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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001094093-05-000056.txt : 20050316
<SEC-HEADER>0001094093-05-000056.hdr.sgml : 20050316
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050316121743
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001094093-05-000056
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	10-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		13
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050316
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050316

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROGRESS ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001094093
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				562155481
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		10-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15929
		FILM NUMBER:		05684137

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		410 S WILMINGTON ST
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9195466463

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		410 S WILMINGTON ST
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CP&L ENERGY INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000314

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CP&L HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990830

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000017797
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				560165465
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		10-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03382
		FILM NUMBER:		05684138

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		411 FAYETTEVILLE ST
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9195466111
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>10-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>pei_2004form10k-.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PGN_PEC 2004 FORM 10-K
<TEXT>
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

 (Mark One)
      [ X ]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
                                       OR

      [   ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
                 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        For the transition period from to

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
                          Exact name of registrants as specified in their
Commission             charters, state of incorporation, address of principal         I.R.S. Employer
File Number                   executive offices, and telephone number              Identification Number

  1-15929                             Progress Energy, Inc.                            56-2155481
                                  410 South Wilmington Street
                               Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1748
                                   Telephone: (919) 546-6111
                             State of Incorporation: North Carolina



  1-3382                         Carolina Power & Light Company                        56-0165465
                             d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
                                  410 South Wilmington Street
                               Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1748
                                   Telephone: (919) 546-6111
                             State of Incorporation: North Carolina
</TABLE>

           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Title of each class                    Name of each exchange on which registered
Progress Energy, Inc.:
Common Stock (Without Par Value)       New York Stock Exchange


<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
Progress Energy, Inc.:                 None

Carolina Power & Light Company:        $100 par value Preferred Stock, Cumulative
                                       $100 par value Serial Preferred Stock, Cumulative
</TABLE>

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrants  (1) have  filed all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrants  were required to file such  reports),  and (2) have been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X . No .

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best  of  each  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in PART  III of this  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]

Indicate by check mark whether Progress Energy, Inc. is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes X . No .

Indicate by check mark whether  Carolina Power & Light Company is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes . No X .

                                       1
<PAGE>

As of June 30, 2004,  the  aggregate  market value of the voting and  non-voting
common   equity  of  Progress   Energy,   Inc.   held  by   non-affiliates   was
$10,653,481,488.  As of June 30, 2004, the aggregate  market value of the common
equity of Carolina Power & Light Company held by  non-affiliates  was $0. All of
the common stock of Carolina Power & Light Company is owned by Progress  Energy,
Inc.

As of March 4, 2005,  each  registrant had the following  shares of common stock
outstanding:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
        Registrant                          Description                   Shares
Progress Energy, Inc.              Common Stock (Without Par Value)     248,533,367
Carolina Power & Light Company     Common Stock (Without Par Value)     159,608,055
</TABLE>


                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Progress Energy and PEC definitive  proxy statements dated March
31, 2005 are incorporated into PART III, ITEMS 10, 11, 12 , 13 and 14 hereof.

This combined Form 10-K is filed separately by two registrants: Progress Energy,
Inc.  (Progress Energy) and Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy
Carolinas,   Inc.  (PEC).   Information  contained  herein  relating  to  either
individual registrant is filed by such registrant solely on its own behalf.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


                                     PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS

                                     PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS' COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

                                     PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

PROGRESS ENERGY, INC. RISK FACTORS

CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY RISK FACTORS

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following  abbreviations  or acronyms used in the text of this combined Form
10-K are defined below:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
            TERM                                   DEFINITION

401(k)                         Progress Energy 401(k) Savings and Stock Ownership Plan
AFUDC                          Allowance for funds used during construction
the Agreement                  Stipulation and Settlement Agreement related to retail rate matters
AHI                            Affordable housing investment
ARO                            Asset retirement obligation
Bcf                            Billion cubic feet
Broad River                    Broad River LLC's Broad River Facility
Btu                            British thermal unit
CAIR                           Clean Air Interstate Rule
Caronet                        Caronet, Inc.
CCO                            Competitive Commercial Operations business segment
CERCLA or Superfund            Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
                               1980, as amended
Code                           Internal Revenue Code
Colona                         Colona Synfuel Limited Partnership, LLLP
the Company                    Progress Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries
CP&L                           Carolina Power & Light Company
CP&L Energy                    CP&L Energy, Inc.
CR3                            Crystal River Unit No. 3
CVO                            Contingent value obligation
DOE                            United States Department of Energy
DWM                            North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of
                               Waste Management
ETS                            Engineering and Track-work
ECRC                           Environmental Cost Recovery Clause
EITF                           Emerging Issues Task Force
EMCs                           Electric Membership Cooperatives
ENCNG                          Eastern North Carolina Natural Gas Company, formerly referred to as
                               EasternNC
EPA of 1992                    Energy Policy Act of 1992
EPIK                           EPIK Communications, Inc.
ESOP                           Employee Stock Ownership Plan
FASB                           Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDEP                           Florida Department of Environment and Protection
FERC                           Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FIN No. 45                     Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 45,
                               "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees,
                               Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others"
FIN No. 46R                    FASB Interpretation No. 46R, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities -
                               an Interpretation of ARB No. 51"
Florida Progress or FPC        Florida Progress Corporation
FPSC                           Florida Public Service Commission
Fuels                          Fuels business segment
Funding Corp.                  Florida Progress Funding Corporation
GAAP                           Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America
Genco                          Progress Genco Ventures LLC
Georgia Power                  Georgia Power Company
Global                         U.S. Global LLC
Harris Plant                   Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant
the holding company            Progress Energy Corporate
Interpath                      Interpath Communications, Inc.
IBEW                           International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
IRS                            Internal Revenue Service
ISO                            Independent System Operator

                                       4
<PAGE>

Jackson                        Jackson Electric Membership Corporation
kV                             Kilovolt
kVA                            Kilovolt-ampere
LIBOR                          London Inter Bank Offering Rate
LRS                            Locomotive and Railcar Services
LSEs                           Load-serving entities
MACT                           Maximum Achievable Control Technology
MDC                            Maximum Dependable Capability
Medicare Act                   Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003
MGP                            Manufactured Gas Plant
MW                             Megawatt
MWh                            Megawatt-hour
NC Clean Air                   North Carolina Clean Smokestacks Act enacted in June 2002
NCNG                           North Carolina Natural Gas Corporation
NCUC                           North Carolina Utilities Commission
NDE                            Nondestructive Examination
NEIL                           Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited
NOx                            Nitrogen Oxide
NOx SIP Call                   EPA rule which requires 22 states including North and South Carolina to
                               further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
NRC                            United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Waste Act              Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
O&M                            Operations & Maintenance Expense
Odyssey                        Odyssey Telecorp, Inc.
OPEB                           Postretirement benefits other than pensions
P11                            Intercession Unit P11
PCH                            Progress Capital Holdings, Inc.
PEC                            Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
PEC Electric                   PEC Electric business segment made up of the utility operations and
                               excludes operations of nonregulated subsidiaries
PEF                            Progress Energy Florida
PESC                           Progress Energy Service Company, LLC
PFA                            IRS Prefiling Agreement
the Plan                       Revenue Sharing Incentive Plan
PLR                            Private Letter Ruling
Power Agency                   North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Preferred Securities           FPC-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of FPC Capital I
Progress Energy                Progress Energy, Inc.
Progress Fuels                 Progress Fuels Corporation, formerly Electric Fuels Corporation
Progress Rail                  Progress Rail Services Corporation
Progress Ventures              Business unit of Progress Energy primarily made up of nonregulated energy
                               generation and marketing activities, as well as gas, coal and synthetic
                               fuel operations
PRP                            Potentially responsible party, as defined in CERCLA
PSSP                           Performance Share Sub-Plan
PTC                            Progress Telecommunications Corporation
PT LLC                         Progress Telecom, LLC
PUHCA                          Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended
PURPA                          Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
PVI                            Progress Energy Ventures, Inc. (formerly referred to as CPL Energy
                               Ventures, Inc.)
PWR                            Pressurized water reactor
QF                             Qualifying facility
Rail Services                  Rail Services business segment
RCA                            Revolving credit agreement
Rockport                       Indiana Michigan Power Company's Rockport Unit No. 2
Robinson                       PEC's Robinson Nuclear Plant
ROE                            Return on Equity
RSA                            Restricted Stock Awards program
RTO                            Regional Transmission Organization

                                       5
<PAGE>

SCPSC                          Public Service Commission of South Carolina
SEC                            U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Section 29                     Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Service Code
(See Note/s "#")               For all Sections, except the Carolina Power & Light Company Financial
                               Statements in Part II, Item 8, this is a reference to the Notes in the
                               Progress Energy Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8
Service Company                Progress Energy Service Company, LLC
SFAS                           Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
SFAS No. 5                     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, "Accounting for
                               Contingencies"
SFAS No. 71                    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the
                               Effects of Certain Types of Regulation"
SFAS No. 87                    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, "Employers' Accounting
                               for Pensions"
SFAS No. 109                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
                               Taxes"
SFAS No. 121                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
                               Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed
                               Of"
SFAS No. 123                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for
                               Stock-Based Compensation"
SFAS No. 123R                  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, "Accounting for
                               Stock-Based Compensation"
SFAS No. 133                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for
                               Derivative and Hedging Activities"
SFAS No. 138                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 138, "Accounting for
                               Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - An
                               Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133"
SFAS No. 142                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
                               Intangible Assets"
SFAS No. 143                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
                               Retirement Obligations"
SFAS No. 144                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the
                               Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets"
SFAS No. 148                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, "Accounting for
                               Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - An Amendment of FASB
                               Statement No. 123"
SFAS No. 150                   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, "Accounting for
                               Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and
                               Equity"
SMD NOPR                       Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Docket No. RM01-12-000, Remedying Undue
                               Discrimination through Open Access Transmission and Standard Market Design
SO2                            Sulfur dioxide
SRS                            Strategic Resource Solutions Corp.
Tax Agreement                  Intercompany Income Tax Allocation Agreement
the Trust                      FPC Capital I
Winchester Energy              Winchester Energy Company, Ltd. (formerly Westchester Gas Company)
Winchester Production          Winchester Production Company, Ltd., an indirectly owned subsidiary of
                               Progress Fuels Corporation
</TABLE>

                                       6
<PAGE>


                   SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain  matters  discussed  throughout  this Form 10-K that are not  historical
facts are  forward-looking  and,  accordingly,  involve estimates,  projections,
goals, forecasts,  assumptions,  risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results  or  outcomes  to  differ   materially   from  those  expressed  in  the
forward-looking statements.

In addition,  examples of forward-looking statements discussed in this Form 10-K
include 1) PART II, ITEM 7,  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations"  including,  but not limited to, statements
under the  following  headings:  a) "Results  of  Operations"  about  trends and
uncertainties;  b) "Liquidity and Capital Resources" about operating cash flows,
estimated capital requirements through the year 2007 and future financing plans;
c) "Strategy" about Progress Energy,  Inc.'s,  strategy;  and d) "Other Matters"
about the  effects of new  environmental  regulations,  nuclear  decommissioning
costs  and  the  effect  of  electric  utility  industry  restructuring;  and 2)
statements made in the "Risk Factors" sections.

Any forward-looking  statement is based on information current as of the date of
this report and speaks only as of the date on which such  statement is made, and
neither Progress Energy, Inc., (the Company) nor Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC)
undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking  statement or statements
to reflect  events or  circumstances  after the date on which such  statement is
made.

Examples of factors that you should consider with respect to any forward-looking
statements made throughout  this document  include,  but are not limited to, the
following:  the impact of fluid and  complex  government  laws and  regulations,
including those relating to the  environment;  deregulation or  restructuring in
the electric  industry that may result in increased  competition and unrecovered
(stranded)  costs;  the ability of the Company to implement its cost  management
initiatives  as planned;  the  uncertainty  regarding  the timing,  creation and
structure  of  regional  transmission  organizations;  weather  conditions  that
directly influence the demand for electricity;  the Company's ability to recover
through the  regulatory  process,  and the timing of such recovery of, the costs
associated with the four hurricanes that impacted our service  territory in 2004
or other future significant weather events;  recurring seasonal  fluctuations in
demand for  electricity;  fluctuations  in the price of energy  commodities  and
purchased  power;  economic  fluctuations  and the  corresponding  impact on the
Company and its subsidiaries'  commercial and industrial customers;  the ability
of the Company's  subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or distributions to it;
the impact on the  facilities and the businesses of the Company from a terrorist
attack; the inherent risks associated with the operation of nuclear  facilities,
including environmental,  health, regulatory and financial risks; the ability to
successfully  access  capital  markets  on  favorable  terms;  the impact on the
Company's  financial  condition and ability to meet its cash and other financial
obligations  in the event its credit  ratings are  downgraded  below  investment
grade;  the impact that  increases  in  leverage  may have on the  Company;  the
ability of the Company to maintain  its current  credit  ratings;  the impact of
derivative  contracts  used in the normal  course of  business  by the  Company;
investment  performance of pension and benefit plans;  the Company's  ability to
control  costs,  including  pension  and benefit  expense,  and achieve its cost
management  targets for 2007; the  availability and use of Internal Revenue Code
Section  29  (Section  29) tax  credits  by  synthetic  fuel  producers  and the
Company's  continued  ability to use Section 29 tax credits  related to its coal
and synthetic fuel businesses;  the impact to the Company's  financial condition
and  performance  in the event it is  determined  the Company is not entitled to
previously  taken  Section  29 tax  credits;  the  impact of  future  accounting
pronouncements  regarding  uncertain  tax  positions;  the outcome of PEF's rate
proceeding  in 2005  regarding its future base rates;  the Company's  ability to
manage  the  risks  involved  with the  operation  of its  nonregulated  plants,
including  dependence on third parties and related  counter-party  risks,  and a
lack of operating history;  the Company's ability to manage the risks associated
with its energy  marketing  operations;  the  outcome  of any  ongoing or future
litigation  or similar  disputes  and the impact of any such  outcome or related
settlements;  and  unanticipated  changes  in  operating  expenses  and  capital
expenditures. Many of these risks similarly impact the Company's subsidiaries.

These and other risk factors are detailed from time to time in the Company's and
PEC's filings with the United States  Securities and Exchange  Commission (SEC).
Many,  but not all, of the factors that may impact actual  results are discussed
in the "Risk  Factors"  sections of this report.  You should  carefully read the
"Risk  Factors"  sections of this  report.  All such  factors are  difficult  to
predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and may
be beyond the control of Progress  Energy and PEC. New factors  emerge from time
to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors,  nor
can it assess the effect of each such factor on Progress Energy and PEC.

                                       7
<PAGE>


PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

COMPANY

Progress  Energy,   Inc.  (Progress  Energy  or  the  Company,   which  includes
consolidated  subsidiaries  unless otherwise  indicated) is a registered holding
company under the Public Utility  Holding  Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and is an
integrated  energy company  located  principally in the southeast  region of the
United  States.  The Company is subject to the  regulatory  provisions of PUHCA.
Progress  Energy was  incorporated on August 19, 1999. The Company was initially
formed as CP&L Energy, Inc. (CP&L Energy),  which became the holding company for
Carolina  Power & Light  Company  (CP&L) on June 19, 2000.  All shares of common
stock of CP&L were exchanged for an equal number of shares of CP&L Energy common
stock.

Effective  January  1,  2003,  CP&L,  Florida  Power  Corporation  and  Progress
Ventures,  Inc.,  (PVI) began doing  business  under the names  Progress  Energy
Carolinas,  Inc. (PEC),  Progress Energy Florida, Inc. (PEF) and Progress Energy
Ventures, Inc. (PVI),  respectively.  The legal names of these entities have not
changed and there was no restructuring of any kind related to the name change.

Through its wholly owned regulated subsidiaries, PEC and PEF, Progress Energy is
primarily  engaged in the  generation,  transmission,  distribution  and sale of
electricity  in portions of North  Carolina,  South  Carolina and  Florida.  The
Progress  Ventures  business unit consists of the Fuels business segment (Fuels)
and  Competitive  Commercial  Operations  (CCO)  operating  segments.   Progress
Energy's legal structure is not currently aligned with the functional management
and financial  reporting of the Progress  Ventures business unit.  Whether,  and
when, the legal and functional structures will converge depends upon legislative
and  regulatory  action,  which  cannot  currently be  anticipated.  Through its
Competitive  Commercial  Operations (CCO) business  segment,  Progress Energy is
involved in nonregulated  electricity generation  operations.  Through its Fuels
business  segment  (Fuels),  Progress Energy is involved in natural gas drilling
and production,  coal terminal services, coal mining, synthetic fuel production,
fuel  transportation  and  delivery.  Both CCO and Fuels are involved in limited
energy and  commodity  economic  hedging  activities.  Through its Rail Services
business  segment (Rail  Services),  Progress Energy engages in various rail and
railcar-related  services. In February 2005, Progress Energy signed a definitive
agreement to sell its Progress Rail subsidiary for a sales price of $405 million
(See Note 24). The Corporate and Other  Businesses  segment  primarily  includes
Service Company activities,  miscellaneous  nonregulated  activities and holding
company operations.  For information  regarding the revenues,  income and assets
attributable  to the Company's  business  segments,  See Note 20 to the Progress
Energy Consolidated Financial Statements in PART II, ITEM 8.

The Company  has  approximately  24,000  megawatts  (MW) of electric  generation
capacity  and serves  approximately  2.9 million  retail  electric  customers in
portions of North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and Florida and also serves other
load-serving  entities.  PEC's and PEF's  customer  base and  demand  cycles are
complementary. Historically, PEC normally has a summer peaking demand, while PEF
normally has a winter peaking demand. In addition,  PEC's greater  proportion of
commercial and industrial  customers,  combined with PEF's greater proportion of
residential  customers,  creates  a  balanced  customer  base.  The  Company  is
dedicated to expanding the Company's electric generation capacity and delivering
reliable, competitively priced energy.

Progress Energy revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004, were $9.8 billion
and assets at year-end were $26.0 billion.  Its principal  executive offices are
located at 410 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, telephone
number (919) 546-6111.  The Progress Energy home page on the Internet is located
at  http://www.progress-energy.com,  the contents of which are not and shall not
be deemed a part of this  document  or any other U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  (SEC) filing.  The Company makes available free of charge on its Web
site its annual  report on Form 10-K,  quarterly  reports on Form 10-Q,  current
reports on Form 8-K and all  amendments  to those  reports as soon as reasonably
practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the
SEC.

                                       8
<PAGE>

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

Sale of Natural Gas Assets

In December 2004, the Company sold certain gas-producing  properties and related
assets owned by Winchester Production Company, Ltd. (Winchester Production),  an
indirectly  owned  subsidiary of Progress Fuels  Corporation  (Progress  Fuels),
which is included in the Fuels  segment.  Net  proceeds  of  approximately  $251
million were used to reduce debt (See Note 4A).

2004 Hurricanes

Hurricanes Charley,  Frances, Ivan and Jeanne struck significant portions of the
Company's service  territories  during the third quarter of 2004,  significantly
impacting PEF's territory. As of December 31, 2004, restoration of the Company's
systems from  hurricane  related  damage was estimated at $398 million (See Note
3).

Divestiture of Synthetic Fuel Partnership Interests

In June 2004, the Company,  through its subsidiary  Progress Fuels, sold, in two
transactions,  a combined 49.8%  partnership  interest in Colona Synfuel Limited
Partnership,  LLLP,  one of its synthetic  fuel  facilities.  Substantially  all
proceeds  from the sales will be  received  over time,  which is typical of such
sales in the industry (See Note 4B).

Railcar Ltd., Divestiture

In March  2003,  the Company  signed a letter of intent to sell the  majority of
Railcar Ltd.  assets to The  Andersons,  Inc. The asset  purchase  agreement was
signed in November  2003, and the  transaction  closed on February 12, 2004. Net
proceeds of approximately $75 million were used to reduce debt (See Note 4C).

Progress Telecommunications Corporation Business Combination

In December 2003,  Progress  Telecommunications  Corporation  (PTC) and Caronet,
Inc.  (Caronet),  both wholly owned  subsidiaries of Progress  Energy,  and EPIK
Communications, Inc. (EPIK), a wholly owned subsidiary of Odyssey Telecorp, Inc.
(Odyssey), contributed substantially all of their assets and transferred certain
liabilities   to  Progress   Telecom,   LLC  (PT  LLC),  a  subsidiary  of  PTC.
Subsequently,  the stock of Caronet was sold to an  affiliate  of Odyssey for $2
million  in cash and  Caronet  became  a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Odyssey.
Following  consummation of all the transactions described above, PTC holds a 55%
ownership interest in and is the parent of PT LLC (See Note 5A).

Mesa Hydrocarbons, Inc. Divestiture

In October 2003, the Company sold certain gas-producing properties owned by Mesa
Hydrocarbons,  LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Progress Fuels. Net proceeds of
approximately $97 million were used to reduce debt (See Note 4D).

NCNG Divestiture

In September 2003, the Company  completed the sale of North Carolina Natural Gas
Corporation (NCNG) and the Company's equity investment in Eastern North Carolina
Natural Gas Company (ENCNG) to Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. As a result of
this action,  the operating  results of NCNG were  reclassified  to discontinued
operations  for all reportable  periods.  Net proceeds from the sale of NCNG and
ENCNG of approximately $443 million were used to reduce debt (See Note 4E).

Acquisition of Natural Gas Reserves

During 2003,  Progress Fuels entered into several  independent  transactions  to
acquire  approximately 200 natural  gas-producing  wells with proven reserves of
approximately 190 billion cubic feet (Bcf) from Republic Energy,  Inc. and three
other privately owned  companies,  all  headquartered  in Texas.  The total cash
purchase price for the  transactions  was  approximately  $168 million (See Note
5B).

                                       9
<PAGE>

Wholesale Energy Contract Acquisition

In May 2003, Progress Ventures,  Inc. (PVI) entered into a definitive  agreement
with  Williams  Energy  Marketing  and  Trading,  a  subsidiary  of The Williams
Companies, Inc., to acquire a long-term full-requirements power supply agreement
at fixed prices with Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (Jackson), for $188
million (See Note 5C).

Westchester Acquisition

In  April  2002,  Progress  Fuels  acquired  100%  of  Westchester  Gas  Company
(Westchester).  During 2004,  the name of the company was changed to  Winchester
Energy Co. Ltd., (Winchester Energy). The acquisition included approximately 215
natural  gas-producing  wells, 52 miles of intrastate gas pipeline and 170 miles
of gas-gathering  systems.  The aggregate  purchase price was approximately $153
million (See Note 5D).

Generation Acquisition

In February  2002,  PVI  acquired  100% of two electric  generating  projects in
Georgia from LG&E Energy  Corp.,  a subsidiary of Powergen plc. for a total cash
purchase price of approximately $348 million.  The transaction  included tolling
agreements and two power purchase  agreements with LG&E Energy  Marketing,  Inc.
(See Note 5E).

Florida Progress Acquisition

On November 30, 2000, the Company  completed its acquisition of Florida Progress
Corporation (FPC), a diversified,  exempt electric utility holding company,  for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $5.4 billion. The Company paid cash
consideration  of  approximately  $3.5 billion and issued 46.5 million shares of
common stock valued at  approximately  $1.9  billion.  In addition,  the Company
issued 98.6 million  contingent value obligations (CVOs) valued at approximately
$49 million.

The FPC  acquisition  was accounted for using the purchase  method of accounting
and,  accordingly,  the results of operations  for FPC have been included in the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition.

COMPETITION

GENERAL

In recent years,  the electric  utility  industry has  experienced a substantial
increase in competition at the wholesale level, caused by changes in federal law
and regulatory policy.  Several states have also decided to restructure  aspects
of retail electric service. The issue of retail restructuring and competition is
being  reviewed by a number of states,  and bills have been  introduced  in past
sessions of Congress that sought to introduce such restructuring in all states.

The 108th  Congress spent much of 2004 working on a  comprehensive  energy bill.
While  that  legislation  passed  the  House,  the  Senate  failed  to pass  the
legislation  in 2004.  The  Company  expects  that  there  will be an  effort to
resurrect the legislation in 2005. The legislation  would have further clarified
the Federal Energy Regulatory  Commission's (FERC) role with respect to Standard
Market Design and mandatory Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and would
have repealed PUHCA. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

As a result of the Public Utilities  Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) and
the  Energy  Policy  Act of 1992 (EPA of  1992),  competition  in the  wholesale
electricity market has greatly increased,  especially from nonutility generators
of electricity.  In 1996, the FERC issued new rules on  transmission  service to
facilitate  competition in the wholesale market on a nationwide basis. The rules
give greater flexibility and more choices to wholesale power customers.

To date, many states have adopted  legislation  that would give retail customers
the right to choose their electricity  provider (retail choice),  and most other
states have, in some form,  considered the issue. There is currently no proposed
legislation in North  Carolina,  South Carolina or Florida that would  introduce
retail choice.

Since passage of the EPA of 1992,  competition in the wholesale electric utility
industry  has  significantly   increased  due  to  a  greater  participation  by
traditional electricity suppliers, wholesale power marketers and brokers and due
to the trading of energy  futures  contracts on various  commodities  exchanges.

                                       10
<PAGE>

This increased competition could affect PEC and PEF's load forecasts,  plans for
power supply and wholesale energy sales and related  revenues.  The impact could
vary depending on the extent to which additional  generation is built to compete
in the wholesale market, new opportunities are created for PEC and PEF to expand
their  wholesale  load, or current  wholesale  customers  elect to purchase from
other suppliers after existing contracts expire.

An issue  encompassed  by industry  restructuring  is the  recovery of "stranded
costs."  Stranded costs  primarily  include the  generation  assets of utilities
whose value in a competitive  marketplace  would be less than their current book
value,  as  well as  above-market  purchased  power  commitments  to  qualifying
facilities  (QFs).   Thus  far,  all  states  that  have  passed   restructuring
legislation  have provided for the opportunity to recover a substantial  portion
of stranded costs. Assessing the amount of stranded costs for a utility requires
various  assumptions about future market conditions,  including the future price
of electricity.

In November 2003, the FERC adopted new standards of conduct that apply uniformly
to interstate  natural gas pipelines and public utilities.  These standards have
been clarified and supplemented by subsequent FERC orders.  The new standards of
conduct govern the relationship between transmission  providers and their energy
affiliates in a manner that  prevents  excessive  market power and  preferential
treatment.  Each  utility  was  required  to  submit  a plan  and  schedule  for
compliance with the new rules by February 2004. PEC and PEF have complied in all
material  respects with all of the requirements  associated with these standards
and FERC orders.

In April 2004, the FERC issued two orders concerning  utilities' ability to sell
wholesale  electricity  at  market-based  rates.  In the first  order,  the FERC
adopted two new interim screens for assessing potential  generation market power
of  applicants  for  wholesale  market-based  rates,  and  described  additional
analyses and  mitigation  measures that could be presented if an applicant  does
not pass one of these interim screens. In July 2004, the FERC issued an order on
rehearing affirming its conclusions in the April order. In the second order, the
FERC initiated a rulemaking to consider  whether the FERC's current  methodology
for  determining  whether a public  utility  should be allowed to sell wholesale
electricity at market-based  rates should be modified in any way.  Management is
unable to predict  the outcome of these  actions by the FERC or their  effect on
future results of operations and cash flows. PEF does not have market-based rate
authority for wholesale  sales in peninsular  Florida.  Given the difficulty PEC
believes it would  experience in passing one of the interim  screens,  on August
12,  2004,  PEC notified  the FERC that it would  revise its  Market-based  Rate
tariff  to  restrict  it to  sales  outside  PEC's  control  area and file a new
cost-based  tariff for sales within PEC's  control  area that  incorporates  the
FERC's default  cost-based rate methodologies for sales of one year or less. PEC
anticipates making this filing the first quarter of 2005.

On December 23, 2004, PEF advised the FERC that PEF only has  market-based  rate
authority in Southern  Company's  control area in Georgia.  PEF also advised the
FERC that PEF filed market power studies in 2003  demonstrating that it does not
have market power in that market and that because nothing has changed since that
study was performed, PEF should not have to perform the new tests.

Although the Company cannot predict the ultimate  outcome of these changes,  the
Company does not anticipate  that the current  operations of PEC or PEF would be
impacted  materially if they were unable to sell power at market-based  rates in
their respective control areas.

See  PART  I,  ITEM  1,  "Competition"  of  Electric-PEC  and  Electric-PEF  for
discussions of franchises as they relate to PEC and PEF.

See PART I, ITEM 1, "Competition,"  under  Electric-PEC,  Electric-PEF and Other
for further discussion of competitive developments within these segments.

PUHCA

As a result of the  acquisition  of FPC,  Progress  Energy  is now a  registered
holding  company  subject  to  regulation  by the SEC  under  PUHCA.  Therefore,
Progress Energy and its subsidiaries are subject to the regulatory provisions of
PUHCA,  including  provisions  relating to the  issuance of  securities,  sales,
acquisitions  of  securities  and utility  assets,  and  services  performed  by
Progress Energy Service Company, LLC.

While various proposals, including the 2004 energy bill, have been introduced in
Congress  regarding  PUHCA,  the prospects for legislative  reform or repeal are
uncertain at this time.

                                       11
<PAGE>

REGULATORY MATTERS

GENERAL

PEC is subject to regulation in North Carolina by the North  Carolina  Utilities
Commission  (NCUC),  and in South Carolina by the Public  Service  Commission of
South  Carolina  (SCPSC)  and PEF is  subject  to  regulation  in Florida by the
Florida  Public Service  Commission  (FPSC) with respect to, among other things,
rates and service for electric energy sold at retail,  retail service  territory
cost recovery of unusual or unexpected expense,  such as severe storm costs, and
issuances  of  securities.  PEC and PEF are also  subject to  regulation  by the
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In addition,  PEC and PEF are
subject to  regulation  by the FERC with  respect to  transmission  and sales of
wholesale power, accounting and certain other matters. The underlying concept of
utility ratemaking is to set rates at a level that allows the utility to collect
revenues equal to its cost of providing service,  including a reasonable rate of
return  on  its  equity.   Increased   competition   as  a  result  of  industry
restructuring may affect the ratemaking process.

NUCLEAR MATTERS

GENERAL

PEC owns and operates  four nuclear  generating  units and PEF owns and operates
one nuclear  generating unit regulated by the NRC under the Atomic Energy Act of
1954 and the Energy  Reorganization  Act of 1974. In the event of noncompliance,
the NRC has the authority to impose fines, set license  conditions,  shut down a
nuclear unit, or some combination of these, depending upon its assessment of the
severity of the  situation,  until  compliance  is achieved.  Nuclear  units are
periodically   removed  from  service  to  accommodate   normal   refueling  and
maintenance outages, repairs and certain other modifications.

