Duke Energy Extends Its Current Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Promotion

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Due to the overwhelming response and success of its compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) promotion, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) today announced it is extending the expiration date of coupons offering a free six-pack of GE Energy Smart® 13-watt CFL bulbs after customers reported difficulty finding the product in stock.

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Duke Energy mailed the coupons, redeemable only at Walmart stores, to 1.3 million customers in Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. The promotion is part of the utility's effort to help customers save power and money through energy efficiency products and services.

Duke Energy, GE and Walmart have developed a plan allowing customers to substitute certain similar products when the GE Energy Smart® 13-watt bulb six-pack is unavailable. Customers can now redeem the coupon for the purchase of two GE Energy Smart® 13-watt three-packs; two GE Energy Smart® 20-watt three-packs; or one GE Energy Smart® 20-watt six-pack.

"We are delighted that so many customers see the value in energy efficiency and are taking advantage of the coupon offer," said Gianna Manes, Duke Energy's senior vice president for retail customer products and services. "We are sorry that supply hasn't kept up with the enthusiasm and we are taking steps to correct that."

Manes said she's disappointed that customers had trouble redeeming their coupons, but she's pleased with the efforts GE and Walmart are putting forth to make sure everyone who received a coupon has an opportunity to redeem it.

"We applaud Duke Energy for taking on such an important awareness program," says Kathy Sterio, general manager of consumer marketing, GE Lighting. "We're working with great intensity to supply all the CFLs that Walmart needs to meet consumer demand."

"We are encouraged by the number of customers redeeming coupons for more energy efficient lighting and apologize to those having difficulty finding their light bulbs," said Diane Lindsley, senior manager of utility programs at Walmart. "We are posting signs in our stores to help customers who want to redeem their coupon find the additional CFLs that now qualify for this offer."

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 11 million people. 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 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.  To learn more and contribute to the discussion about the energy issues of today and the possibilities of tomorrow see www.sheddingalight.org.

SOURCE Duke Energy