ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -

Duke Energy's Energy Neighbor Fund is prepared to assist customers in Florida who may struggle to pay their energy bill this winter.

Continuing a 30-year commitment, the company, its employees, customers and shareholders will provide funds to those in need throughout the year.

"We care about our customers and know that some of them struggle financially. Duke Energy's Energy Neighbor Fund provides lifesaving assistance to customers in crisis, ensuring they don't have to suffer without heat, lights or refrigeration," said Alex Glenn, state president, Duke Energy Florida.

"We want our customers to know we are here to help. We have the resources and support to assist with their winter heating bills and all year round thanks in large part to our generous Florida customers who contribute to our energy assistance program each year. Their support has meaningful impact for thousands of people," he said.

In 2013, more than 5,000 Florida customers were helped by the Energy Neighbor Fund. Duke Energy and its customers donated more than $460,000 to help neighbors in need.

Donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Duke Energy Foundation. Funds are distributed locally through social service agencies, community action groups or United Way organizations. The assistance can be used to pay home energy bills, regardless of their heating source.

This month, Duke Energy customers will receive bill inserts describing the Energy Neighbor Fund. Contributions go directly to participating agencies and may be tax deductible.

Duke Energy also offers energy efficiency products and services and information to help customers save energy and money. For more information visit duke-energy.com.

In Florida, Duke Energy owns coal-fired and natural gas generation. That fuel mix provides about 9,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 20,000-square-mile service area.

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with approximately $115 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international energy 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.

Regionally headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com/Florida.

Contact: Suzanne Grant
Office: 727.820.5048 I 24-Hour: 800.559.3853


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