The nuclear  power  industry  faces  uncertainties  with respect to the cost and
long-term  availability  of sites for  disposal of spent  nuclear fuel and other
radioactive waste,  compliance with changing  regulatory  requirements,  nuclear
plant operations, increased capital outlays for modifications, the technological
and financial  aspects of  decommissioning  plants at the end of their  licensed
lives and requirements relating to nuclear insurance.

On April 19, 2004, the NRC announced  that it has renewed the operating  license
for PEC's Robinson  Nuclear Plant  (Robinson) for an additional 20 years through
July 2030. The original operating license of 40 years was set to expire in 2010.
NRC  operating  licenses  held by PEC  currently  expire  in  December  2014 and
September  2016 for Brunswick  Units 2 and 1,  respectively.  An  application to
extend these  licenses 20 years was submitted in October 2004. The NRC operating
license  held  by PEC  for the  Shearon  Harris  Nuclear  Plant  (Harris  Plant)
currently  expires in October  2026.  An  application  to extend this license 20
years is expected to be submitted in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The NRC  operating  license  held by PEF for  Crystal  River  Unit  No.  3 (CR3)
currently  expires in December  2016. An  application  to extend this license 20
years is expected to be submitted in the first quarter of 2009.

A condition of the operating license for each unit requires an approved plan for
decontamination and decommissioning.

On February 27,  2004,  PEC  requested  to have its license for the  Independent
Spent Fuel Storage  Installation at the Robinson Plant extended by 20 years with
an exemption request for an additional 20-year extension. Its current license is
due to expire in August 2006.  PEC expects to receive this  extension  including
the exemption.

PRESSURIZED WATER REACTORS

In 2002, the NRC sent a bulletin to companies that hold licenses for pressurized
water reactors (PWRs) requiring  information on the structural  integrity of the
reactor  vessel  head and a basis  for  concluding  that the  vessel  head  will
continue to perform its function as a coolant pressure boundary.  Inspections of
the vessel heads at the Company's PWR plants had been performed  during previous
outages. At the Robinson and Harris Plants,  inspections were completed in 2001,
and  there  was no  degradation  of the  reactor  vessel  heads.  The  Company's
Brunswick  Plant  has a  different  design  and is not  affected  by the  issue.
Inspection of the vessel head at CR3 was performed during a previous outage, and
no degradation of the reactor vessel head was identified.

                                       12
<PAGE>

In 2002, the NRC issued an additional  bulletin dealing with head leakage due to
cracks  near the  control  rod  nozzles,  asking  licensees  to  commit  to high
inspection  standards to ensure the more susceptible  plants have no cracks. The
Robinson  Plant is in this  category  and had a  refueling  outage in 2002.  The
Company  completed  a  series  of  examinations  in 2002 of the  entire  reactor
pressure  vessel head and found no  indications  of control rod drive  mechanism
cracking and no corrosion of the head itself.  During the outage,  a walkdown of
the reactor coolant pressure  boundary was also completed,  and no corrosion was
found. The Robinson reactor head was re-inspected during its 2004 outage, and no
indication of control rod drive mechanism  cracking or corrosion of the head was
observed.  The head is scheduled for  replacement  in 2005.  The Harris Plant is
ranked in the lowest susceptibility classification. PEF replaced the vessel head
at CR3 during its regularly scheduled refueling outage in 2003.

In 2003, the NRC issued an order requiring  specific  inspections of the reactor
pressure  vessel head and  associated  penetration  nozzles at PWRs. The Company
responded,  stating that it intended to comply with the provisions of the order.
The NRC also issued a bulletin  requesting  PWR licensees to address  inspection
plans for reactor pressure vessel lower head penetrations. The Company completed
a bare metal visual  inspection of the vessel bottom at Robinson during its 2004
outage  and at Harris and CR3 during  their 2003  outages  and found no signs of
corrosion  or leakage at any unit.  The  Company  plans to do  additional,  more
detailed   inspections  as  part  of  the  next  scheduled  10-year   in-service
inspections.

In February 2004, the NRC issued a revised order for inspection requirements for
reactor  pressure  vessel  heads at PWRs.  The Company has reviewed the required
inspection  frequencies and has  incorporated  them into long-range  plans.  The
Harris Plant will  complete the required  nonvisual  nondestructive  examination
(NDE)  inspection prior to February 2008. Both CR3 and Robinson will be required
to inspect  their new heads within seven years or four  refueling  outages after
replacement.  CR3 plans to inspect  its new head  prior to the end of 2009,  and
Robinson will need to inspect its new head prior to the end of 2012.

SECURITY

The NRC has issued various  orders since  September 2001 with regard to security
at nuclear  plants.  These orders  include  additional  restrictions  on access,
increased security measures at nuclear  facilities and closer  coordination with
the Company's partners in intelligence,  military, law enforcement and emergency
response at the  federal,  state and local  levels.  The Company  completed  the
requirements as outlined in the orders by the committed dates. As the NRC, other
governmental  entities and the industry continue to consider security issues, it
is possible that more extensive security plans could be required.

SPENT FUEL AND OTHER HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (Nuclear  Waste Act) provides the framework
for  development  by the federal  government  of interim  storage and  permanent
disposal  facilities for high-level  radioactive  waste  materials.  The Nuclear
Waste Act promotes  increased  usage of interim storage of spent nuclear fuel at
existing nuclear plants.  The Company will continue to maximize the use of spent
fuel storage capability within its own facilities for as long as feasible.

With certain  modifications  and additional  approval by the NRC,  including the
installation  of onsite dry storage  facilities at Robinson (2005) and Brunswick
(2010),  PEC's spent  nuclear  fuel storage  facilities  will be  sufficient  to
provide  storage  space for spent fuel  generated  on PEC's  system  through the
expiration of the current operating licenses for all of PEC's nuclear generating
units.

With certain  modifications  and additional  approval by the NRC,  including the
installation  of onsite dry storage  facilities at PEF's  nuclear unit,  Crystal
River Unit No. 3 (CR3),  PEF's spent  nuclear  fuel storage  facilities  will be
sufficient  to provide  storage  space for spent fuel  generated on PEF's system
through the expiration of the operating license for CR3.

See Note 23E and Note 18D to the PGN and PEC Consolidated  Financial Statements,
respectively,  for  a  discussion  of  the  Company's  contract  with  the  U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) for spent nuclear waste.

DECOMMISSIONING

In PEC's and PEF's retail jurisdictions,  provisions for nuclear decommissioning
costs  are  approved  by the  NCUC,  the  SCPSC  and the FPSC  and are  based on
site-specific  estimates  that include the costs for removal of all  radioactive
and other structures at the site. In the wholesale jurisdiction,  the provisions
for nuclear  decommissioning  costs are approved by the FERC.  See Note 6D for a
discussion of PEC and PEF's nuclear decommissioning costs.

                                       13
<PAGE>

ENVIRONMENTAL

In the areas of air quality,  water  quality,  control of toxic  substances  and
hazardous  and solid  wastes and other  environmental  matters,  the  Company is
subject to  regulation  by various  federal,  state and local  authorities.  The
Company   considers   itself  to  be  in  substantial   compliance   with  those
environmental  regulations  currently  applicable to its business and operations
and  believes  it  has  all  necessary   permits  to  conduct  such  operations.
Environmental  laws and regulations  constantly evolve and the ultimate costs of
compliance  cannot always be accurately  estimated.  The estimated capital costs
associated with  compliance  with pollution  control laws and regulations at the
Company's existing fossil facilities that the Company expects to incur from 2005
through 2007 are included in the "Capital Expenditures"  discussion for Progress
Energy under PART II, ITEM 7, "Liquidity and Capital Resources."

The provisions of the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and
Liability  Act of 1980,  as amended  (CERCLA),  authorize the EPA to require the
cleanup of hazardous  waste sites.  This statute imposes  retroactive  joint and
several  liabilities.  Some states,  including  North and South  Carolina,  have
similar  types of  legislation.  Both  electric  utilities,  Progress  Fuels and
Progress Rail Services Corporation  (Progress Rail) are periodically notified by
regulators  such as the EPA and various state  agencies of their  involvement or
potential   involvement   in  sites  that  may  require   investigation   and/or
remediation.

There are presently several sites, including manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites,
with  respect to which the  Company has been  notified by the EPA,  the State of
North  Carolina  or the  State  of  Florida  of its  potential  liability,  as a
potentially  responsible  party (PRP).  Although the Company's  subsidiaries may
incur  costs at the sites about  which they have been  notified,  based upon the
current status of these sites, the Company cannot determine the total costs that
may be incurred  in  connection  with all sites at this time.  See Note 22 for a
discussion of the Company's environmental matters.

EMPLOYEES

As  of  February  28,  2005,  Progress  Energy  and  its  subsidiaries  employed
approximately  15,700 full-time  employees.  Of this total,  approximately 2,400
employees at PEF are represented by the International  Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers  (IBEW).  The  three-year  labor  contract with IBEW expires in December
2005.

The Company and some of its subsidiaries have a noncontributory  defined benefit
retirement  (pension)  plan for  substantially  all  full-time  employees and an
employee stock purchase plan among other employee benefits. The Company and some
of its subsidiaries also provide contributory postretirement benefits, including
certain health care and life insurance  benefits,  for substantially all retired
employees.

On  February  28,  2005,  as  part of a  previously  announced  cost  management
initiative,   the  executive  officers  of  the  Company  approved  a  workforce
restructuring. The restructuring will result in a reduction of approximately 450
positions  and is expected to be completed in September of 2005.  In addition to
the workforce restructuring, the cost management initiative includes a voluntary
enhanced retirement program. See Note 24 for more information.

As of February 28, 2005, PEC employed approximately 5,100 full-time employees.

ELECTRIC - PEC

GENERAL

PEC is a public service  corporation  formed under the laws of North Carolina in
1926 and is primarily engaged in the generation, transmission,  distribution and
sale of  electricity  in portions of North and South  Carolina.  At December 31,
2004,  PEC had a total  summer  generating  capacity  (including  jointly  owned
capacity) of approximately 12,482 MW.

PEC  distributes  and  sells  electricity  in 56 of the 100  counties  in  North
Carolina and 14 counties in northeastern  South Carolina.  The service territory
covers approximately 34,000 square miles, including a substantial portion of the
coastal  plain of North  Carolina  extending to the Atlantic  coast  between the
Pamlico River and the South Carolina border, the lower Piedmont section of North
Carolina,  an area in  northeastern  South Carolina and an area in western North
Carolina in and around the city of  Asheville.  At December  31,  2004,  PEC was

                                       14
<PAGE>

providing electric services,  retail and wholesale, to approximately 1.4 million
customers.  Major wholesale power sales customers include North Carolina Eastern
Municipal  Power Agency (Power  Agency) and North Carolina  Electric  Membership
Corporation.  PEC is subject to the rules and regulations of the FERC, the NCUC,
the SCPSC and the NRC. No single  customer  accounts  for more than 10% of PEC's
revenues.

BILLED ELECTRIC REVENUES

PEC's electric  revenues billed by customer class, for the last three years, are
shown as a percentage of total PEC electric revenues in the table below:

                            BILLED ELECTRIC REVENUES

          Revenue Class               2004           2003            2002
          Residential                  38%            36%             36%
          Commercial                   25%            24%             24%
          Industrial                   19%            18%             19%
          Wholesale                    16%            20%             19%
          Other retail                  2%             2%              2%

Major  industries in PEC's  service area include  textiles,  chemicals,  metals,
paper,  food,  rubber and plastics,  wood products and electronic  machinery and
equipment.

FUEL AND PURCHASED POWER

Sources of Generation

PEC's consumption of various types of fuel depends on several factors,  the most
important  of which are the  demand  for  electricity  by PEC's  customers,  the
availability of various  generating units, the availability and cost of fuel and
the  requirements of federal and state regulatory  agencies.  PEC's total system
generation  (including  jointly owned capacity) by primary energy source,  along
with  purchased  power for the last three years is  presented  in the  following
table:

                             ENERGY MIX PERCENTAGES

                                           2004        2003        2002
         Coal                               47%         46%         46%
         Nuclear                            43%         44%         42%
         Purchased power                     6%          7%          8%
         Oil/Gas                             3%          2%          3%
         Hydro                               1%          1%          1%

PEC is generally  permitted to pass the cost of fuel and purchased  power to its
customers   through  fuel  adjustment   clauses.   The  future  prices  for  and
availability  of various fuels discussed in this report cannot be predicted with
complete  certainty.  See "Commodity Price Risk" under Item 7A, QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE  DISCLOSURES  ABOUT  MARKET RISK and "Risk  Factors."  However,  PEC
believes that its fuel supply contracts, as described below, will be adequate to
meet its fuel supply needs.

PEC's  average fuel costs per million  British  thermal units (Btu) for the last
three years were as follows:

                                AVERAGE FUEL COST
                                (per million Btu)

                                            2004        2003        2002
         Coal                              $ 2.17      $ 2.00      $ 1.93
         Nuclear                             0.42        0.43        0.43
         Oil                                 6.78        6.69        5.48
         Gas                                 8.29        8.32        5.31
         Hydro                               -           -           -
         Weighted-average                    1.57        1.43        1.38

                                       15
<PAGE>

Changes  in the unit price for coal,  oil and gas are due to market  conditions.
Since these costs are primarily  recovered through recovery clauses  established
by regulators, fluctuations do not materially affect net income.

Coal

PEC anticipates a requirement of approximately 12.4 million to 13.0 million tons
of coal in 2005.  Almost all of the coal will be supplied from  Appalachian coal
sources in the United States and is primarily delivered by rail.

For 2005, PEC has short-term, intermediate and long-term agreements from various
sources for  approximately  102% of its burn requirements of its coal units. All
of these  contracts are at fixed prices  adjusted  annually.  The contracts have
expiration  dates ranging from 2005 to 2009. PEC will continue to sign contracts
of various  lengths,  terms and quality to meet its expected burn  requirements.
All the coal to be  purchased  for PEC is  considered  to be low sulfur  coal by
industry standards.

Nuclear

Nuclear fuel is processed through four distinct stages.  Stages I and II involve
the mining and  milling of the natural  uranium  ore to produce a uranium  oxide
concentrate and the conversion of this  concentrate  into uranium  hexafluoride.
Stages III and IV entail the  enrichment  of the  uranium  hexafluoride  and the
fabrication of the enriched uranium hexafluoride into usable fuel assemblies.

PEC has sufficient uranium, conversion,  enrichment and fabrication contracts to
meet its near-term nuclear fuel requirement  needs. PEC's nuclear fuel contracts
typically  have terms ranging from five to ten years.  For a discussion of PEC's
plans with respect to spent fuel storage, see PART I, ITEM 1, "Nuclear Matters."

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric  power is electric energy generated by the force of falling water.
PEC has three  hydroelectric  generating  plants licensed by the FERC:  Walters,
Tillery  and  Blewett.  PEC also owns the  Marshall  Plant,  which has a license
exemption.  The total maximum dependable  capacity for all four units is 218 MW.
PEC is seeking to  relicense  its  Tillery  and Blewett  Plants.  These  plants'
licenses  currently  expire in April 2008. The Walters Plant license will expire
in 2034.

Oil & Gas

Oil and natural gas supply for PEC's  generation  fleet is purchased  under term
and spot  contracts  from  several  suppliers.  The cost of PEC's oil and gas is
determined by market prices as reported in certain  industry  publications.  PEC
believes  that  it has  access  to an  adequate  supply  of oil  and gas for the
reasonably  foreseeable  future.  PEC's natural gas  transportation is purchased
under term firm  transportation  contracts with interstate  pipelines.  PEC also
purchases  capacity on a seasonal  basis from numerous  shippers for its peaking
load  requirements.  PEC believes that existing contracts for oil are sufficient
to cover its  requirements if natural gas is unavailable  during a normal winter
period for PEC's combustion turbine and combined cycle fleet.

Purchased Power

PEC purchased approximately 4.0 million MWh, 4.5 million MWh and 5.2 million MWh
of its system energy requirements during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively,  and
had available  1,498 MW, 1,810 MW and 1,737 MW of firm purchased  capacity under
contract at the time of peak load during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  PEC
may acquire  additional  purchased power capacity in the future to accommodate a
portion of its system load needs.

COMPETITION

Electric Industry Restructuring

PEC continues to monitor  developments  that may occur toward a more competitive
environment and actively  participates  in regulatory  reform  deliberations  in
North Carolina and South Carolina.  PEC expects that both the North Carolina and
South Carolina  General  Assemblies  will continue to monitor the experiences of
states that have implemented electric restructuring legislation.

                                       16
<PAGE>

Regional Transmission Organizations

In  October  2000,  as a result of Order  2000,  PEC,  along  with  Duke  Energy
Corporation and South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, filed an application with
the FERC for approval of a GridSouth RTO. In July 2001, the FERC issued an order
provisionally approving GridSouth. However, in July 2001, the FERC issued orders
recommending  that companies in the southeast engage in a mediation to develop a
plan for a single RTO for the Southeast.  PEC participated in the mediation.  On
December 22, 2004, the FERC, citing superseding events, voted to close a portion
of the  GridSouth  docket.  The GridSouth  Companies  asked the FERC for further
clarification as to the portions of the GridSouth docket it intended to address.
On March 2, 2005, the FERC affirmed that it only intended to close the mediation
portion of the GridSouth docket.

See Note 8D for additional discussion of current developments of GridSouth RTO.

Franchises

PEC has  nonexclusive  franchises with varying  expiration  dates in most of the
municipalities  in which it  distributes  electric  energy in North Carolina and
South  Carolina.  The general  effect of these  franchises is to provide for the
manner  in  which  PEC  occupies   rights-of-way   in   incorporated   areas  of
municipalities  for the purpose of  constructing,  operating and  maintaining an
energy transmission and distribution  system. Of these 239 franchises,  194 have
expiration  dates  ranging  from 2008 to 2061 and 45 of these  have no  specific
expiration  dates. All but 13 of the 194 franchises with expiration dates have a
term of sixty years.  The exceptions  include three franchises with terms of ten
years, one with a term of twenty years, six with terms of thirty years, two with
terms of forty years and one with a term of fifty years.  PEC also serves within
a  number  of  municipalities  and in all of its  unincorporated  areas  without
franchise agreements.

Wholesale Competition

See PART I, ITEM 1, "General,"  under  Competition for a discussion of wholesale
competition.

Stranded Costs

See PART I, ITEM 1,  "General,"  under  Competition for a discussion of stranded
costs.

REGULATORY MATTERS

General

PEC is subject to the  jurisdiction of the NCUC and SCPSC with respect to, among
other  things,  rates and service  for  electric  energy sold at retail,  retail
service  territory and issuances of securities.  In addition,  PEC is subject to
regulation  by the FERC with  respect  to  transmission  and sales of  wholesale
power,  accounting and certain other matters.  The underlying concept of utility
ratemaking  is to set  rates at a level  that  allows  the  utility  to  collect
revenues equal to its cost of providing service plus a reasonable rate of return
on its equity.  Increased competition as a result of industry  restructuring may
affect the ratemaking process.

Retail Rate Matters

The NCUC and the SCPSC  authorize  retail  "base  rates"  that are  designed  to
provide a utility with the  opportunity to earn a specific rate of return on its
"rate base," or investment in utility  plant.  These rates are intended to cover
all  reasonable  and  prudent  expenses  of  utility  operations  and to provide
investors  with a fair rate of return.  In PEC's most recent rate cases in 1988,
the NCUC and the SCPSC each authorized a return on equity of 12.75% for PEC.

The Clean  Smokestacks  Act  enacted  in North  Carolina  in 2002 (NC Clean Air)
freezes  PEC's base retail rates for five years  unless there are  extraordinary
events  beyond the  control of PEC,  in which case PEC can  petition  for a rate
increase.  See  Note 22 and  Note 8B to the PGN and PEC  Consolidated  Financial
Statements, respectively, for further discussion of PEC's rate freeze.

See Note 8B and Note 6B to the PGN and PEC  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,
respectively,  for further  discussion of PEC's retail rate developments  during
2004.

                                       17
<PAGE>

Wholesale Rate Matters

PEC is subject to regulation by the FERC with respect to rates for  transmission
and sale of electric energy at wholesale,  the  interconnection of facilities in
interstate commerce (other than interconnections for use in the event of certain
emergency  situations),  the licensing and operation of  hydroelectric  projects
and, to the extent the FERC determines,  accounting policies and practices.  PEC
and its wholesale customers last agreed to a general increase in wholesale rates
in 1988;  however,  wholesale  rates have been adjusted  since that time through
contractual negotiations.

See PART I, ITEM 1, "General," under Competition for further  discussion of FERC
screens for assessing generation market power.

Fuel Cost Recovery

PEC's  operating  costs not covered by the utility's base rates include fuel and
purchased power.  Each state commission  allows electric  utilities to recover a
certain  portion of these costs through  various cost recovery  clauses,  to the
extent the respective commission determines in an annual hearing that such costs
are prudent. Costs recovered by PEC, by state, are as follows:

o    North Carolina - fuel costs and the fuel portion of purchased power
o    South Carolina - fuel costs,  certain  purchased power costs,  and emission
     allowance expense

Each state  commission's  determination  results in the addition of a rider to a
utility's  base rates to reflect the  approval of these costs and to reflect any
past over- or under-recovery. Due to the regulatory treatment of these costs and
the method  allowed  for  recovery,  changes  from year to year have no material
impact on operating results.

NUCLEAR MATTERS

PEC is implementing  power uprate projects at its nuclear facilities to increase
electrical  generation  output. A power uprate was completed at the Harris Plant
during 2001 and at the Robinson  Nuclear Plant in 2002. At the Brunswick  Plant,
Unit 1 increased  its capacity by 52 MW in 2002 and by 66 MW in 2004.  Brunswick
Unit 2 increased its capacity by 89 MW in 2003,  and an  additional  increase is
planned for 2005.  The total  increased  generation  from all these  projects is
estimated to be approximately 300 MW. See PART I, ITEM 1, "Nuclear Matters," for
further discussion of these and other nuclear matters.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

In the areas of air quality,  water  quality,  control of toxic  substances  and
hazardous and solid wastes and other  environmental  matters,  PEC is subject to
regulation by various federal, state and local authorities. PEC considers itself
to be in substantial  compliance with those environmental  regulations currently
applicable  to its business  and  operations  and believes it has all  necessary
permits  to  conduct  such  operations.   Environmental   laws  and  regulations
constantly  evolve,  and the  ultimate  costs of  compliance  cannot  always  be
accurately  estimated.  The estimated  capital costs  associated with compliance
with  pollution  control  laws and  regulations  at the  PEC's  existing  fossil
facilities  that it expects to incur from 2005  through 2007 are included in the
"Capital Expenditures"  discussion under PART II, ITEM 7, "Liquidity and Capital
Resources."

The provisions of the Comprehensive  Environmental Response,  CERCLA,  authorize
the EPA to require the cleanup of hazardous  waste sites.  This statute  imposes
retroactive  joint and several  liabilities.  Some states,  including  North and
South  Carolina,  have similar types of  legislation.  There are presently  nine
former MGP sites and a number of other sites with  respect to which PEC has been
notified by the EPA or the State of North  Carolina of its potential  liability,
as a PRP.  Although  PEC may incur  costs at the sites  about  which it has been
notified, based upon the current status of these sites, PEC cannot determine the
total costs that may be incurred in connection  with all sites at this time. See
Notes  22  and  17  to  the  PGN  and  PEC  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,
respectively, for a discussion of PEC's environmental matters.

                                       18
<PAGE>

ELECTRIC - PEF

GENERAL

PEF,  incorporated in Florida in 1899, is an operating public utility engaged in
the generation, transmission,  distribution and sale of electricity. At December
31, 2004, PEF had a total summer generating  capacity  (including  jointly owned
capacity) of approximately 8,544 MW.

PEF provided electric service during 2004 to an average of 1.5 million customers
in west central  Florida.  Its service  territory  covers  approximately  20,000
square miles and includes the densely populated areas around Orlando, as well as
the cities of St.  Petersburg  and  Clearwater.  PEF is  interconnected  with 21
municipal and 9 rural electric cooperative systems.  Major wholesale power sales
customers include Seminole  Electric  Cooperative,  Inc.,  Florida Power & Light
Company,  Tampa Electric  Company and the City of Bartow.  PEF is subject to the
rules and  regulations  of the FERC,  the FPSC and the NRC.  No single  customer
accounts for more than 10% of PEF's revenues.

BILLED ELECTRIC REVENUES

PEF's electric revenues,  billed by customer class for the last three years, are
shown as a percentage of total PEF electric revenues in the table below:

                            BILLED ELECTRIC REVENUES

        Revenue Class               2004           2003            2002
        Residential                  53%            55%             55%
        Commercial                   25%            24%             24%
        Industrial                    8%             7%              7%
        Other retail                  6%             6%              6%
        Wholesale                     8%             8%              8%

Important  industries  in PEF's  territory  include  phosphate  rock  mining and
processing,  electronics  design  and  manufacturing,  and citrus and other food
processing.  Other  important  commercial  activities are tourism,  health care,
construction and agriculture.

FUEL AND PURCHASED POWER

Sources of Generation

PEF's consumption of various types of fuel depends on several factors,  the most
important  of which are the  demand  for  electricity  by PEF's  customers,  the
availability of various  generating units, the availability and cost of fuel and
the  requirements of federal and state regulatory  agencies.  PEF's total system
generation  (including  jointly owned capacity) by primary energy source,  along
with  purchased  power for the last three years is  presented  in the  following
table:

                             ENERGY MIX PERCENTAGES

        Fuel Type                   2004         2003          2002
        Coal (a)                     32%          36%           33%
        Oil                          16%          16%           16%
        Nuclear                      16%          14%           15%
        Gas                          16%          13%           15%
        Purchased Power              20%          21%           21%

        (a) Amounts include synthetic fuel from unrelated third parties.

PEF is generally  permitted to pass the cost of fuel and purchased  power to its
customers   through  fuel  adjustment   clauses.   The  future  prices  for  and
availability  of various fuels discussed in this report cannot be predicted with

                                       19
<PAGE>

complete  certainty.  See "Commodity Price Risk" under Item 7A, QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE  DISCLOSURES  ABOUT  MARKET RISK and "Risk  Factors."  However,  PEF
believes that its fuel supply contracts, as described below, will be adequate to
meet its fuel supply needs.

PEF's  average  fuel  costs per  million  Btu for the last  three  years were as
follows:

                                AVERAGE FUEL COST
                                (per million Btu)

                                       2004           2003            2002
        Coal (a)                     $ 2.30         $ 2.42          $ 2.43
        Oil                            4.67           4.38            3.77
        Nuclear                        0.49           0.50            0.46
        Gas                            6.41           5.98            4.06
        Weighted-average               3.21           3.07            2.60

        (a) Amounts include synthetic fuel from unrelated third parties.

Changes  in the unit price for coal,  oil and gas are due to market  conditions.
Since these costs are primarily  recovered through recovery clauses  established
by regulators, fluctuations do not materially affect net income.

Coal

PEF anticipates a combined  requirement of  approximately 6 million tons of coal
in  2005.  Approximately  70%  of the  coal  is  expected  to be  supplied  from
Appalachian coal sources in the United States and 30% supplied from coal sources
in South America.  Approximately  67% of the fuel is expected to be delivered by
rail and the remainder by barge. All of this fuel is supplied by Progress Fuels,
a subsidiary of Progress Energy,  pursuant to contracts between PEF and Progress
Fuels.

For 2005,  Progress Fuels has medium-term  and long-term  contracts with various
sources for  approximately  115% of the burn  requirements  of PEF's coal units.
Supply  disruption  caused by recent  hurricanes  has made it necessary to build
inventories back to the traditional level of 45 days. These contracts have price
adjustment  provisions  and have  expiration  dates  ranging  from 2005 to 2006.
Progress  Fuels will continue to sign  contracts of various  lengths,  terms and
quality to meet PEF's expected burn  requirements.  All the coal to be purchased
for PEF is considered to be low sulfur coal by industry standards.

Oil and Gas

Oil and natural gas supply for PEF's  generation  fleet is purchased  under term
and spot contracts from several suppliers. The majority of the cost of PEF's oil
and  gas is  determined  by  market  prices  as  reported  in  certain  industry
publications.  PEF believes that it has access to an adequate  supply of oil and
gas for the reasonably  foreseeable future.  PEF's natural gas transportation is
purchased under term firm  transportation  contracts with interstate  pipelines.
PEF purchases capacity on a seasonal basis from numerous shippers and interstate
pipelines to serve its peaking load  requirements.  PEF also uses  interruptible
transportation  contracts on certain occasions when available. PEF believes that
existing  contracts for oil are sufficient to cover its  requirements if natural
gas is unavailable during certain time periods.

Nuclear

Nuclear fuel is processed through four distinct stages.  Stages I and II involve
the mining and  milling of the natural  uranium  ore to produce a uranium  oxide
concentrate and the conversion of this  concentrate  into uranium  hexafluoride.
Stages III and IV entail the  enrichment  of the  uranium  hexafluoride  and the
fabrication of the enriched uranium hexafluoride into usable fuel assemblies.

PEF has sufficient uranium, conversion,  enrichment and fabrication contracts to
meet its near-term nuclear fuel requirements needs. PEF's nuclear fuel contracts
typically  have terms ranging from five to ten years.  For a discussion of PEF's
plans with respect to spent fuel storage, see PART I, ITEM I, "Nuclear Matters."

                                       20
<PAGE>

Purchased Power

PEF, along with other Florida  utilities,  buys and sells power in the wholesale
market on a short-term  and  long-term  basis.  At December 31, 2004,  PEF had a
variety of purchase power agreements for the purchase of approximately  1,498 MW
of firm power. These agreements include (1) long-term contracts for the purchase
of  about  484  MW of  purchased  power  with  other  investor-owned  utilities,
including a contract with The Southern Company for approximately 414 MW, and (2)
approximately  821 MW of capacity  under contract with certain QFs. The capacity
currently available from QFs represents about 9% of PEF's total installed system
capacity.

COMPETITION

Electric Industry Restructuring

PEF continues to monitor developments toward a more competitive  environment and
actively  participates in regulatory reform  deliberations in Florida.  Movement
toward  deregulation in this state has been affected by developments  related to
deregulation of the electric industry in other states.

In response to a legislative  directive,  the FPSC and the Florida Department of
Environment and Protection  (FDEP)  submitted in February 2003 a joint report on
renewable electric generating  technologies for Florida. The report assessed the
feasibility and potential  magnitude of renewable electric capacity for Florida,
and summarized the mechanisms  other states have adopted to encourage  renewable
energy.  The report did not  contain  any policy  recommendations.  The  Company
cannot anticipate when, or if,  restructuring  legislation will be enacted or if
the Company would be able to support it in its final form.

