pointed to one example that is already under way. At its Edwardsport coal gasification project in central Indiana - the largest project of its kind in the world and one that could demonstrate carbon capture and sequestration technologies - more than 1,000 construction workers are on site.

In upstate South Carolina and southern Ohio, the company is proposing to build the next generation of nuclear power plants, the type of power plant that operates around the clock with no greenhouse gas emissions.

"The U.S. produces more nuclear energy than any other country, and nuclear accounts for more than 70 percent of our nation's carbon-free electricity," Rogers said. "Investing in new nuclear can be a major growth engine for our economy and also bring dramatic long-term environmental benefits."

According to industry estimates, building a new nuclear plant can result in the creation of 1,400 to 1,800 high-paying jobs during construction, with peak employment of more than 2,400. Operating a new plant requires approximately 700 permanent jobs that pay about 40 percent more than the national average.

"I applaud President Obama and Congress for their efforts to act on climate legislation as soon as possible," Rogers said. "Many more jobs can be created, and we stand ready to move ahead on all fronts."

Duke Energy is the third largest electric power holding company in the United States, based on kilowatt-hour sales. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states - North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky - representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Duke Energy's commercial power and international business segments operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States. 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: http://www.duke-energy.com/

CONTACT: Tom Williams Phone: 704-373-4743 24-Hour: 800-559-3853

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO

Duke Energy

CONTACT: Tom Williams, +1-704-373-4743, 24-Hour: 1-800-559-3853

Web Site: http://www.duke-energy.com/