Duke Energy : Ohio seeks ‘the best possible plan with the least impact’ for proposed Hamilton County natural gas pipeline project June 29, 2016

• Company will take additional time to meet with officials, carefully consider more than 1,300 comments received

CINCINNATI -- In order to carefully consider the vast number of comments related to the siting of the proposed Central Corridor Pipeline Extension in Hamilton County, Duke Energy is extending its review process beyond July.

This additional time will enable the company to meet with community leaders, elected officials and neighbors, and review customer feedback on the project.

'Our goal is to have the best possible plan with the least impact on property owners, the environment and the communities we serve,' said Jim Henning, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky.

'The job for the Duke Energy team is to provide answers to as many concerns as we can,' Henning added. 'That includes looking at all potential routes of the proposed natural gas pipeline, while balancing the need for replacing aging infrastructure, increasing the reliability of our natural gas supply, and meeting the future energy needs of all of our natural gas customers.'

The Central Corridor Pipeline Extension is part of Duke Energy's long-term plan to improve reliability for its natural gas delivery system in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

The new natural gas pipeline will also enable the retirement of older infrastructure, including propane peaking plants that are nearing the end of their useful life.

Duke Energy is proposing to construct and operate this 30-inch, 12- to 14-mile natural gas pipeline following industry-best management practices and in full compliance with modern engineering safety and regulatory controls. Currently, Duke Energy operates more than 250 miles of high pressure natural gas pipelines in its Ohio and Kentucky service territory.

The company plans to submit two proposed routes to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) later this summer for consideration.

For more information about the Central Corridor Transmission Pipeline Extension, see the company's website at: http://www.duke-energy.com/centralcorridor.

About Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

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Contact: Sally Thelen

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