Regional Transmission Organizations

As a result of Order 2000, PEF, Florida Power & Light Company and Tampa Electric
Company  (collectively,  the Applicants)  filed with the FERC in October 2000 an
application  for  approval of a  GridFlorida  RTO. The  GridFlorida  proposal is
pending before both the FERC and the FPSC. The FERC  provisionally  approved the
structure and  governance of  GridFlorida.  In December  2003,  the FPSC ordered
further state proceedings and established a collaborative workshop process to be
conducted  during 2004. In June 2004,  the workshop  process was abated  pending
completion of a cost-benefit study currently scheduled to be presented at a FPSC
workshop on May 25, 2005,  with  subsequent  action by the FPSC to be thereafter
determined.  It is unknown when the FERC or the FPSC will take final action with
regard to the status of  GridFlorida  or what the impact of further  proceedings
will have on the  Company's  earnings,  revenues or  pricing.  See Note 8D for a
discussion of current developments of GridFlorida RTO.

Franchises

PEF holds franchises with varying  expiration dates in 108 of the municipalities
in which it distributes electric energy. PEF also serves 13 other municipalities
and in all its unincorporated  areas without franchise  agreements.  The general
purpose of these  franchises  is to provide for the manner in which PEF occupies
rights-of-way  in  incorporated  areas  of  municipalities  for the  purpose  of
constructing,  operating and maintaining an energy transmission and distribution
system.

Approximately  39% of  PEF's  total  utility  revenues  for 2004  were  from the
incorporated  areas  of the 108  municipalities  that had  franchise  ordinances
during the year. Since 2000, PEF has renewed 34 expiring  franchises and reached
agreement on a franchise with a city that did not  previously  have a franchise.
Franchises with five municipalities have expired without renewal.

All but 27 of the  existing  franchises  cover a  30-year  period  from the date
enacted.  The  exceptions  are 23  franchises,  each with a term of 10 years and
expiring  between 2005 and 2013; two franchises each with a term of 15 years and
expiring in 2017;  one 30-year  franchise  that was extended in 1999 for 5 years
expiring in 2005; and one franchise with a term of 20 years expiring in 2020. Of
the 108  franchises,  46 expire between  January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015,
and 62 expire between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2034.

Ongoing  negotiations  and,  in some  cases,  litigation  are taking  place with
certain  municipalities  to reach  agreement on franchise terms and to enact new
franchise ordinances.  See PART II, ITEM 7, "Other Matters," for a discussion of
PEF's franchise litigation.

                                       21
<PAGE>

Wholesale Competition

See PART I, ITEM 1, "General,"  under  Competition for a discussion of wholesale
competition.

Stranded Costs

The largest  stranded  cost  exposure for PEF is its  commitment to QFs. PEF has
taken a proactive approach to this industry issue. PEF continues to seek ways to
address the impact of  escalating  payments  from  contracts it was obligated to
sign under provisions of PURPA. See PART I, ITEM 1, "General," under Competition
for further discussion.

REGULATORY MATTERS

General

PEF is subject to the  jurisdiction  of the FPSC with  respect  to,  among other
things,  rates and service for electric  energy sold at retail,  retail  service
territory and issuances of securities. In addition, PEF is subject to regulation
by the  FERC  with  respect  to  transmission  and  sales  of  wholesale  power,
accounting  and  certain  other  matters.  The  underlying  concept  of  utility
ratemaking  is to set  rates at a level  that  allows  the  utility  to  collect
revenues equal to its cost of providing service plus a reasonable rate of return
on its equity.  Increased competition as a result of industry  restructuring may
affect the ratemaking process.

Retail Rate Matters

The FPSC  authorizes  retail "base rates" that are designed to provide a utility
with the  opportunity  to earn a specific  rate of return on its "rate base," or
average  investment  in utility  plant.  These  rates are  intended to cover all
reasonable and prudent expenses of utility  operations and to provide  investors
with a fair rate of return.

In March 2002,  the parties in PEF's rate case  entered into a  Stipulation  and
Settlement  Agreement  (the  Agreement)  related  to retail  rate  matters.  The
Agreement was approved by the FPSC and is generally  effective from May 1, 2002,
through  December 31, 2005. The Agreement  eliminates  the authorized  Return on
Equity  (ROE)  range  normally  used by the FPSC for the  purpose of  addressing
earning levels, provided, however, that if PEF's base rate earnings fall below a
10% return on equity,  PEF may  petition  the FPSC to amend its base rates.  The
Agreement is described in more detail in Note 8C.

In January  2005,  in  anticipation  of the  expiration  of the  Agreement,  PEF
notified  the FPSC that it intends to request  an  increase  in its base  rates,
effective  January 1, 2006.  In its notice,  PEF  requested  the FPSC to approve
calendar year 2006 as the projected test period for setting new base rates.  The
request  for  increased  base  rates is based  on the  fact  that PEF has  faced
significant  cost  increases  over the past decade and  expects its  operational
costs to continue to increase.  These costs  include the costs  associated  with
completion of the Hines 3 generation  facility,  extraordinary  hurricane damage
costs including capital costs which are not expected to be directly recoverable,
the need to replenish the depleted storm reserve and the expected infrastructure
investment  necessary  to meet  high  customer  expectations,  coupled  with the
demands placed on PEF as a result of strong customer  growth.  Related risks are
described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section.

Fuel and Other Cost Recovery

PEF's  operating  costs not covered by the  utility's  base rates  include fuel,
purchased power, energy conservation expenses and specific  environmental costs.
The state commission allows electric utilities to recover certain of these costs
through various cost recovery clauses,  to the extent the commission  determines
in an annual hearing that such costs are prudent. In addition, in December 2002,
the FPSC approved an  Environmental  Cost Recovery Clause (ECRC),  which permits
the  Company to recover  the costs of  specified  environmental  projects to the
extent  these  expenses  are found to be  prudent in an annual  hearing  and not
otherwise  included in base rates.  Costs are  recovered  through this  recovery
clause in the same manner as the other existing clause mechanisms.

The  FPSC's  annual  determination  results  in the  addition  of a  rider  to a
utility's  base rates to reflect the  approval of these costs and to reflect any
past over- or under-recovery. Due to the regulatory treatment of these costs and
the method  allowed  for  recovery,  changes  from year to year have no material
impact on operating results.

                                       22
<PAGE>

In  accordance  with a regulatory  order,  PEF accrues $6 million  annually to a
storm damage reserve and is allowed to defer losses in excess of the accumulated
reserve for major  storms.  Under the order,  the storm  reserve is charged with
operation and maintenance expenses related to storm restoration and with capital
expenditures  related to storm  restoration  that are in excess of  expenditures
assuming normal operating conditions.

As of December 31, 2004, $291 million of hurricane  restoration  costs in excess
of the previously recorded storm reserve of $47 million had been classified as a
regulatory  asset  recognizing  the probable  recoverability  of these costs. On
November 2, 2004,  PEF filed a petition with the FPSC to recover $252 million of
storm  costs plus  interest  from  retail  ratepayers  over a  two-year  period.
Hearings on PEF's  petition  for  recovery of $252  million of storm costs filed
with the FPSC are scheduled to begin on March 30, 2005 (See Note 3).

PEF's  January  2005 notice to the FPSC of its intent to file for an increase in
its base rates effective January 1, 2006,  anticipates the need to replenish the
depleted storm reserve balance and adjust the annual $6 million accrual in light
of recent  storm  history to restore  the  reserve to an  adequate  level over a
reasonable time period.

NUCLEAR MATTERS

In late 2002, CR3 received a license  amendment  authorizing a small power level
increase.  The power level increase of approximately  four MW was implemented in
February 2003.

See PART I, ITEM 1, "Nuclear Matters," for further discussion of these and other
nuclear matters.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

There are two former  MGP sites and other  sites  associated  with PEF that have
required or are anticipated to require  investigation  and/or remediation costs.
In addition,  there are distribution  substations and transformers that are also
anticipated to incur  investigation  and  remediation  costs.  At this time, PEF
cannot  determine  the total costs that may be incurred in  connection  with the
remediation  of  all  sites.  See  Note  22  for  further  discussion  of  these
environmental matters.

FUELS

The Fuels business  segment owns an array of assets that produce,  transport and
deliver  fuel and  provide  related  services  for the open  market.  The  Fuels
business segment has subsidiaries  that produce oil and gas products,  blend and
transload  coal, mine coal and produce a solid  coal-based  synthetic fuel. This
product has been classified as a synthetic fuel within the meaning of Section 29
of the Internal  Revenue  Service Code  (Section  29).  Sales of synthetic  fuel
therefore qualify for tax credits, as more fully described below.

The  current  combined  assets of Fuels that are  involved  in fuel  extraction,
manufacturing and delivery include:

o    Natural gas properties in Texas and Louisiana  producing  approximately  22
     Bcf equivalent per year;
o    Five terminals on the Ohio River and its tributaries, part of the trucking,
     rail and barge network for coal delivery;
o    Two active coal-mining complexes,  expected to produce approximately 3 to 5
     million tons per year:
o    Four wholly owned synthetic fuel entities,  a majority owned synthetic fuel
     entity and a minority  interest in one  synthetic  fuel entity,  capable of
     producing up to 16 million tons per year;
o    Majority-ownership  in a barge  partnership  that  transports coal products
     from the mouth of the Mississippi  River to PEF's Crystal River facility in
     Florida.

During 2003,  Progress Fuels acquired  approximately  200 natural  gas-producing
wells with proven reserves of approximately  190 Bcf from Republic Energy,  Inc.
and three other privately owned companies, all headquartered in Texas. The total
cash purchase price for the  transactions  was  approximately  $168 million (See
Note 5B).

In December 2004, the Company sold certain gas-producing  properties and related
assets owned by  Winchester  Production,  a wholly owned  subsidiary of Progress
Fuels Corporation (See Note 4A).

                                       23
<PAGE>

SYNTHETIC FUELS TAX CREDITS

The  Company  has  substantial  operations  associated  with the  production  of
coal-based  synthetic fuels. The production and sale of these products qualifies
for federal  income tax credits so long as certain  requirements  are satisfied.
These operations are subject to numerous risks.

Although the Company  believes that it operates its synthetic fuel facilities in
compliance with applicable legal requirements for claiming the credits, its four
Earthco  facilities are under audit by the IRS. IRS field auditors have taken an
adverse  position  with respect to the  Company's  compliance  with one of these
legal  requirements,  and if the Company  fails to prevail  with respect to this
position it could incur  significant  liability and/or lose the ability to claim
the  benefit  of tax  credits  carried  forward  or  generated  in  the  future.
Similarly,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board may issue new accounting
rules that would require that uncertain tax benefits  (such as those  associated
with the Earthco  plants) be probable of being sustained in order to be recorded
on the financial  statements;  if adopted,  this provision could have an adverse
financial impact on the Company.

The Company's  ability to utilize tax credits is dependent on having  sufficient
tax  liability.   Any  conditions  that  negatively  impact  the  Company's  tax
liability, such as weather, could also diminish the Company's ability to utilize
credits,  including  those  previously  generated,  and  the  synthetic  fuel is
generally not economical to produce absent the credits. Finally, the tax credits
associated with synthetic fuels may be phased out if market prices for crude oil
exceed certain prices.

The Company's  synthetic fuel operations and related risks are described in more
detail in Note 23E and in the "Risk Factors" section.

COMPETITION

Fuels'  synthetic  fuel  operations and coal  operations  compete in the eastern
United States steam and industrial  coal markets.  Factors  contributing  to the
success in these  markets  include a  competitive  cost  structure and strategic
locations.  There are, however,  numerous  competitors in each of these markets,
although no one competitor is dominant in any industry.

Fuels' gas production  operations  compete in the East Texas and North Louisiana
region.  Factors  contributing to success include a competitive  cost structure.
Although there are numerous small,  independent  competitors in this market, the
major oil and gas producers dominate this industry.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

See Note 22 for a discussion of Fuels' environmental matters.

COMPETITIVE COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS (CCO)

The CCO business  segment is responsible  for marketing  energy in the wholesale
market  outside  the  realm  of  retail  regulation.   CCO  currently  owns  six
electricity  generation  facilities  with  approximately  3,100 MW of generation
capacity,  and it has contractual rights to an additional 2,500 MW of generation
capacity from mixed fuel  generation  facilities  through its agreements with 16
Georgia  electric  membership  cooperatives  (EMCs).  CCO has  contracts for its
combined  production  capacity of approximately 77% for 2005,  approximately 81%
for 2006 and approximately 75% for 2007.

The energy CCO markets is sold under both term contracts and in the spot market.
CCO  purchases  fuel,  such as oil and natural gas for use in the  generation of
electricity.  The Company  believes that there are adequate  sources of fuel for
CCO's expected fuel requirements.  CCO also uses financial instruments to manage
the risks  associated with  fluctuating  commodity  prices to hedge the economic
value of its portfolio of assets.

In May 2003,  PVI  acquired  from  Williams  Energy  Marketing  and  Trading,  a
subsidiary of the Williams Companies, Inc., a long-term  full-requirements power
supply  agreement at fixed prices with Jackson,  for $188 million.  In 2004, PVI
executed wholesale  power-supply  agreements with 15 Georgia electric membership
cooperatives (EMCs) to serve their electricity needs through 2010.

                                       24
<PAGE>

COMPETITION

CCO does not operate in the same environment as regulated utilities. It operates
specifically  in the wholesale  market,  which means  competition is its primary
driver.  CCO competes in the eastern  United  States  utility  markets.  Factors
contributing  to the  success  in  these  markets  include  a  competitive  cost
structure and strategic locations.

RAIL SERVICES

The  Rail  Services  business  segment  is  one of the  largest  integrated  and
diversified  suppliers of railroad and transit  system  products and services in
North America and is  headquartered  in  Albertville,  Alabama.  Rail  Services'
principal business functions include two business units:  Locomotive and Railcar
Services (LRS) and Engineering and Track-work Services (ETS).

The LRS unit is  primarily  focused on  railroad  rolling  stock  that  includes
freight cars, transit cars and locomotives,  the repair and maintenance of these
units, the  manufacturing or  reconditioning of major components for these units
and  scrap  metal  recycling.  The ETS  unit  focuses  on rail and  other  track
components, the infrastructure that supports the operation of rolling stock, and
the equipment used in maintaining the railroad  infrastructure and right-of-way.
The Recycling  division of the LRS unit supports both business units through its
reclamation  of  reconditionable  material and is a major supplier of recyclable
scrap metal to North American  steel mills and foundries  through its processing
locations as well as its scrap brokerage operations.

Rail Services' key railroad industry  customers are Class 1 railroads,  regional
and short line railroads, North American transit systems, railcar and locomotive
builders,  and railcar lessors. The U.S. operations are located in 23 states and
include further  geographic  coverage  through mobile crews on a selected basis.
This coverage allows for Rail Services' customer base to be dispersed throughout
the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

In February  2005,  Progress  Energy  signed a definitive  agreement to sell its
Progress Rail  subsidiary to subsidiaries of One Equity Partners LLC for a sales
price of $405 million.  Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to reduce
debt. See Note 24 for more information.

In March  2003,  the Company  signed a letter of intent to sell the  majority of
Railcar Ltd., assets to The Andersons,  Inc. A definitive purchase agreement was
signed in November  2003 and the  transaction  closed in February 2004 (See Note
4C).

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

See Note 22 for a discussion of Rail's environmental matters.

CORPORATE AND OTHER BUSINESS SEGMENT

GENERAL

The Corporate and Other Businesses segment includes the operations of PT LLC and
Strategic  Resource Solutions Corp. (SRS) and holding company  operations.  This
segment also includes other nonregulated operations of PEC and FPC.

PROGRESS TELECOM LLC

In December 2003, PTC and Caronet,  both wholly owned  subsidiaries  of Progress
Energy,   and  EPIK,  a  wholly  owned   subsidiary   of  Odyssey,   contributed
substantially all of their assets and transferred certain liabilities to PT LLC,
a subsidiary of PTC. Subsequently, the stock of Caronet was sold to an affiliate
of Odyssey for $2 million in cash and Caronet  became a wholly owned  subsidiary
of Odyssey.  Following consummation of all the transactions described above, PTC
holds a 55% ownership interest in, and is the parent of, PT LLC; Odyssey holds a
combined 45% ownership interest in PT LLC through EPIK and Caronet. The accounts
of PT LLC have been included in the Company's  Consolidated Financial Statements
since the transaction date.

                                       25
<PAGE>

PT LLC has data fiber network transport  capabilities that stretch from New York
to Miami,  Florida,  with gateways to Latin  America,  and conducts  primarily a
carrier's carrier business. PT LLC markets wholesale  fiber-optic-based capacity
service in the Eastern United States to long-distance carriers, Internet service
providers and other  telecommunications  companies. PT LLC also markets wireless
structure  attachments  to wireless  communication  companies  and  governmental
entities.  At December 31, 2004,  PT LLC owned and managed more than 8,500 route
miles and more than 420,000 fiber miles of fiber-optic cable.

PT LLC competes with other providers of fiber-optic telecommunications services,
including  local exchange  carriers and  competitive  access  providers,  in the
Eastern United States.

Lease revenue for dedicated  transport and data services is generally  billed in
advance on a fixed rate basis and  recognized  over the period the  services are
provided.   Revenues   relating   to  design  and   construction   of   wireless
infrastructure  are  recognized  upon  completion of services for each completed
phase of design and construction.

For additional information regarding asset and investment impairments related to
the Company's investments in the telecommunications industry, see Notes 7 and 10
to the PEC Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       26
<PAGE>


ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATED OPERATING STATISTICS - PROGRESS ENERGY

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Years Ended December 31
                                                               2004          2003         2002          2001         2000(d)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy supply (millions of kilowatt-hours)
  Generated - Steam                                           50,782        51,501       49,734        48,732        31,132
              Nuclear                                         30,445        30,576       30,126        27,301        23,857
              Combustion Turbines/Combined Cycle               9,695         7,819        8,522         6,644         1,337
              Hydro                                              802           955          491           245           441
  Purchased                                                   13,466        13,848       14,305        14,469         5,724
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total energy supply (Company share)                    105,190       104,699      103,178        97,391        62,491
  Jointly owned share (a)                                      5,395         5,213        5,258         4,886         4,505
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total system energy supply                             110,585       109,912      108,436       102,277        66,996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average fuel cost (per million Btu)
  Fossil                                                 $      3.17    $     2.94   $     2.62    $     2.46     $    1.96
  Nuclear fuel                                           $      0.44    $     0.44   $     0.44    $     0.45     $    0.45
  All fuels                                              $      2.21    $     2.05   $     1.84    $     1.77     $    1.30
Energy sales (millions of kilowatt-hours)
Retail
   Residential                                                35,350        34,712       33,993        31,976        15,365
   Commercial                                                 24,753        24,110       23,888        23,033        12,221
   Industrial                                                 17,105        16,749       16,924        17,204        14,762
   Other Retail                                                4,475         4,382        4,287         4,149         1,626
Wholesale                                                     18,323        19,841       19,204        17,715        15,012
Unbilled                                                         449           189          275       (1,045)         1,098
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total energy sales                                     100,455        99,983       98,571        93,032        60,084
      Company uses and losses                                  3,936         3,753        3,604         3,478         2,286
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total energy requirements                              104,391       103,736      102,175        96,510        62,370
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric revenues (in millions)
  Retail                                                 $     6,066    $    5,620   $    5,515    $    5,462     $   2,799
  Wholesale                                                      843           915          881           923           665
  Miscellaneous revenue                                          244           206          205           172            81
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total electric revenues                            $     7,153    $    6,741   $    6,601    $    6,557     $   3,545
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peak demand of firm load (thousands of kW)
  System (b)                                                  19,711       19,876         20,365         19,166      18,874
  Company                                                     19,126       19,235         19,746         18,564      18,272
Total regulated capability at year-end (thousands of kW)
  Fossil plants                                               16,522       16,522         16,006         15,826 (e)  14,747
  Nuclear plants                                               4,286 (h)    4,220 (g)      4,127 (f)      4,008       4,008
  Hydro plants                                                   218          218            218            218         218
  Purchased                                                    2,852        2,826          2,929          2,890       2,278
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total system capability                                 23,878       23,786         23,280         22,942      21,251
   Less jointly owned portion (c)                                714          698            682            668         662
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Company capability - regulated                    23,164       23,088         22,598         22,274      20,589
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  Amounts  represent  co-owner's  share of the energy  supplied  from the six
     generating facilities that are jointly owned.
(b)  Amounts  represent the combined summer  noncoincident  system net peaks for
     PEC and PEF.
(c)  For PEC, this  represents  Power  Agency's  retained share of jointly owned
     facilities  per the  Power  Coordination  Agreement  between  PEC and Power
     Agency.
(d)  Amounts  include  information  for PEF since November 30, 2000, the date of
     acquisition.
(e)  Amount includes 459 MW related to Rowan units that were  transferred to PVI
     in February 2002.
(f)  Amount  includes  power uprates for Harris,  Brunswick 1 and Robinson.  The
     Maximum  Dependable  Capability (MDC) for Harris was restated January 2002;
     the MDCs for Brunswick 1 and Robinson were restated January 2003.
(g)  Amount  includes  power  uprates  for CR3 and  Brunswick  2. The MDCs  were
     restated January 2004.
(h)  Amount includes power uprate for Brunswick 1; the MDC was restated  January
     2005.

                                       27
<PAGE>


REGULATED OPERATING STATISTICS - PROGRESS ENERGY CAROLINAS

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Years Ended December 31
                                                            2004            2003           2002          2001        2000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy supply (millions of kilowatt-hours)
  Generated - Steam                                          28,632         28,522        28,547         27,913      29,520
              Nuclear                                        23,742         24,537        23,425         21,321      23,275
              Combustion Turbines/Combined Cycle              1,926          1,344         1,934            802         733
              Hydro                                             802            955           491            245         441
  Purchased                                                   4,023          4,467         5,213          5,296       4,878
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total energy supply (Company share)                    59,125         59,825        59,610         55,577      58,847
  Power Agency share (a)                                      4,794          4,670         4,659          4,348       4,505
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total system energy supply                             63,919         64,495        64,269         59,925      63,352
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average fuel cost (per million Btu)
  Fossil                                                 $     2.52     $     2.29      $   2,16     $     1.91   $    1.83
  Nuclear fuel                                           $     0.42     $     0.43      $   0.43     $     0.44   $    0.45
  All fuels                                              $     1.57     $     1.43      $   1.38     $     1.26   $    1.21
Energy sales (millions of kilowatt-hours)
Retail
   Residential                                               16,003         15,283        15,239         14,372      14,091
   Commercial                                                13,019         12,557        12,468         11,972      11,432
   Industrial                                                13,036         12,749        13,089         13,332      14,446
   Other Retail                                               1,432          1,408         1,437          1,423       1,423
Wholesale                                                    13,221         15,518        15,024         12,996      14,582
Unbilled                                                         91           (44)           270          (534)         679
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total energy sales                                     56,802         57,471        57,527         53,561      56,653
      Company uses and losses                                 2,323          2,354         2,083          2,016       2,194
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total energy requirements                              59,125         59,825        59,610         55,577      58,847
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric revenues (in millions)
  Retail                                                 $    2,953     $    2,824      $  2,796     $    2,666   $   2,609
  Wholesale                                                     575            687           651            634         577
  Miscellaneous revenue                                         100             78            92             44         122
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total electric revenues                            $    3,628     $    3,589      $  3,539     $    3,344   $   3,308
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peak demand of firm load (thousands of kW) (g)
  System                                                     11,192         11,771        11,977         11,376      11,157
  Company                                                    10,607         11,130        11,358         10,774      10,555
Total regulated capability at year-end (thousands of kW)
  Fossil plants                                               8,816          8,816         8,816          8,648 (c)   7,569
  Nuclear plants                                              3,448 (f)      3,382 (e)     3,293 (d)      3,174       3,174
  Hydro plants                                                  218            218           218            218         218
  Purchased                                                   1,545          1,513         1,617          1,586         978
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total system capability                                14,027         13,929        13,944         13,626      11,939
  Less Power Agency-owned portion (b)                           645            629           613            599         593
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Company capability                               13,382         13,300        13,331         13,027      11,346
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  Amounts represent Power Agency's share of the energy supplied from the four
     generating facilities that are jointly owned.
(b)  Amounts represent Power Agency's retained share of jointly owned facilities
     per the Power Coordination Agreement between PEC and Power Agency.
(c)  Amount includes 459 MW related to Rowan units that were  transferred to PVI
     in February 2002.
(d)  Amount  includes power upgrades for Harris,  Brunswick 1 and Robinson.  The
     MDC for Harris was  restated  January  2002;  the MDCs for  Brunswick 1 and
     Robinson were restated January 2003.
(e)  Amount includes power uprate for Brunswick 2; the MDC was restated  January
     2004.
(f)  Amount includes power uprate for Brunswick 1; the MDC was restated  January
     2005.
(g)  Amount is the summer peak demand.

                                       28
<PAGE>

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company believes that its physical  properties and those of its subsidiaries
are adequate to carry on its and their  businesses as currently  conducted.  The
Company and its subsidiaries  maintain property insurance against loss or damage
by fire or other perils to the extent that such property is usually insured.

ELECTRIC - PEC

At December 31, 2004,  PEC's 18  generating  plants  represent a flexible mix of
fossil,   nuclear,   hydroelectric,   combustion  turbines  and  combined  cycle
resources,  with a total summer generating capacity of 12,482 MW. Of this total,
Power  Agency owns  approximately  694 MW. On  December  31,  2004,  PEC had the
following generating facilities:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                PEC           Summer Net
                                         No. of    In-Service                Ownership      Capability (a)
        Facility          Location        Units       Date         Fuel       (in %)           (in MW)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEAM TURBINES
Asheville            Skyland, N.C.          2      1964-1971       Coal         100              392
Cape Fear            Moncure, N.C.          2      1956-1958       Coal         100              316
Lee                  Goldsboro, N.C.        3      1952-1962       Coal         100              407
Mayo                 Roxboro, N.C.          1         1983         Coal        83.83             745   (b)
Robinson             Hartsville, S.C.       1         1960         Coal         100              174
Roxboro              Roxboro, N.C.          4      1966-1980       Coal        96.32    (c)     2,462  (b)
Sutton               Wilmington, N.C.       3      1954-1972       Coal         100              613
Weatherspoon         Lumberton, N.C.        3      1949-1952       Coal         100              176
                                         --------                                           ---------------
                     Total                 19                                                   5,285
COMBINED CYCLE
Cape Fear            Moncure, N.C.          2         1969          Oil         100                84
Richmond             Hamlet, N.C.           1         2002        Gas/Oil       100              472
                                         --------                                           ---------------
                     Total                  3                                                     556
COMBUSTION TURBINES
Asheville            Skyland, N.C.          2      1999-2000      Gas/Oil       100              330
Blewett              Lilesville, N.C.       4         1971          Oil         100                52
Darlington           Hartsville, S.C.      13      1974-1997      Gas/Oil       100              812
Lee                  Goldsboro, N.C.        4      1968-1971        Oil         100                91
Morehead City        Morehead City, N.C.    1         1968          Oil         100                15
Richmond             Hamlet, N.C.           5      2001-2002      Gas/Oil       100              775
Robinson             Hartsville, S.C.       1         1968        Gas/Oil       100                15
Roxboro              Roxboro, N.C.          1         1968          Oil         100                15
Sutton               Wilmington, N.C.       3      1968-1969      Gas/Oil       100                64
Wayne County         Goldsboro, N.C.        4         2000        Gas/Oil       100              668
Weatherspoon         Lumberton, N.C.        4      1970-1971      Gas/Oil       100              138
                                         --------                                           ---------------
                     Total                 42                                                   2,975
NUCLEAR
Brunswick            Southport, N.C.        2      1975-1977      Uranium      81.67            1,838  (b)(d)
Harris               New Hill, N.C.         1         1987        Uranium      83.83             900   (b)
Robinson             Hartsville, S.C.       1         1971        Uranium       100              710
                                         --------                                           ---------------
                     Total                  4                                                   3,448
HYDRO
Blewett              Lilesville, N.C.       6         1912         Water        100               22
Marshall             Marshall, N.C.         2         1910         Water        100               5
Tillery              Mount Gilead, N.C.     4      1928-1960       Water        100               86
Walters              Waterville, N.C.       3         1930         Water        100              105
                                         --------                                           ---------------
                     Total                 15                                                    218

TOTAL                                      83                                                   12,482
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  Amounts  represent  PEC's net summer  peak  rating,  gross of  co-ownership
     interest in plant capacity.
(b)  Facilities are jointly owned by PEC and Power Agency.  The capacities shown
     include Power Agency's share.
(c)  PEC and Power Agency are  co-owners of Unit 4 at the Roxboro  Plant.  PEC's
     ownership interest in this 700 MW turbine is 87.06%.
(d)  During 2004, a power uprate  increased the net summer  capability of Unit 1
     to 938 MW. The MDC was restated in January 2005.

                                       29
<PAGE>

At December 31, 2004,  including both the total generating capacity of 12,482 MW
and the total firm contracts for purchased power of approximately  1,545 MW, PEC
had total capacity resources of approximately 14,027 MW.

The Power Agency has undivided  ownership  interests of 18.33% in Brunswick Unit
Nos. 1 and 2,  12.94% in Roxboro  Unit No. 4 and 16.17% in the Harris  Plant and
Mayo Unit No. 1. Otherwise,  PEC has good and marketable  title to its principal
plants and  important  units,  subject to the lien of its  mortgage  and deed of
trust, with minor exceptions,  restrictions, and reservations in conveyances, as
well as minor  defects of the nature  ordinarily  found in properties of similar
character and magnitude.  PEC also owns certain  easements over private property
on which transmission and distribution lines are located.

At December 31, 2004, PEC had approximately  6,000 circuit miles of transmission
lines  including  300 miles of 500 kilovolt (kV) lines and 3,000 miles of 230 kV
lines. PEC also had approximately 45,000 circuit miles of overhead  distribution
conductor  and  18,000   circuit  miles  of  underground   distribution   cable.
Distribution and transmission  substations in service had a transformer capacity
of  approximately  12,000,000   kilovolt-ampere  (kVA)  in  2,405  transformers.
Distribution line transformers numbered  approximately 509,700 with an aggregate
capacity of approximately 21,000,000 kVA.

