Document:

EXHIBIT
10.58

 

CHANGE IN
CONTROL AGREEMENT

 

THIS
AGREEMENT, dated as of ____________, is made by and between Duke Energy
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ____________ (the
“Executive”).

WHEREAS,
the Company considers it essential to the best interests of its shareholders to
foster the continued employment of key management personnel; and

WHEREAS,
the Board recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations,
the possibility of a Change in Control exists and that such possibility, and
the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result
in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the
Company and its shareholders; and

WHEREAS,
the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce
and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the
Company’s management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without
distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from
the possibility of a Change in Control; and

WHEREAS,
although the Executive was not a party to a Change in Control Agreement prior
to her execution of this Agreement, the Company was a party to Change in
Control Agreements with certain of its other executives , which agreements were
amended, restated and replaced in their entirety with this Agreement in order
to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein
contained, the Company and the Executive, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:

1.     Definitions. 
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated below:

(A)      
“Accrued Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

 (B)      “Affiliate” shall
have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act.

(C)        “Auditor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.2 hereof.

(D)      
“Base Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 280G(b)(3) of the
Code.

 (E)      “Beneficial
Ownership” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act.

 (F)      
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(G)      “Cause”
for termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment shall mean (i) a
material failure by the Executive to carry out, or malfeasance or gross
insubordination in carrying out, reasonably assigned duties or instructions
consistent with the Executive’s position, (ii) the final conviction of the
Executive of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, (iii) an egregious
act of dishonesty by the Executive (including, without limitation, theft or
embezzlement) in connection with employment, or a malicious action by the
Executive toward the customers or employees of the Company or any Affiliate,
(iv) a material breach by the Executive of the Company’s Code of Business
Ethics, or (v) the failure of the Executive to cooperate fully with
governmental investigations involving the Company or its Affiliates; provided,
however, that the Company shall not have reason to terminate the Executive’s
employment for Cause pursuant to this Agreement unless the Executive receives
written notice from the Company identifying the acts or omissions constituting
Cause and gives the Executive a 30-day opportunity to cure, if such acts or
omissions are capable of cure.

(H)       A
“Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in
any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

(a)         an
acquisition subsequent to the Effective Date by any Person of Beneficial
Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of either (A) the then outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company or (B) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors; excluding, however, the following: (1) any
acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of
the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted
was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the
Company and (3) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary;

 (b)         during
any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the
Effective Date), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the
Board (and any new directors whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were
directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for
election was so approved) cease for any reason (except for death, disability or
voluntary retirement) to constitute a majority thereof;

 

 

 

 

 

(c)         the
consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar corporate
transaction which has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, whether
or not the Company is the surviving corporation in such transaction, other than
a merger, consolidation, or reorganization that would result in the voting securities
of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent
(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities
of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Company (or such surviving entity) outstanding
immediately after such merger, consolidation, or reorganization;

 (d)          
the consummation of (A) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company or (B) a complete liquidation or dissolution
of the Company, which has been approved by the shareholders of the Company (in
each case, exclusive of any transactions or events resulting from the
separation of the Company’s gas and electric businesses); or

 (e)          
adoption by the Board of a resolution to the effect that any person has
acquired effective control of the business and affairs of the Company.

 (I)       “Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 (J)      “Company”
shall mean Duke Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and, except in
determining under Section 1.H hereof whether or not any Change in Control of
the Company has occurred, shall include any successor to its business and/or
assets which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law,
or otherwise.

 (K)     “Confidential
Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.

 (L)     “DB
Pension Plan” shall mean any tax-qualified, supplemental or excess defined
benefit pension plan maintained by the Company (or a Subsidiary) and any other
defined benefit plan or agreement entered into between the Executive and the
Company (or a Subsidiary) which is designed to provide the Executive with
supplemental retirement benefits.

 (M)    “DC
Pension Plan” shall mean any tax-qualified, supplemental or excess defined
contribution plan maintained by the Company (or a Subsidiary) and any other
defined contribution plan or agreement entered into between the Executive and
the Company (or a Subsidiary) which is designed to provide the executive with
supplemental retirement benefits.

 (N)    “Date
of Termination” with respect to any purported termination of the Executive’s
employment after a Change in Control and during the Term, shall mean  (i) if
the Executive’s employment is terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after
Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have
returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties during such
thirty (30) day period), and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated
for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which,
in the case of a termination by the Company, shall not be less than thirty (30)
days (except in the case of a termination for Cause) and, in the case of a
termination by the Executive, shall not be less than fifteen (15) days nor (without the consent of
the Company) more than sixty (60) days, respectively, from the date such Notice
of Termination is given).

 (O)    “Disability”
shall be deemed the reason for the termination by the Company of the
Executive’s employment, if, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to
physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been absent from the
full-time performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company for a period
of six (6) consecutive months, the Company shall have given the Executive a
Notice of Termination for Disability, and, within thirty (30) days after such
Notice of Termination is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the
full-time performance of the Executive’s duties.

(P)       
“Effective Date” shall be ____________________.

 (Q)      “Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time.

 (R)      “Excise
Tax” shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

 (S)      “Executive”
shall mean the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 (T)      “Good
Reason” for termination by the Executive of the Executive’s employment shall
mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s express written consent which
specifically references this Agreement) after any Change in Control of any one
of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act, unless
such act or failure to act is corrected prior to the Date of Termination
specified in the Notice of Termination given in respect thereof: (i) a material
reduction in the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior
to the Change in Control (exclusive of any across the board reduction similarly
affecting all or substantially all similarly situated employees determined
without regard to whether or not an otherwise similarly situated employee’s
employment was with the Company prior to the Change in Control), (ii) a
material reduction in the Executive’s target annual bonus as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control (exclusive of any across the board
reduction similarly affecting all or substantially all similarly situated
employees determined without regard to whether or not an otherwise similarly situated
employee’s employment was with the Company prior to the Change in Control), or
(iii) a material diminution in the Executive’s positions (including
status, offices, titles and reporting relationships), authority, duties or
responsibilities from those in effect immediately before the Change in
Control.  The Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to,
or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting
Good Reason hereunder.

(U)     “Notice
of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.

 (V)     “Person”
shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as
modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term
shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an 

 

 

 

 

 

employee
benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or
(iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the Company.

(W)          
“Release Deadline” shall mean the 55th day immediately following the date that
the Executive incurs a "separation from service" within the meaning
of Section 409A of the Code.  

 (X)     “Repayment
Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 hereof.

 (Y)     “Restricted
Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.

 (Z)     “Severance
Payments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

 (AA)  
“Severance Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(C) hereof.

 (BB)   “Subsidiary”
means an entity that is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company,
or any other affiliate of the Company that is so designated from time to time
by the Company.

 (CC)   “Term”
shall mean the period of time described in Section 2 hereof (including any
extension, continuation or termination described therein).

 (DD)   “Total
Payments” shall mean those payments so described in Section 4.2 hereof.

 2.     Term
of Agreement. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective
Date and shall continue in effect through the second anniversary of the
Effective Date; provided, however, that commencing on the date
that is twenty-four (24) months following the Effective Date and each
subsequent monthly anniversary, the Term shall automatically be extended for
one additional month; further provided, however, the Company or
the Executive may terminate this Agreement effective at any time following the
second anniversary of the Effective Date only with six (6) months advance
written notice (which such notice may be given before such second anniversary);
and further provided, however, that, notwithstanding the above, if a Change in
Control shall have occurred during the Term, the Term shall in no case expire
earlier than twenty-four (24) months beyond the month in which such Change in
Control occurred.

