Progress Energy sponsors special exhibition at Museum of Natural Sciences

September 26, 2002 [updated 10/15/2002]
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Karen Kemp (919) 733-7450, ext. 304 or Marjorie Terry (919) 733-7450, ext. 305

(RALEIGH)—The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences today announced Progress Energy as the lead sponsor for the “Powers of Nature” traveling exhibition, which will be on view at the Museum from Oct. 19, 2002 to Feb. 16, 2003. A $225,000 gift from the Progress Energy Foundation fully funds the exhibition, as well as installation of a new permanent display, the Earth Bulletin.

"Time and again, Progress Energy sets the standard for corporate philanthropy in its support of educational programs and institutions," said Museum Director Betsy Bennett. "Progress Energy was among the first contributors to the new Museum exhibits, and helped lead the fund-raising campaign for our new facility. The company continues to nourish the Museum's efforts to bring top-quality natural science exhibitions and programs to North Carolina and I am very grateful for their consistent, generous support."

William Cavanaugh III, Chairman, President and CEO of Progress Energy, said that as a long-time supporter of the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Progress Energy Foundation recognizes the importance of the museum's featured and special exhibits to its visitors.

"We're proud to sponsor the "Powers of Nature" exhibit and glad we could help bring it to North Carolina, since it demonstrates weather phenomena that have greatly affected our state in the past," Cavanaugh said. "People of all ages will be fascinated by the hands-on displays and will come away with a better understanding of weather occurrences that they may have personally experienced, like an ice storm or a hurricane. The educational value of this exhibit is enormous."

In the 7,500-square-foot exhibition, visitors can see the science behind natural disasters-how natural forces unleash their fury, how experts predict natural events, and how we can protect ourselves. The exhibition, created by Philadelphia's Franklin Institute Science Museum, includes more than 50 interactive exhibits, video presentations and real artifacts. Admission to "Powers of Nature" is $5 for adults, $3 for children 4-11 and for seniors over 60. Admission is free for Friends of the Museum and children 3 and under.

Progress Energy's support also makes possible the installation of a permanent exhibit, the Earth Bulletin. The Earth Bulletin uses high-definition video footage, animations and graphics to explain the science behind recent climatic and tectonic events such as tornadoes, floods and volcanoes.

Created by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Earth Bulletin is displayed on a 42-inch plasma screen. Feature stories and information are updated several times a year. The Earth Bulletin will be installed this fall in conjunction with the "Powers of Nature" exhibition.

Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN) is a Fortune 250 diversified holding company headquartered in Raleigh. The company's diverse portfolio includes two major electric utility companies, CP&L and Florida Power, as well as NCNG, Progress Rail, Progress Telecom and Progress Ventures. These companies serve 2.9 million customers across the Southeast, providing electricity, natural gas, energy services and broadband capacity.

The Progress Energy Foundation was formed in November 2000 and partners with non-profits in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina to improve the lives of Progress Energy customers. Grants focus on education, the environment and economic development. During 2001, the foundation invested more than $7.6 million in the communities it serves. For more information about Progress Energy or the foundation, visit the company's Web site at http://www.progress-energy.com/.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.

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