The Progress Energy Foundation invested more than $1.6 million in grants to universities and community colleges throughout its service territory in 2007 to support energy research and workforce development.

"Progress Energy is a strong supporter of education," said Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas. "We are extremely proud of our partnership with many of the outstanding universities and community colleges in our company's service area. Our support of education is an investment in the future and reflects our commitment to workforce development, and the research and development of energy efficiency programs and renewable and alternative energy sources."

N.C.State University in Raleigh received grants from Progress Energy for the school's college of engineering to support workforce development and to promote undergraduate research in energy in such projects as energy storage, plug-in hybrid projects, power transmission, energy distribution, energy efficiency and nuclear generation. A grant also was provided to N.C. State for the N.C. Solar Center K-12 Outreach, to support a hybrid electric vehicle challenge.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received a grant from Progress Energy in support of UNC's Institute for the Environment. The grant supports graduate studies in conservation, alternative energy research, and examining policies and strategies to ensure a reliable and environmentally sustainable supply of energy.

N.C.A&T State University in Greensboro received a grant from Progress Energy for the school's college of engineering to support workforce development. The company also provided grants to several community colleges in North Carolina and to the N.C. Community College Foundation in support of the Power Careers Program, which provides extensive on-the-job training and cross training for future workers at community colleges across the state.

"At Progress Energy, we are committed to meeting the growing energy demand of our customers and to making sure electricity remains available, reliable, affordable and is produced in an environmentally sound manner," Yates said. "A balanced solution to meeting future energy needs is critical. That balance includes a strong commitment to energy efficiency, investments in emerging alternative and renewable energy technologies, and investments in state-of-the art power plants -- improving our current plants and planning to build those that are needed to secure our energy future. Through our investments in education, we are looking to today's students to help us provide those energy solutions."

Among the other universities receiving grants from Progress Energy in 2007 were the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida and the Central Florida Community College.