Duke Energy Corporation - DUK STOCK NEWS

Duke Energy Florida has allocated over $545,000 in economic development grants to 26 organizations in Florida, supporting local initiatives to enhance economic growth. The funding, provided by the Duke Energy Foundation, aims to strengthen community businesses and quality of life. Notable recipients include the University of Central Florida Research Foundation and the Pasco Economic Development Council. Since 2013, Duke Energy has contributed nearly $3 million to similar causes, illustrating its commitment to fostering vibrant economies in the state.

Duke Energy has committed an additional $200,000 to assist Indiana customers struggling with energy bills, allowing qualifying households to receive up to $300 annually. This assistance is part of the Share the Light Fund, which has already aided nearly 1,700 households with over $378,000 in support this year. The company encourages customers to apply for the Indiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which opened on Oct. 3. Various tools, such as Budget Billing and installment plans, are available to help manage costs.

Duke Energy is allocating $600,000 to assist Florida residents struggling with higher living costs, complementing a previous $100,000 donation. This funding will support ten local assistance programs, including 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares and Heart of Florida United Way, providing help for utility bills, housing, and food. The company emphasizes its commitment to aiding customers during economic hardship, with a focus on community collaboration to enhance relief efforts.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.005 per share on its common stock, payable on Dec. 16, 2022, to shareholders of record by Nov. 18, 2022. Additionally, a quarterly dividend of $359.375 per share on Series A preferred stock will also be distributed on the same date. This marks the 96th consecutive year of cash dividend payments by Duke Energy, underscoring its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Duke Energy's smart, self-healing technology successfully restored over 160,000 power outages during Hurricane Ian, saving nearly 3.3 million hours of lost outage time. The company emphasizes the importance of grid improvements for increased reliability and faster service restoration. With about 59% of Florida customers covered by this technology, the goal is to expand coverage to 80% in the coming years. Duke Energy's proactive measures allowed them to restore power to 1 million customers within three days of the storm, showcasing their commitment to storm preparedness and operational efficiency.

Piedmont Natural Gas warns customers of an expected increase in monthly natural gas bills by $30 to $35 this winter due to rising natural gas costs and cold temperatures. To assist with these upcoming changes, the company is providing resources, tips, and programs aimed at energy savings. Customers can utilize the Equal Payment Plan to manage their bills and receive information on utility assistance programs. Piedmont emphasizes its commitment to helping vulnerable customers manage increased heating costs and promotes energy-saving tools throughout the season.

Duke Energy Florida has donated $100,000 to assist customers in need, in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Rays. The contribution, which equates to $1,000 for each of the Rays' regular season wins, supports the Share the Light Fund. This program aids Florida residents with utility expenses, and Duke Energy matches donations up to $500,000. The initiative was highlighted by lighting Tropicana Field blue to raise awareness for financial assistance. Duke Energy, serving 1.9 million customers, is focused on community support and energy transition goals.

Duke Energy Florida has proposed a residential rate decrease of $1.90 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours starting January 2023, passing on $56 million in annual corporate tax savings to customers. This initiative stems from the changes in production tax credits due to the Inflation Reduction Act. Duke Energy serves 1.9 million customers across Florida and is committed to a clean energy transition with goals of net-zero methane emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Duke Energy's lineworkers excelled at the 38th International Lineman's Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, securing a total of 11 awards. Notable achievements include a first-place finish in the investor-owned utility division by a team from Eastern North Carolina and first place in the seniors division by a team from Ohio/Kentucky. The event highlighted the expertise and strategic skills of Duke's lineworkers in real-world scenarios, showcasing their commitment to safety and customer service as the company prepares for future technological advancements.