Notice to shareholders on approval of environmental compliance plans

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina has approved Duke Energy's Nationwide Environmental Compliance Plan and the Environmental Compliance Plan for North Carolina.

Both plans, which are available at www.duke-energy.com/compliance, provide for additional oversight and transparency into the company's actions to comply with laws and regulations related to coal ash management.

The compliance plans are requirements of the May 14, 2015, plea agreement between the company's subsidiaries -- Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Business Services -- and the federal government related to the February 2014 Dan River coal ash spill and ash basin operations at other North Carolina coal plants.

The company pleaded guilty to nine criminal misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act, agreed to pay $102 million in fines and penalties and is serving five years probation.

Details regarding the background and issues that the compliance plans are designed to address may be found in the Joint Factual Statement located at www.duke-energy.com/compliance.

About Duke EnergyHeadquartered in Charlotte, N.C., 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.

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SOURCE Duke Energy