Progress Energy Receives 2009 Energy Star Leadership In Housing Award

RALEIGH (June 16, 2009) -- Progress Energy has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a recipient of the 2009 Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award. The award recognizes the utility for its efforts to promote energy-efficient construction and environmental protection in the Carolinas.

The company's Home Advantage program provides incentives to residential builders to construct new homes that meet or exceed EPA Energy Star standards for efficiency. Energy Star-certified homes provide customers with at least 15 percent greater efficiency than standard homes. Homeowners also receive a 5 percent Progress Energy discount on their monthly bill for the life of the home.

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"Building efficiency into new homes is an investment that pays dividends to the homeowner for many years," said Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas. "We believe investments in energy efficiency, along with renewable energy and state-of-the art power plants, are essential to meeting the future energy needs of our customers. We are honored to be recognized as a leader in this effort."Â

Home Advantage provides cash rebates to builders or developers who build new single-family, multi-family, high-rise multi-family dwellings and manufactured homes that meet the Home Advantage requirements, which include Energy Star. Extra incentives are also available for additional energy-efficiency measures added to the Energy Star home, as well as for advertising and sales support in promoting energy-efficient construction.

"EPA is privileged to work with a diverse group of utilities, state programs, and home builder associations who effectively support Energy Star Qualified Homes," said Sam Rashkin, National Director of Energy Star for Homes. "Thanks to the leadership of these sponsors, home buyers across the country have greater access to Energy Star Qualified Homes that cost less to own while improving comfort, indoor air quality, durability, and our environment."

Progress Energy Carolinas has made a commitment to double the energy efficiency its customers achieve to 2,000 megawatts (MW) through demand-side management and energy-efficiency programs. Increasing the amount of efficiency from customers helps to delay the need for new power plants.

Progress Energy will also offer incentives to owners of existing homes starting on July 1, 2009. The Home Energy Improvement Program offers rebates to residential customers in existing homes for improvements such as heating and cooling upgrades, duct testing and repair, energy-efficient window installation, attic insulation and air sealing.

Information on Progress Energy's energy-efficiency programs can be found at www.progress-energy.com/environment/energyefficiency.asp. The company also provides efficiency information and tips through the Save The Watts campaign (www.savethewatts.com).

Source: Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN)