Duke Energy : Foundation provides $100,000 in financial assistance to support communities rebuilding after storm causes significant damage

• Hardest hit areas include Goshen and surrounding areas in Clermont County.

• Restoration efforts in these areas expected to last throughout the weekend.

CINCINNATI - As Duke Energy crews continue working to restore the remaining 10,000 customers without power in the Cincinnati region, the company announced today $100,000 to support the hardest-hit areas around Goshen, where an EF2 tornado has been confirmed.

"The damage we've seen throughout the region and especially in Clermont County is devastating," said Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. "While our crews are working day and night to restore power, we know this is only the first part of the rebuilding process. Today, we are increasing our support in the hardest-hit areas through Foundation grants, which will help these communities start to recover."

The grants, which total $100,000, will be distributed to the following organizations that will assist with disaster recovery and support those displaced by the storm:

• The American Red Cross, Central & Southern Ohio
  
• Clermont Seniors
  
• Goshen Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association
  
• Goshen Lion's Club
  
• Matthew25 Ministries
  
• Miami Township Police Association
  
• Team Rubicon

"Taking care of our neighbors in need has always been an important focus of the Lions Club of Goshen," said Andy Evans, president, Lions Club of Goshen. "With Duke Energy's generous support, we're able to fast track relief for many displaced residents from the recent storms. It's reassuring to have a partner like Duke Energy to help our communities recover from these devastating natural disasters."

Damage from Wednesday's intense storms caused approximately 104,000 power outages within the company's Ohio and Kentucky service areas. The majority of customers should anticipate their power being restored today. Damage in the Goshen area will require much of the electric system to be rebuilt, pushing restoration into Sunday.

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 880,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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