"Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Outstanding Stewardship of American River awards," said Philip K. Dutton, president of the National Hydropower Association during a breakfast ceremony at the group’s annual conference. "For each winner there are hundreds of other hydro projects in North America that provide environmental benefits along with reliable electricity every day of the year. This year's award winners are to be commended for the fine examples they set for all hydropower operators as responsible stewards of the great resource for which we are accountable."

Duke Energy and its land management business unit Crescent Resources, LLC transferred nearly 50,000 acres of land in the Blue Ridge foothills of North Carolina and South Carolina as part of the Jocassee Gorges conservation project. It secured a vast natural resource that serves as a home to rare plants, black bears, peregrine falcons and some of the highest waterfalls in the Southeast.

In 2001, Duke Energy and other conservation groups produced a “driving tour” map to foster continued appreciation of the uniqueness of the area. Duke Energy also partnered with others to host the annual Scout ‘N Trout program and area Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts – teaching scouts about water quality, aquatic insects and fisheries.

The company’s stewardship is one of eight projects recognized by NHA. The other projects cited were: 

• Avista Corp’s Clark Fork Projects on the Clark Fork River in Montana and Idaho;
• FPL Energy’s Harris Station on the Kennebec River in western Maine;
• Grant CountyPUD’s Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River in Washington state;
• Northeast Generating Company’s Turners Falls and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage projects on the Connecticut River in Massachusetts;
• OntarioPower Generation’s Madawaska River hydroelectric projects on the Madawaska River in Ontario, Canada;
• PPL Montana’s Madison-Missouri River Project on the Madison and Missouri rivers in Montana; and
• SeattleCityLight’s Skagit River Hydroelectric Project on the Skagit River in Washington.

Many of the companies utilized scientific methods and technical innovation to improve environmental decision-making and more effectively manage river resources. They improved water quality, enhanced habitat, restore fisheries, protected endangered species and/or permanently conserved land for the protection of wildlife.

The projects selected for inclusion in this report were subjected to a thorough evaluation by a five-member judging committee comprised of two environmental representatives, two industry representatives and the managing editor of Hydro Review magazine. Projects had to demonstrate significant environmental accomplishments beyond providing clean and renewable power. They were evaluated on challenge, collaboration, innovation and results.

In addition to their contribution to riverine and terrestrial wildlife, the projects generate enough clean, renewable and domestic power to serve 3.9 million households. With 7,624 megawatts of capacity, they avoid emitting 3.87 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere from fossil fuel generation.

Founded in 1983, the National Hydropower Association represents nearly 80,000 megawatts of hydropower in North America and champions its use as clean, renewable and reliable energy source that accords with today’s environmental values.

Duke Energy, a diversified multinational energy company, creates value for customers and shareholders through an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. Duke Energy manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses -- generating revenues of more than $59 billion in 2001. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 100 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.

EDITOR’S NOTE:   A summary fact sheet and the entire Outstanding Stewardship of America’s Rivers report are available electronically at www.hydro.org or in print format by contacting David Tuft at david@hydro.org.