 3.     Compensation
Other Than Severance Payments. If the Executive’s employment shall be
terminated for any reason following a Change in Control and during the Term,
the Company shall pay the Executive (A) the salary amounts payable in the
normal course for service through the Date of Termination within 30 days after
the Date of Termination, and (B) and any rights or payments that have become
vested or that are otherwise due in accordance with the terms of any employee
benefit, incentive, or compensation plan or arrangement maintained by the
Company that the Executive participated in at the time of his or her
termination of employment (together, the “Accrued Rights”).

4.        Severance
Payments. 

4.1         Subject
to Section 4.2 hereof, and further subject to the Executive executing a release
of claims substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A to this
Agreement and the release becoming effective and irrevocable in accordance with
its terms by the Release Deadline, if the Executive’s employment is terminated
following a Change in Control and during the Term (but in any event not later
than twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control), other than (A) by
the Company for Cause, (B) by reason of death or Disability, or (C) by the
Executive without Good Reason, then, in either such case, in addition to the
payments and benefits representing the Executive’s Accrued Rights, the Company
shall pay the Executive the amounts, and provide the Executive the benefits,
described in this Section 4.1 (“Severance Payments”).

 (A)         A
lump-sum payment equal to (i) the Executive’s annual bonus payment earned for
any completed bonus year prior to termination of employment, if not previously
paid, plus (ii) a pro-rata amount of the Executive’s target bonus under any
performance-based bonus plan, program, or arrangement in which the Executive
participates for the year in which the termination occurs, determined as if all
program goals had been met, pro-rated based on the number of days of service
during the bonus year occurring prior to termination of employment.  The amount
described in clause (i) shall be paid pursuant to the terms of the applicable
short-term incentive plan and shall not be conditioned on signing a release
described in Section 4.1.  The amounts described in clause (ii) shall be paid
within 30 calendar days after the Release Deadline, or such later date as may
be required under Section 13.1.

 (B)         In
lieu of any severance benefit otherwise payable to the Executive, the Company
shall pay to the Executive a lump sum severance payment, in cash, equal to two
(or, if less, the number of years (including partial years) until the Executive
reaches the Company’s mandatory retirement age, provided that the Company
adopts a mandatory retirement age pursuant to 29 USC §631(c)) times the sum of
(i) the Executive’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Date of
Termination or, if higher, in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence
of an event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, and (ii) the Executive’s
target short-term incentive bonus opportunity for the fiscal year in which the
Date of Termination occurs or, if higher, the fiscal year in which the first
event or circumstance constituting Good Reason occurs.  The amount described in
this Section 4.1(B) shall be paid within 30 calendar days after the Release
Deadline, or such later date as may be required under Section 13.1.

 (C)         For
a period of two years immediately following the Date of Termination (or, if
less, the period until the Executive reaches the Company’s mandatory retirement
age, provided that the Company adopts a mandatory retirement age pursuant to 29
USC §631(c)) (the “Severance Period”), the Company shall arrange to provide the
Executive and his or her dependents medical and dental insurance benefits
substantially similar to those provided to the Executive and his or her
dependents immediately prior to the Date of Termination or, if more favorable
to the Executive, those provided to the Executive and his or her dependents
immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or circumstance
constituting Good Reason, at 

 

 

 

 

 

no greater after tax cost
to the Executive than the after tax cost to the Executive immediately prior to
such date or occurrence.  Benefits otherwise receivable by the Executive
pursuant to this Section 4.1(C) shall be reduced to the extent benefits of the
same type are received by or made available to the Executive during the
Severance Period as a result of subsequent employment (and any such benefits
received by or made available to the Executive shall be reported to the Company
by the Executive).  In addition, the Company shall make a lump sum cash
payment, payable within 30 calendar days after the Release Deadline or such
later date as may be required under Section 13.1, in an amount equal to the
anticipated cost of basic life insurance coverage for the Severance Period,
based on the Company’s assumed cost for such coverage for internal accounting
purposes at the Date of Termination.  The continued benefits described in this
paragraph 4.1(C) that are taxable benefits (and that are not disability pay or
death benefit plans within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) are
intended to comply, to the maximum extent possible, with the exception to
Section 409A of the Code set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) of the Treasury
Regulations.  To the extent that any of those benefits either do not qualify
for that exception, or are provided beyond the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) of the Treasury Regulations, then they shall
be subject to the following additional rules: (1) any reimbursement of eligible
expenses shall be paid within 10 calendar days following Executive's written
request for reimbursement, or such later date as may be required under Section
13.1;  provided that the Executive provides written notice no later than 15
calendar days prior to the last day of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which the expense was incurred; (2) the amount of expenses eligible for
reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during any calendar year shall not
affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits
to be provided, during any other calendar year; and (3) the right to reimbursement
or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another
benefit.

 (D)         Executive's
benefits accrued or credited through the Date of Termination under the DC
Pension Plan that are not vested as of the Date of Termination but that would
have vested had Executive remained employed by the Company for the remainder of
the Term shall be fully vested as of the Date of Termination and paid in
accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.  In addition to the benefits
to which the Executive is entitled under the DC Pension Plan, the Company shall
pay the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the amount that would
have been contributed thereto by the Company on the Executive’s behalf during
the Severance Period, determined (x) as if the Executive made the maximum
permissible contributions thereto during such period, (y) as if the Executive
earned compensation during such period equal to the sum of the Executive’s base
salary and target
bonus as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, or, if higher,
as in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the first event or
circumstance constituting Good Reason, and (z) without regard to any amendment
to the DC Pension Plan made subsequent to a Change in Control and on or prior
to the Date of Termination, which amendment adversely affects in any manner the
computation of benefits thereunder.  The amount described in the immediately
preceding sentence shall be paid within 30 calendar days after the Release
Deadline, or such later date as may be required under Section 13.1.

 (E)         Executive's
benefits accrued or credited through the Date of Termination of employment
under the DB Pension Plan that are not vested as of the Date of Termination but
that would have vested had Executive remained employed by the Company for the
remainder of the Term shall be fully vested as of the Date of Termination and
paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. In addition to the
benefits to which the Executive is entitled under the DB Pension Plan, the
Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the amount
that would have been allocated thereunder by the Company in respect of the
Executive (or accrued by the Executive, which accrual shall be calculated based
on the actuarial assumptions contained in the DB Pension Plan) during the
Severance Period, determined (x) as if the Executive earned compensation during
such period equal to the sum of the Executive’s base salary and target bonus as
in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, or, if higher, as in
effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the first event or circumstance
constituting Good Reason, and (y) without regard to any amendment to the DB
Pension Plan made subsequent to a Change in Control and on or prior to the Date
of Termination, which amendment adversely affects in any manner the computation
of benefits thereunder.  The amount described in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be paid within 30 calendar days after the Release Deadline, or
such later date as may be required under Section 13.1.

 (F)         Notwithstanding
the terms of any award agreement or plan document to the contrary, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive continued vesting of any long term incentive
awards, including awards of stock options but excluding awards of restricted
stock, held by the Executive at the time of his or her termination of
employment that are not vested or exercisable on such date, in accordance with
their terms as if the Executive’s employment had not terminated, for the
duration of the Severance Period, with any options or similar rights to remain
exercisable (to the extent exercisable at the end of the Severance Period) for
a period of 90 days following the close of the Severance Period, but not beyond
the maximum original term of such options or rights.

 4.2         
(A)        Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received
or to be received by the Executive (including any payment or benefit received
in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of the Executive’s
employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, including the
Severance Payments, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”)
would be subject (in whole or part), to the Excise Tax, then, after taking into
account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G
of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the Severance
Payments shall be reduced
to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to
the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so
reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local
income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the
phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such
reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such
Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of
federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of
Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced
Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized
deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total
Payments).  If a reduction in Severance Payments is necessary pursuant to this
Section 4.2(A), then the reduction shall occur in the following order:  (i)
cash payments under Section 4.1(A)(ii), 4.2(B), 4.2(D) and 4.2(E); (ii)
cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards (based
on the reverse order of the date of grant); (iii) cancellation of accelerated
vesting of other equity awards (based on the reverse order of the date of
grant); and (iv) reduction of welfare benefits.  

