MEDIA ADVISORY: DUKE ENERGY TO HOST WEBCAST WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, TO DISCUSS 2004 DIVIDEND AND OTHER FINANCIAL ACTIONS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy will announce its plans for the company’s 2004 dividend and other financial actions in a news release at approximately 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul Anderson and Group Vice President and Acting Chief Financial Officer David Hauser will discuss the decisions in a conference call for analysts at 10 a.m. ET.

The conference call can be accessed via the investors' section of Duke Energy’s Web site or by dialing 800/946-0783 in the United States or 719/457-2658 outside the United States. The confirmation code is 321720. Please call in five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 888/203-1112 with a confirmation code of 321720. The international replay number is 719/457-0820, confirmation code 321720. The replay will run through midnight on Jan. 16, 2004. A replay and transcript also will be available by accessing thee investors' section of the company’s Web site.

Duke Energy is a diversified energy company with a portfolio of natural gas and electric businesses, both regulated and unregulated, which supply, deliver and process energy for customers in North America and selected international markets. In 2004, Duke Energy celebrates a century of service with the 100th anniversary of its electric utility Duke Power. 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.

Contact:	Peter Sheffield
Phone:	704/373-4503
24-Hour Phone:	704/382-8333
e-mail:	pvsheffield@duke-energy.com