Duke Energy says it's time again to "Share the Warmth"

- The company, its employees and customers team up to raise funds to help families struggling to pay their winter energy bills

- The program provided Carolinas customers with $1.4 million in bill assistance in 2016

News provided by

Duke Energy

Jan 19, 2017, 09:00 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unseasonably warm temperatures right now might fool a few robins or crocuses, but Duke Energy employees know that it's a long way to spring. That's why the company is continuing its 31-year tradition by partnering with employees and customers to lend a hand to those struggling to pay their energy bills.

Through its Share the Warmth program, the company works with more than 80 local agencies in the Duke Energy Carolinas service territory to aid qualified senior citizens, families and other customers with financial assistance.

The company annually matches up to $500,000 in employee and customer contributions during the heating season.

"We are committed to providing affordable energy to all of our customers, but we know some struggle to keep their homes warm during the winter," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "As we move through another heating season, we want to remind our customers of the resources and support available to help with their winter bills."

In 2016, Duke Energy, its employees and customers provided $1,400,000 in bill assistance to North Carolina and South Carolina customers through Share the Warmth.

Since the program's establishment in 1985, it has provided more than $34.4 million to those in need. Duke Energy offers similar energy assistance programs across all of its service territories.

"We greatly appreciate the many customers and Duke Energy employees who contribute to Share the Warmth and our other energy assistance programs each year," said David Fountain, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Their generous support provides a meaningful impact for thousands of people across the Carolinas."

Contributing online to Share the Warmth is quick and easy and contributions may be tax deductible. Additionally, Duke Energy provides energy efficiency products, services and information to help customers save energy and money. For more information and to contribute to Share the Warmth, visit duke-energy.com.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 19,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to about 2.5 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 7.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. The company also distributes natural gas to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its commercial business operates a growing renewable energy portfolio and transmission infrastructure across the United States.

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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SOURCE Duke Energy