(B)         For
purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will
be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt
or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such
manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)
of the Code shall be taken into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments
shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax
Counsel”) who is reasonably acceptable to the Executive and selected by the
accounting firm (the “Auditor”) which was, immediately prior to the Change in
Control, the Company’s independent auditor, does not constitute a “parachute
payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by
reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax,
no portion 

 

 

 

 

 

of such Total Payments shall be taken into
account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any
deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined
by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4)
of the Code.

(C)         At
the time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide
the Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in writing shall be attached to the statement).

5.     Notice
of Termination. After a Change in Control and during the Term, any
purported termination of the Executive’s employment (other than by reason of
death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party
hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 12 hereof. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which
shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon.

 6.     No
Mitigation. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment with the
Company terminates during the Term, the Executive is not required to seek other
employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the
Executive by the Company pursuant to Section 4 hereof. Further, except as
specifically provided in Section 4.1(C) hereof, no payment or benefit provided
for in this Agreement shall be reduced by any compensation earned by the
Executive as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement
benefits or otherwise.  The Company's obligation to make the payments provided
for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall
be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries may have against the Executive or others.

7.        Restrictive
Covenants.  

7.1         Noncompetition
and Nonsolicitation. During
the Restricted Period (as defined below), the Executive agrees that he or she
shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, for any reason,
directly or indirectly, either as principal, agent, manager, employee, partner,
shareholder, director, officer, consultant or otherwise (A) become engaged or
involved, in a manner that relates to or is similar in nature to those duties
performed by Executive at any time during his or her employment with the
Company, in any business (other than as a less-than three percent (3%) equity
owner of any corporation traded on any national, international or regional
stock exchange or in the over-the-counter market) that competes with the
Company or any of its Affiliates in the business of production, transmission,
distribution, or retail or wholesale marketing or selling of electricity;
resale or arranging for the purchase or for the resale, brokering, marketing,
or trading of electricity or derivatives thereof; energy management and the
provision of energy solutions; development and management of fiber optic
communications systems; development and operation of power generation
facilities, domestically and abroad; and any other business in which the
Company, including Affiliates, is engaged at the termination of the Executive’s
continuous employment with the Company, including Affiliates; or (B) induce or
attempt to induce any customer, client, supplier, employee, agent or
independent contractor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to reduce,
terminate, restrict or otherwise alter its business relationship with the
Company or its Affiliates. The provisions of this Section 7.1 shall be limited
in scope and effective only within one or more of the following geographical
areas: (i) The States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, and
Indiana, or (ii) any other state in the United States where the Company
including Affiliates, has at least U.S. $25 million in capital deployed as of
the termination of the Executive's continuous employment with the Company,
including Affiliates; or (iii) any state or country with respect to which was
conducted a business of the Company, including Affiliates, which business, or
oversight of which business, constituted any part of the Executive's
employment.  The parties intend the above geographical areas to be completely
severable and independent, and any invalidity or
unenforceability of this Agreement with respect to any one area shall not
render this Agreement unenforceable as applied to any one or more of the other
areas. Nothing in Section 7.1 shall be construed to prohibit the Executive
being retained during the Restricted Period in a capacity as an attorney
licensed to practice law, or to restrict the Executive from providing advice
and counsel in such capacity, in any jurisdiction where such prohibition or
restriction is contrary to law.

 7.2         Restricted
Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Restricted Period” shall mean the
period of the Executive’s employment during the Term and, in the event of a
termination of the Executive’s employment following a Change in Control that
entitles Executive to Severance Payments covered by Section 4 hereof, the
twelve (12) month period following such termination of employment, commencing
from the Date of Termination.

7.3         Forfeiture
and Repayments. The Executive agrees that, in the event he or she violates
the provisions of Section 7 hereof during the Restricted Period, he or she will
forfeit and not be entitled to any Severance Payments or any non-cash benefits
or rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, stock option
rights), other than the payments provided under Section 3 hereof. The Executive
further agrees that, in the event he or she violates the provisions of Section
7 hereof following the payment or commencement of any Severance Payments, (A)
he or she will forfeit and not be entitled to any further Severance Payments,
and (B) he or she will be obligated to repay to the Company an amount in
respect of the Severance Payments previously made to him or her under Section 4
hereof (the “Repayment Amount”). The Repayment Amount shall be determined by
aggregating the cash Severance Payments made to the Executive and multiplying
the resulting amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
full and partial calendar months remaining in the Severance Period at the time
of the violation (rounded to the nearest quarter of a month), and the
denominator of which is twenty-four (24). The Repayment Amount shall be paid to
the Company in cash in a single sum within ten (10) business days after the
first date of the violation, whether or not the Company has knowledge of the
violation or has made a demand for payment. Any such payment made following
such date shall bear interest at a rate equal to the prime lending rate of
Citibank, N.A. (as periodically set) plus 1%. Furthermore, in the event the
Executive violates the provisions of Section 7 hereof, and notwithstanding the
terms of any award agreement or plan document to the contrary (which shall be
considered to be amended to the extent necessary to reflect the terms hereof),
the Executive shall immediately forfeit the right to exercise any stock option
or similar rights that are outstanding at the time of the violation, and the
Repayment Amount, calculated as provided above, shall be increased by the
amount of any gains (measured, if applicable, by the difference between the
aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise of shares underlying the
stock option or similar right and the aggregate exercise price of such stock
option or similar right) realized by the Executive upon the exercise of stock
options or similar rights or vesting of restricted stock or other equity
compensation within the one-year period prior to the first date of the
violation.  

 

 

 

 

 

7.4         Permissive
Release. The Executive may request that the Company release him or her from
the restrictive covenants of Section 7.1 hereof upon the condition that the
Executive forfeit and repay all termination benefits and rights provided for in
Section 4.1 hereof. The Company may, in its sole discretion, grant such a
release in whole or in part or may reject such request and continue to enforce
its rights under this Section 7.

 7.5         Consideration;
Survival. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the compensation and
benefits provided in this Agreement constitute adequate and sufficient
consideration for the covenants made by the Executive in this Section 7 and in
the remainder of this Agreement. As further consideration for the covenants
made by the Executive in this Section 7 and in the remainder of this Agreement,
the Company has provided and will provide the Executive certain proprietary and
other confidential information about the Company, including, but not limited
to, business plans and strategies, budgets and budgetary projections, income
and earnings projections and statements, cost analyses and assessments, and/or
business assessments of legal and regulatory issues. The Executive’s
obligations under this Section 7 shall survive any termination of his or her
employment as specified herein.