ELECTRIC - PEF

At December 31, 2004,  PEF's 14  generating  plants  represent a flexible mix of
fossil,  nuclear,  combustion  turbine and combined cycle resources with a total
summer generating  capacity  (including  jointly owned capacity) of 8,544 MW. At
December 31, 2004, PEF had the following generating facilities:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   PEF       Summer Net
                                               No. of   In-Service              Ownership  Capability (a)
        Facility               Location         Units      Date        Fuel      (in %)        (in MW)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEAM TURBINES
Anclote                 Holiday, Fla.             2      1974-1978    Gas/Oil      100           993
Bartow                  St. Petersburg, Fla.      3      1958-1963    Gas/Oil      100           444
Crystal River           Crystal River, Fla.       4      1966-1984     Coal        100          2,302
Suwannee River          Live Oak, Fla.            3      1953-1956    Gas/Oil      100           143
                                               --------                                    -----------------
                        Total                    12                                             3,882
COMBINED CYCLE
Hines                   Bartow, Fla.              2      1999-2003    Gas/Oil      100           998
Tiger Bay               Fort Meade, Fla.          1        1997         Gas        100           207
                                               --------                                    -----------------
                        Total                     3                                             1,205
COMBUSTION TURBINES
Avon Park               Avon Park, Fla.           2        1968       Gas/Oil      100           52
Bartow                  St. Petersburg, Fla.      4      1958-1972    Gas/Oil      100           187
Bayboro                 St. Petersburg, Fla.      4        1973         Oil        100           184
DeBary                  DeBary, Fla.             10      1975-1992    Gas/Oil      100           667
Higgins                 Oldsmar, Fla.             4      1969-1970    Gas/Oil      100           122
Intercession City       Intercession City,       14      1974-2000    Gas/Oil      100 (c)      1,041  (b)
                        Fla.
Rio Pinar               Rio Pinar, Fla.           1        1970         Oil        100           13
Suwannee River          Live Oak, Fla.            3        1980       Gas/Oil      100           164
Turner                  Enterprise, Fla.          4      1970-1974      Oil        100           154
University of           Gainesville, Fla.         1        1994         Gas        100           35
   Florida Cogeneration
                                               --------                                    -----------------
                        Total                    47                                             2,619
NUCLEAR
Crystal River           Crystal River, Fla.       1        1977       Uranium     91.78          838   (b)
                                               --------                                    -----------------
                        Total                     1                                              838

TOTAL                                            63                                             8,544
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  Amounts  represent  PEF's net summer  peak  rating,  gross of  co-ownership
     interest in plant capacity.
(b)  Facilities  are jointly owned.  The capacities  shown include joint owners'
     share.
(c)  PEF and Georgia  Power  Company  (Georgia  Power) are co-owners of a 143 MW
     advanced  combustion turbine located at PEF's Intercession City site (P11).
     Georgia Power has the exclusive right to the output of this unit during the
     months of June through  September.  PEF has that right for the remainder of
     the year.

At December 31, 2004, PEF had total capacity  resources of approximately  10,042
MW, including both the total generating  capacity of 8,544 MW and the total firm
contracts for purchased power of 1,498 MW.

                                       30
<PAGE>

Several  entities  have  acquired  undivided  ownership  interests in CR3 in the
aggregate amount of 8.22%. The joint ownership participants are: City of Alachua
- - 0.08%,  City of  Bushnell  - 0.04%,  City of  Gainesville  - 1.41%,  Kissimmee
Utility Authority - 0.68%, City of Leesburg - 0.82%, Utilities Commission of the
City of New  Smyrna  Beach - 0.56%,  City of Ocala -  1.33%,  Orlando  Utilities
Commission  - 1.60% and Seminole  Electric  Cooperative,  Inc. - 1.70%.  PEF and
Georgia Power are co-owners of a 143 MW advance  combustion  turbine  located at
PEF's Intercession City site (P11). Georgia Power has the exclusive right to the
output of this unit during the months of June  through  September.  PEF has that
right for the  remainder  of the year.  Otherwise,  PEF has good and  marketable
title to its principal  plants and important  units,  subject to the lien of its
mortgage and deed of trust, with minor exceptions, restrictions and reservations
in  conveyances,  as well as minor  defects  of the nature  ordinarily  found in
properties of similar  character and magnitude.  PEF also owns certain easements
over private property on which transmission and distribution lines are located.

At December 31, 2004, PEF had approximately  5,000 circuit miles of transmission
lines including 200 miles of 500 kV lines and about 1,500 miles of 230 kV lines.
PEF also had  approximately,  22,000  circuit  miles  of  overhead  distribution
conductor  and  13,000   circuit  miles  of  underground   distribution   cable.
Distribution and transmission  substations in service had a transformer capacity
of  approximately   45,000,000  kVA  in  616  transformers.   Distribution  line
transformers  numbered  approximately  365,000  with an  aggregate  capacity  of
approximately 18,000,000 kVA.

FUELS

Progress Fuels controls, either directly or through subsidiaries,  coal reserves
located in eastern  Kentucky  and  southwestern  Virginia  of  approximately  46
million tons and controls,  through  mineral leases,  additional  estimated coal
reserves of  approximately  48 million  tons.  The reserves  controlled  include
substantial  quantities of high quality, low sulfur coal that is appropriate for
use at PEF's existing generating units. Progress Fuels' total production of coal
during 2004 was approximately 3.4 million tons.

In connection with its coal  operations,  Progress Fuels' business units own and
operate surface and underground mines, coal processing and loadout facilities in
southeastern  Kentucky and  southwestern  Virginia.  Other  subsidiaries own and
operate a river  terminal  facility  in  eastern  Kentucky,  a  railcar-to-barge
loading facility in West Virginia,  two bulk commodity  terminals on the Kanawha
River near Charleston,  West Virginia, and a bulk commodity terminal on the Ohio
River near Huntington, West Virginia. Progress Fuels and its subsidiaries employ
both Company and contract miners in their mining activities.

The Fuels business  segment,  through its business units, has an interest in six
synthetic fuel entities.  Four of the entities are wholly owned, one is majority
owned and one is minority owned. These facilities are in six different locations
in West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky.

Fuels' oil and gas production in 2004 was 30.4 Bcf equivalent. Fuels has oil and
gas leases in East Texas and Louisiana with total proven oil and gas reserves of
approximately 247 Bcf equivalent.

CCO

At December 31, 2004, CCO had the following  nonregulated  generation  plants in
service.

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Construction        Commercial        Configuration/
        Project            Location         Start Date       Operation Date      Number of Units     MW (a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monroe Units 1 and 2     Monroe, Ga.     4Q 1998/1Q 2000     4Q 1999/2Q 2001     Simple-Cycle, 2        315
Rowan Phase I (b)      Salisbury, N.C.       1Q 2000             2Q 2001         Simple-Cycle, 3        459
Walton (c)               Monroe, Ga.         2Q 2000             2Q 2001         Simple-Cycle, 3        460
DeSoto Units            Arcadia, Fla.        2Q 2001             2Q 2002         Simple-Cycle, 2        320
Effingham                Rincon, Ga.         1Q 2001             3Q 2003        Combined-Cycle, 1       480
Rowan Phase II (b)     Salisbury, N.C.       4Q 2001             2Q 2003        Combined-Cycle, 1       466
Washington (c)          Sandersville,        2Q 2002             2Q 2003         Simple-Cycle, 4        600
                             Ga.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                                                                                                 3,100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) Amounts represent CCO's summer rating.
(b) This project was transferred from PEC to PVI in February 2002.
(c) These projects were purchased from LG&E Energy Corp. in February 2002.

                                       31
<PAGE>

RAIL SERVICES

Progress Rail is one of the largest integrated  processors of railroad materials
in the United States, and is a leading supplier of new and reconditioned freight
car  parts;  rail,  rail  welding  and track  work  components;  railcar  repair
facilities;  railcar and locomotive  leasing;  maintenance-of-way  equipment and
scrap metal recycling. It has facilities in 23 states, Mexico and Canada.

Progress  Rail  owns  and/or  operates   approximately  2,000  railcars  and  50
locomotives that are used for the transportation and shipping of coal, steel and
other bulk products.

In February  2005,  Progress  Energy  signed a definitive  agreement to sell its
Progress Rail  subsidiary to subsidiaries of One Equity Partners LLC for a sales
price of $405 million.  Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to reduce
debt. See Note 24 for more information.

PT LLC

PT  LLC  provides   wholesale   telecommunications   services   throughout   the
Southeastern United States. PT LLC incorporates more than 420,000 fiber miles of
fiber-optic cable in its network, including more than 189 Points-of-Presence, or
physical locations where a presence for network access exists.


                                       32
<PAGE>

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Legal  proceedings  are included in the discussion of the Company's  business in
PART I, ITEM 1 under "Environmental  Matters," and are incorporated by reference
herein.

1.   U.S. Global, LLC v. Progress Energy,  Inc. et al., Case No. 03004028-03 and
     Progress  Synfuel  Holdings,  Inc. et al., v. U.S.  Global,  LLC,  Case No.
     03004028-03

A number of Progress Energy, Inc. subsidiaries and affiliates are parties to two
lawsuits  arising  out of an Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of October 19,
1999, by and among U.S.  Global LLC  (Global),  Earthco,  certain  affiliates of
Earthco  (collectively  the  Earthco  Sellers),  EFC Synfuel LLC (which is owned
indirectly by Progress  Energy,  Inc.) and certain of its affiliates,  including
Solid Energy LLC,  Solid Fuel LLC,  Ceredo  Synfuel LLC,  Gulf Coast Synfuel LLC
(currently   named  Sandy  River   Synfuel  LLC)   (collectively   the  Progress
Affiliates),  as amended by an amendment to Purchase  Agreement as of August 23,
2000 (the Asset  Purchase  Agreement).  Global has asserted that pursuant to the
Asset Purchase Agreement it is entitled to (1) an interest in two synthetic fuel
facilities  currently  owned by the  Progress  Affiliates,  and (2) an option to
purchase additional interests in the two synthetic fuel facilities.

The first suit, U.S. Global,  LLC v. Progress Energy,  Inc. et al., was filed in
the Circuit Court for Broward County, Florida, in March 2003 (the Florida Global
Case).  The Florida  Global Case asserts claims for breach of the Asset Purchase
Agreement and other contract and tort claims related to the Progress Affiliates'
alleged  interference  with Global's rights under the Asset Purchase  Agreement.
The Florida Global Case requests an unspecified amount of compensatory  damages,
as well as declaratory  relief.  Following  briefing and argument on a number of
dispositive motions on successive versions of Global's complaint,  on August 16,
2004, the Progress Affiliates answered the Fourth Amended Complaint by generally
denying  all  of  Global's   substantive   allegations  and  asserting  numerous
affirmative  defenses.  The parties are  currently  engaged in  discovery in the
Florida Global Case.

The second suit, Progress Synfuel Holdings, Inc. et al. v. U.S. Global, LLC, was
filed by the Progress  Affiliates in the Superior  Court for Wake County,  North
Carolina,   seeking   declaratory   relief   consistent   with   the   Company's
interpretation of the asset Purchase Agreement (the North Carolina Global Case).
Global was served with the North Carolina Global Case on April 17, 2003.

On May 15, 2003, Global moved to dismiss the North Carolina Global Case for lack
of personal jurisdiction over Global. In the alternative,  Global requested that
the court decline to exercise its  discretion  to hear the Progress  Affiliates'
declaratory  judgment action.  On August 7, 2003, the Wake County Superior court
denied  Global's  motion to  dismiss  and  entered  an order  staying  the North
Carolina  Global  Case,  pending  the outcome of the Florida  Global  Case.  The
Progress  Affiliates  appealed the Superior  court's  order staying the case. By
order dated September 7, 2004, the North Carolina Court of Appeals dismissed the
Progress Affiliates' appeal.

The Company  cannot predict the outcome of these  matters,  but will  vigorously
defend against the allegations.

2.   In  re  Progress  Energy,  Inc.  Securities  Litigation,  Master  File  No.
     04-CV-636 (JES)

On February  3, 2004,  Progress  Energy,  Inc.  was served  with a class  action
complaint  alleging  violations of federal  security laws in connection with the
Company's issuance of Contingent Value Obligations  (CVOs). The action was filed
by Gerber  Asset  Management  LLC in the United  States  District  Court for the
Southern District of New York and names Progress Energy,  Inc.'s former Chairman
William  Cavanaugh III and Progress  Energy,  Inc. as defendants.  The Complaint
alleges  that  Progress  Energy  failed to  timely  disclose  the  impact of the
Alternative  Minimum Tax required under  Sections 55-59 of the Internal  Revenue
Code (Code) on the value of certain CVOs issued in  connection  with the Florida
Progress Corporation merger. The suit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, as
well as attorneys' fees and litigation costs.

On March 31, 2004, a second class action  complaint was filed by Stanley  Fried,
Raymond X. Talamantes and Jacquelin Talamantes against William Cavanaugh III and
Progress  Energy,  Inc. in the United  States  District  Court for the  Southern
District of New York alleging  violations of federal securities laws arising out
of the  Company's  issuance of CVOs  nearly  identical  to those  alleged in the
February 3, 2004,  Gerber Asset  Management  complaint.  On April 29, 2004,  the
Honorable  John E.  Sprizzo  ordered  among other  things that (1) the two class
action cases be  consolidated,  (2) Peak6 Capital  Management LLC shall serve as
the lead plaintiff in the consolidated  action, and (3) the lead plaintiff shall
file a consolidated amended complaint on or before June 15, 2004.

                                       33
<PAGE>

The lead plaintiff filed a consolidated  amended  complaint on June 15, 2004. In
addition to the  allegations  asserted in the Gerber Asset  Management and Fried
complaints,  the consolidated  amended complaint alleges that the Company failed
to disclose that excess fuel credits could not be carried over from one tax year
into later years.  On July 30, 2004,  the Company  filed a motion to dismiss the
complaint;  plaintiff  submitted its opposition brief on September 14, 2004. The
Court heard oral  argument on the  Company's  motion to dismiss on November  15,
2004; it has not, to date, rendered a decision on this motion.

The  Company  cannot  predict the outcome of this  matter,  but will  vigorously
defend against the allegations.

For a discussion  of certain other legal  matters,  see Note 23E to the Progress
Energy Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         NONE

                                       34
<PAGE>

                      EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Name                                Age                          Recent Business Experience

*Robert B. McGehee                  61    Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  Progress  Energy,  May 2004 and
                                          March 2004,  respectively,  to present.  Mr.  McGehee  joined the Company
                                          (formerly  CP&L) in 1997 as Senior Vice  President  and General  Counsel.
                                          Since that time,  he has held  several  senior  management  positions  of
                                          increasing   responsibility.   Most  recently,   Mr.  McGehee  served  as
                                          President   and  Chief   Operating   Officer  of  the   Company,   having
                                          responsibility for the day-to-day  operations of the Company's  regulated
                                          and  nonregulated  businesses.  Prior  to that,  Mr.  McGehee  served  as
                                          President  and  Chief  Executive   Officer  of  Progress  Energy  Service
                                          Company, LLC.

                                          Before joining  Progress  Energy,  Mr. McGehee  chaired the board of Wise
                                          Carter Child & Caraway,  a law firm  headquartered  in Jackson,  Miss. He
                                          primarily  handled   corporation,   contract,   nuclear   regulatory  and
                                          employment  matters.  During  the  1990s,  he also  provided  significant
                                          counsel  to  U.S.   companies   on   reorganizations,   business   growth
                                          initiatives and preparing for deregulation and other industry changes.

William S. Orser                    60    Group President,  Energy Supply,  PEC and PEF,  November 2000 to present.
                                          (separating  from the  Company,  effective  April 1, 2005.) Mr.  Orser is
                                          responsible  for the  operation  of 38  utility  and  nonregulated  power
                                          plants of Progress  Energy.  He also oversees plant  construction and the
                                          organizations  that support those plants,  including the Company's System
                                          Planning and Operations function.

                                          Mr. Orser joined  Progress  Energy  (formerly  CP&L) in 1993 as Executive
                                          Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer.  He later became Executive Vice
                                          President - Energy Supply,  PEC, a position he held until the acquisition
                                          of FPC in 2000.

                                          Before  joining the Company in April 1993,  Mr. Orser was an executive at
                                          the  Detroit  Edison  Company,  serving as  Executive  Vice  President  -
                                          Nuclear Generation.  Previously, he worked with Portland General Electric
                                          Co.


William D. Johnson                  51    President and Chief Operating Officer,  Progress Energy,  January 2005 to
                                          present;  Group President,  PEC, January 2005 to present;  Executive Vice
                                          President,  PEC and PEF,  November 2000 to present.  Mr. Johnson has been
                                          with Progress Energy  (formerly CP&L) since 1992 and most recently served
                                          as Group  President,  Energy Delivery,  Progress Energy,  January 2004 to
                                          December  2004.  Prior  to  that,  he was  President,  CEO and  Corporate
                                          Secretary,   Progress  Energy  Service  Company,  LLC,  October  2002  to
                                          December  2003.  He also served as Executive  Vice  President - Corporate
                                          Relations &  Administrative  Services,  General  Counsel and Secretary of
                                          Progress Energy.  Mr. Johnson served as Vice President - Legal Department
                                          and Corporate Secretary, CP&L from 1997 to 1999.

                                          Before joining  Progress  Energy,  Johnson was a partner with the Raleigh
                                          office of Hunton & Williams,  where he specialized in the  representation
                                          of utilities.

                                       35
<PAGE>

Peter M. Scott III                  55    President and Chief Executive  Officer,  Progress Energy Service Company,
                                          LLC,  January 2004 to present;  Executive  Vice  President,  PEC and PEF,
                                          2000 to present.  Mr. Scott has been with the Company  since May 2000 and
                                          most recently  served as Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial
                                          Officer of Progress  Energy,  Inc.,  May 2000 to December  2003.  In that
                                          position,  Mr. Scott oversaw the Company's strategic planning,  financial
                                          and enterprise risk management functions.

                                          Before  joining  Progress  Energy,  Mr. Scott was the president of Scott,
                                          Madden  &  Associates,   Inc.,  a  general  management   consulting  firm
                                          headquartered  in Raleigh,  N.C. that he founded in 1983. The firm served
                                          clients   in   a   number   of   industries,    including    energy   and
                                          telecommunications.  Particular  practice area  specialties for Mr. Scott
                                          included strategic planning and operations management.



Geoffrey S. Chatas                  42    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial  Officer,  Progress  Energy,
                                          Inc.,  Progress Energy Service  Company,  LLC, FPC, PEC and PEF,  January
                                          2004 to present. Mr. Chatas oversees the Company's accounting,  strategic
                                          planning,  tax,  financial and regulatory  services and  enterprise  risk
                                          management  functions.  He  previously  served as Senior Vice  President,
                                          Progress Energy, October 2003 to December 2003.

                                          Mr.  Chatas served in various  positions  with  American  Electric  Power
                                          (AEP), a multi-state energy holding company based in Columbus,  Ohio from
                                          1997 until he joined  Progress  Energy.  Mr. Chatas' last position at AEP
                                          was Senior Vice  President - Finance and  Treasurer  for AEP.  During his
                                          time at AEP, he managed  investor  relations  and corporate  finance.  In
                                          addition,  Mr. Chatas held executive  financial positions at Banc One and
                                          Citibank.

Robert H. Bazemore, Jr.             50    Chief  Accounting  Officer and Controller,  Progress  Energy,  Inc., June
                                          2000 to  present;  Controller,  FPC and PEF,  November  2000 to  present;
                                          Chief Accounting Officer,  FPC, November 2000 to present;  Vice President
                                          and  Controller,  Progress  Energy Service  Company,  LLC, August 2000 to
                                          present;  Chief  Accounting  Officer  and  Controller,  PEC,  May 2000 to
                                          present.  Mr.  Bazemore has been with  Progress  Energy  (formerly  CP&L)
                                          since 1986 and has served in a number of roles in  corporate  support and
                                          field positions,  including  Director,  CP&L,  Operations & Environmental
                                          Support Department,  December 1998 to May 2000; Manager, CP&L Financial &
                                          Regulatory Accounting, September 1995 to December 1998.

                                          Prior to joining Progress  Energy,  Mr. Bazemore worked in managerial and
                                          accounting  positions  with companies in Roanoke,  Va. and  Jacksonville,
                                          Fla.

Donald K. Davis                     59    Executive  Vice  President,  PEC, May 2000 to present.  Mr. Davis is also
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer,  SRS, June 2000 to present and was
                                          President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  NCNG,  July 2000 to  September
                                          2003.  Mr.  Davis  joined  the  Company  in May  2000 as  Executive  Vice
                                          President, Gas and Energy Services.

                                          Before joining the Company,  Mr. Davis was Chairman,  President and Chief
                                          Executive  Officer  of Yankee  Atomic  Electric  Company,  and  served as
                                          Chairman,  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of Connecticut  Atomic

                                       36
<PAGE>

                                          Power  Company  from 1997 to May 2000  where he was  responsible  for two
                                          electric  wholesale  generating  companies.  Before joining Yankee Atomic
                                          Power Co.,  Davis  served as a  principal  of PRISM  Consulting  Inc.,  a
                                          utility management consulting firm he founded in 1992.

Fred N. Day IV                      61    President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  PEC,  October 2003 to present;
                                          Executive  Vice  President,  PEF,  November  2000  to  present.  Mr.  Day
                                          oversees  all  aspects  of  Carolinas  Delivery   operations,   including
                                          distribution  and  customer  service,   transmission,  and  products  and
                                          services. He previously served as Executive Vice President,  PEC and PEF.
                                          During his more than 30 years with Progress Energy  (formerly  CP&L), Mr.
                                          Day has held several management  positions of increasing  responsibility.
                                          He was promoted to Vice President - Western Region in 1995.

*H. William Habermeyer, Jr.         62    President and Chief  Executive  Officer,  PEF,  November 2000 to present.
                                          Mr.  Habermeyer  joined  Progress Energy  (formerly  PEC) in 1993 after a
                                          career  in the  U.S.  Navy.  During  his  tenure  with the  Company,  Mr.
                                          Habermeyer  has  served  as  Vice   President  -  Nuclear   Services  and
                                          Environmental  Support;  Vice President - Nuclear  Engineering;  and Vice
                                          President - Western Region.  While overseeing  Western Region operations,
                                          Mr.  Habermeyer was  responsible  for regional  distribution  management,
                                          customer support and community relations.

C. S. Hinnant                       60    Senior  Vice  President  and Chief  Nuclear  Officer,  PEC,  June 1998 to
                                          present.  Mr. Hinnant is also Senior Vice President,  PEF,  November 2000
                                          to present.  Mr. Hinnant joined Progress  Energy  (formerly CP&L) in 1972
                                          at the  Brunswick  Nuclear  Plant  near  Southport,  N.C.,  where he held
                                          several positions in the startup testing and operating organizations.  He
                                          left  Progress  Energy  in 1976 to work for  Babcock  and  Wilcox  in the
                                          Commercial Nuclear Power Division,  returning to Progress Energy in 1977.
                                          Since that time, he has served in various  management  positions at three
                                          of Progress Energy's nuclear plant sites.

*Jeffrey J. Lyash                   43    Senior Vice President,  PEF, November 2003 to present. Mr. Lyash oversees
                                          all aspects of energy  delivery  operations  for PEF.  Prior to coming to
                                          PEF, Mr. Lyash was Vice  President - Transmission  in Energy  Delivery in
                                          the Carolinas since January 2002.

                                          Mr. Lyash joined  Progress Energy in 1993 and spent his first eight years
                                          with the Company at the Brunswick  Nuclear  Plant in Southport,  N.C. His
                                          last position at Brunswick was as Director of site operations.

John R. McArthur                    49    Senior Vice President,  General Counsel and Secretary of Progress Energy,
                                          January  2004 to  present.  Mr.  McArthur  oversees  the Audit  Services,
                                          Corporate  Communications,  Legal,  Regulatory and Corporate  Relations -
                                          Florida, and State Public Affairs departments,  and the Environmental and
                                          Health and Safety  sections.  Mr.  McArthur is also Senior Vice President
                                          and Corporate  Secretary,  FPC and PEC, and Senior Vice  President,  PEF,
                                          January 1 to  present.  Previously,  he served the Company as Senior Vice
                                          President - Corporate  Relations  (December 2002 to December 2003) and as
                                          Vice President - Public Affairs (December 2001 to December 2002).

                                          Before  joining  Progress  Energy in December  2001,  Mr.  McArthur was a
                                          member of North Carolina  Governor Mike Easley's senior  management team,

                                       37
<PAGE>

                                          handling major policy initiatives as well as media and legal affairs.  He
                                          also directed  Governor  Easley's  transition  team after the election of
                                          2000.

                                          From November of 1997 until November of 2000, Mr. McArthur  handled state
                                          government  affairs in 10  southeastern  states for General  Electric Co.
                                          Prior to joining  General  Electric  Co.,  Mr.  McArthur  served as chief
                                          counsel  in the  North  Carolina  Attorney  General's  office,  where  he
                                          supervised utility,  consumer,  health care, and environmental protection
                                          issues. Before that, he was a partner at Hunton & Williams.

E. Michael Williams                 56    Senior  Vice  President,  PEC and  PEF,  June  2000  and  November  2000,
                                          respectively, to present.

                                          Before  joining the Company in 2000,  Mr.  Williams  was with Central and
                                          Southwest  Corp.,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  for 28  years and  served  in
                                          various  positions  prior to becoming Vice President - Fossil  Generation
                                          in Dallas.

Lloyd M. Yates                      44    Senior  Vice  President,  PEC,  January  2005 to  present.  Mr.  Yates is
                                          responsible  for managing the four  regional  vice  presidents in the PEC
                                          organization.  He  served  PEC as  Vice  President  -  Transmission  from
                                          November  2003 to December  2004.  Mr. Yates  served as Vice  President -
                                          Fossil Generation for PEC from 1998 to 2003.

                                          Before  joining  the  Company in 1998,  Mr.  Yates was with PECO  Energy,
                                          where he had served in a number of engineering and management  roles over
                                          16 years. His last position with PECO was as general manager  -Operations
                                          in the Company's power operations group.
</TABLE>


*Indicates individual is an executive officer of Progress Energy, Inc., but not
 Carolina Power & Light Company.


                                       38
<PAGE>



                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS' COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Progress Energy

Progress  Energy's  Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock  Exchange.  The
     high and low intra-day stock sales prices for each quarter for the past two
     years, and the dividends declared per share are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004                              High           Low          Dividends Declared
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter                  $ 47.95       $ 43.02             $0.575
Second Quarter                   47.50         40.09              0.575
Third Quarter                    44.32         40.76              0.575
Fourth Quarter                   46.10         40.47              0.590

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003                              High           Low        Dividends Declared
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter                   $46.10        $37.45             $0.560
Second Quarter                   48.00         38.99              0.560
Third Quarter                    45.15         39.60              0.560
Fourth Quarter                   46.00         41.60              0.575
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The December 31 closing price of the Company's  Common Stock was $45.24 for 2004
and $45.26 for 2003.  As of March 4, 2005,  the  Company  had 67,160  holders of
record of Common Stock.

Neither  Progress  Energy's  Articles  of  Incorporation  nor  any of  its  debt
obligations  contain  any  restrictions  on the payment of  dividends.  Progress
Energy's  subsidiaries have provisions  restricting dividends in certain limited
circumstances (See Note 13B).

Issuer purchases of equity securities for fourth quarter of 2004 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     (a)             (b)                (c)                       (d)
                                                                                          Maximum Number (or
                                                               Total Number of Shares     Approximate Dollar
                               Total Number of     Average    (or Units) Purchased as    Value) of Shares (or
                                    Shares       Price Paid       Part of Publicly      Units) that May Yet Be
                                  (or Units)      Per Share      Announced Plans or       Purchased Under the
           Period                Purchased(1)     (or Unit)         Programs(1)          Plans or Programs(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 1 - October 31(2)          191,436        $ 41.90              N/A                       N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

November 1 - November 30               N/A          N/A                N/A                       N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 1 - December 31               N/A          N/A                N/A                       N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total:                             191,436        $ 41.90              N/A                       N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  As of  December  31,  2004,  Progress  Energy  does not  have any  publicly
     announced plans or programs to purchase shares of its common stock.
(2)  All  shares  were  purchased  in  open-market   transactions  by  the  plan
     administrator  to satisfy share  delivery  requirements  under the Progress
     Energy 401(k) Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (See Note 11A).

PEC

Since 2000, Progress Energy has owned all of PEC's common stock, and as a result
there is no established  public trading market for the stock. PEC has not issued
or repurchased any equity securities since becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of
Progress Energy.  For the past three years, PEC has paid quarterly  dividends to
Progress Energy totaling the amounts shown in the Statements of Common Equity in
the  PEC  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  PEC has  provisions  restricting
dividends  in  certain  limited  circumstances  (See  Note 8 and  13 to the  PEC
Consolidated  Financial  Statements).  PEC does not have any equity compensation
plans under which its equity securities are issued.

                                       39
<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA


PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.

The selected consolidated  financial data should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated  financial  statements and the notes thereto included  elsewhere in
this report.

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
(in millions, except per share data)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31                        2004           2003             2002           2001           2000(a)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating results
  Operating revenues                        $   9,772      $   8,741        $   8,091       $   8,129      $   3,769
  Income from continuing
     operations before cumulative           $     753      $     811        $     552       $     541      $     478
     effect
  Net Income                                $     759      $     782        $     528       $     542      $     478

Per share data
  Basic earnings
  Income from continuing
     operations                             $    3.11      $    3.42        $    2.54       $    2.64      $    3.04
  Net income                                $    3.13      $    3.30        $    2.43       $    2.65      $    3.04

  Diluted earnings
  Income from continuing
     operations                             $    3.10      $    3.40        $    2.53       $    2.63      $    3.03
  Net income                                $    3.12      $    3.28        $    2.42       $    2.64      $    3.03

Assets (c)                                  $  25,993      $  26,093        $  24,272       $  23,701      $  22,875

Capitalization
  Common stock equity                       $   7,633      $   7,444        $   6,677       $   6,004      $   5,424
  Preferred stock of subsidiaries - not
     subject to mandatory redemption               93             93               93              93             93
  Minority interest                                36             30               18              12              -
  Long-term debt, net (b)                       9,521          9,934            9,747           8,619          4,904
  Current portion of long-term debt               349            868              275             688            184
  Short-term obligations                          684              4              695             942          4,959
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total capitalization and total debt    $  18,316      $  18,373        $  17,505       $  16,358      $  15,564
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dividends declared per common
     share                                  $    2.32      $    2.26        $    2.20       $    2.14      $    2.08
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  Operating results and balance sheet data include  information for FPC since
     November 30, 2000, the date of acquisition.
(b)  Includes long-term debt to affiliated trust of $270 million at December 31,
     2004, and 2003 (See Note 19).
(c)  All periods have been restated for the  reclassification of certain cost of
     removal amounts.

                                       40
<PAGE>

PROGRESS ENERGY CAROLINAS, INC.

The selected consolidated  financial data should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated  financial  statements and the notes thereto included  elsewhere in
this report.

