CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) and The National Theater for Children will begin this month presenting $1,000 checks to schools in North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio whose students, along with their families, completed home energy surveys and received energy efficiency starter kits as part of the company's Energy Education in Schools program.

The schools receiving cash awards include:

South Graham Elementary School, Graham, N.C.
Long Shoals Wesleyan School, Lincolnton, N.C.
St. Joseph's Consolidated School, Hamilton, Ohio
Mason Early Childhood, Mason, Ohio
Indian Land Elementary, Indian Land, S.C.
Horizons Christian Academy, Chester, S.C.

(Logo: [ http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040414/DUKEENERGYLOGO ] )

Duke Energy partnered with The National Theater for Children in 2011 to begin offering an in-school program that teaches core educational concepts about energy, resources, and how and why students should consider using energy wisely.

The centerpiece of the curriculum is a live theatrical production delivered by professional actors to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

"Children are sponges for new information, so it's important to teach them now some tips and tricks for using energy more wisely," said Gayle Lanier, Duke Energy senior vice president and chief customer officer." The energy-saving behaviors they learn today will become actions they will continue throughout their lives."

Every student receives a workbook of project-based assignments, including take-home work designed to engage parents. Parents are encouraged to participate by ordering a free energy efficiency starter kit that includes a variety of devices that immediately begin saving energy once installed. The kits are provided at no cost to all households whether or not they are served by Duke Energy. More than 60,000 kits were distributed during the 2011- 2012 school year.

Schools receiving awards this month were those with the highest total number and highest percentage of students whose families completed and returned the home energy surveys.

Duke Energy estimates that the energy-saving behaviors learned and implemented at the students' homes helped save enough energy to power more than 500 residential homes.

"Sustained energy efficiency is our ultimate goal. Helping our customers take control of their energy usage can help delay the need for new power plants and reduce our use of fossil fuels," Lanier said.

The National Theater for Children's program – "The Energized Guys" – features a cast of characters including Dr. Maybe, an energy villain; Cape Code and Tech Guy, energy-wise guys; and Nikki Neutron, an energy hero.

Nearly 500,000 students at 900 schools in North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio saw a performance during the 2011- 2012 school year.

Schools in North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio that are served by Duke Energy are eligible to participate in this free program. Programs are available to students in kindergarten through eighth grade and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to schedule a performance call 800-858-3999, Ext. 1.

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 at: [ www.duke-energy.com ].

CONTACT:	Paige Layne
24-Hour:	800-559-3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

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Duke Energy and the National Theater for Children present area schools cash awards for participating in energy efficiency progr

Duke Energy and the National Theater for Children present area schools cash awards for participating in energy efficiency programs