Duke Energy Accepts Applications for 2012 Habitat Enhancement Program

Duke Energy is again offering grants through the Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP) to qualifying government agencies and nonprofit organizations who want to enhance, create and protect fish and wildlife habitat along the Catawba-Wateree River and its tributaries in North Carolina and South Carolina. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) June 13, 2012 - HEP is a cooperative effort by Duke Energy, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The program is funded annually from a fee charged to individuals and residential marina developers seeking permits to build piers in the Catawba-Wateree lakes. The Foundation for the Carolinas administers the funds.

“This is the first program of its type for Duke Energy and is part of the company’s relicensing efforts for the 11 lakes and 13 hydroelectric power plants located along the Catawba-Wateree River,” said Joe Hall, Duke Energy Lake Services director.

Those interested in seeking funds from the HEP are encouraged to complete an application found at http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/habitat-enhancement-program.asp and submit it for consideration before July 31, 2012, for this year’s round.

Projects eligible for funding include a wide range of categories -- from planting native shoreline vegetation, the construction of osprey platforms and wood duck boxes, and the installation of fish attractors, to the purchase of property and conservation easements along the Catawba-Wateree River that permanently preserve rare and unique habitats.

Nearly $440,000 was awarded in 2011 for projects ranging from land conservation to shoreline habitat and enhancement. Since 2007, about $1 million has been approved in the Carolinas for funding habitat enhancement projects. A panel of scientists along with several private citizens will select projects that will receive funding in 2012.

“Projects funded by the HEP will help diversify fish and wildlife habitats along the lakes and river, where piers and riprap have become the primary habitat type in some areas,” said Dick Christie, SCDNR fishery biologist.

“With efforts through the HEP, the potential for sustaining diversity in our fish and wildlife populations along this river system will continue, thanks to those dedicated groups that apply for and use these funds to their greatest potential,” added Tim Gestwicki, executive director, North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 19,500 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 2.4 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

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: www.duke-energy.com.

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