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
Years Ended December 31                       2004           2003             2002          2001          2000(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating results
  Operating revenues                      $  3,629      $   3,600        $   3,554       $  3,360       $   3,528
  Net income                              $    461      $     482        $     431       $    364       $     461
  Earnings for common stock               $    458      $     479        $     428       $    361       $     458

Assets (c)                                $ 10,787      $  10,938        $  10,442       $ 10,640       $  10,552

Capitalization
  Common stock equity                     $  3,072      $   3,237        $   3,089       $  3,095       $   2,852
  Preferred stock - not subject to
     mandatory redemption                       59             59               59             59              59
  Long-term debt, net                        2,750          3,086            3,048          2,698           3,134
  Current portion of long-term debt            300            300                -            600               -
  Short-term obligations (b)                   337             29              438            309             486
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total capitalization and total debt  $  6,518      $   6,711        $   6,634       $  6,761       $   6,531
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  Operating  results and balance  sheet data do not include  information  for
     NCNG, SRS, Monroe Power Company or PVI subsequent to July 1, 2000, the date
     PEC distributed  its ownership  interest in the stock of these companies to
     Progress Energy.
(b)  Includes notes payable to affiliated  companies,  related to the money pool
     program, of $116 million, $25 million and $48 million at December 31, 2004,
     2003 and 2001, respectively.
(c)  All periods have been restated for the  reclassification of certain cost of
     removal amounts.

                                       41
<PAGE>

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

The following  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis  contains  forward-looking
statements that involve estimates,  projections, goals, forecasts,  assumptions,
risks and  uncertainties  that could cause actual  results or outcomes to differ
materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Please review
the "Risk Factors" sections and "SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" for
a discussion of the factors that may impact any such forward-looking  statements
made herein.

Management's  Discussion  and Analysis  should be read in  conjunction  with the
Progress Energy Consolidated Financial Statements.

INTRODUCTION

The Company's reportable business segments and their primary operations include:

     o    Progress Energy Carolinas  Electric (PEC Electric) - primarily engaged
          in the generation, transmission,  distribution and sale of electricity
          in portions of North Carolina and South Carolina;
     o    Progress  Energy Florida (PEF) - primarily  engaged in the generation,
          transmission,  distribution  and sale of  electricity  in  portions of
          Florida;
     o    Competitive  Commercial  Operations  (CCO) - engaged  in  nonregulated
          electric generation  operations and marketing  activities primarily in
          the southeastern United States;
     o    Fuels -  primarily  engaged in  natural  gas  production  in Texas and
          Louisiana,  coal mining and related  services,  and the  production of
          synthetic fuels and related  services,  which are located in Kentucky,
          West Virginia and Virginia; and
     o    Rail  Services  (Rail) - engaged in various  rail and  railcar-related
          services in 23 states, Mexico and Canada.

The Progress  Ventures  business  unit  consists of the Fuels and CCO  operating
segments.  The Corporate and Other category includes other businesses engaged in
other nonregulated business areas,  including  telecommunications,  primarily in
the eastern United States,  and energy  services  operations and holding company
results,  which do not meet the  requirements  for  separate  segment  reporting
disclosure.

In 2004,  the Company  realigned  its business  segments to no longer report the
other nonregulated  businesses as a reportable business segment. For comparative
purposes,  2003 and 2002 segment information has been restated to align with the
2004 reporting structure.

Strategy

Progress Energy is an integrated  energy company,  with its primary focus on the
end-use  and  wholesale  electricity  markets.  The  Company  operates in retail
utility markets in the southeastern United States and competitive markets in the
eastern United States.  The target is to develop a business mix of approximately
80% regulated and 20% nonregulated business. The Company is focused on achieving
the  following key goals:  restoring  balance  sheet  strength and  flexibility,
disciplined  capital and operations and maintenance  (O&M) management to support
earnings  and current  dividend  policy and  achieving  constructive  regulatory
frameworks in all three  regulated  jurisdictions.  A summary of the significant
financial   objectives  or  issues  impacting  Progress  Energy,  its  regulated
utilities and  nonregulated  operations is addressed more fully in the following
discussion.

PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.

Progress Energy has several key financial  objectives,  the first of which is to
achieve sustainable  earnings growth in its three core energy businesses,  which
include PEC Electric,  PEF and Progress Ventures (excluding synthetic fuels). In
addition,  the Company seeks to continue its track record of dividend growth, as
the Company has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive  years,  and 29 of the
last  30.  The  Company  also  seeks  to  restore  balance  sheet  strength  and
flexibility by reducing its debt to total  capitalization ratio through selected
asset  sales,  free cash flow  (defined  as cash from  operations  less  capital
expenditures and common  dividends) and increased equity from retained  earnings
and ongoing equity issuances.

                                       42
<PAGE>

In the  short-term,  the  Company's  ability to achieve its  objectives  will be
impacted by, among other  things,  its ability to recover  storm costs  incurred
during  2004,   cash  flow  available  to  reduce  debt  after  funding  capital
expenditures  and common  dividends,  obtaining a reasonable  rate  agreement in
Florida at the  expiration  of the current  agreement  in December  2005 and the
outcome of the ongoing  Internal  Revenue  Service  (IRS) audit of the Company's
synthetic fuel facilities. The Company's long-term challenges include escalating
nonfuel operating costs, the need for sufficient  earnings growth to sustain the
track record of dividend growth, and the scheduled  expiration of the Section 29
tax credit program for its synthetic fuels business at the end of 2007.

The Company's  ability to meet its financial  objectives is largely dependent on
the  earnings  and cash  flows of its two  regulated  utilities.  The  regulated
utilities   contributed  $797  million  of  net  income  and  produced  100%  of
consolidated  cash flow from operations in 2004. In addition,  Fuels contributed
$180 million of net income, of which $91 million represented  synthetic fuel net
income.  Partially  offsetting  the  net  income  contribution  provided  by the
regulated  utilities and Fuels was a loss of $236 million  recorded at Corporate
and Other, primarily related to interest expense on holding company debt.

While the Company's  synthetic fuel  operations  currently  provide  significant
earnings that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2007,  the  associated  cash
flow  benefits  from  synthetic  fuels are  expected  to come in the future when
deferred tax credits are ultimately  utilized.  Credits that have been generated
but not yet utilized are carried forward indefinitely as alternative minimum tax
credits and will provide positive cash flow when utilized. At December 31, 2004,
deferred credits were $745 million.  See Note 23E and the "Risk Factors" section
for additional  information on the Company's  synthetic fuel  operations and its
ability to utilize its current and future tax credits.

Progress Energy reduced its debt to total  capitalization  ratio to 57.6% at the
end of 2004 as  compared  to  58.8%  at the end of 2003.  The  Company  seeks to
continue to improve  this ratio as it plans to reduce  total debt with  proceeds
from asset sales,  free cash flow (defined as cash from  operations less capital
expenditures and common  dividends) and growth in equity from retained  earnings
and ongoing equity issuances.  The Company expects total capital expenditures to
be approximately $1.3 billion in both 2005 and 2006.

Progress  Energy's  ratings  outlook was changed to "negative"  from "stable" in
2004 by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's (S&P).  Both ratings  agencies  cited
the uncertainty  around the timing of storm cost recovery,  potential  delays in
the Company's  de-leveraging  plan,  uncertainty about the upcoming rate case in
Florida and  uncertainty  about the IRS audit of the  Company's  synthetic  fuel
partnerships in their ratings actions.  The change in outlook has not materially
affected  Progress  Energy's  access to liquidity or the cost of its  short-term
borrowings.  If Standard & Poor's  lowers  Progress  Energy's  senior  unsecured
rating  one  ratings  category  to BB+ from its  current  rating,  it would be a
noninvestment  grade rating.  The effect of a  noninvestment  grade rating would
primarily  be  to  increase  borrowing  costs.  The  Company's  liquidity  would
essentially  remain  unchanged as the Company believes it could borrow under its
revolving  credit  facilities  instead  of  issuing  commercial  paper  for  its
short-term  borrowing  needs.   However,   there  would  be  additional  funding
requirements of approximately  $450 million due to ratings triggers  embedded in
various contracts.  See "Guarantees"  Section under FUTURE LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
RESOURCES below and "Risk Factors" for more information  regarding the potential
impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations  resulting
from a ratings downgrade.

REGULATED UTILITIES

The regulated utilities earnings and operating cash flows are heavily influenced
by weather,  including related storm damage, the economy, demand for electricity
related to customer growth, actions of regulatory agencies and cost controls.

Both PEC  Electric  and PEF  operate  in  retail  service  territories  that are
forecasted to have income and population growth higher than the U.S. average. In
recent years,  lower  industrial sales mainly related to weakness in the textile
sector at PEC Electric have negatively  impacted  earnings  growth.  The Company
does not expect any  significant  improvement  in  industrial  sales in the near
term.  These combined  factors under normal  weather  conditions are expected to
contribute  approximately 2% annual retail  kilowatt-hour  (KWh) sales growth at
PEC Electric and approximately 3% annual retail kilowatt-hour (KWh) sales growth
at PEF through at least 2007. The utilities must continue to invest  significant
capital in new generation,  transmission and distribution  facilities to support
this load growth. Subject to regulatory approval, these investments are expected
to  increase  the  utilities'  rate base,  upon which  additional  return can be
realized that creates the basis for long-term financial growth in the utilities.
The  Company  will meet this load  growth  through  the two  previously  planned
approximately 500 MW combined-cycle  units at PEF's Hines Energy Complex in 2005
and 2007. The contribution from the utilities'  regulated  wholesale business is
expected to increase  slightly in 2005 and be relatively flat over the following
few years.

                                       43
<PAGE>

While the two  utilities  expect  retail  sales  growth in the future,  they are
facing rising costs. The Company began a cost-management initiative in late 2004
to permanently  reduce by $75-$100 million the projected growth in the Company's
annual  nonfuel O&M costs by the end of 2007. See "Cost  Management  Initiative"
under RESULTS OF OPERATIONS for more  information.  The utilities expect capital
expenditures to be approximately $1.1 billion in both 2005 and 2006. The Company
will  continue  an   approximate   $900  million   program  of  installing   new
emission-control  equipment at PEC's  coal-fired power plants in North Carolina.
Operating  cash flows are expected to be sufficient to fund capital  spending in
2005 and in 2006.

The costs  associated  with the  unprecedented  series of major  hurricanes that
impacted the Company's service  territories  significantly  impacted the utility
operations in 2004.  Restoration of the Company's systems from hurricane-related
damage  cost  almost  $400  million.  Although  PEF has  filed for  recovery  of
approximately  $252 million of these storm costs,  the timing of recovery is not
certain at this time.  See OTHER  MATTERS  below for more  information  on storm
costs incurred during 2004.

PEC  Electric  and PEF continue to monitor  progress  toward a more  competitive
environment. No retail electric restructuring legislation has been introduced in
the  jurisdictions  in which PEC Electric and PEF operate.  As part of the Clean
Smokestacks  bill in North  Carolina  and an agreement  with the Public  Service
Commission of South  Carolina  (SCPSC),  PEC Electric is operating  under a rate
freeze in North Carolina through 2007 and an agreement not to seek a base retail
electric rate increase in South Carolina  through 2005. PEF is operating under a
retail  rate  agreement  in  Florida  through  2005.  PEF has  initiated  a rate
proceeding  in 2005  regarding  its future  base  rates.  See Note 8 for further
discussion of the utilities' retail rates.

NONREGULATED BUSINESSES

The Company's primary nonregulated businesses are CCO, Fuels and Progress Rail.

Cash flows and earnings of the  nonregulated  businesses are impacted largely by
the  ability to obtain  additional  term  contracts  or sell  energy on the spot
market at favorable terms, the volume of synthetic fuel produced and tax credits
utilized, and volumes and prices of both coal and natural gas sales.

Progress  Energy  expects an excess of supply in the wholesale  electric  energy
market for the next  several  years.  During 2004,  CCO entered into  additional
wholesale  power   contracts  with   cooperatives  in  Georgia  and  will  serve
approximately  one-third of the Georgia cooperative market starting in 2005. CCO
completed  the  build  out of its  nonregulated  generation  assets  in 2003 and
currently  has total  capacity of 3,100 MW. The Company has no current  plans to
expand  its  portfolio  of  nonregulated   generating   plants.  CCO  short-term
challenges  include  absorbing the fixed costs  associated with these plants and
the general  weakness in wholesale  power markets.  Three  above-market  tolling
agreements for  approximately  1,200 MW of capacity  expired at the end of 2004.
CCO has replaced the expired  agreements with the increased  cooperative load in
Georgia. The increased  cooperative load in Georgia will significantly  increase
CCO's revenue and cost of sales from 2004 to 2005 with lower  margins  expected.
Currently CCO has contracts for its planned production capacity,  which includes
callable resources from the cooperatives, of approximately 77% for 2005, 81% for
2006 and 75% for 2007.  CCO will  continue  its  optimization  strategy  for the
nonregulated generation portfolio.

Fuels will continue to develop its natural gas  production  asset base both as a
long-term  economic hedge for the Company's  nonregulated  generation fuel needs
and to  continue  its  presence  in natural  gas  markets  that will allow it to
provide attractive returns for the Company's shareholders.

The Company has begun exploring strategic alternatives regarding the Fuels' coal
mining business,  which could include divesting assets. As of December 31, 2004,
the  carrying  value of  long-lived  assets of the coal mining  business was $66
million.

The Company, through its subsidiaries,  is a majority owner in five entities and
a minority owner in one entity that owns facilities that produce  synthetic fuel
as defined  under the Internal  Revenue  Code.  The  production  and sale of the
synthetic fuel from these facilities  qualifies for tax credits under Section 29
if certain  requirements  are satisfied.  These  facilities  have private letter
rulings  (PLRs) from the IRS with respect to their  synthetic  fuel  operations.
However,  these PLRs do not address  placed-in-service  date  requirements.  The
Company has resolved  certain  synthetic fuel tax credit issues with the IRS and

                                       44

is continuing to work with the IRS to resolve any remaining issues.  The Company
cannot predict the final resolution of any outstanding  matters. The Company has
no current plans to alter its synthetic fuel production  schedule as a result of
these matters.  The Company plans to produce  approximately 8 to 12 million tons
of synthetic fuel in 2005.  Through December 31, 2004, the Company had generated
approximately  $1.5 billion of synthetic fuel tax credits to date (including FPC
prior to the acquisition by the Company). See additional discussion of synthetic
fuel tax credits in Note 23E and in the "Risk Factors" section.

In February  2005,  Progress  Energy  signed a definitive  agreement to sell its
Progress Rail  subsidiary to subsidiaries of One Equity Partners LLC for a sales
price of $405 million.  Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to reduce
debt. See Note 24 for more information.

Progress Energy and its consolidated  subsidiaries are subject to various risks.
For a complete discussion of these risks, see the Risk Factors section.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR 2004 AS COMPARED TO 2003 AND 2003 AS COMPARED TO 2002

In this section,  earnings and the factors affecting earnings are discussed. The
discussion  begins  with a  summarized  overview of the  Company's  consolidated
earnings,  which is  followed  by a more  detailed  discussion  and  analysis by
business segment.

Overview

For the year ended  December  31,  2004,  Progress  Energy's net income was $759
million or $3.13 per share  compared to $782  million or $3.30 per share for the
same  period in 2003.  The  decrease in net income as compared to prior year was
due primarily to:
o    Reduction in synthetic fuel earnings due to lower  synthetic fuel sales due
     to the impact of hurricanes during the year.
o    Lower off-system wholesale sales, primarily at PEC Electric.
o    Higher O&M expenses at PEC Electric.
o    Recording of litigation  settlement  reached in the civil suit by Strategic
     Resource Solutions (SRS).
o    Decreased  nonregulated  generation  earnings  due to receipt of a contract
     termination  payment on a tolling  agreement in 2003,  loss  recognized  on
     early  extinguishment  of debt in 2004 and higher  fixed costs and interest
     charges in 2004.
o    Reduction in revenues due to customer  outages in Florida  associated  with
     the hurricanes.
o    Increased  interest  charges due to the  reversal  of interest  expense for
     resolved tax matters in 2003.

Partially offsetting these items were:
o    Favorable weather in the Carolinas.
o    Reduction in revenue sharing provisions in Florida.
o    Favorable customer growth in both the Carolinas and Florida.
o    Increased margins as a result of the allowed return on the Hines 2 Plant in
     Florida.
o    Increased  earnings  for natural  gas  operations,  which  include the gain
     recorded  on the  disposition  of  certain  Winchester  Production  Company
     assets.
o    Increased earnings for Rail operations.
o    Unrealized gains recorded on contingent value obligations (CVOs).
o    Reduction  in  impairments   recorded  for  an  investment   portfolio  and
     long-lived assets.
o    Reduction in losses recorded for discontinued operations.
o    Reduction in losses recorded for changes in accounting principles.

For the year ended  December  31,  2003,  Progress  Energy's net income was $782
million,  or $3.30 per share,  compared to $528 million, or $2.43 per share, for
the same period in 2002. Income from continuing operations before the cumulative
effect of changes in accounting principles and discontinued  operations was $811
million in 2003, a 47% increase  from $552 million in 2002.  Net income for 2003
increased  compared  to  2002  primarily  due to the  inclusion  in  2002  of an
impairment of $265 million after-tax related to assets in the telecommunications
and rail businesses.  The Company recorded  impairments of $23 million after-tax
in 2003 on an investment portfolio and on long-lived assets. The increase in net
income in 2003 of $12 million, excluding the impairments, is primarily due to:

                                       45
<PAGE>

o    Increase in retail customer growth at the utilities.
o    Growth in natural gas production and sales.
o    Higher synthetic fuel sales.
o    Absence of severe storm costs incurred in 2002 in the Carolinas.
o    Lower loss recorded in 2003 related to the sale of North  Carolina  Natural
     Gas  Company  (NCNG),  with the  majority  of the  loss on the  sale  being
     recorded in 2002.
o    Lower interest charges in 2003.

Partially offsetting these items were the:
o    Net impact of the 2002 Florida Rate settlement.
o    Impact of the change in the fair value of the CVOs.
o    Milder weather in 2003 as compared to 2002.
o    Increased benefit-related costs.
o    Higher  depreciation  expense  at  both  utilities  and the  Fuels  and CCO
     segments.
o    The impact of changes in accounting principles in 2003.

Basic earnings per share  decreased in 2004 and increased in 2003 due in part to
the factors  outlined above.  Dilution  related to issuances under the Company's
Investor Plus and employee  benefit programs in 2004 also reduced basic earnings
per share by $0.06 in 2004.  Dilution related to a November 2002 equity issuance
of 14.7 million  shares and  issuances  under the  Company's  Investor  Plus and
employee benefit programs in 2002 and 2003 also reduced basic earnings per share
by $0.33 in 2003.

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company ceased  recording  portions
of the Fuels segment's  operations,  primarily  synthetic fuel  facilities,  one
month in arrears.  As a result,  earnings for the year ended  December 31, 2003,
included  13 months of  operations,  resulting  in a net income  increase  of $2
million for the year.

The Company's segments  contributed the following profit or loss from continuing
operations:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     2004        Change        2003       Change       2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEC Electric                                       $  464       $  (51)      $   515      $    2      $ 513
PEF                                                   333           38           295         (28)       323
Fuels                                                 180          (55)          235          59        176
CCO                                                    (4)         (24)           20          (7)        27
Rail services                                          16           17            (1)         41        (42)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total segment profit (loss)                       989          (75)        1,064          67        997
Corporate and other                                  (236)          17          (253)        192       (445)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total income from continuing operations           753          (58)          811         259        552
Discontinued operations, net of tax                     6           14            (8)         16        (24)
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
       principles                                       -           21           (21)        (21)         -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                         $  759       $  (23)      $   782      $  254      $ 528
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

In March 2003, the SEC completed an audit of Progress  Energy  Service  Company,
LLC  (Service  Company),  and  recommended  that  the  Company  change  its cost
allocation  methodology  for allocating  Service  Company costs.  As part of the
audit  process,   the  Company  was  required  to  change  the  cost  allocation
methodology for 2003 and record retroactive reallocations between its affiliates
in the first quarter of 2003 for  allocations  originally made in 2001 and 2002.
This change in allocation  methodology and the related  retroactive  adjustments
have  no  impact  on  consolidated  expense  or  earnings.  The  new  allocation
methodology,  as  compared to the  previous  allocation  methodology,  generally
decreases  expenses in the regulated  utilities  and  increases  expenses in the
nonregulated  businesses.  The regulated utilities' reallocations are within O&M
expense,  while the diversified  businesses'  reallocations are generally within
diversified business expenses. The impact on the individual lines of business is
included in the following discussions.

                                       46
<PAGE>

Cost Management Initiative

On  February  28,  2005,  as  part of a  previously  announced  cost  management
initiative,   the  executive  officers  of  the  Company  approved  a  workforce
restructuring. The restructuring will result in a reduction of approximately 450
positions  and is  expected  to be  completed  in  September  of 2005.  The cost
management  initiative is designed to permanently  reduce by $75-100 million the
projected growth in the Company's  annual operation and maintenance  expenses by
the end of 2007. In addition to the workforce restructuring, the cost management
initiative includes a voluntary enhanced retirement program.

In connection with the cost management initiative,  the Company expects to incur
one-time  pre-tax  charges of  approximately  $130  million.  Approximately  $30
million of that amount relates to payments for severance  benefits,  and will be
recognized  in the first  quarter  of 2005 and paid  over  time.  The  remaining
approximately  $100 million will be recognized in the second quarter of 2005 and
relates  primarily  to  postretirement  benefits  that will be paid over time to
those  eligible  employees who elect to  participate  in the voluntary  enhanced
retirement  program.  Approximately  3,500 of the Company's 15,700 employees are
eligible to participate in the voluntary enhanced retirement program.  The total
cost management initiative charges could change significantly depending upon how
many eligible  employees  elect early  retirement  under the voluntary  enhanced
retirement program and the salary,  service years and age of such employees (See
Note 24).

Energy Delivery Capitalization Practice

The Company has reviewed  its  capitalization  policies for its Energy  Delivery
business units in PEC and PEF. That review indicated that in the areas of outage
and emergency work not  associated  with major storms and allocation of indirect
costs,  both PEC and PEF should  revise the way that they estimate the amount of
capital  costs  associated  with such work.  The  Company has  implemented  such
changes effective January 1, 2005, which include more detailed classification of
outage and emergency work and result in more precise estimation and a process of
retesting accounting estimates on an annual basis. As a result of the changes in
accounting  estimates for the outage and emergency  work and indirect  costs,  a
lesser  proportion of PEC's and PEF's costs will be capitalized on a prospective
basis. The Company estimates that the combined impact for both utilities in 2005
will be that approximately $55 million of costs that would have been capitalized
under the previous  policies will be expensed.  Pursuant to SFAS No. 71, PEC and
PEF have informed the state  regulators  having  jurisdiction  over them of this
change and that the new estimation process will be implemented effective January
1, 2005. The Company has also requested a method change from the IRS.

Progress Energy Carolinas Electric

PEC Electric contributed segment profits of $464 million,  $515 million and $513
million in 2004, 2003 and 2002,  respectively.  The decrease in profits for 2004
as compared to 2003 is primarily  due to higher O&M charges and lower  wholesale
revenues partially offset by the favorable impact of weather, increased revenues
from customer growth and a reduction in investment losses and impairment charges
compared  to the prior  year.  The slight  increase  in  profits  in 2003,  when
compared to 2002, was primarily due to customer  growth,  strong wholesale sales
during the first quarter of 2003,  lower Service  Company  allocations and lower
interest  costs,  which  were  offset by  unfavorable  weather  in 2003,  higher
depreciation expense and increased benefit-related costs.

REVENUES

PEC  Electric's  electric  revenues  and the  percentage  change  by year and by
customer class are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer Class                     2004       % Change       2003       % Change       2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential                       $ 1,324         5.2      $ 1,259         1.5      $ 1,241
Commercial                            888         4.5          850         2.2          832
Industrial                            659         3.6          636        (1.4)         645
Governmental                           82         3.8           79         1.3           78
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total retail revenues           2,953         4.6        2,824         1.0        2,796
Wholesale                             575       (16.3)         687         5.5          651
Unbilled                               10           -           (6)          -           15
Miscellaneous                          90         7.1           84         9.1           77
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total electric revenues       $ 3,628         1.1      $ 3,589         1.4      $ 3,539
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       47
<PAGE>

PEC Electric's  electric  energy sales and the percentage  change by year and by
customer class are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of MWh)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Customer Class             2004       % Change        2003      % Change        2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential                        16,003          4.7        15,283       0.3          15,239
Commercial                         13,019          3.7        12,557       0.7          12,468
Industrial                         13,036          2.3        12,749      (2.6)         13,089
Governmental                        1,431          1.6         1,408      (2.0)          1,437
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total retail energy sales      43,489          3.6        41,997      (0.6)         42,233
Wholesale                          13,222        (14.8)       15,518       3.3          15,024
Unbilled                               91            -           (44)        -             270
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total MWh sales                56,802          1.2        57,471      (0.1)         57,527
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

PEC Electric's revenues, excluding recoverable fuel revenues of $933 million and
$901 million for 2004 and 2003, respectively, increased $7 million. The increase
in revenues was due primarily to increased  retail  revenues of $35 million as a
result of  favorable  weather,  with  cooling  degree days 16% above prior year.
Retail  customer  growth  contributed  an additional  $55 million in revenues in
2004. PEC Electric's retail customer base increased as approximately  26,000 new
customers  were  added in 2004.  The  increase  in retail  revenues  was  offset
partially by lower wholesale revenues.  Wholesale revenues decreased $86 million
when compared to $393 million in 2003. The decrease in PEC Electric's  wholesale
revenues in 2004 from 2003 is primarily the result of reduced excess  generation
sales. Revenues for 2003 included strong sales to the northeastern United States
as a result of  favorable  market  conditions.  In  addition,  lower  contracted
capacity  compared to 2003 further  reduced  wholesale  revenues.  The remaining
reduction in wholesale  revenues is  attributable  to an inelastic power market.
While the cost of fuel  continues  to rise,  the power  market  prices  have not
responded as quickly to the fuel increases.  The differential  between fuel cost
and market price  limited  opportunities  to enter the market.  PEC monitors its
wholesale contract  portfolio on a regular basis.  During 2003 and 2004, several
contracts  expired or were  renegotiated  at lower  prices.  Due to the slightly
depressed wholesale market and increased competition,  this trend could continue
as contracts are renewed in the upcoming years. The expiration and renegotiation
of wholesale  contracts is a normal business activity.  PEC actively manages its
portfolio by seeking to sign new contracts to replace expiring arrangements.

PEC Electric's revenues, excluding recoverable fuel revenues of $901 million and
$851 million in 2003 and 2002,  respectively,  were unchanged from 2002 to 2003.
Milder  weather in 2003,  when  compared  to 2002,  accounted  for a $61 million
retail  revenue  reduction.  While  heating  degree days in 2003 were 4.8% above
prior year, cooling degree days were 25.2% below prior year.  However,  the more
severe  weather in the  northeast  region of the United  States during the first
quarter  of  2003  drove  a  $19  million   increase  in   wholesale   revenues.
Additionally, retail customer growth in 2003 generated an additional $42 million
of  revenues  in  2003.  PEC  Electric's   retail  customer  base  increased  as
approximately 23,000 new customers were added in 2003.

Downturns in the economy  during 2002 and 2003 impacted  energy usage within the
industrial customer class. Total industrial  revenues,  excluding fuel revenues,
declined  during  2003  when  compared  to  2002 by $13  million,  as  sales  to
industrial customers decreased due to a general industrial  slowdown.  Decreases
in the textile industry and the chemical  industry were among the largest.  This
declining trend leveled out in 2004 as industrial sales increased in the primary
and fabricated metal,  chemicals,  lumber and food industries.  Industrial sales
growth is expected to be flat or very low as expired textile quotas are expected
to lower textile sales and balance gains in other industries.

EXPENSES

Fuel and Purchased Power

Fuel and purchased power costs represent the costs of generation,  which include
fuel purchases for generation, as well as energy purchased in the market to meet
customer load. Fuel and purchased power expenses are recovered primarily through
cost recovery  clauses,  and, as such,  changes in these  expenses do not have a
material  impact on earnings.  The difference  between fuel and purchased  power
costs  incurred and  associated  fuel  revenues  that are subject to recovery is
deferred for future collection or refund to customers.

Fuel and purchased power expenses were $1.137 billion for 2004, which represents
a $16 million increase  compared to the same period in the prior year. Fuel used
in electric  generation  increased  $11 million to $836 million  compared to the
prior year.  This  increase is due to an increase in fuel used in  generation of
$78 million due to higher fuel costs and a change in generation mix. Higher fuel
costs are being  driven  primarily  by an  increase in coal  prices.  Outages at

                                       48
<PAGE>

several  nuclear  facilities  during the year  resulted in increased  combustion
turbine  generation,  which has a higher  average fuel cost. See Part I, Item I,
"Fuel and  Purchased  Power" of  Electric - PEC for a summary  of  average  fuel
costs.  The  increase in fuel used in  generation  is offset by a  reduction  in
deferred fuel expense as a result of the  under-recovery  of current period fuel
costs. Purchased power expenses increased $5 million to $301 million compared to
prior year.  The increase in purchased  power is due primarily to an increase in
price.

Fuel and purchased power expenses were $1.121 billion for 2003, which represents
a $22 million increase  compared to the same period in the prior year. Fuel used
in electric  generation  increased $73 million in 2003,  compared to prior year,
primarily  due to higher  prices  incurred  for coal,  oil and  natural gas used
during  generation.  Costs for fuel per Btu increased for all three  commodities
during the year.  See Part I, Item I, "Fuel and  Purchased  Power" of Electric -
PEC for a summary of average fuel costs.  Purchased power expense  decreased $51
million in 2003,  compared to $347 million in 2002,  mainly due to a decrease in
the volume  purchased as milder weather reduced system  requirements  and due to
the  renegotiation  at more favorable terms of two contracts that expired during
the year.

Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

O&M  expenses  were $871  million  for 2004,  which  represents  an $89  million
increase  compared to 2003.  This increase is driven  primarily by higher outage
costs and storm  costs in 2004 than in the prior  year.  Outages  increased  O&M
costs by $29  million  primarily  due to an  increase in the number and scope of
nuclear plant outages in 2004. In addition,  costs  associated with  restoration
efforts after severe storms  increased O&M expense $18 million.  Storm costs for
2004 included costs related to an ice storm and  Hurricanes  Charley and Ivan in
the North Carolina service territory.  PEC Electric also incurred storm costs in
2003;  however,  the Company  requested and the NCUC approved  deferral of these
costs.  The Company did not seek to defer costs  associated  with the ice storm,
which hit the North Carolina service territory, and Hurricanes Charley and Ivan.
O&M expenses also increased $9 million due to higher salary- and benefit-related
expenditures. In addition, O&M charges in the prior year were favorably impacted
by $16 million related to the retroactive reallocation of Service Company costs.

