Progress Energy Investigates Energy Theft; Recovers More Than $2.8 Million

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (January 17, 2005) -- Progress Energy Florida recovered more than $2.8 million from customers who stole electricity in 2004.

"Stealing electricity is just like stealing any other product," said Willette Morman-Perry, director of customer service for Progress Energy Florida. "While most of our customers pay what they owe, there are some who think they can get away with stealing energy."

Energy theft can be a felony under state law depending on the amount stolen. Last year in Florida, the company completed 4,353 investigations in which theft was determined to have occurred. The amount recovered in 2004 was slightly up from 2003.

"We aggressively investigate cases of energy theft, recover as much lost revenue as possible, and when appropriate press criminal charges," Morman-Perry added. "At the same time, our energy theft program benefits our customers by identifying and removing fraudulent and potentially unsafe devices that are used to steal electricity."

To report energy theft, please call Progress Energy's toll-free customer service line at 1-800-700-8744. You can remain anonymous.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.5 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing over 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at: http://www.progress-energy.com.

Source: Progress Energy