 8.     Confidentiality.
The Executive acknowledges that during the Executive’s employment with the
Company or any of its Affiliates, the Executive will acquire, be exposed to and
have access to, non-public material, data and information of the Company and
its Affiliates and/or their customers or clients that is confidential,
proprietary, and/or a trade secret (“Confidential Information”). At all times,
both during and after the Term, the Executive shall keep and retain in
confidence and shall not disclose, except as required and authorized in the
course of the Executive’s employment with the Company or any its Affiliates, to
any person, firm or corporation, or use for his or her own purposes, any
Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, such Confidential
Information shall include, but shall not be limited to: sales methods,
information concerning principals or customers, advertising methods, financial
affairs or methods of procurement, marketing and business plans, strategies
(including risk strategies), projections, business opportunities, inventions,
designs, drawings, research and development plans, client lists, sales and cost
information and financial results and performance. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, “Confidential Information” shall not include any information known
generally to the public (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by
the Executive or by the Company or its Affiliates). The Executive acknowledges
that the obligations pertaining to the confidentiality and non-disclosure of
Confidential Information shall remain in effect at all times after termination
of employment, or until the Company or its Affiliates has released any such
information into the public domain, in which case the Executive’s obligation
hereunder shall cease with respect only to such information so released into
the public domain.  The Executive’s obligations under this Section 8 shall
survive any termination of his or her employment. If the Executive receives a
subpoena or other judicial process requiring that he or she produce, provide or
testify about Confidential Information, the Executive shall notify the Company
and cooperate fully with the Company in resisting disclosure of the
Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the Company has the right
either in the name of the Executive or in its own name to oppose or move to
quash any subpoena or other legal process directed to the Executive regarding
Confidential Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Executive remains free to report or otherwise communicate any
nuclear safety concern, any workplace safety concern, or any public safety
concern to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, United States Department of
Labor, or any other appropriate federal or state governmental agency, and the
Executive remains free to participate in any federal or state administrative,
judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation with respect to any claims
and matters not resolved and terminated pursuant to this Agreement. With
respect to any claims and matters resolved and terminated pursuant to this
Agreement, the Executive is free to participate in any federal or state
administrative, judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation if
subpoenaed. The Executive shall give the Company, through its legal counsel,
notice, including a copy of the subpoena, within twenty-four (24) hours of
receipt thereof.

 9.     Return
of Company Property. All records, files, lists, including, computer
generated lists, drawings, documents, equipment and similar items relating to
the business of the Company and its Affiliates which the Executive shall
prepare or receive from the Company or its Affiliates shall remain the sole and
exclusive property of Company and its Affiliates. Upon termination of the Executive’s
employment for any reason, the Executive shall promptly return all property of
the Company or any of its Affiliates in his or her possession. The Executive
further represents that he or she will not copy or cause to be copied, print
out or cause to be printed out any software, documents or other materials
originating with or belonging to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 10.    
Acknowledgement and Enforcement. The Executive acknowledges that the
restrictions contained in this Agreement with regards to the Executive’s use of
Confidential Information and his or her future business activities are fair,
reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate protectable
interests, particularly given the competitive nature and broad scope of the Company’s
business and that of its Affiliates, as well as the Executive’s position with
the Company. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company may have no
adequate means to protect its rights under this Agreement other than by
securing an injunction (a court order prohibiting the Executive from violating
this Agreement). The Executive therefore agrees that the Company, in addition
to any other right or remedy it may have, shall be entitled to enforce this
Agreement by obtaining a preliminary and permanent injunction and any other
appropriate equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
Executive acknowledges that the recovery of damages will not be an adequate
means to redress a breach of this Agreement, but nothing in this Section 10
shall prohibit the Company from pursuing any remedies in addition to injunctive
relief, including recovery of damages and/or any forfeiture or repayment
obligations provided for herein.

 11.     
Successors; Binding Agreement. 

11.1       In
addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company,
the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement
in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place.

11.2       This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors,
heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall die while
any amount would still be payable to the Executive hereunder (other than amounts
which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive) if the
Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided
herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s
estate; provided, however, such amounts shall be offset by any
amounts owed by the Executive to the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 12.       Notices. All notices or other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given (a) when delivered personally, (b) upon confirmation of receipt when
such notice or other communication is sent by facsimile, (c) one day after
timely delivery to an overnight delivery courier, or (d) when delivered or
mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid. The addresses for such notices shall be as follows:

To the Company:

Duke Energy Corporation

Post Office Box 1006, EC3XB

Charlotte, North Carolina
28201-1006

Attention: Chief Executive
Officer

 

To the Executive:

At the
most recent address on file in the records of the Company

Either party hereto may, by
notice to the other, change its address for receipt of notices hereunder.

 13.     
Section 409A.  

13.1          
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, if the
Executive is a "specified employee" on the Date of Termination, as
determined under the Company's policy for identifying specified employees, then
to the extent required in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, all
payments, benefits or reimbursements paid or provided under this Agreement that
constitute a "deferral of compensation" within the meaning of Section
409A of the Code, that are provided as a result of a "separation from
service" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and that would
otherwise be paid or provided during the first six months following the Date of
Termination shall be accumulated through and paid or provided (together with
interest at the applicable federal rate under Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code
in effect on the Date of Termination) within 30 calendar days after the first business day that is more than six months
following the Date of Termination (or, if the Executive dies during such
six-month period, within 30 calendar days after the Executive's death).  

13.2          
It is intended that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement
shall either be exempt from the application of, or comply with, the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  This Agreement shall be construed,
administered, and governed in a manner that effects such intent, and the
Company shall not take any action that would be inconsistent with such intent. 
Without limiting the foregoing, the payments and benefits provided under this
Agreement may not be deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified in a
manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section
409A of the Code upon Executive.  

13.3         
It is the intention of the Company and the Executive that this Agreement not
result in unfavorable tax consequences to the Executive under Section 409A of
the Code. Accordingly, the Executive consents to any amendment of this
Agreement as the Company may reasonably make in furtherance of such intention,
and the Company shall promptly provide, or make available to, the Executive a
copy of such amendment.  Although the Company shall use its best efforts to
avoid the imposition of taxation, interest and penalties under Section 409A of
the Code, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under this Agreement is
not warranted or guaranteed.  Neither the Company, its affiliates, nor their
respective directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be held liable for
any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive
or other taxpayer as a result of the Agreement.  

 14.     
Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise provided in Section 13 hereof, no
provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such
waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the
Executive and the Chief Executive Officer (or such officer as may be
specifically designated by the Chief Executive Officer). No waiver by either
party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or of any
lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This
Agreement supersedes any other agreements or representations, oral or
otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof which
have been made by either party; provided, however, that this
Agreement shall supersede any agreement setting forth the terms and conditions
of the Executive’s employment with the Company only in the event that the
Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated during the Term and on or
within two years following a Change in Control, by the Company other than for
Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason. The validity, interpretation,
construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of North Carolina. All references to sections of the Exchange Act or
the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions to such
sections. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any
applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law and any
additional withholding to which the Executive has agreed and no such payments
shall be treated as creditable compensation under any other employee benefit
plan, program, arrangement or agreement of or with the Company or its
affiliates. The obligations of the Company and the Executive under this
Agreement which by their nature may require either partial or total performance
after the expiration of the Term (including, without limitation, those under
Section 4 hereof) shall survive such expiration.

 15.      
Certain Legal Fees. To provide the Executive with reasonable assurance that the
purposes of this Agreement will not be frustrated by the cost of enforcement,
the Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable attorneys’ fees and
expenses incurred by the Executive during the two-year period immediately
following the Executive's Date of Termination as a result of a claim that the
Company has breached or otherwise failed to perform its obligations under this Agreement or
any provision hereof, regardless of which party, if any, prevails in the
contest; provided, however, that Company shall not be responsible for such fees
and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with a claim made by the
Executive that the trier of fact in any such contest finds to be frivolous or
if the Executive is determined to have breached his or her obligations under
Sections 7, 8, 9, 16, or 17 of this Agreement; and provided further, however,
the Company shall not be responsible for such fees or expenses in excess of
$50,000 in the aggregate.  The reimbursement, if any, shall be paid to the
Executive within 10 calendar days following the expiration of the two-year
period described above, 

 

 

 

 

 

provided that the Executive
shall have submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 30 calendar
days prior to the expiration of that period.  The amount of such legal fees and
expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any given calendar year shall
not affect the legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in
any other calendar year, and the Executive’s right to have the Company pay such
legal fees and expenses may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other
benefit.    