O&M expenses were $782 million in 2003,  which represents a $20 million decrease
compared  to 2002.  O&M  expense  in 2002  included  severe  storm  costs of $27
million.  Those costs, along with lower 2003 Service Company  allocations of $16
million,  due to the change in allocation  methodology as required by the SEC in
early 2003,  are the primary  reasons for decreased O&M expenses.  This decrease
was  partially  offset  by  higher  benefit-related  costs of $21  million.  PEC
Electric  incurred O&M costs of $25 million  related to three  severe  storms in
2003. The NCUC allowed deferral of $24 million of these storm costs. These costs
are being  amortized  over a  five-year  period,  beginning  in the  months  the
expenses  were  incurred.  PEC  Electric  amortized $3 million of these costs in
2003,  which  is  included  in  depreciation  and  amortization  expense  on the
Consolidated Income Statement.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation  and  amortization   expense  was  $570  million  for  2004,  which
represents  an  $8  million   increase   compared  to  2003.  This  increase  is
attributable  primarily  to the  impact  of the NC Clean  Air  legislation.  PEC
Electric  recorded the maximum  amortization  allowed under the  legislation  in
2004. NC Clean Air  amortization  increased $100 million to $174 million in 2004
compared to $74 million in 2003.  Depreciation expense also increased $9 million
for  assets  placed in  service.  These  increases  were  partially  offset by a
reduction in depreciation  expense related to depreciation  studies filed during
the year.  During 2004, PEC met the  requirements of both the NCUC and the SCPSC
for the  implementation  of  depreciation  studies  that  allowed the utility to
reduce the rates used to calculate depreciation expense. The annual reduction in
depreciation  expense  is  approximately  $82  million  compared  to  2003.  The
reduction is due primarily to extended lives at each of PEC's nuclear units. The
new rates became effective January 2004.

Depreciation  and amortization  increased $38 million in 2003,  compared to $524
million in 2002.  Depreciation and amortization increased $74 million related to
the 2003  impact of the NC Clean  Air  legislation  and  decreased  $53  million
related to the 2002 impact of the accelerated nuclear amortization program. Both
programs are approved by the state regulatory agencies and are discussed further
at Notes 8B and 22. In  addition,  depreciation  increased  $19  million  due to
additional assets placed into service.

                                       49
<PAGE>

Taxes Other than on Income

Taxes other than on income were $173 million for 2004,  which  represents an $11
million  increase  compared to the prior year. This increase is due primarily to
an  increase  in gross  receipts  taxes of $8 million  related to an increase in
revenues and a 2004 adjustment related to the prior year. The remaining variance
in other  taxes is due to an  increase  in  property  taxes of $7 million due to
higher property  appraisals  partially offset by a reduction in payroll taxes of
$4 million.

Taxes  other than on income were $162  million in 2003,  which  represents  a $4
million increase  compared to prior year. This increase is due to an increase in
property taxes and payroll taxes of $2 million each.

Interest Expense

Net interest  expense was $192  million,  $197 million and $212 million in 2004,
2003 and 2002, respectively.  Declines in interest expense in 2003 resulted from
reduced  short-term  debt and  refinancing  certain  long-term  debt with  lower
interest rate debt.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $237 million, $238 million and $237 million in 2004, 2003
and 2002, respectively. In 2004, 2003 and 2002, $22 million, $24 million and $35
million,  respectively,  of the tax  benefit  that  was  previously  held at the
Company's  holding company was allocated to PEC Electric.  As required by an SEC
order issued in 2002,  certain  holding  company tax  benefits are  allocated to
profitable subsidiaries. Other fluctuations in income taxes are primarily due to
changes in pre-tax income.

Progress Energy Florida

PEF contributed  segment profits of $333 million,  $295 million and $323 million
in  2004,  2003 and  2002,  respectively.  Profits  for  2004  increased  due to
favorable  customer  growth,  a reduction in the provision for revenue  sharing,
favorable wholesale revenues, the additional return on investment on the Hines 2
plant and reduced O&M expenses. These items were partially offset by unfavorable
weather,  a reduction in revenues related to the hurricanes,  increased interest
expense and increased  depreciation  expense from assets placed in service.  The
decrease in profits in 2003,  when  compared to 2002,  was  primarily due to the
impact of the 2002 rate case stipulation, higher benefit-related costs primarily
related to higher  pension  expense,  higher  depreciation  and the  unfavorable
impact of weather.  These amounts were  partially  offset by continued  customer
growth and lower interest charges.

In  2002,  PEF's  profits  were  affected  by  the  outcome  of  the  rate  case
stipulation, which included a one-time retroactive revenue refund, a decrease in
retail rates of 9.25%  (effective May 1, 2002),  provisions for revenue  sharing
with the retail customer base, lower depreciation and amortization and increased
service revenue rates (See Note 8C).

REVENUES

PEF's electric revenues and the percentage change by year and by customer class,
as well as the impact of the rate case settlement on revenue, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer Class                          2004    % Change       2003      % Change      2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential                           $ 1,806      6.8          $ 1,691     2.8        $ 1,645
Commercial                                853     15.3              740     1.2            731
Industrial                                254     16.0              219     3.8            211
Governmental                              211     16.6              181     4.6            173
Revenue sharing refund                   (11)       -               (35)     -              (5)
Retroactive retail rate refund              -       -                 -      -             (35)
- ------------------------------------------------        -----------------         -------------
    Total retail revenues               3,113     11.3            2,796     2.8          2,720
Wholesale                                 268     18.1              227    (1.3)           230
Unbilled                                    7       -                (2)     -              (3)
Miscellaneous                             137      4.6              131    13.9            115
- ------------------------------------------------        -----------------         -------------
    Total electric revenues           $ 3,525     11.8          $ 3,152     2.9        $ 3,062
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       50
<PAGE>

PEF's electric  energy sales and the  percentage  change by year and by customer
class are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of MWh)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer Class                         2004    % Change      2003      % Change      2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential                           19,347     (0.4)         19,429     3.6         18,754
Commercial                            11,734      1.6          11,553     1.2         11,420
Industrial                             4,069      1.7           4,000     4.3          3,835
Governmental                           3,044      2.4           2,974     4.4          2,850
- -----------------------------------------------        ----------------         -------------
    Total retail energy sales         38,194      0.6          37,956     3.0         36,859
Wholesale                              5,101     18.0           4,323     3.4          4,180
Unbilled                                 358       -              233      -               5
- -----------------------------------------------        ----------------         -------------
    Total MWh sales                   43,653      2.6          42,512     3.6         41,044
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

PEF's revenues,  excluding  recoverable fuel and other pass-through  revenues of
$2.007 billion and $1.692 billion for 2004 and 2003, respectively, increased $58
million.  This increase was due primarily to favorable  customer  growth,  which
increased  revenues  $34 million.  PEF has 37,000  additional  retail  customers
compared to prior year.  Revenues were also favorably impacted by a reduction in
the provision for revenue  sharing of $24 million.  Results for 2003 included an
additional  refund of $18 million related to the 2002 revenue sharing  provision
as ordered by the FPSC in July  2003.  In  addition,  improved  wholesale  sales
increased revenues by $11 million.  Included in fuel revenues is the recovery of
depreciation  and  capital  costs  associated  with the Hines  Unit 2, which was
placed into service in December 2003 and  contributed  $36 million in additional
revenues in 2004. The recovery of the Hines Unit 2 costs through the fuel clause
is in accordance with the 2002 rate  stipulation  (See Note 8C). These increases
were partially  offset by the reduction in revenues  related to customer outages
for Hurricanes Charley,  Frances and Jeanne of approximately $12 million and the
impact of milder weather in the current year of $10 million.

PEF's revenues,  excluding  recoverable fuel and other pass-through  revenues of
$1.692 billion and $1.602 billion in 2003 and 2002, respectively, were unchanged
from 2002 to 2003.  Revenues  were  favorably  impacted  by $49 million in 2003,
primarily  as a result  of  customer  growth  (approximately  36,000  additional
customers).  In addition, other operating revenues were favorable by $16 million
due primarily to higher  wheeling and  transmission  revenues and higher service
charge  revenues  (resulting  from  increased  rates allowed under the 2002 rate
settlement).  These  increases  were offset by the  negative  impact of the rate
settlement,  which decreased  revenues,  lower wholesale sales and the impact of
unfavorable  weather. The provision for revenue sharing increased $12 million in
2003  compared to the $5 million  provision  recorded in 2002.  Revenues in 2003
were  also  impacted  by the  final  resolution  of  the  2002  revenue  sharing
provisions, as the FPSC issued an order in July 2003 that required PEF to refund
an additional $18 million to customers related to 2002. The 9.25% rate reduction
from the settlement accounted for an additional $46 million decline in revenues.
The 2003 impact of the rate  settlement  was partially  offset by the absence of
the prior year  interim  rate refund of $35 million.  Lower  wholesale  revenues
(excluding  fuel  revenues)  of $17 million and the $8 million  impact of milder
weather also reduced base revenues during 2003.

EXPENSES

Fuel and Purchased Power

Fuel and purchased power costs represent the costs of generation,  which include
fuel purchases for generation, as well as energy purchased in the market to meet
customer load. Fuel and purchased power expenses are recovered primarily through
cost recovery  clauses,  and, as such,  changes in these  expenses do not have a
material  impact on earnings.  The difference  between fuel and purchased  power
costs  incurred and  associated  fuel  revenues  that are subject to recovery is
deferred for future collection or refund to customers.

Fuel and purchased power expenses were $1.742 billion in 2004,  which represents
a $306 million  increase  compared to 2003. This increase is due to increases in
fuel used in electric  generation  and purchased  power expenses of $305 million
and $1 million,  respectively.  Higher system  requirements  and increased  fuel
costs in the current  year  account for $87 million of the increase in fuel used
in electric  generation.  The remaining  increase is due to the recovery of fuel
expenses that were deferred in the prior year,  partially offset by the deferral
of current  year  under-recovered  fuel  expenses.  In November  2003,  the FPSC
approved  PEF's  request for a cost  adjustment in its annual fuel filing due to
the rising costs of fuel. The new rates became effective January 2004.

                                       51
<PAGE>

Fuel used in generation  and  purchased  power  expenses were $1.436  billion in
2003,  which  represents  an $87  million  increase  compared to the prior year.
Higher  costs to  generate  electricity  and higher  purchased  power costs as a
result of an increase in volume due to system  requirements  and higher  natural
gas prices resulted in a $229 million increase  partially offset by the deferral
of 2003 under-recovered fuel and purchased power expense of $142 million.

Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

O&M expenses were $630 million in 2004,  which represents a $10 million decrease
when compared to the prior year. This decrease is primarily related to favorable
benefit-related costs of $16 million, primarily due to lower pension costs which
resulted from improved pension asset performance.

O&M expenses were $640 million in 2003,  which represents a $49 million increase
when compared to the prior year. The increase is largely related to increases in
certain  benefit-related  expenses of $36 million,  which consisted primarily of
higher pension  expense of $27 million and higher  operational  costs related to
the CR3 nuclear outage and plant maintenance.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation  and  amortization   expense  was  $281  million  for  2004,  which
represents a decrease of $26 million when compared to the prior year,  primarily
due to the amortization of the Tiger Bay regulatory asset in the prior year. The
Tiger Bay  regulatory  asset,  for contract  termination  costs,  was  recovered
pursuant to an agreement between PEF and the FPSC that was approved in 1997. The
amortization  of the regulatory  asset was calculated  using revenues  collected
under the fuel adjustment clause; as such,  fluctuations in this expense did not
have an impact on earnings. During 2003, Tiger Bay amortization was $47 million.
The Tiger Bay asset was fully amortized in September 2003. The decrease in Tiger
Bay  amortization  was partially  offset by additional  depreciation  for assets
placed in service,  including depreciation for Hines Unit 2, of approximately $9
million.  This  depreciation  expense is being  recovered  through the fuel cost
recovery  clause as allowed by the FPSC. See discussion of the return on Hines 2
in the revenues analysis above.

Depreciation  and  amortization  was $307 million in 2003,  which  represents an
increase of $12 million when compared to 2002.  Depreciation increased primarily
as a result of additional  assets being placed into service that were  partially
offset by lower  amortization  of the Tiger Bay regulatory  asset of $2 million,
which was fully amortized in September 2003.

Taxes Other than on Income

Taxes  other than on income  were $254  million  in 2004,  which  represents  an
increase of $13 million  compared  to the prior  year.  This  increase is due to
increases in gross  receipts and  franchise  taxes of $8 million and $7 million,
respectively,  related to an increase  in  revenues  and an increase in property
taxes of $5 million  due to  increases  in  property  placed in service  and tax
rates.  These increases were partially offset by a reduction in payroll taxes of
$7 million.

Taxes  other than on income  were $241  million  in 2003,  which  represents  an
increase  of $13  million  compared  to prior  year.  This  increase  was due to
increases in payroll  taxes of $10 million and  increases in gross  receipts and
franchise taxes of $4 million combined.

Interest Expense

Interest charges, net were $114 million in 2004, which represents an increase of
$23 million compared to the prior year.  Interest charges,  net were $91 million
in 2003, which represents a $15 million decrease compared to the prior year. The
fluctuations  were  primarily  due to  interest  costs in 2003  being  favorably
impacted by the reversal of interest  expense due to the  resolution  of certain
tax matters.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $174 million, $147 million and $163 million in 2004, 2003
and 2002, respectively. In 2004, 2003 and 2002, $14 million, $13 million and $20
million,  respectively,  of the tax  benefit  that  was  previously  held at the
Company's  holding  company  was  allocated  to PEF. As required by an SEC order
issued in 2002, certain holding company tax benefits are allocated to profitable
subsidiaries. Other fluctuations in income taxes are primarily due to changes in
pre-tax income.


                                       52
<PAGE>

Diversified Businesses

The  Company's  diversified  businesses  consist of the Fuels  segment,  the CCO
segment and the Rail Services segment.

Fuels

The Fuels' segment  operations  include synthetic fuels production,  natural gas
production,  coal  extraction and terminal  operations.  Beginning in the fourth
quarter  of 2003,  the  Company  ceased  recording  portions  of Fuels'  segment
operations,  primarily  synthetic fuel  facilities,  one month in arrears.  As a
result,  earnings for the year ended  December  31, 2003,  included 13 months of
operations, resulting in a net income increase of $2 million for the year.

The following summarizes Fuels' segment profits:

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                           2004        2003        2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Synthetic fuel operations             $   91       $ 205       $ 156
Natural gas operations                    85          34          10
Coal fuel and other operations             4         (4)          10
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
         Segment profits              $  180       $ 235       $ 176
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

SYNTHETIC FUEL OPERATIONS

The production and sale of synthetic fuel generate operating losses, but qualify
for tax credits under Section 29 of the Code,  which more than offset the effect
of such losses (See Note 23E).

The operations resulted in the following losses (prior to tax credits):

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                  2004       2003      2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tons sold                                       8.3       12.4      11.2

After-tax losses (excluding tax credits)     $ (124)    $ (141)   $ (135)
Tax credits                                     215        346       291
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net profit                              $   91     $  205    $  156
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company's  synthetic fuel production levels and the amount of tax credits it
can claim  each year are a  function  of the  Company's  projected  consolidated
regular  federal income tax liability.  Synthetic fuel  operations'  net profits
decreased  in 2004 as compared to 2003 due  primarily to a decrease in synthetic
fuel  production  and an increase in operating  expenses in 2004.  The Company's
total synthetic fuel production of  approximately  eight million tons in 2004 is
down compared to 2003 production  levels of  approximately  12 million tons as a
result of hurricane  costs,  which reduced the Company's  projected 2004 regular
tax  liability  and its  corresponding  ability to record tax  credits  from its
synthetic fuel production.  In addition,  earnings in 2003 include a $13 million
favorable tax credit true-up related to 2002.

As of  September  30,  2004,  the  Company  anticipated  an  ability  to  record
approximately  five  million  tons of synthetic  fuels  production  based on the
Company's projected regular tax liability for 2004. This estimate was based upon
the Company's projected casualty loss as a result of the storms.  Therefore, the
Company  recorded a charge of $79  million in the third  quarter for tax credits
associated  with  approximately  2.7 million  tons sold during the year that the
Company  anticipated it would not be able to use. On November 2, 2004, PEF filed
a petition  with the FPSC to recover $252  million of storm costs plus  interest
from  customers  over a two-year  period.  Based on a reasonable  expectation at
December 31, 2004, that the FPSC will grant the requested  recovery of the storm
costs, the Company's loss from the casualty is less than originally anticipated.
Accordingly,  as of  December  31,  2004,  the  Company's  anticipated  2004 tax
liability supported credits on approximately eight million tons. Therefore,  the
Company  recorded tax credits of $90 million for the quarter ended  December 31,
2004,  for tax credits  associated  with  approximately  three million tons sold
during the year that the Company now anticipates can be used. As of December 31,
2004,  the  Company  anticipates  that  approximately  $7 million of tax credits
associated with approximately 0.2 million tons sold during the year could not be
used (See Note 23E). The Company ceased operations at its Earthco facilities for
the last three  months of 2004 due to the  decrease in the  Company's  projected
2004 tax liability, and these facilities were restarted in January 2005.

                                       53
<PAGE>

The  Company  believes  its right to recover  storm  costs is well  established;
however, the Company cannot predict the timing or outcome of this matter. If the
FPSC should deny PEF's  petition for the recovery of storm costs in 2005,  there
could be a material  impact on the amount of 2005 synthetic fuel  production and
results of operations.

Synthetic  fuels' net  profits  for 2003  increased  as  compared to 2002 due to
higher  sales,  improved  margins and a higher tax credit per ton.  The 2003 tax
credits also include a $13 million  favorable  true-up from 2002.  Additionally,
synthetic  fuels'  results  in 2003  include  13 months of  operations  for some
facilities.  Prior to the  fourth  quarter of 2003,  results of these  synthetic
fuels'  operations had been  recognized one month in arrears.  The net impact of
this action increased net income by $2 million for the year.

NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS

Natural gas  operations  generated  profits of $85 million,  $34 million and $10
million for the years ended  December  31,  2004,  2003 and 2002,  respectively.
Natural  gas  profits  increased  $51  million in 2004  compared  to 2003.  This
increase is  attributable  primarily to the gain  recognized  on the sale of gas
assets during the year. In December 2004, the Company sold certain gas-producing
properties  and related  assets owned by  Winchester  Production  Company,  Ltd.
(North Texas gas operations). Because the sale significantly altered the ongoing
relationship between capitalized costs and remaining proved reserves,  under the
full-cost  method of accounting the pre-tax gain of $56 million ($31 million net
of taxes) was recognized in earnings  rather than as a reduction of the basis of
the Company's  remaining  oil and gas  properties.  In addition,  an increase in
production, coupled with higher gas prices in 2004, contributed to the increased
earnings in 2004 as compared to 2003. Production levels increased resulting from
the acquisition of North Texas Gas in late February 2003 and increased  drilling
in 2004.  Volume and prices have increased 21% and 16%,  respectively,  for 2004
compared to 2003.

Natural gas profits  increased to $34 million in 2003 compared to $10 million in
2002. The increase in production and price  resulting from the  acquisitions  of
Westchester in 2002 (renamed  Winchester  Energy in 2004) and North Texas Gas in
the first quarter of 2003 drove increased  revenue and earnings in 2003 compared
to  2002.  In  October  2003,   the  Company   completed  the  sale  of  certain
gas-producing  properties owned by Mesa  Hydrocarbons,  LLC (Mesa). See Notes 5B
and 4D to the Progress Energy Consolidated  Financial Statements for discussions
of the North Texas Gas acquisitions and the Mesa disposition.

The following  table  summarizes  the production and revenues of the natural gas
operations by location:

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  2004       2003        2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Production in Bcf equivalent
East Texas/LA gas operations                        20         13           6
North Texas gas operations                          10          7           -
Mesa                                                 -          5           7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total production                                30         25          13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Revenues in millions
East Texas/LA gas operations                      $110       $ 65         $24
North Texas gas operations                          52         38           -
Mesa                                                 -         13          15
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total revenues                                $162      $ 116         $39
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Gross margin
In millions of $                                $  126       $ 91         $29
As a % of revenues                                 78%        78%         74%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COAL FUEL AND OTHER OPERATIONS

Coal fuel and other  operations  generated  profits of $4 million,  losses of $4
million and profits of $10 million for the years ended  December 31, 2004,  2003
and 2002,  respectively.  The increase in profits for 2004 is  primarily  due to
higher volumes and margins for coal fuel operations of $16 million after-tax. In
addition,  coal results in 2003  included  the  recording  of an  impairment  of
certain  assets at the  Kentucky May coal mine  totaling $11 million  after-tax.
This  favorability was offset by a reduction in profits of $7 million  after-tax
for fuel  transportation  operations  related to the  waterborne  transportation
ruling by the FPSC  (See Note 8C).  Profits  were also  negatively  impacted  by
higher corporate costs of $10 million in 2004. Corporate costs in the prior year
included $4 million of favorability related to the reduction of an environmental
reserve  (See Note 22).  The  remaining  unfavorability  in  corporate  costs is
attributable to increased interest expense related to unresolved tax matters and
higher professional fees.

                                       54
<PAGE>

Coal fuel and other operations  profits  decreased $9 million from 2002 to 2003.
The decrease is due  primarily  to the  recording  of an  impairment  of certain
assets at the  Kentucky  May coal  mine  totaling  $11  million  after-tax.  The
decrease in profits is also due to the impact of the retroactive Service Company
allocation in 2003.

The Company is exploring strategic alternatives regarding the Fuels' coal mining
business,  which could include  divesting these assets. As of December 31, 2004,
the  carrying  value of  long-lived  assets of the coal mining  business was $66
million. The Company cannot currently predict the outcome of this matter.

Competitive Commercial Operations

CCO generates and sells  electricity to the wholesale  market from  nonregulated
plants.  These  operations  also include  marketing  activities.  The  following
summarizes the annual  revenues,  gross margin and segment  profits from the CCO
plants:

- -------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                  2004      2003     2002
- -------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues                $ 240     $ 170     $ 92
Gross margin
   In millions of $           $ 158     $ 141     $ 83
   As a % of revenues           66%       83%      90%
Segment profits (losses)      $  (4)    $  20     $ 27
- -------------------------------------------------------

CCO's  operations  generated  segment  losses of $4 million in 2004  compared to
segment profits of $20 million in 2003. Results for 2004 were favorably impacted
by increased gross margin,  which was more than offset by higher fixed costs and
costs associated with the  extinguishment of debt.  Revenues  increased for 2004
due to increased  revenues  from  marketing  and tolling  contracts  offset by a
termination  payment received on a marketing contract in 2003.  Expenses for the
cost of fuel and purchased power to supply marketing  contracts partially offset
the  increased  revenues  netting  to an  increase  in gross  margin for 2004 as
compared to 2003.  Fixed costs  increased  $16 million  pre-tax from  additional
depreciation  and amortization on plants placed into service in 2003 and from an
increase in interest expense of $13 million pre-tax due primarily to interest no
longer being  capitalized  due to the  completion of  construction  in the prior
year.  In addition,  plant  operating  expenses  increased  $12 million  pre-tax
primarily due to higher gas transportation service charges, which increased over
prior year due to a full  period of expenses  being  reflected  in current  year
results.  CCO  results  for 2004  also  include  losses of $15  million  pre-tax
associated  with the  extinguishment  of a debt  obligation.  CCO terminated the
Genco  financing  arrangement in December 2004. The $15 million  pre-tax loss is
comprised of a $9 million write-off of remaining unamortized debt issuance costs
and a $6 million  realized  loss on exiting  the  related  interest  rate hedge.
Expenses were favorably impacted by a reduction in Service Company  allocations.
Results for 2003 were  negatively  impacted by the  retroactive  reallocation of
Service Company costs of $3 million ($2 million after-tax).

CCO's  operations  generated  segment profits of $20 million in 2003 compared to
segment  profits of $27 million in 2002.  The  increase in revenue for 2003 when
compared to 2002 is  primarily  due to  increased  contracted  capacity on newly
constructed plants,  energy revenue from a new,  full-requirements  power supply
contract and a tolling agreement  termination  payment received during the first
quarter.  Generating  capacity  increased from 1,554 MW at December 31, 2002, to
3,100 MW at December 31, 2003, with the Effingham,  Rowan Phase 2 and Washington
plants  being  placed in service in 2003.  In the  second  quarter of 2003,  PVI
acquired from Williams Energy  Marketing and Trading a  full-requirements  power
supply  agreement with Jackson  Electric  Membership  Corporation in Georgia for
$188 million, which resulted in additional revenues of $21 million when compared
to the same periods in 2002.  The revenue  increases  related to higher  volumes
were partially  offset by higher  depreciation  costs of $22 million,  increased
interest charges of $16 million and other fixed charges.

The Company has contracts for its planned  production  capacity,  which includes
callable  resources  from  the  cooperatives,  of  approximately  77% for  2005,
approximately 81% for 2006 and approximately 75% for 2007. The Company continues
to seek opportunities to optimize its nonregulated generation portfolio.

Rail Services

Rail Services' (Rail)  operations  represent the activities of Progress Rail and
include railcar and locomotive repair, track-work, rail parts reconditioning and
sales, scrap metal recycling, railcar leasing and other rail-related services.

                                       55
<PAGE>

Rail-contributed  segment  profits of $16 million for 2004 compared with segment
losses of $1 million and $42 million for the years ended  December 31, 2003, and
2002, respectively.  Results in 2004 were favorably impacted by the strong scrap
metal market in 2004.  Revenues were $1.131 billion in 2004, which represents an
increase of $284 million  compared to prior year. This increase is due primarily
to increased  volumes and higher prices in recycling  operations  and in part to
increased   production  and  sales  in  locomotive  and  railcar   services  and
engineering  and  track  services.   Tonnage  for  recycling  operations  is  up
approximately  35% on an  annualized  basis  compared to 2003.  The  increase in
tonnage,  coupled with an increase in the average  index price of  approximately
80%,  accounts  for the  significant  increase in revenues  year over year.  The
American  Metal Market index price for #1 railroad  heavy melt (which is used as
the index for  buying and  selling  of  railcars)  has  increased  to $191 as of
December  31, 2004,  from $106 as of December  31, 2003.  Cost of goods sold was
$990 million in 2004,  which  represents an increase of $252 million compared to
the prior year.  The increase in costs of goods sold is due to  increased  costs
for inventory,  labor and operations as a result of the increased  volume in the
recycling operations,  locomotive and railcar services and engineering and track
services.  In  addition,  results  in  2003  were  negatively  impacted  by  the
retroactive  reallocation of Service Company costs of $3 million after-tax.  The
favorability  related to the  reallocation  was offset by an increase in general
and administrative  costs in 2004 related primarily to higher  professional fees
associated with divestiture efforts. See discussion below.

Rail's  operations  generated  segment  losses of $1 million in 2003 compared to
segment  losses of $42 million in 2002. The reduction in losses in 2003 compared
to 2002 is due primarily to an impairment  charge recorded in 2002. The net loss
in 2002 includes a $40 million after-tax estimated impairment of assets held for
sale related to Railcar  Ltd., a leasing  subsidiary  of Progress Rail (See Note
4D). Excluding the impairment  recorded in 2002, profits for Rail were flat year
over year 2003 compared to 2002.

In February  2005,  Progress  Energy  signed a definitive  agreement to sell its
Progress Rail  subsidiary to subsidiaries of One Equity Partners LLC for a sales
price of $405 million.  Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to reduce
debt. See Note 24 for more information.

Corporate & Other

Corporate  and Other  consists  of the  operations  of Progress  Energy  Holding
Company  (the  holding  company),  Progress  Energy  Service  Company  and other
consolidating and nonoperating entities. Corporate and Other also includes other
nonregulated   business   areas   including  the   operations  of  SRS  and  the
telecommunication operations.

OTHER NONREGULATED BUSINESS AREAS

Progress  Energy's  other  business  areas include the operations of SRS and the
telecommunications  operations.  SRS was engaged in providing energy services to
industrial,  commercial and institutional  customers to help manage energy costs
primarily  in  the  southeastern  United  States.  During  2004,  SRS  sold  its
subsidiary,  Progress Energy Solutions  (PES).  With the disposition of PES, the
Company  exited  this  business  area.   Telecommunication   operations  provide
broadband capacity services, dark fiber and wireless services in Florida and the
eastern  United States.  In December  2003,  PTC and Caronet,  both wholly owned
telecommunication  subsidiaries  of Progress  Energy,  and EPIK,  a wholly owned
subsidiary  of  Odyssey,  contributed  substantially  all of  their  assets  and
transferred  certain liabilities to PT LLC, a subsidiary of PTC. The accounts of
PT LLC have been included in the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
since the transaction date. See additional  discussion on the  telecommunication
business combination in Note 5A.

Other  nonregulated  business  areas  contributed  segment losses of $38 million
compared to losses of $24 million for the years ended  December  31,  2004,  and
2003, respectively.  SRS recorded a net loss of $27 million for 2004 compared to
a net loss of $6 million for 2003. The increased loss compared to the prior year
is due primarily to the recording of the litigation  settlement reached with San
Francisco United School District (the District) related to civil proceedings. In
June  2004,  SRS  reached  a  settlement  with the  District  that  settled  all
outstanding   claims  for   approximately   $43  million  pre-tax  ($29  million
after-tax). The reduction in earnings due to the settlement was offset partially
by a gain recognized on the sale of Progress Energy Solutions. Telecommunication
operations recorded a net loss of $5 million in 2004 compared to a net profit of
$2 million in 2003.  The increase in losses  compared to prior year is due to an
increase in fixed costs,  mainly  depreciation  expense,  and professional  fees
related  to  the   merger   with  EPIK.   The   increased   losses  at  SRS  and
telecommunication  operations were offset  partially by a reduction in losses at
the  nonutility   subsidiaries  of  PEC.  The  nonutility  subsidiaries  of  PEC
contributed  segment  losses of $6 million  and $18  million for the years ended
December 31, 2004, and 2003,  respectively.  Included in the 2003 segment losses
is an investment  impairment of $6 million  after-tax on the Affordable  Housing
portfolio held by the nonutility subsidiaries of PEC (See Note 10B). A reduction
in investment losses accounted for the remaining  favorability compared to prior
year.

