Rohby Word Mitchell of Duke Energy

(NYSE: DUK) was recognized by the Houston Human Resource Management

Association (HHRMA) for her efforts in promoting and sharing information with

the group’s diversity committee.

Mitchell, manager of diversity and equal employment opportunity for Duke

Energy Gas Transmission, received the HHRMA’s Volunteer of the Year award for

her work in diversity that included facilitating a presentation by Awanda

Whitworth on Houston-area high school students’ views on race relations.

Whitworth is a diversity specialist and executive director of the Inter-Ethnic

Forum of Houston Inc.

It was Mitchell’s second award from HHRMA this year. She and Fred Fowler,

president of Energy Transmission for Duke Energy, were among executives from

five companies recognized by the association for diversity efforts within

their respective corporations. Other recipients were CMS Energy, Continental

Airlines, HEB Pantry and Liberty Mutual.

HHRMA, a 60-year-old, professional non-profit organization for the

advancement of human resources, has 2,000 members in the Houston area.

Mitchell, a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), has been a

member of HHRMA since 1990. For the second year, she is hosting the group’s

diversity meetings at Duke Energy’s primary Houston facility and is working

with the diversity committee to develop materials and resources to assist

companies in establishing programs.

Duke Energy Gas Transmission, based in Houston, manages 12,000 miles of

natural gas pipelines known as Texas Eastern Transmission Co., Algonquin Gas

Transmission Corp., East Tennessee Natural Gas Co. and with other partners,

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline. Together, these companies transport 8 percent

of the natural gas consumed in the United States.

Duke Energy, a diversified multinational energy company, creates value for

customers and shareholders through an integrated network of energy assets and

expertise. Duke Energy manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and

electric supply, delivery and trading businesses — generating revenues of

nearly $22 billion in 1999. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is

a Fortune 100 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol

DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at:

http://www.duke-energy.com.