 16.     
Cooperation. The Executive agrees that he or she will fully cooperate in any
litigation, proceeding, investigation or inquiry in which the Company or its
Affiliates may be or become involved. The Executive also agrees to cooperate
fully with any internal investigation or inquiry conducted by or on behalf of
the Company. Such cooperation shall include the Executive making himself or
herself available, upon the request of the Company or its counsel, for
depositions, court appearances and interviews by Company’s counsel. The Company
shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by him or her in connection with such cooperation. To the
maximum extent permitted by law, the Executive agrees that he or she will
notify the Board if he or she is contacted by any government agency or any
other person contemplating or maintaining any claim or legal action against the
Company or its Affiliates or by any agent or attorney of such person. Nothing
contained in this Section 16 shall preclude the Executive from providing
truthful testimony in response to a valid subpoena, court order, regulatory
request or as may be required by law.  To the extent required to comply with
Section 409A of the Code, any payment or reimbursement of expenses pursuant to
this Section 16 that will not be excluded from the Executive's income when
received is subject to the following requirements: (i) the expenses to be
reimbursed must be incurred during the Executive's lifetime; (ii) the amount of
expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the
expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided in any
other calendar year; (iii) any reimbursement of eligible expenses shall be paid
within 10 calendar days following Executive's written request for
reimbursement, or such later date as may be required under Section 13.1;  provided
that the Executive provides written notice no later than 15 calendar days prior
to the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
expense was incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to
liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  

 17.      
Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that he or she will not make or
publish, or cause to be made or published, any statement which is, or may
reasonably be considered to be, disparaging of the Company or its Affiliates,
or directors, officers or employees of the businesses of the Company or its
Affiliates. Nothing contained in this Section 17 shall preclude the Executive
from providing truthful testimony in response to a valid subpoena, court order,
regulatory request or as may be required by law.

 18.     
Validity; Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
any Section or sub-Section of this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
any provision contained in Section 7 hereof, shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in
full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
unenforceable because of the scope, activity or duration of such provision, or
the area covered thereby, the parties hereto agree to modify such provision, or
that the court making such determination shall have the power to modify such
provision, to reduce the scope, activity, duration and/or area of such
provision, or to delete specific words or phrases therefrom, and in its reduced
or modified form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be
enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

 19.      
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.

 20.      Settlement of
Disputes. All claims by the Executive for benefits under this Agreement shall
be directed to and determined by the Chief Executive Officer and shall be in
writing. Any denial by the Chief Executive Officer of a claim for benefits
under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall
set forth the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon.

21.       
Trust.  The Company shall establish a trust with an independent trustee prior
to the occurrence of a Change in Control for the purpose of paying benefits
under this Agreement and other similar agreements maintained by the Company. 
The trust shall be a grantor trust subject to the claims of the Company's
creditors and shall, immediately prior to a Change in Control, be funded in
cash or such other assets as the Company deems appropriate with an amount equal
to 100 percent of the estimated benefits payable under this Agreement
(including without limitation the potential legal fees described in Section 15
hereof), which amount shall be determined after assuming that the Executive
incurred a termination of employment entitling him to Severance Payments
immediately following the Change in Control; provided, that, in the event that
such funding would result in the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section
409A of the Code with respect to the Executive, then this Section 21 shall cease
to apply.  

 IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
above written.

 

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

  

 

By:                                          
                        

Name: 

Title:    

 

 

 

                                          
                                

EXECUTIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

RELEASE OF
CLAIMS

This RELEASE OF CLAIMS (the
"Release") is executed and delivered by _____________ (the
"Employee") to DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION (together with its Affiliates
and any successors thereto, the "Company"). The term “Company” in
this Release also includes any employee benefit plan established or maintained
by Duke Energy Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and any administrator,
trustee, fiduciary or service provider of any such plan). 

 

         
In consideration of the agreement by the Company to provide the Employee with
the rights, payments and benefits under the Change in Control Agreement between
the Employee and the Company dated _______________ (the "Severance Agreement"),
which the Employee acknowledges is consideration to which he or she would not
otherwise be entitled,  the Employee hereby agrees as follows:

 

Section 1.  Release and Covenant.  The
Employee, of his or her own free will, voluntarily and unconditionally releases
and forever discharges the Company, its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates,
their directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, successors and
assigns (both individually and in their official capacities with the Company)
(the "Company Releases") from any and all past or present causes of
action, suits, agreements or other claims which the Employee, his or her
dependents, relatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns
has or may hereafter have from the beginning of time to the date hereof against
the Company or the Company Releases upon or by reason of any matter, cause or
thing whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any matters arising out of his
or her employment by the Company and the cessation of said employment, and
including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of the Civil Rights Acts
of 1964 and 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990,
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and any other federal, state or
local law, regulation or ordinance, or public policy, contract or tort law
having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions of employment or
termination of employment.  This Release shall not, however, constitute a
waiver of any of the Employee's rights under the Severance Agreement nor a
waiver of any claims that might arise after the date the Release is signed. 

 

Section 2.  Due Care.  The Employee
acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of this Release prior to its
execution and has been advised hereby of his or her opportunity to review and
consider this Release for 21 days prior to its execution.  The Employee further
acknowledges that he or she has been advised hereby to consult with an attorney
prior to executing this Release.  The Employee enters into this Release having
freely and knowingly elected, after due consideration, to execute this Release
and to fulfill the promises set forth herein.  This Release shall be revocable
by the Employee during the 7-day period following its execution, and shall not
become effective or enforceable until the expiration of such 7-day period.  In
the event of such a revocation, the Employee shall not be entitled to the
consideration for this Release set forth above. 

 

         
Section 3.  Nonassignment of Claims; Proceedings.  The Employee
represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of
any interest in any claim which the Employee may have against the Company or
any of the Company Releases.   The Employee represents that he or she has not
commenced or joined in any claim, charge, action or proceeding whatsoever
against the Company or any of the Company Releases arising out of or relating
to any of the matters set forth in this Release. The Employee further agrees
that he or she will not seek or be entitled to any personal recovery in any
claim, charge, action or proceeding whatsoever against the Company or any of
the Company Releases for any of the matters set forth in this Release.

 

Section 4.  Reliance by Employee.  The
Employee acknowledges that, in his or her decision to enter into this Release,
he or she has not relied on any representations, promises or agreements of any
kind, including oral statements by representatives of the Company or any of the
Company Releases, except as set forth in this Release and the Severance
Agreement. 

 

Section 5.  Nonadmission.   Nothing
contained in this Release will be deemed or construed as an admission of
wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Company or any of the Company Releases.

 

Section 6.  Communication of Safety
Concerns.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Release and the
Severance Agreement, the Employee remains free to report any suspected instance
of illegal activity of any nature, any nuclear safety concern, any workplace
safety concern, or any public safety concern to the United States Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, the United States Department of Labor, or any other
federal or state governmental agency. Further, nothing in this Release or the
Agreement prohibits the Employee from participating in any way in any state or
federal administrative, judicial or legislative proceeding or investigation or
filing a charge of discrimination with an administrative agency, provided,
however, that should an agency pursue any claims on the Employee’s
behalf, by signing and not revoking this Release the Employee has waived his or
her right to any recovery, monetary or otherwise.  Should the Employee receive
a subpoena in connection with any federal or state administrative, judicial, or
legislative proceeding involving the Company, the Employee shall, if permitted
by law, provide the Company with notice of the subpoena, including a copy of
the subpoena, with twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the subpoena.  The
notice shall be provided to the Company's Chief Legal Officer.

 

Section 7.  Governing Law.  This
Release shall be interpreted, construed and governed according to the laws of
the State of North Carolina, without reference to conflicts of law principles
thereof.

 

Section 8.  Severability.  It is
understood by Employee and the Company that if any part of this Release of
Claims is held by a court to be invalid, the remaining portions shall not be
affected.