                                       56
<PAGE>

Other nonregulated  business areas contributed  segment losses of $24 million in
2003  compared to $250 million for the year ended  December  31, 2002.  The 2002
segment   losses   include  an  asset   impairment  and  other  charges  in  the
telecommunications  business  of  $225  million  after-tax.  See  discussion  of
impairments at Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

CORPORATE SERVICES

Corporate Services  (Corporate)  includes the operations of the holding company,
Progress  Energy  Service  Company  and  other  consolidating  and  nonoperating
entities, as summarized below:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Expense) (in millions)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         2004        Change      2003       Change      2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other interest expense                  $ (270)      $  15     $ (285)      $ (10)    $ (275)
Contingent value obligations                 9          18         (9)        (37)        28
Tax reallocation                           (37)          1        (38)         18        (56)
Other income taxes                          102        (22)       124          11        113
Other income (expense)                      (2)         19        (21)        (16)        (5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Segment loss                       $ (198)      $  31     $ (229)      $ (34)    $ (195)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The other interest  expense  decrease for 2004 compared to 2003 is partially due
to the  repayment of a $500  million  unsecured  note by the Holding  Company on
March 1, 2004,  which reduced  interest expense by $27 million pre-tax for 2004.
This  reduction  was offset by interest no longer being  capitalized  due to the
completion of construction in the CCO segment in 2003. Approximately $10 million
($6  million  after-tax)  was  capitalized  in 2003.  No  interest  expense  was
capitalized during 2004. Interest expense increased $10 million in 2003 compared
to 2002 due to a decrease  of $9 million in the amount of  interest  capitalized
related to the construction of plants by CCO which was completed in 2003.

Progress  Energy  issued 98.6 million  contingent  value  obligations  (CVOs) in
connection with the acquisition of FPC in 2000. Each CVO represents the right to
receive  contingent  payments  based on the  performance  of four synthetic fuel
facilities owned by Progress Energy. The payments,  if any, are based on the net
after-tax cash flows the  facilities  generate.  At December 31, 2004,  2003 and
2002, the CVOs had a fair market value of approximately $13 million, $23 million
and $14 million, respectively.  Progress Energy recorded unrealized losses of $9
million for 2003 and an  unrealized  gain of $9 million and $28 million for 2004
and 2002,  respectively,  to record the changes in fair value of CVOs, which had
average unit prices of $0.14,  $0.23 and $0.14 at December  31,  2004,  2003 and
2002, respectively.

Progress  Energy  and its  affiliates  file a  consolidated  federal  income tax
return.  The  consolidated  income  tax  of  Progress  Energy  is  allocated  to
subsidiaries in accordance with the Intercompany Income Tax Allocation Agreement
(Tax  Agreement).  The Tax  Agreement  provided an  allocation  that  recognizes
positive and negative  corporate taxable income.  The Tax Agreement provides for
an equitable method of apportioning the carryover of uncompensated tax benefits.
Progress  Energy tax benefits not related to  acquisition  interest  expense are
allocated to profitable  subsidiaries,  beginning in 2002, in accordance  with a
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (PUHCA) order.

Other income taxes benefit  decreased for 2004 compared to 2003 due primarily to
increased  taxes  booked at the Holding  Company of $21  million.  Income  taxes
increased  an  additional  $9  million at the  Holding  Company as a result of a
reserve booked related to identified state tax deficiencies.  Other income taxes
benefit  decreased for 2003 compared to 2002 primarily for the tax allocation to
the profitable  subsidiaries.  Other  fluctuations in income taxes are primarily
due to changes in pre-tax income.

Discontinued Operations

In 2002, the Company  approved the sale of NCNG to Piedmont Natural Gas Company,
Inc.  As  a  result,   the  operating  results  of  NCNG  were  reclassified  to
discontinued  operations for all reportable periods. In September 2003, Progress
Energy  completed  the sale of NCNG and ENCNG for net proceeds of  approximately
$450  million  in  September   2003.   Progress  Energy  incurred  a  loss  from
discontinued  operations  of $8  million  for 2003  compared  with a loss of $24
million for 2002.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company recorded
a reduction to the loss on the sale of NCNG of  approximately $6 million related
to deferred taxes (See Note 4E).

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes

In 2003,  Progress  Energy recorded  adjustments  for the cumulative  effects of
changes in accounting  principles  due to the adoption of several new accounting
pronouncements. These adjustments totaled to a $21 million loss after-tax, which
was due primarily to new Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (FASB) guidance
related to the accounting for certain contracts. This guidance discusses whether

                                       57
<PAGE>

the pricing in a contract  that  contains  broad market  indices  qualifies  for
certain  exceptions  that would not require  the  contract to be recorded at its
fair value. PEC Electric had a purchase power contract with Broad River LLC that
did not meet the criteria for an exception, and a negative fair value adjustment
was recorded in 2003 for $23 million after-tax (See Note 18A).

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company  prepared its Consolidated  Financial  Statements in accordance with
accounting  principles  generally  accepted in the United  States.  In doing so,
certain  estimates  were made that were  critical  in nature to the  results  of
operations.  The following discusses those significant estimates that may have a
material  impact on the financial  results of the Company and are subject to the
greatest amount of subjectivity. Senior management has discussed the development
and selection of these critical  accounting policies with the Audit Committee of
the Company's Board of Directors.

Utility Regulation

As discussed in Note 8, the Company's  regulated  utilities segments are subject
to  regulation  that sets the prices  (rates) the Company is permitted to charge
customers based on the costs that regulatory  agencies  determine the Company is
permitted to recover.  At times,  regulators  permit the future recovery through
rates of costs that  would be  currently  charged  to expense by a  nonregulated
company. This rate-making process results in deferral of expense recognition and
the recording of regulatory assets based on anticipated future cash inflows.  As
a result of the changing regulatory framework in each state in which the Company
operates,  a significant  amount of  regulatory  assets has been  recorded.  The
Company continually reviews these assets to assess their ultimate recoverability
within the approved regulatory guidelines. Impairment risk associated with these
assets  relates to  potentially  adverse  legislative,  judicial  or  regulatory
actions in the future. Additionally, the state regulatory agencies often provide
flexibility in the manner and timing of the  depreciation  of property,  nuclear
decommissioning costs and amortization of the regulatory assets. Note 8 provides
additional  information  related  to the  impact of  utility  regulation  on the
Company.

Asset Impairments

As discussed in Note 10, the Company  evaluates the carrying value of long-lived
assets for impairment  whenever  indicators exist.  Examples of these indicators
include current period losses combined with a history of losses, or a projection
of  continuing  losses,  or a  significant  decrease  in the  market  price of a
long-lived asset group. If an indicator exists, the asset group held and used is
tested  for  recoverability  by  comparing  the  carrying  value  to the  sum of
undiscounted  expected  future  cash flows  directly  attributable  to the asset
group. If the asset group is not recoverable through  undiscounted cash flows or
if the asset group is to be disposed of, an impairment  loss is  recognized  for
the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset group.
A high degree of judgment is required in developing  estimates  related to these
evaluations and various factors are considered, including projected revenues and
cost and market conditions.

Due to the  reduction in coal  production  at the  Kentucky  May coal mine,  the
Company  evaluated its  long-lived  assets in 2003 and recorded an impairment of
$17 million before tax ($11 million after tax). Fair value was determined  based
on discounted cash flows.  During 2002, the Company recorded pre-tax  long-lived
asset  impairments of $305 million related to its  telecommunications  business.
The fair  value of these  assets was  determined  considering  various  factors,
including  a  valuation  study  heavily  weighted  on  a  discounted  cash  flow
methodology and using market approaches as supporting information.

                                       58
<PAGE>

The Company  continually  reviews its investments to determine whether a decline
in fair  value  below the cost  basis is other than  temporary.  In 2003,  PEC's
affordable  housing  investment  (AHI)  portfolio  was reviewed and deemed to be
impaired based on various factors,  including  continued operating losses of the
AHI portfolio and management  performance  issues arising at certain  properties
within the AHI portfolio. As a result, PEC recorded an impairment of $18 million
on a pre-tax  basis during 2003.  PEC also  recorded an impairment of $3 million
for a cost investment.  During 2002, the Company recorded pre-tax impairments to
its cost method  investment in Interpath of $25 million.  The fair value of this
investment was determined  considering  various  factors,  including a valuation
study heavily  weighted on a discounted  cash flow  methodology and using market
approaches  as  supporting  information.  These  cash  flows  included  numerous
assumptions,  including,  the pace at which the telecommunications  market would
rebound.  In the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company sold its remaining interest
in Interpath for a nominal amount.

Under the  full-cost  method of  accounting  for oil and gas  properties,  total
capitalized  costs  are  limited  to a  ceiling  based on the  present  value of
discounted (at 10%) future net revenues using current prices,  plus the lower of
cost or fair market  value of unproved  properties.  The ceiling test takes into
consideration  the prices of qualifying cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet
date. If the ceiling (discounted revenues) is not equal to or greater than total
capitalized  costs, the Company is required to write-down  capitalized  costs to
this level. The Company performs this ceiling test calculation every quarter. No
write-downs were required in 2004, 2003 or 2002.

Goodwill

As  discussed in Note 9,  effective  January 1, 2002,  the Company  adopted FASB
Statement No. 142,  "Goodwill and Other Intangible  Assets," which requires that
goodwill be tested for  impairment at least  annually and more  frequently  when
indicators of impairment exist. The Company  completed the initial  transitional
goodwill  impairment test,  which indicated that the Company's  goodwill was not
impaired  as of January 1,  2002.  The  Company  performed  the annual  goodwill
impairment  test for the CCO segment in the first quarters of 2004 and 2003, and
the annual goodwill impairment test for the PEC Electric and PEF segments in the
second quarters of 2004 and 2003, each of which indicated no impairment.  If the
fair values for the utility  segments  were lower by  approximately  10%,  there
still would be no impact on the reported value of their  goodwill.  The carrying
amounts of goodwill at December 31, 2004 and 2003, for  reportable  segments PEC
Electric,  PEF and CCO,  are $1,922  million,  $1,733  million and $64  million,
respectively.  In December  2003, $7 million in goodwill was acquired as part of
Progress  Telecommunications  Corporation's  partial acquisition of EPIK and was
reported in the Corporate and Other segment. The Company revised the preliminary
EPIK  purchase  price  allocation  as of September  2004,  and the $7 million of
goodwill  was  reallocated  to certain  tangible  assets  acquired  based on the
results of valuations and appraisals.

Synthetic Fuels Tax Credits

As discussed in Note 23E, Progress Energy, through the Fuels business unit, owns
facilities  that produce  synthetic  fuel as defined under the Internal  Revenue
Code.  The  production  and sale of the  synthetic  fuels from these  facilities
qualifies  for  tax  credits  under  Section  29  if  certain  requirements  are
satisfied,   including  a   requirement   that  the   synthetic   fuels  differs
significantly  in  chemical  composition  from the  coal  used to  produce  such
synthetic fuels and that the fuel was produced from a facility placed in service
before  July 1, 1998.  The amount of  Section  29  credits  that the  Company is
allowed to claim in any calendar  year is limited by the amount of the Company's
regular federal income tax liability. Synthetic fuels tax credit amounts allowed
but not  utilized  are carried  forward  indefinitely  as  deferred  alternative
minimum tax credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All of Progress Energy's
synthetic fuel  facilities have received PLRs from the IRS with respect to their
operations, although these do not address placed-in-service date determinations.
The PLRs do not limit the  production  on which  synthetic  fuel  credits may be
claimed.  The current  Section 29 tax credit program expires at the end of 2007.
These tax credits are subject to review by the IRS, and if Progress Energy fails
to  prevail  through  the  administrative  or legal  process,  there  could be a
significant tax liability owed for previously  taken Section 29 credits,  with a
significant impact on earnings and cash flows. Additionally,  the ability to use
tax  credits  currently  being  carried  forward  could be denied.  See  further
discussion in "OTHER MATTERS" below, Note 23E and in the "Risk Factors" section.

Pension Costs

As discussed in Note 17A,  Progress Energy maintains  qualified  noncontributory
defined benefit  retirement  (pension) plans.  The Company's  reported costs are
dependent  on  numerous  factors  resulting  from  actual  plan  experience  and
assumptions  of future  experience.  For  example,  such costs are  impacted  by
employee  demographics,  changes  made to plan  provisions,  actual  plan  asset
returns  and key  actuarial  assumptions,  such as expected  long-term  rates of
return on plan assets and discount rates used in determining benefit obligations
and annual costs.

                                       59
<PAGE>

Due to a slight decline in the market interest rates for  high-quality  (AAA/AA)
debt  securities,  which are used as the benchmark for setting the discount rate
used to present value future benefit payments,  the Company lowered the discount
rate to 5.9% at December 31, 2004,  which will  increase the 2005 benefit  costs
recognized,  all other factors remaining constant. Plan assets performed well in
2004, with returns of  approximately  14%. That positive asset  performance will
result in decreased pension costs in 2005, all other factors remaining constant.
Evaluations  of the effects of these and other factors have not been  completed,
but the Company  estimates  that the total cost  recognized for pensions in 2005
will be  approximately  $12 to $20 million  higher  than the amount  recorded in
2004.

The  Company has pension  plan  assets with a fair value of  approximately  $1.8
billion at December 31, 2004.  The Company's  expected rate of return on pension
plan assets is 9.25%.  The Company  reviews this rate on a regular basis.  Under
Statement of Financial Accounting  Standards No. 87, "Employer's  Accounting for
Pensions"  (SFAS No.  87),  the  expected  rate of return  used in pension  cost
recognition is a long-term rate of return;  therefore,  the Company would adjust
that return only if its  fundamental  assessment of the debt and equity  markets
changes or its investment  policy changes  significantly.  The Company  believes
that its pension plans' asset investment mix and historical  performance support
the long-term  rate of 9.25% being used.  The Company did not adjust the rate in
response to short-term  market  fluctuations  such as the abnormally high market
return levels of the latter 1990s,  recent years' market declines and the market
rebound in 2003 and 2004. A 0.25% change in the expected rate of return for 2004
would have changed 2004 pension costs by approximately $4 million.

Another factor  affecting the Company's  pension costs,  and  sensitivity of the
costs to plan asset  performance,  is its selection of a method to determine the
market-related  value of  assets,  i.e.,  the  asset  value to which  the  9.25%
expected  long-term  rate of  return is  applied.  SFAS No.  87  specifies  that
entities  may use  either  fair value or an  averaging  method  that  recognizes
changes in fair value over a period not to exceed  five  years,  with the method
selected  applied on a  consistent  basis  from year to year.  The  Company  has
historically  used a  five-year  averaging  method.  When the  Company  acquired
Florida Progress Corporation (Florida Progress) in 2000, it retained the Florida
Progress  historical  use of fair value to  determine  market-related  value for
Florida Progress pension assets. Changes in plan asset performance are reflected
in pension costs sooner under the fair value method than the five-year averaging
method,  and,  therefore,  pension costs tend to be more volatile using the fair
value method. For example, in 2004 the expected return for assets subject to the
averaging  method was 2% lower than in 2003,  whereas  the  expected  return for
assets  subject  to  the  fair  value  method  was  24%  higher  than  in  2003.
Approximately 50% of the Company's pension plan assets is subject to each of the
two methods.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

Progress Energy is a registered  holding company and, as such, has no operations
of its own. The  Company's  primary cash needs at the holding  company level are
its common stock  dividend and interest  expense and  principal  payments on its
$4.3  billion of senior  unsecured  debt.  The  ability  to meet these  needs is
dependent  on the  earnings  and cash flows of its two  electric  utilities  and
nonregulated  subsidiaries,  and  the  ability  of  those  subsidiaries  to  pay
dividends or repay funds to Progress Energy.

Other  significant  cash  requirements  of the Company arise  primarily from the
capital-intensive nature of its electric utility operations and expenditures for
its diversified businesses, primarily those of the Fuels segment.

The Company relies upon its operating cash flow,  primarily generated by its two
regulated electric utility  subsidiaries,  commercial paper and bank facilities,
and its ability to access  long-term debt and equity capital markets for sources
of liquidity.

The majority of the Company's  operating  costs are related to its two regulated
electric  utilities,  and a significant portion of these costs is recovered from
customers through fuel and energy cost recovery clauses.

As a registered holding company under Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
(PUHCA), Progress Energy obtains approval from the SEC for the issuance and sale
of securities as well as the establishment of intercompany  extensions of credit
(utility and  nonutility  money pools).  PEC and PEF  participate in the utility
money pool,  which  allows the two  utilities  to lend and borrow  between  each
other. A nonutility money pool allows Progress Energy's nonregulated  operations
to lend and borrow funds among each other. Progress Energy can lend money to the
utility and nonutility money pools but cannot borrow funds.

                                       60
<PAGE>

Cash from operations,  asset sales and the issuance of common stock are expected
to fund capital  expenditures  and common  dividends  for 2005.  Any excess cash
proceeds  would be used to reduce  debt.  To the  extent  necessary,  short- and
long-term debt may also be used as a source of liquidity.

The Company  believes  its internal and  external  liquidity  resources  will be
sufficient to fund its current  business  plans.  Risk factors  associated  with
commercial paper backup credit facilities and credit ratings are discussed below
and in the "Risk Factors" section of this report.

The following  discussion of the Company's liquidity and capital resources is on
a consolidated basis.

HISTORICAL FOR 2004 AS COMPARED TO 2003 AND 2003 AS COMPARED TO 2002

Cash Flows from Operations

Cash from  operations is the primary source used to meet operating  requirements
and  capital  expenditures.  Net cash  provided  by  operating  activities  from
continuing  operations  for the three years ending  December 31, 2004,  2003 and
2002 were $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively.

Cash from  operating  activities for 2004 when compared with 2003 decreased $117
million, as the net result of the impact of hurricane costs, partially offset by
the impact of an under-recovery of fuel costs in 2003. The increase in cash from
operating  activities  for 2003 when compared with 2002 is largely the result of
improved operating results at PEC.

During the third quarter of 2004, four hurricanes struck significant portions of
the Company's  service  territories,  with the most significant  impact on PEF's
territory.  Restoration of the Company's systems from storm-related  damage cost
an estimated $398 million.  PEC's cost totaled $13 million, of which $12 million
was charged to O&M and $1 million was  charged to  capital.  PEF's cost  totaled
$385 million, of which $338 million was charged to Storm Damage Reserve pursuant
to a  regulatory  order and $47 million  was charged to capital.  On November 2,
2004, PEF filed a petition with the Florida Public Service  Commission (FPSC) to
recover $252 million of storm costs plus interest from retail rate payers over a
two-year period (See Note 3).

Progress Energy is allowed to recover fuel costs incurred by PEC and PEF through
their respective fuel cost recovery  surcharges.  Fuel price volatility can lead
to over- or  under-recovery  of fuel  costs,  as changes in fuel  prices are not
immediately  reflected in fuel  surcharges  due to regulatory lag in setting the
surcharges.  As a result,  fuel price  volatility  can be both a source of and a
drag on  liquidity  resources,  depending  on what  phase of the  cycle of price
volatility the Company is experiencing. In addition, in 2004 PEF agreed with the
FPSC to use a two-year period to determine the surcharge for the  underrecovered
fuel costs incurred in 2004 (See Note 8C).

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing  activities  for the three years ending  December 31,
2004,  2003  and  2002  were  $0.9  billion,  $1.5  billion  and  $2.2  billion,
respectively.

Utility property additions for the Company's  regulated electric operations were
$1.0 billion or approximately 75% of consolidated  capital  expenditures in 2004
and $1.0 billion or approximately  58% of consolidated  capital  expenditures in
2003,  excluding  proceeds  from  asset  sales.  Capital  expenditures  for  the
regulated electric operations are primarily for normal construction activity and
ongoing  capital  expenditures  related to  environmental  compliance  programs.
Capital  expenditures for the nonregulated  operations are primarily for natural
gas development activities and normal construction activity.

Excluding proceeds from sales of subsidiaries and other  investments,  cash used
in  investing  activities  decreased  approximately  $887  million  in 2004 when
compared  with 2003.  The  decrease is due  primarily  to the  acquisition  of a
nonregulated  generation  contract and acquisition of gas assets in 2003 and net
proceeds  from  short-term  investments  in 2004,  compared to net  purchases of
short-term investments in 2003.

Excluding proceeds from sales of subsidiaries and other  investments,  cash used
in  investing  activities  was $2.1  billion in 2003,  down  approximately  $119
million when compared with 2002.  The decrease is due primarily to lower utility
property  additions due to completion of Hines 2  construction  at PEF and lower
acquisitions of nonregulated assets.

                                       61
<PAGE>

During 2004,  sales of subsidiaries  and other  investments  primarily  included
proceeds from the sale of Railcar Ltd. assets of  approximately  $75 million and
proceeds of approximately $251 million related to the sale of natural gas assets
in the Forth Worth basin of Texas.  Progress Energy used the proceeds from these
sales to reduce  indebtedness,  including  $241  million to pay off the Progress
Genco Ventures, LLC, bank facility.

During  2003,  the  Company  realized  approximately  $450  million  of net cash
proceeds from the sale of NCNG and ENCNG. The Company also received net proceeds
of  approximately  $97  million  in  October  2003  for the sale of its Mesa gas
properties  in Colorado.  Progress  Energy used the proceeds from these sales to
reduce indebtedness, primarily commercial paper, then outstanding.

During 2003, the Company acquired  approximately 200 natural gas-producing wells
for a cash purchase price of $168 million. The Company also acquired a long-term
full-requirements  power  supply  agreement  with  Jackson  Electric  Membership
Corporation for a cash payment of $188 million.

During 2002, the Company purchased two electric  generation  projects for a cash
purchase price of $348 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash (used in) provided by financing  activities  for the three years ending
December 31, 2004,  2003 and 2002 were $(720),  $(192) million and $581 million,
respectively. See Note 13 for details of debt and credit facilities.

For 2004 and 2003,  cash from  operations  exceeded  net cash used in  investing
activities  by $735 million and $178  million,  respectively,  due  primarily to
asset  sales,  which  allowed for a net  decrease in cash  provided by financing
activities.  For 2002,  net cash used in investing  activity  exceeded cash from
operations by $574 million, which resulted in net cash from financing activities
of $581 million.

In  addition  to  the  financing  activities  discussed  under  "Overview,"  the
financing activities of the Company included:

2005

o    In January 2005,  the Company used proceeds from the issuance of commercial
     paper to pay off $260 million of revolving credit agreement (RCA) loans.

o    On January 31, 2005,  Progress Energy, Inc. entered into a new $600 million
     revolving credit agreement,  which expires December 30, 2005. This facility
     was added to provide  additional  liquidity  during 2005 due in part to the
     uncertainty  of the  timing of storm  restoration  cost  recovery  from the
     hurricanes in Florida during 2004. The credit agreement  includes a defined
     maximum  total debt to total  capital  ratio of 68% and a minimum  interest
     coverage  ratio of 2.5 to 1. The credit  agreement  also  contains  various
     cross-default and other acceleration provisions.  On February 4, 2005, $300
     million was drawn under the new facility to reduce commercial paper and pay
     off the remaining amount of RCA loans outstanding.

o    In March 2005,  Progress  Energy,  Inc.'s  five-year  credit  facility  was
     amended to increase the maximum  total debt to total capital ratio from 65%
     to 68% in  anticipation  of the  potential  impacts of proposed  accounting
     rules for uncertain tax positions. See Notes 2 and 23E.

2004

o    During the fourth quarter of 2004, Progress Energy and its subsidiaries PEC
     and PEF borrowed a net total of $475 million under certain revolving credit
     facilities.  The borrowed  funds were used to pay off  maturing  commercial
     paper and for  other  cash  needs.  A  summary  of RCA loans and  available
     capacity as of December 31, 2004, is as follows:

                                       62
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
 Company                          Description                       Total        Outstanding     Available
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Energy, Inc.             5-Year (expiring 8/5/09)       $ 1,130          $ 160          $ 970
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.   364-Day (expiring 7/27/05)         165             90             75
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.   3-Year (expiring 7/31/05)          285              -            285
Progress Energy Florida, Inc.     364-Day (expiring 3/29/05)         200            170             30
Progress Energy Florida, Inc.     3-Year (expiring 4/01/06)          200             55            145
Less:  amounts reserved(a)                                             -              -           (574)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total credit facilities                                          $ 1,980          $ 475          $ 931
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  To the extent  amounts are reserved for  commercial  paper  outstanding  or
     backing   letters  of  credit,   they  are  not  available  for  additional
     borrowings.

o    On December 17, 2004,  the Company used  proceeds  from the sale of natural
     gas assets to extinguish  Progress Genco Ventures,  LLC's $241 million bank
     facility (See Note 13D).

o    Progress Energy took advantage of favorable  market  conditions and entered
     into a new $1.1 billion five-year line of credit, effective August 5, 2004,
     and expiring August 5, 2009. This facility  replaced Progress Energy's $250
     million  364-day  line of credit and its  three-year  $450  million line of
     credit, which were both scheduled to expire in November 2004.

o    On July 28, 2004,  PEC  extended  its $165 million  364-day line of credit,
     which was  scheduled  to expire on July 29,  2004.  The line of credit will
     expire on July 27, 2005.

o    On July 1, 2004, PEF paid at maturity $40 million 6.69%  Medium-Term  Notes
     Series B with commercial paper proceeds and cash from operations.

o    On April 30,  2004,  PEC  redeemed  $35 million of  Darlington  County 6.6%
     Series Pollution  Control Bonds at 102.5% of par, $2 million of New Hanover
     County 6.3% Series Pollution Control Bonds at 101.5% of par, and $2 million
     of Chatham County 6.3% Series Pollution Control Bonds at 101.5% of par with
     cash from operations.

o    On March 1, 2004, Progress Energy used available cash and proceeds from the
     issuance of  commercial  paper to pay at maturity $500 million 6.55% senior
     unsecured notes. Cash and commercial paper capacity for this retirement was
     created primarily from proceeds of the sale of assets in 2003.

o    On February 9, 2004, Progress Capital Holdings,  Inc., paid at maturity $25
     million 6.48% medium term notes with available cash from operations.

o    On January  15,  2004,  PEC paid at  maturity  $150  million  5.875%  First
     Mortgage Bonds with commercial paper proceeds.  On April 15, 2004, PEC also
     paid at maturity $150 million 7.875% First  Mortgage Bonds with  commercial
     paper proceeds and cash from operations.

o    For 2004, the Company issued  approximately  1 million shares of its common
     stock for  approximately $73 million in net proceeds from its Investor Plus
     Stock Purchase Plan and its employee benefit and stock option plans, net of
     purchases of restricted  shares.  For 2004,  the  dividends  paid on common
     stock were approximately $558 million.

2003

o    Progress Energy obtained a three-year financing order, allowing it to issue
     up to $2.8 billion of  long-term  securities,  $1.5  billion of  short-term
     debt,  and  $3  billion  in  parent  guarantees.   Progress  Energy  issued
     approximately  8  million  shares of common  stock for  approximately  $304
     million in net proceeds from its Investor Plus Stock  Purchase Plan and its
     employee  benefit plans, net of purchases of restricted  shares.  For 2003,
     the dividends paid on common stock were approximately $541 million.

o    PEC redeemed $250 million and issued $600 million in first mortgage bonds.

                                       63
<PAGE>

o    PEF redeemed  $250  million,  issued $950 million and paid at maturity $180
     million in first mortgage  bonds.  PEF also paid at maturity $35 million in
     medium-term notes.

o    Progress  Capital   Holdings,   Inc.,  paid  at  maturity  $58  million  in
     medium-term notes.

o    Progress Genco  Ventures,  LLC,  terminated its $50 million working capital
     credit facility.  Under its related construction facility,  Genco had drawn
     $241 million at December 31, 2003.

2002

o    Progress  Energy issued $800 million in senior  unsecured  notes.  Progress
     Energy issued approximately 2 million shares representing approximately $86
     million in proceeds  from its  Investor  Plus Stock  Purchase  Plan and its
     employee benefit plans.

o    PEC issued and redeemed  $500 million in senior  unsecured  notes and $48.5
     million in pollution  control  obligations.  PEC also redeemed $150 million
     and paid at maturity $100 million in first mortgage bonds.

o    PEF issued and redeemed $241 million in pollution  control  obligations and
     paid at maturity $30 million in medium-term notes.

o    Progress  Capital   Holdings,   Inc.,  paid  at  maturity  $50  million  in
     medium-term notes.

o    Progress  Genco  Ventures,  LLC,  obtained a $440  million  bank  facility,
     including $50 million for working capital. During the year, $130 million of
     the facility was terminated.  The amount  outstanding at December 31, 2002,
     was $225 million.

o    In November  2002,  the Company  issued 14.7 million shares of common stock
     for net cash proceeds of approximately  $600 million,  which were primarily
     used to retire  commercial  paper.  For 2002,  the dividends paid on common
     stock were approximately $480 million.

FUTURE LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's two electric  utilities  produced over 100% of  consolidated  cash
from  operations in 2004. It is expected  that the two electric  utilities  will
continue to produce a majority of the  consolidated  cash flows from  operations
over  the  next  several  years  as  its  nonregulated  investments,   primarily
generation  assets,  improve asset utilization and increase their operating cash
flows.

PEF  notified  the FPSC in January 2005 of its intent to file for an increase in
its base rates  effective  January 1, 2006. If approved by the FPSC, an increase
in PEF's base rates would increase  future  operating cash flows.  PEF has faced
significant  cost  increases  over the past decade and  expects its  operational
costs to continue to increase.  These costs  include the costs  associated  with
completion of the Hines 3 generation  facility,  extraordinary  hurricane damage
costs including capital costs not expected to be directly recoverable,  the need
to  replenish  the  depleted  storm  reserve  and  the  expected  infrastructure
investment  necessary  to meet  high  customer  expectations,  coupled  with the
demands placed on PEF as a result of strong  customer  growth.  If the FPSC does
not approve  PEF's  request to increase  base rates,  the  Company's  results of
operations and financial  condition  could be negatively  impacted.  The Company
cannot  predict the outcome of this matter.  Related risks are described in more
detail in the "Risk Factors" section.

In addition,  Fuels' synthetic fuel operations do not currently produce positive
operating  cash flow due to the  difference  in timing of when tax  credits  are
recognized  for financial  reporting  purposes and when tax credits are realized
for tax purposes. See Note 23E for further discussion.

Capital Expenditures

Total cash from  operations  provided  the  funding  for the  Company's  capital
expenditures,  including  property  additions,  nuclear  fuel  expenditures  and
diversified  business property  additions during 2004,  excluding  proceeds from
asset sales of $366 million.

                                       64
<PAGE>

As shown in the table below, Progress Energy expects the majority of its capital
expenditures  to be  incurred  at its  regulated  operations.  See Note 8F for a
discussion of expected impacts on future capital  expenditures due to changes in
capitalization  practice for regulated  operations.  The Company anticipates its
regulated capital  expenditures will increase in 2005 due to increased  spending
on Clean Air initiatives.  Forecasted nonregulated expenditures relate primarily
to Progress Fuels and its gas operations, mainly for drilling new wells.


