Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This document contains forward-looking information which is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be different than
those contemplated, including, but not limited to: changes in state, federal or international regulatory environments; commercial, industrial and
residential growth in the company’s service territory; the weather and other natural phenomena; the timing and extent of changes in commodity
prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; general economic conditions; changes in environmental and other laws and regulations
to which Duke Energy and its subsidiaries are subject, or other external factors over which Duke Energy has no control; the results of
financing efforts; the effect of accounting pronouncements; growth in opportunities for Duke Energy’s business units; and other risks described
in the company’s 2004 SEC Form 10-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.