 

         
This RELEASE OF CLAIMS is executed by the Employee and delivered to the Company
on _____________________.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

                        
                                                        _______________________________________________ 

 

 

[not to be signed upon execution of Change in
Control Agreement]exhibit
10.59

SEPARATION
AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

This
Separation and Settlement Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of
July 10, 2012 by and between the executive listed on Exhibit A (the
“Executive”), and Duke Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Duke
Energy”).  The Executive and Duke Energy are referred to as the “Parties,” and
each as a “Party,” in this Agreement.  

WHEREAS,
the Executive has been employed by Duke Energy and its affiliates in the
position set forth on Exhibit A;  

WHEREAS,
the Executive is a participant in the Progress Energy, Inc. Management
Change-in-Control Plan (the “CIC Plan”) and party to an employment agreement
with Progress Energy, Inc. (the “Employment Agreement”) dated as of the date
set forth on Exhibit A; and

WHEREAS,
the Executive has provided notice of his or her intent to resign, and the
Executive and Duke Energy wish to set forth their mutual agreement as to the
terms and conditions of such resignation;

NOW,
THEREFORE, Duke Energy and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

1.            
Resignation.  Effective as of 12:01 a.m. on July 11, 2012 (the
“Resignation Date”), the Executive hereby resigns from his or her employment
with Duke Energy and from all other positions the Executive then holds with
respect to Duke Energy and its subsidiaries or affiliates (Duke Energy and all
of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Progress Energy, Inc. and any
other predecessor entities, are hereinafter referred to as the “Affiliated
Entities”), including as an officer or member of the board of directors of any
Affiliated Entity.  Within 15 business days following the Resignation Date or
such earlier time as required by applicable law, the Executive will be paid all
of his or her salary and unused vacation earned or accrued through the
Resignation Date.  

2.                  Separation Payments
and Benefits.    

a.       
Subject to the Executive’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the
non-revocation of the release set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement,
following the Revocation Date (as defined in Paragraph 16 of this Agreement),
Duke Energy shall pay or provide to the Executive the payments and benefits
contemplated by Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 7 of the CIC Plan to which
the Executive would have been entitled upon a resignation by the Executive for
“good reason” (as set forth on Exhibit B hereto). 

b.       
Consistent with Section 5.08 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among
Duke Energy, Diamond Acquisition Corporation and Progress Energy, Inc., dated
as of January 8, 2011 (the “Merger Agreement”), following the Resignation Date,
(i) Duke Energy shall provide or cause to be provided to the Executive coverage
under Duke Energy’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policies for events that
occurred while the Executive was a director or officer of any of the Affiliated
Entities on the same terms and conditions applicable to other former senior
executives and directors of Duke Energy generally and (ii) Duke Energy shall
cause Progress Energy, Inc. to indemnify and hold harmless the Executive as
provided in Section 5.08(c) of the Merger Agreement.

c.       
Duke Energy shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable and necessary
business expenses incurred by the Executive and unreimbursed on or prior to the
Resignation Date pursuant to Duke Energy’s reimbursement policies, within 30
days following the Executive’s presentation of an invoice to Duke Energy. 

d.       
Except as provided in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Agreement, as well as
any benefits that are accrued and vested as of the Resignation Date under
employee benefit plans of an Affiliated Entity in which the Executive
participates, the Executive shall be entitled to no other compensation and/or
benefits of any kind from any of the Affiliated Entities.  

3.                 
Equity Awards.  Subject to the Executive’s compliance with the terms of
this Agreement and the non-revocation of the Release set forth in Paragraph 5
of this Agreement, the outstanding equity awards under the applicable Progress
Energy, Inc. equity plans held by the Executive as of the Resignation Date that
(i) were granted before April 1, 2011 or are time-vested restricted stock units
granted at any time prior to the Resignation Date, shall immediately vest on
the Resignation Date pursuant to Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 of the CIC Plan
(with performance shares vesting at target level), and (ii) are performance
shares granted under the Performance Share Sub-Plan that were granted on or
after April 1, 2011, will continue to vest based on the applicable performance
goals, subject to the amendment of such performance goals by the Duke Energy
Compensation Committee in the same manner as the performance goals are being
amended for active employees of Duke Energy, but in no event shall such
performance shares vest at lower than 50% of target level.    

4.                 
280G Matters.  The Executive shall, subject to the Executive’s
reasonable cooperation with Duke Energy in making determinations with respect
to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
taking into account the value of reasonable compensation for services to be
rendered by the Executive before or after the Resignation Date, including any
non-competition provisions that apply to the Executive and Duke Energy, be
eligible to receive “Gross-Up Payments” consistent with, but only to the extent
provided by, Section 11 of the CIC Plan.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.                
Release of Claims. 

a.       
In consideration of and in exchange for the benefits provided to him or her
under this Agreement, including but not necessarily limited to Duke Energy’s
acceptance of the Executive’s resignation effective as of the Resignation Date,
and the benefits set forth in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of this Agreement, the
Executive, of his or her own free will, voluntarily and unconditionally
releases and forever discharges (the “Release”) the Affiliated Entities, their
respective directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, successors and
assigns (both individually and in their official capacities with Duke Energy)
(the “Duke Releases”) from, any and all past or present causes of action,
suits, agreements or other claims which the Executive, his or her dependents,
relatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns has or may
hereafter have from the beginning of time to the date hereof against Duke
Energy or the Duke Releases upon or by reason of any matter, cause or thing
whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any matters arising out of his or
her employment by the Affiliated Entities, and the cessation of said employment
or any claim for compensation, and including, but not limited to, any alleged
violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963,
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
the North Carolina Equal Employment Protection Act and any other federal, state
or local law, regulation or ordinance, or public policy, contract or tort law
having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions of employment or
termination of employment.  The Release shall not, however, constitute a waiver
of any of the Executive’s rights to compensation and benefits due under this
Agreement.  

b.       
The Executive acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of this Agreement
prior to its execution and has been advised hereby of his or her opportunity to
review and consider the Release for 21 days prior to its execution.  The
Executive further acknowledges that he or she has been advised hereby to
consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement.  The Executive enters
into this Agreement having freely and knowingly elected, after due
consideration, to execute this Agreement and to fulfill the promises set forth
herein.  The Release shall be revocable by the Executive during the seven-day
period following its execution, and shall not become effective or enforceable
until the expiration of such seven-day period.  In the event of such a
revocation, the Executive shall not be entitled to the consideration under this
Agreement set forth in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4.  

c.    
   The Executive represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or
other transfer of any interest in any claim which the Executive may have
against Duke Energy or any of the Duke Releases. The Executive represents that
he or she has not commenced or joined in any claim, charge, action or
proceeding whatsoever against Duke Energy or any of the Duke Releases arising
out of or relating to any of the matters set forth in this Release. The
Executive further agrees that he or she will not seek or be entitled to any
personal recovery in any claim, charge, action or proceeding whatsoever against
Duke Energy or any of the Duke Releases for any of the matters set forth in the
Release.  

d.       
The Executive acknowledges that, in his or her decision to enter into this
Agreement, including the Release, he or she has not relied on any
representations, promises or agreements of any kind, including oral statements
by representatives of Duke Energy or any of the Duke Releases, except as set
forth in the Release and this Agreement.

e.       
Nothing contained in the Release will be deemed or construed as an admission of
wrongdoing or liability on the part of Duke Energy or any of the Duke Releases.  

f.       
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit, restrict or otherwise
discourage the Executive from participating in protected activity as defined in
10 CFR 50.7 and Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974,
including, but not limited to reporting any suspected instance of illegal activity
of any nature, any nuclear safety concern, any workplace safety concern, any
public safety concern, or any other matter within the United States Nuclear
Regulatory Commission's (“NRC”) regulatory responsibilities to the NRC,
the United States Department of Labor, or any other federal or state
governmental agency.  This Agreement further does not prohibit the
Executive from participating in any way in any state or federal administrative,
judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation with respect to any claims
and matters not resolved and terminated pursuant to this Agreement. With
respect to any claims and matters resolved and terminated pursuant to this
Agreement, the Executive is free to participate in any federal or state
administrative, judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation if
subpoenaed.  The Executive shall give Duke Energy, through its legal counsel,
notice, including a copy of the subpoena, within 24 hours of receipt
thereof.

6.                 
Non-disparagement.   The Executive shall not disparage any of the
Affiliated Entities, their current or former directors, officers, employees,
agents, stockholders, successors and assigns (both individually and in their
official capacities with Duke Energy) (the “Duke Energy Parties”) or any Duke
Energy Parties’ goods, services, employees, customers, business relationships,
reputation or financial condition.  Duke Energy shall instruct its current
officers and directors (as such terms are used for purposes of Section 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) not to disparage the Executive and shall
treat any such disparagement as a violation of Duke Energy’s Code of Business
Ethics.  For purposes of this Agreement, to “disparage” means to make
statements, whether oral or written, whether direct or indirect, whether true
or false and whether acting alone or through any other person, that cast the
subject of the statement in a critical or unfavorable light or that otherwise
cause damage to, or intend to embarrass, the subject of the statement. 
Attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C is a press release regarding
Executive’s termination of employment.  Neither the Executive nor Duke Energy
shall make any public statement regarding Executive’s termination of employment
that is materially inconsistent with such press release.  The Executive and
Duke Energy each represent that the applicable party has not, since the
“Effective Time” under the Merger Agreement and through the Resignation Date,
directly made, or requested a third party to make, any statement to the press,
elected or governmental officials, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors
Services, Fitch Group or Duke Energy’s regulators that would be a breach of
this Paragraph 6 had such statement been made on or after the Resignation Date. 
Nothing in the foregoing will preclude either the Executive or Duke Energy from
providing truthful disclosures as required by applicable law or legal process.

7.                
Confidential Information; Restrictive Covenants.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.        Confidentiality; Covenant
not to Compete; Non-Interference.  The Executive shall be subject to each
of the covenants set forth in Section 8(g) (Covenant not to Compete), Section
8(h) (Non-Interference) and Section 8(i) (Confidential Information; Trade
Secrets) of the Employment Agreement.  In addition, unless otherwise made
public by Duke Energy, the Executive will not disclose the existence and any
terms of this Agreement except (i) to financial and legal advisors or spouse
(or domestic partner) under an obligation for such parties to maintain
confidentiality, or (ii) as required by a valid court order, subpoena or legal,
regulatory, or legislative process (and in such event will use his or her best
efforts to obtain a protective order requiring that all disclosures be kept under
court seal) and will notify the Duke Energy promptly upon receipt of such order
or subpoena.   

b.       
Forfeiture and Repayments. The Executive agrees that, in the event he or
she violates the provisions of Paragraph 6 or Paragraph 7 of this Agreement, in
any material respect, he or she will forfeit and not be entitled to any further
payments in accordance with Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 4 of this Agreement or
settlement in accordance with Paragraph 3 and he or she will be obligated to
repay to Duke Energy any amounts paid (determined as of the date of payment)
after the termination of employment pursuant to the applicable provisions of
Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 4 of this Agreement (other than any
amounts paid pursuant to Paragraph 2(c) [and Paragraph 2(d)] of this
Agreement).  Such amount shall be paid to Duke Energy in cash in a single
lump sum within ten business days after the first date of the violation,
whether or not Duke Energy has knowledge of the violation or has made a demand
for payment.  Any such payment made following such date shall bear interest at
a rate equal to the prime lending rate of Citibank, N.A. (as periodically set)
plus 1%.

c.       
Scope of Restrictions; Consideration.  The Executive acknowledges
that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable and
necessary to protect Duke Energy’s business and goodwill. The Executive
acknowledges that if any of these restrictions or obligations are found by a
court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable or overly broad or otherwise
unenforceable, he or she and Duke Energy agree that the restrictions or
obligations shall be modified by the court so as to be reasonable and
enforceable and if so modified shall be fully enforced.  The Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the compensation and benefits provided in this
Agreement constitute adequate and sufficient consideration for the covenants
made by the Executive in this Paragraph 7.  As further consideration for the
covenants made by the Executive in this Paragraph 7, the Affiliated Entities
have provided the Executive certain proprietary and other confidential
information about Duke Energy, including, but not limited to, business plans
and strategies, budgets and budgetary projections, income and earnings projections
and statements, cost analyses and assessments, and/or business assessments of
legal and regulatory issues.

8.                  
Cooperation.   The Executive agrees to cooperate with Duke Energy in
connection with his or her departure as reasonably requested by Duke Energy,
including with respect to any communications to current and former employees or
directors of any of the Affiliated Entities as may reasonably be requested by
Duke Energy in connection with such departure.  The Executive will be available,
upon reasonable notice, to respond to questions and provide assistance to Duke
Energy regarding matters for which he or she was responsible and about which he
or she had knowledge in connection with his or her employment with any of the
Affiliated Entities.  The Executive also will cooperate in any potential or
pending litigation or arbitration that may involve him or her in any capacity
as a result of his or her employment with, or service as a member of the board
of directors of, any of the Affiliated Entities.  This includes, if necessary,
meeting at mutually convenient times with attorneys of any of the Affiliated
Entities, attending meetings, depositions and trial, and providing truthful
testimony.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Paragraph 8, in no event will
the Executive be required, without mutually acceptable additional compensation,
to provide services under this Paragraph 8 (i) that exceed 10 hours in any
calendar month and/or (ii) after the first anniversary of the Resignation
Date.  

9.                   
Governing Law and Forum Selection.  The Parties agree that any dispute,
claim or controversy based on common law, equity, or any federal, state, or
local statute, ordinance, or regulation (other than workers’ compensation
claims) arising out of or relating in any way to the Executive’s employment,
the terms, benefits, and conditions of employment, or concerning this Agreement
and the resulting termination of employment, including whether such a dispute
is arbitrable, shall be settled by arbitration. The arbitration proceeding will
be conducted under the employment dispute resolution arbitration rules of the
American Arbitration Association in effect at the time a demand for arbitration
under the rules is made, and such proceeding will be adjudicated in Charlotte,
North Carolina. The decision of the arbitrator(s), including determination of
the amount of any damages suffered, will be exclusive, final, and binding on
all Parties, their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
Each Party will bear its own expenses in the arbitration for arbitrators’ fees
and attorneys’ fees, for its witnesses, and for other expenses of presenting
its case. Other arbitration costs, including administrative fees and fees for
records or transcripts, will be borne equally by the Parties.  Notwithstanding
anything in this Paragraph 9 to the contrary, if the Executive prevails
with respect to any dispute submitted to arbitration under this Paragraph 9,
Duke Energy will reimburse or pay all legal fees and expenses that the
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of the dispute.  

10.                   
Applicable Law.  Except to the extent that federal law governs, this
Agreement will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to any applicable state’s
choice of law provisions.  

11.                    
Integrated Agreement; Amendments.  Except with respect to the provisions
of the CIC Plan and the Employment Agreement expressly referenced herein, this
Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of Duke Energy and the Executive with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all other agreements
between any of the Affiliated Entities and the Executive and any employment or
severance plan, policy, agreement or arrangement of any of the Affiliated
Entities.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive
expressly acknowledges and agrees that except as specifically set forth in this
Agreement, he or she is not entitled to receive any severance pay, severance
benefits, compensation or employee benefits of any kind whatsoever from Duke
Energy or any of its affiliates.  This Agreement may not be amended unless the
amendments are in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorized
representative of Duke Energy.

12.                     
Severability.   The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular
provision in this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and
this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or
unenforceable provision were omitted.

13.                     
Taxes.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Duke
Energy may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement, or any other
benefits received pursuant hereto, such Federal, state and/or local taxes as
shall be required to be withheld under any applicable law or regulation.  The
obligations under this Agreement are intended to comply with the requirements
of Section 409A of the 

 

 

 

 

 

Code, or an exemption or
exclusion therefrom, provided that the Executive acknowledges and agrees that
he or she shall be solely responsible for any taxes and/or penalties imposed
under Section 409A of the Code.  Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated
as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.  In no event
may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any
payment to be made under this Agreement.  If the Executive is a “specified
employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) then any payments
that are required to be made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement that
constitute the deferral of compensation (within the meaning of Treasury
Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b) and that would in the absence of this Paragraph
13 have been paid to the Executive within six months and one day of the
Resignation Date shall not be paid to the Executive during such period, but
shall instead be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the earlier
of (i) the day after the date that is six months from the Resignation Date
and (ii) if the Executive shall die prior to the expiration of such six-month
period, as soon as practicable following the date of the Executive’s death. 
All reimbursements and in-kind benefits that constitute deferred compensation
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code provided under this Agreement
shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A
of the Code, including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall
reimbursements by Duke Energy under this Agreement be made later than the end
of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the applicable
fees and expenses were incurred; (ii) the amount of in-kind benefits that Duke
Energy is obligated to pay or provide in any given calendar year shall not
affect the in-kind benefits that Duke Energy is obligated to pay or provide in
any other calendar year; and (iii) the Executive’s right to have Duke Energy
pay or provide such reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated
or exchanged for any other benefit.  

14.                       
Successors.   This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of Duke Energy shall not be assignable by the Executive
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal
representatives and the legal representatives of his or her estate to the
extent applicable.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon Duke Energy and its successors and assigns.

15.                         
Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts,
each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
constitute one and the same agreement.

16.                         
Representations and Warranties.  By signing this Agreement, the
Executive warrants that he or she:  

a.       
has carefully read and reviewed this Agreement; 

b.       
fully understands all of its terms and conditions; 

c.       
fully understands that this Agreement is legally binding and that by signing it
he or she is giving up certain rights;

d.       
has not relied on any other representations by Duke Energy or its employees or
agents, whether written or oral, concerning the terms of this Agreement; 

e.       
has been advised of his or her opportunity to consider for up to 21 days
whether to accept the Release; 

f.       
will have seven days to revoke the Release (but not the remainder of this
Agreement) after signing it, with the eighth day following the execution of
this Agreement being referred to as the “Revocation Date”; 

g.       
has been advised by, and has had the opportunity to consult with, an attorney
prior to executing this Agreement; 

h.      
acknowledges that all notice requirements under any other agreement,
arrangement or plan have been fully satisfied;

i.       
executes and delivers this Agreement freely and voluntarily; 

j. 
      is waiving any rights or claims he or she may have under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and 

k.       
is not waiving any rights or claims which may arise after this Agreement is
signed.  

 

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement as
of the date first set forth above.

 

___/s/ John R.
McArthur  _____________

           Executive

 

 

 

 

DUKE ENERGY
CORPORATION

By:__/s/ James E. Rogers _____________

Name: James E. Rogers

Title: Chief Executive Officer

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

EXHIBIT A

Name:  John R. McArthur

Position:  Executive Vice
President – Regulated Utilities

Date of Employment Agreement:   May
8, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

SEPARATION PAYMENTS
AND BENEFITS

 

 

	
  #

  	
  Description of
  Payment / Benefit

  	
  Payment Terms

   

  
	
  1

  	
  (1) unpaid annual base salary through the
  Resignation Date and (2) accrued and unused paid time off through the
  Resignation Date

  	
  Amount determined based on payroll records,
  paid in a lump sum within fifteen days following the Resignation Date.  

  
	
  2

  	
  Severance Payments

  	
  $2,677,500 (represents the sum of the
  Executive’s annual base salary and “target short term incentive award”
  multiplied by 3).  Paid in a lump sum within ten days following the date that
  is six months following the Resignation Date.

  
	
  3

  	
  Annual Incentive Payment 

  	
  $367,500 (represents the Executive’s target
  short term incentive award for the year during which the Resignation Date
  occurs).  Paid in lump sum within ten days following the date that is six
  months following the Resignation Date.

  
	
  4

  	
  Unreimbursed business expenses incurred
  through the Resignation Date (including any reasonable relocation expenses)

  	
  Amount
  to be determined after submission of written receipts and substantiation by
  the Executive according to Duke Energy’s policy by no later than August 31,
  2012.  Paid through normal expense reimbursement process not later than 45
  days following the substantiation of such expenses.

  
	
  5

  	
  Accrued and vested amounts under all
  non-qualified and incentive plans, including the Progress,
  Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, the Progress, Inc. Management
  Incentive Compensation Plan and the Progress, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
  for Key Management Employees

  	
  Amount
  determined consistent with the terms of the applicable plan based on accrued
  and vested benefits as of the Resignation Date.  Paid at the time (or times)
  and in a form consistent with the terms of the applicable plan or
  arrangement.

  
	
  6

  	
  Continued in-kind benefit under health and
  welfare plans

  	
  Paid
  consistently with the terms of the CIC Plan.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

PRESS RELEASE

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Duke
Energy Corporation

P.O. Box 1009

Charlotte, NC 28201-1009 

 

	
  July 10, 2012

   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  MEDIA
  CONTACTS:

  	
  ANALYSTS:

  	
   

  
	
  Tom Williams

  	
  Bill Currens

  	
  Bob Drennan

  
	
  800-559-3853

  	
  704-382-1603

  	
  919-546-7474

  

 

 

Duke Energy Announces
Executive Departures

 

 

CHARLOTTE, NC – Duke Energy
Corporation today announced that John McArthur, executive vice president of
Regulated Utilities, Mark Mulhern, executive vice president and chief administrative
officer, and Paula Sims, chief integration and innovation officer, have
resigned, effective immediately. 

 

Jim Rogers, chairman,
president and chief executive officer of Duke Energy,
said, “We regret that John, Mark and Paula have decided to move on from Duke
Energy. Since we closed the merger, we have spoken extensively with the members
of our senior management committee. Our hope was that we could all work
together to capitalize on the significant opportunities we now have as one
company. While we encouraged the entire team to maintain their roles, John,
Mark and Paula requested to step down and we wish them well.

 

“We are grateful
to be able to draw from the deep bench of executives from both Progress Energy
and Duke Energy and have already begun working to identify the best way to
fulfill the responsibilities held by John, Mark and Paula. We look forward to
executing on our strategy as one company and one team committed to offering
significant benefits for customers, shareholders and the communities we serve,”
Rogers said.

 

The company also
noted that its integration efforts are on track. More than 50 integration teams
made up of representatives from both Duke Energy and Progress Energy have been
working diligently to execute on the integration at the functional level.

 

About Duke
Energy 

Duke Energy is
the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than
$100 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve
approximately 7.1 million electric customers located in six states in the
Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international business segments
own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin
America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United
States. Headquartered 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 on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.   

 

Forward-Looking Information

This document contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as
"may," "will," "should," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "expect," "project,"
"intend," "plan," "believe," "target,"
"forecast," and other words and terms of similar meaning.
Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals,
forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Duke Energy cautions readers
that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and
that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger involving Duke Energy
and Progress Energy, including future financial and operating results, Duke
Energy's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements
that are not historical facts. Important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: the risk that the
businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings
and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may
take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the transaction making it
more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or
suppliers; the diversion of management time on merger-related issues; general
worldwide economic conditions and related uncertainties; 

 

 

 

 

 

the
effect of changes in governmental regulations; and other factors discussed or
referred to in the "Risk Factors" section of each of Progress
Energy's and Duke Energy's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Additional risks and
uncertainties are identified and discussed in Progress Energy's and Duke
Energy's reports filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date
of the particular statement and Duke Energy undertakes no obligation to update
or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.

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