<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Actual                     Forecasted
                                     -----------   -------------------------------------------
(in millions)                           2004            2005            2006             2007
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulated capital expenditures        $   998        $ 1,030          $ 1,040         $ 1,090
Nuclear fuel expenditures                 101            120               90             150
AFUDC - borrowed funds                     (6)           (10)             (10)            (10)
Nonregulated capital expenditures         236            190              180             190
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total                            $ 1,329        $ 1,330          $ 1,300         $ 1,420
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Regulated  capital  expenditures  in the table above include total  expenditures
from 2005 through 2006 of  approximately  $65 million expected to be incurred at
PEC fossil-fueled  electric generating  facilities to comply with Section 110 of
the Clean Air Act, referred to as the NOx SIP Call.

The Company also expects to incur expenditures of approximately $15 million ($10
million  at PEC and $5  million at PEF) from 2005  through  2007 and  additional
expenditures  of  approximately  $70 million to $100 million ($10 million to $20
million at PEC and $60 million to $80 million at PEF) from 2008 through 2009 for
compliance with the Section 316(b) requirements of the Clean Water Act (See Note
22).

In June 2002,  legislation  was enacted in North Carolina  requiring the state's
electric  utilities to reduce the  emissions of nitrogen  oxide (NOx) and sulfur
dioxide (SO2) from  coal-fired  power  plants.  PEC expects its capital costs to
meet these emission targets will be approximately  $895 million by 2013. For the
years 2005 through 2007, the Company expects to incur approximately $475 million
of total capital costs  associated with this  legislation,  which is included in
the table above (See Note 22).

All projected capital and investment expenditures are subject to periodic review
and  revision  and may  vary  significantly  depending  on a number  of  factors
including,  but not limited to, industry restructuring,  regulatory constraints,
market volatility and economic trends.

Other Cash Needs

As of December 31, 2004, on a consolidated  basis,  the Company had $349 million
of  long-term  debt  maturing  in 2005.  Progress  Energy  expects  to pay these
maturities  using  funds  from  operations,  issuance  of  new  long-term  debt,
commercial paper borrowings and/or issuance of new equity securities.

In 2006, $800 million of Progress Energy senior unsecured notes will mature. The
Company  expects  to fund  the  maturity  using  proceeds  from  the sale of the
Progress Rail  subsidiary,  issuance of new  long-term  debt,  commercial  paper
borrowings and/or issuance of new equity securities.

During the fourth quarter of 2004, Progress Energy announced the launch of a new
cost management  initiative aimed at achieving nonfuel O&M expense reductions of
$75 million to $100 million annually by the end of 2007. In connection with this
cost  management  initiative,  the  Company  expects to incur  one-time  pre-tax
charges of approximately $130 million.  Approximately $30 million of that amount
relates to payments for  severance  benefits,  which will be  recognized  in the
first  quarter  of 2005 and paid over time.  The  remaining  approximately  $100
million will be recognized in the second  quarter of 2005 and relates  primarily
to  postretirement  benefits  that  will be paid  over  time to  those  eligible
employees who elect to participate in the voluntary enhanced  retirement program
(See Note 24).

Credit Facilities

At December 31, 2004, the Company and its  subsidiaries  had committed  lines of
credit  and  outstanding  balances  as shown in the table in Note 13. All of the
credit  facilities  supporting the credit were arranged through a syndication of
financial  institutions.  There are no bilateral contracts associated with these
facilities.

                                       65
<PAGE>

The Company's  financial policy precludes issuing  commercial paper in excess of
its  supporting  lines of credit.  At December  31,  2004,  the Company had $424
million of commercial  paper  outstanding,  $150 million reserved for backing of
letters of credit and an additional  $475 million drawn directly from the credit
facilities,  leaving  $931  million  available  for  issuance  or  drawdown.  In
addition,  the Company has requirements to pay minimal annual commitment fees to
maintain its credit facilities. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $4 million
of  commercial  paper  outstanding.  The  Company  expects  to  continue  to use
commercial  paper issuances as a source of liquidity as long as it maintains its
current short-term ratings.

All of the  credit  facilities  include a defined  maximum  total  debt-to-total
capital ratio (leverage) and coverage ratios.  The Company is in compliance with
these covenants at December 31, 2004. See Note 13 for a discussion of the credit
facilities'  financial covenants,  material adverse change clause provisions and
cross-default  provisions.  At December 31, 2004, the calculated  ratios for the
companies, pursuant to the terms of the agreements, are as disclosed in Note 13.

Both PEC and PEF plan to enter  into new  five-year  lines of  credit in 2005 to
replace their existing credit facilities.

The Company has on file with the SEC a shelf registration  statement under which
senior notes,  junior  debentures,  common and  preferred  stock and other trust
preferred  securities are available for issuance by the Company. At December 31,
2004,  the Company had  approximately  $1.1 billion  available  under this shelf
registration.

Progress Energy and PEF each have an uncommitted  bank bid facility  authorizing
each of them to borrow and reborrow,  and have loans outstanding at any time, up
to $300 million and $100 million, respectively. At December 31, 2004, there were
no outstanding loans against these facilities.

PEC  currently  has on file with the SEC a shelf  registration  statement  under
which it can issue up to $900  million  of  various  long-term  securities.  PEF
currently  has on file  registration  statements  under  which  it can  issue an
aggregate of $750 million of various long-term debt securities.

Both PEC and PEF can issue First  Mortgage  Bonds under their  respective  First
Mortgage Bond  indentures.  At December 31, 2004,  PEC and PEF could issue up to
$2.9 billion and $3.7  billion,  respectively,  based on property  additions and
$2.2 billion and $176 million, respectively, based upon retirements.

The  following  table shows  Progress  Energy's and Progress  Energy  Carolinas'
capital structure at December 31:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Progress Energy                  PEC
                          -------------------------  ---------------------------
                             2004          2003         2004            2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock                 41.7%         40.5%        47.1%           48.2%
Preferred stock and
   minority interest          0.7%          0.7%         0.9%            0.9%
Total debt                   57.6%         58.8%        52.0%           50.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The amount  and timing of future  sales of  company  securities  will  depend on
market  conditions,  operating cash flow,  asset sales and the specific needs of
the Company. The Company may from time to time sell securities beyond the amount
needed to meet capital  requirements in order to allow for the early  redemption
of  long-term  debt,  the  redemption  of  preferred  stock,  the  reduction  of
short-term debt or for other general corporate purposes.

                                       66
<PAGE>

Credit Rating Matters

The major credit rating agencies have currently  rated the Company's  securities
as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Moody's
                                      Investors Service     Standard & Poor's    Fitch Ratings
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Energy, Inc.
Outlook                                   Negative               Negative           Stable
Corporate credit rating                      n/a                   BBB                n/a
Senior unsecured debt                       Baa2                   BBB-              BBB-
Commercial paper                             P-2                   A-3                n/a
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Corporate credit rating                      n/a                   BBB                n/a
Commercial paper                             P-2                   A-3                F2
Senior secured debt                          A3                    BBB                A-
Senior unsecured debt                       Baa1                   BBB               BBB+
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Energy Florida, Inc.
Corporate credit rating                      n/a                   BBB                n/a
Commercial paper                             P-2                   A-3                F2
Senior secured debt                          A2                    BBB                A-
Senior unsecured debt                        A3                    BBB               BBB+
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FPC Capital I
Preferred stock*                            Baa2                   BB+                n/a
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress Capital Holdings, Inc.
Senior unsecured debt*                      Baa1                   BBB-               n/a
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Guaranteed by Florida Progress Corporation.

These  ratings  reflect  the  current  views of these  rating  agencies,  and no
assurances can be given that these ratings will continue for any given period of
time.  However,  the Company monitors its financial  condition as well as market
conditions that could ultimately affect its credit ratings.

On February 11, 2005, Moody's credit rating agency announced that it lowered the
ratings of PEF,  Progress  Capital  Holdings and FPC Capital Trust I and changed
their rating outlooks to stable from negative.  Moody's  affirmed the ratings of
Progress  Energy and PEC. The rating  outlooks  continue to be stable at PEC and
negative at Progress  Energy.  Moody's stated that it took this action primarily
due to declining  cash flow  coverages  and rising  leverage,  higher O&M costs,
uncertainty  regarding the timing of hurricane cost recovery,  regulatory  risks
associated   with  the  upcoming  rate  case  in  Florida  and  ongoing  capital
requirements to meet Florida's growing demand.

On October  19,  2004,  S&P changed  Progress  Energy's  outlook  from stable to
negative.  S&P cited the  uncertainties  regarding the timing of the recovery of
hurricane  costs,  the Company's debt  reduction  plans and the IRS audit of the
Company's  Earthco  synthetic fuels  facilities as the reasons for the change in
outlook. On October 25, 2004, S&P reduced the short-term debt rating of Progress
Energy,  PEC and PEF to A-3 from  A-2,  as a result of their  change in  outlook
discussed above.

On October 20, 2004, Moody's changed its outlook for Progress Energy from stable
to negative and placed the ratings of PEF under  review for possible  downgrade.
PEC's ratings were affirmed by Moody's.

Moody's cited the  following  reasons for its change in the outlook for Progress
Energy:  financial ratios that are weak for its current rating category;  rising
O&M,  pension,  benefit  and  insurance  costs;  and  delays  in  executing  its
deleveraging  plan.  With  respect to PEF,  Moody's  cited  declining  cash flow
coverages and rising  leverage  over the last several  years,  expected  funding
needs for a large capital expenditure program, risks with regard to its upcoming
2005 rate case and the timing of hurricane  cost recovery as reasons for putting
its ratings under review.

The changes by S&P and Moody's do not trigger any debt or  guarantee  collateral
requirements,  nor do they have any material impact on the overall  liquidity of
Progress Energy or any of its affiliates.  To date, Progress Energy's, PEC's and
PEF's access to the commercial paper markets has not been materially impacted by
the rating agencies' actions.  However,  the changes have increased the interest
rate incurred on its short-term borrowings by 0.25% to 0.875%.

                                       67
<PAGE>

If  Standard & Poor's  lowers  Progress  Energy's  senior  unsecured  rating one
ratings  category to BB+ from its current  rating,  it would be a  noninvestment
grade rating.  The effect of a noninvestment  grade rating would primarily be to
increase  borrowing  costs.  The Company's  liquidity would  essentially  remain
unchanged,  as the Company  believes it could borrow under its revolving  credit
facilities  instead of issuing  commercial  paper for its  short-term  borrowing
needs. However,  there would be additional funding requirements of approximately
$450  million due to ratings  triggers  embedded in various  contracts,  as more
fully described below under "Guarantees" and "Risk Factors."

The Company and its  subsidiaries'  debt indentures and credit agreements do not
contain any "ratings  triggers,"  which would cause the acceleration of interest
and  principal  payments in the event of a ratings  downgrade.  However,  in the
event of a  downgrade,  the Company  and/or its  subsidiaries  may be subject to
increased  interest  costs on the credit  facilities  backing up the  commercial
paper  programs.  In  addition,  the Company and its  subsidiaries  have certain
contracts  that have  provisions  triggered  by a ratings  downgrade to a rating
below investment grade.  These contracts include  counterparty trade agreements,
derivative  contracts,  certain Progress Energy  guarantees and various types of
third-party purchase agreements.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Company's  off-balance  sheet  arrangements and contractual  obligations are
described below.

Guarantees

As a  part  of  normal  business,  Progress  Energy  and  certain  wholly  owned
subsidiaries  enter  into  various  agreements  providing  future  financial  or
performance  assurances to third parties that are outside the scope of Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting
and Disclosure  Requirements for Guarantees,  Including  Indirect  Guarantees of
Indebtedness  of  Others"  (FIN No.  45).  These  agreements  are  entered  into
primarily to support or enhance the  creditworthiness  otherwise  attributed  to
Progress Energy and subsidiaries on a stand-alone  basis,  thereby  facilitating
the extension of  sufficient  credit to accomplish  the  subsidiaries'  intended
commercial purposes.  The Company's  guarantees include performance  obligations
under power supply agreements, tolling agreements,  transmission agreements, gas
agreements,  fuel procurement  agreements and trading operations.  The Company's
guarantees also include  standby letters of credit,  surety bonds and guarantees
in support of nuclear  decommissioning.  At December 31,  2004,  the Company had
issued $1.3 billion of guarantees for future financial or performance assurance.
Management does not believe  conditions are likely for  significant  performance
under the guarantees of performance issued by or on behalf of affiliates.

The majority of contracts  supported by the guarantees  contain  provisions that
trigger  guarantee  obligations  based on downgrade  events to below  investment
grade (below BBB- or Baa3), ratings triggers, monthly netting of exposure and/or
payments and offset  provisions  in the event of a default.  The recent  outlook
changes  from S&P and Moody's do not trigger any  guarantee  obligations.  As of
December 31, 2004,  if the guarantee  obligations  were  triggered,  the maximum
amount of liquidity  requirements to support ongoing  operations within a 90-day
period,  associated with guarantees for the Company's nonregulated portfolio and
power supply agreements was $450 million. The Company would meet this obligation
with cash or letters of credit.

As of December  31, 2004,  Progress  Energy had  guarantees  issued on behalf of
third  parties of  approximately  $10 million.  See Note 23D for a discussion of
guarantees in accordance with FIN No. 45.

Market Risk and Derivatives

Under its risk management  policy, the Company may use a variety of instruments,
including  swaps,   options  and  forward  contracts,   to  manage  exposure  to
fluctuations in commodity  prices and interest  rates.  See Note 18 and Item 7A,
"Quantitative  and Qualitative  Disclosures About Market Risk," for a discussion
of market risk and derivatives.

Contractual Obligations

The Company is party to numerous  contracts  and  arrangements  obligating it to
make  cash  payments  in  future  years.   These  contracts   include  financial
arrangements  such as debt  agreements and leases,  as well as contracts for the
purchase of goods and  services.  Amounts in the  following  table are estimated
based upon contractual  terms and actual amounts will likely differ from amounts
presented  below.  Further  disclosure   regarding  the  Company's   contractual
obligations  is  included  in the  respective  notes.  The  Company  takes  into
consideration  the future  commitments  when  assessing its liquidity and future
financing needs. The following table reflects Progress Energy's contractual cash
obligations  and other  commercial  commitments  at December  31,  2004,  in the
respective periods in which they are due:

                                       68
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Less than 1                            More than 5
(in millions)                                      Total         year       1-3 years   3-5 years       years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt (a) (See Note 13)                  $  9,942       $   349      $ 1,637    $ 1,387        $  6,569
Interest payments on long-term debt and
   interest rate derivatives (b)                     3,064           301          489        423           1,851
Capital lease obligations (See Note 23C)                50             4            8          7              31
Operating leases (See Note 23C)                        597            66          113        112             306
Fuel and purchased power (c) (See Note 23A)         13,010         2,692        3,088      1,346           5,884
Other purchase obligations (See Note 23A)              633           151          134         80             268
NC Clean Air capital
   commitments (See Note 22)                           764           170          297        143             154
Other commitments (d)(e)                               243            42           70         26             105
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                             $ 28,303       $ 3,775      $ 5,836    $ 3,524        $ 15,168
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

a.   The  Company's  maturing  debt  obligations  are  generally  expected to be
     refinanced  with new debt issuances in the capital  markets.  However,  the
     Company  does  plan to  annually  reduce  its debt to total  capitalization
     leverage by one to two  percentage  points over the next few years  through
     selected  asset sales,  free cash flow and  increased  equity from retained
     earnings and ongoing equity issuances.
b.   Interest payments on long-term debt and interest rate derivatives are based
     on the interest  rate  effective  as of December  31,  2004,  and the LIBOR
     forward curve as of December 31, 2004, respectively.
c.   Fuel  and  purchased  power  commitments  represent  the  majority  of  the
     Company's   remaining  future   commitments  after  its  debt  obligations.
     Essentially  all of the  Company's  fuel  and  purchased  power  costs  are
     recovered through  pass-through  clauses in accordance with North Carolina,
     South  Carolina  and  Florida  regulations  and  therefore  do not  require
     separate liquidity support.
d.   In 2008, PEC must begin transitioning amounts currently retained internally
     to its external  decommissioning funds. The transition of $131 million must
     be complete by December  31,  2017,  and at least 10% must be  transitioned
     each year.
e.   The Company has certain future  commitments  related to four synthetic fuel
     facilities  purchased  that  provide for  contingent  payments  (royalties)
     through 2007 (See Note 23B).

OTHER MATTERS

Synthetic Fuels Tax Credits

The  Company  has  substantial  operations  associated  with the  production  of
coal-based  synthetic fuels. The production and sale of these products qualifies
for federal  income tax credits so long as certain  requirements  are satisfied.
These operations are subject to numerous risks.

Although the Company  believes that it operates its synthetic fuel facilities in
compliance with applicable legal requirements for claiming the credits, its four
Earthco  facilities are under audit by the IRS. IRS field auditors have taken an
adverse  position  with respect to the  Company's  compliance  with one of these
legal  requirements,  and if the Company  fails to prevail  with respect to this
position,  it could incur significant liability and/or lose the ability to claim
the  benefit  of tax  credits  carried  forward  or  generated  in  the  future.
Similarly,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board may issue new accounting
rules that would require that uncertain tax benefits  (such as those  associated
with the Earthco  plants) be probable of being sustained in order to be recorded
on the financial  statements;  if adopted,  this provision could have an adverse
financial impact on the Company.

The Company's  ability to utilize tax credits is dependent on having  sufficient
tax  liability.   Any  conditions  that  negatively  impact  the  Company's  tax
liability, such as weather, could also diminish the Company's ability to utilize
credits,  including  those  previously  generated,  and  the  synthetic  fuel is
generally not economical to produce absent the credits. Finally, the tax credits
associated with synthetic fuels may be phased out if market prices for crude oil
exceed certain prices.

The Company's  synthetic fuel operations and related risks are described in more
detail in Note 23E and in the "Risk Factors" section.

                                       69
<PAGE>

Hurricane Costs

Hurricanes Charley,  Frances, Ivan and Jeanne struck significant portions of the
Company's service  territories  during the third quarter of 2004,  significantly
impacting PEF's territory. As of December 31, 2004, restoration of the Company's
systems  from  hurricane-related  damage  was  estimated  at $398  million.  PEC
incurred  restoration costs of $13 million,  of which $12 million was charged to
operation  and  maintenance  expense  and $1  million  was  charged  to  capital
expenditures.  PEF had  estimated  total  costs of $385  million,  of which  $47
million was charged to capital expenditures, and $338 million was charged to the
storm damage reserve pursuant to a regulatory order.

In  accordance  with a regulatory  order,  PEF accrues $6 million  annually to a
storm damage reserve and is allowed to defer losses in excess of the accumulated
reserve for major  storms.  Under the order,  the storm  reserve is charged with
operation and maintenance expenses related to storm restoration and with capital
expenditures  related to storm  restoration  that are in excess of  expenditures
assuming normal operating  conditions.  As of December 31, 2004, $291 million of
hurricane  restoration costs in excess of the previously  recorded storm reserve
of $47  million  had been  classified  as a  regulatory  asset  recognizing  the
probable  recoverability  of these  costs.  On  November  2,  2004,  PEF filed a
petition with the FPSC to recover $252 million of storm costs plus interest from
retail  ratepayers  over a two-year  period.  Storm reserve costs of $13 million
were attributable to wholesale customers. The Company has received approval from
the FERC to amortize  these costs  consistent  with  recovery of such amounts in
wholesale rates. PEF continues to review the restoration cost invoices received.
Given that not all invoices have been received as of December 31, 2004, PEF will
update its petition  with the FPSC upon receipt and audit of all actual  charges
incurred. Hearings on PEF's petition for recovery of $252 million of storm costs
filed with the FPSC are scheduled to begin on March 30, 2005.

On November  17,  2004,  the  Citizens  of the State of Florida,  by and through
Harold McLean,  Public  Counsel,  and the Florida  Industrial  Power Users Group
(FIPUG), (collectively, Joint Movants), filed a Motion to Dismiss PEF's petition
to recover the $252 million in storm costs.  On November 24, 2004, PEF responded
in  opposition  to the motion,  which was also the FPSC staff's  position in its
recommendation  to the Commission on December 21, 2004,  that it should deny the
Motion to Dismiss.  On January 4, 2005, the Commission ruled in favor of PEF and
denied the Joint Movant's Motion to Dismiss.

PEF's  January  2005 notice to the FPSC of its intent to file for an increase in
its base rates effective January 1, 2006,  anticipates the need to replenish the
depleted storm reserve balance and adjust the annual $6 million accrual in light
of recent  storm  history to restore  the  reserve to an  adequate  level over a
reasonable time period.

PEC does not have an  ongoing  regulatory  mechanism  to  recover  storm  costs;
therefore,  hurricane  restoration  costs  recorded in the third quarter of 2004
were charged to  operations  and  maintenance  expenses or capital  expenditures
based on the nature of the work performed.  In connection with other storms, PEC
has  previously  sought and received  permission  from the NCUC and the SCPSC to
defer storm expenses and amortize them over a five-year period. PEC did not seek
deferral of 2004 storm costs from the NCUC (See Note 8B).

Regulatory Environment and Matters

The Company's electric utility operations in North Carolina,  South Carolina and
Florida  are  regulated  by the NCUC,  the Public  Service  Commission  of South
Carolina (SCPSC) and the FPSC,  respectively.  The electric  businesses are also
subject to regulation by the FERC,  the NRC and other federal and state agencies
common to the  utility  business.  In  addition,  the  Company is subject to SEC
regulation  as  a  registered  holding  company  under  PUHCA.  As a  result  of
regulation,  many of the fundamental business decisions,  as well as the rate of
return the electric utilities are permitted to earn, are subject to the approval
of governmental agencies.

PEC and PEF  continue  to monitor  any  developments  toward a more  competitive
environment and have actively participated in regulatory reform deliberations in
North  Carolina,  South Carolina and Florida.  Movement  toward  deregulation in
these states has been affected by recent  developments,  including  developments
related to  deregulation of the electric  industry in other states.  The Company
expects  the  legislatures  in all three  states  will  continue  to monitor the
experiences of states that have implemented electric restructuring  legislation.
The Company  cannot  anticipate  when,  or if, any of these  states will move to
increase competition in the electric industry.

The retail rate matters affected by the regulatory  authorities are discussed in
detail in Notes 8B and 8C.  This  discussion  identifies  specific  retail  rate
matters,  the status of the issues and the  associated  effects to the Company's
consolidated financial statements.

                                       70
<PAGE>

The regulatory  authorities continue to evaluate issues related to the formation
of Regional Transmission  Organizations.  The Company cannot predict the outcome
of  these  matters  on  the  Company's  earnings,  revenues  or  prices  or  the
investments in GridSouth and GridFlorida (See Note 8D).

A FERC  order  issued  in  November  2001  on  certain  unaffiliated  utilities'
triennial  market-based  wholesale  power rate  authorization  updates  required
certain  mitigation  actions  that  those  utilities  would  need  to  take  for
sales/purchases  within their control areas and required those utilities to post
information  on their Web sites  regarding  their power  systems'  status.  As a
result of a request for rehearing  filed by certain  market  participants,  FERC
issued an order delaying the effective date of the mitigation plan until after a
planned technical  conference on market power  determination.  In December 2003,
the FERC  issued a staff  paper  discussing  alternatives  and held a  technical
conference in January 2004. In April 2004, the FERC issued two orders concerning
utilities' ability to sell wholesale  electricity at market-based  rates. In the
first order,  the FERC adopted two new interim  screens for assessing  potential
generation  market power of applicants  for wholesale  market-based  rates,  and
described additional analyses and mitigation measures that could be presented if
an applicant does not pass one of these interim screens.  In July 2004, the FERC
issued an order on rehearing  affirming its  conclusions in the April order.  In
the second order, the FERC initiated a rulemaking to consider whether the FERC's
current  methodology for determining  whether a public utility should be allowed
to sell wholesale  electricity at  market-based  rates should be modified in any
way.  PEF does not have  market-based  rate  authority  for  wholesale  sales in
peninsular  Florida.  Given the difficulty  PEC believes it would  experience in
passing one of the interim  screens,  on August 12, 2004,  PEC notified the FERC
that it would  revise  its  Market-based  Rate  tariff to  restrict  it to sales
outside  PEC's  control area and file a new  cost-based  tariff for sales within
PEC's  control  area  that  incorporates  the  FERC's  default  cost-based  rate
methodologies for sales of one year or less. PEC anticipates  making this filing
in the first quarter of 2005.  Although the Company  cannot predict the ultimate
outcome of these  changes,  the  Company  does not  anticipate  that the current
operations  of PEC or PEF would be  impacted  materially  if they were unable to
sell power at market-based rates in their respective control areas.

Franchise Litigation

Three cities,  with a total of approximately  18,000 customers,  have litigation
pending  against  PEF in  various  circuit  courts  in  Florida.  As  previously
reported,  three other cities,  with a total of approximately  30,000 customers,
have  subsequently  settled  their  lawsuits  with PEF and signed  new,  30-year
franchise  agreements.  The lawsuits principally seek (1) a declaratory judgment
that the cities have the right to purchase  PEF's electric  distribution  system
located  within  the  municipal  boundaries  of the  cities,  (2) a  declaratory
judgment that the value of the  distribution  system must be determined  through
arbitration, and (3) injunctive relief requiring PEF to continue to collect from
PEF's  customers,  and remit to the  cities,  franchise  fees during the pending
litigation,  and as long as PEF continues to occupy the cities' rights-of-way to
provide  electric  service,  notwithstanding  the  expiration  of the  franchise
ordinances  under which PEF had agreed to collect such fees.  The circuit courts
in those cases have  entered  orders  requiring  arbitration  to  establish  the
purchase price of PEF's  electric  distribution  system within five cities.  Two
appellate  courts have upheld those circuit court  decisions and  authorized the
cities to determine the value of PEF's electric  distribution  system within the
cities through arbitration.

Arbitration in one of the cases (with the  13,000-customer  City of Winter Park)
was completed in February 2003.  That  arbitration  panel issued an award in May
2003 setting the value of PEF's  distribution  system  within the City of Winter
Park (the City) at  approximately  $32 million,  not  including  separation  and
reintegration and construction work in progress, which could add several million
dollars to the award.  The panel also awarded PEF  approximately  $11 million in
stranded costs, which,  according to the award, decrease over time. In September
2003,  Winter Park voters passed a referendum  that would  authorize the City to
issue  bonds of up to  approximately  $50  million  to  acquire  PEF's  electric
distribution  system. While the City has not yet definitively decided whether it
will acquire the system, on April 26, 2004, the City Commission voted to proceed
with the acquisition.  The City sought and received  wholesale power supply bids
and on June 24, 2004,  executed a wholesale  power supply  contract with PEF. On
May 12, 2004, the City  solicited bids to operate and maintain the  distribution
system and awarded a contract in January 2005.  The City has indicated  that its
goal is to begin  electric  operations in June 2005.  On February 10, 2005,  PEF
filed a petition  with the  Florida  Public  Service  Commission  to relieve the
Company of its statutory obligation to serve customers in Winter Park on June 1,
2005, or at such time when the City is able to provide retail  service.  At this
time, whether and when there will be further  proceedings  regarding the City of
Winter Park cannot be determined.

Arbitration with the 2,500-customer Town of Belleair was completed in June 2003.
In September  2003, the  arbitration  panel issued an award in that case setting
the value of the electric  distribution  system within the Town at approximately
$6 million.  The panel further  required the Town to pay to PEF its requested $1
million in separation and reintegration  costs and $2 million in stranded costs.

                                       71
<PAGE>

The Town has not yet  decided  whether it will  attempt to acquire  the  system;
however,  on January 18, 2005,  it issued a request for  proposals for wholesale
power supply and to operate and maintain the distribution system.  Proposals are
due in early March 2005. In February 2005, the Town Commission also voted to put
the issue of whether to acquire the distribution system to a voter referendum on
or before October 2, 2005. At this time,  whether and when there will be further
proceedings regarding the Town of Belleair cannot be determined.

Arbitration  in the remaining  city's  litigation  (the  1,500-customer  City of
Edgewood) has not yet been scheduled.  On February 17, 2005, the parties filed a
joint motion to stay the litigation for a 90-day period during which the parties
will discuss potential settlement.

A  fourth  city  (the   7,000-customer   City  of  Maitland)  is   contemplating
municipalization  and has  indicated its intent to proceed with  arbitration  to
determine  the value of PEF's  electric  distribution  system  within  the City.
Maitland's  franchise  expires in August  2005.  At this time,  whether and when
there will be  further  proceedings  regarding  the City of  Maitland  cannot be
determined.

As  part  of  the  above  litigation,  two  appellate  courts  reached  opposite
conclusions  regarding  whether PEF must  continue to collect from its customers
and remit to the cities "franchise fees" under the expired franchise ordinances.
PEF filed an appeal  with the  Florida  Supreme  Court to resolve  the  conflict
between the two  appellate  courts.  On October  28,  2004,  the Court  issued a
decision  holding  that PEF must  collect  from its  customers  and remit to the
cities  franchise  fees during the interim  period when the city  exercises  its
purchase  option or executes a new franchise.  The Court's  decision  should not
have a material impact on the Company.

Legal

The Company is subject to federal, state and local legislation and court orders.
These matters are discussed in detail in Note 23E.  This  discussion  identifies
specific  issues,  the  status of the  issues,  accruals  associated  with issue
resolutions and the associated exposures to the Company.

Nuclear

Nuclear   generating   units  are   regulated  by  the  NRC.  In  the  event  of
noncompliance,   the  NRC  has  the  authority  to  impose  fines,  set  license
conditions,  shut down a nuclear unit or some  combination  of these,  depending
upon its  assessment  of the  severity of the  situation,  until  compliance  is
achieved. The nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate
normal   refueling   and   maintenance   outages,   repairs  and  certain  other
modifications (See Notes 6 and 23E).

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to federal,  state and local  regulations  addressing air
and water quality,  hazardous and solid waste management and other environmental
matters.  These  environmental  matters are discussed in detail in Note 22. This
discussion  identifies specific  environmental issues, the status of the issues,
accruals  associated with issue resolutions and the associated  exposures to the
Company.  The Company  accrues  costs to the extent they are probable and can be
reasonably  estimated.  It is reasonably possible that additional losses,  which
could be material, may be incurred in the future.

New Accounting Standards

See Note 2 for a discussion of the impact of new accounting standards.

PEC

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
following portions of Progress Energy's Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial  Condition and Results of  Operations,  insofar as they relate to PEC:
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS; LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES; FUTURE OUTLOOK and OTHER
MATTERS.

The  following   Management's   Discussion  and  Analysis  and  the  information
incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements that involve
estimates,  projections, goals, forecasts,  assumptions, risks and uncertainties
that could cause  actual  results or outcomes  to differ  materially  from those
expressed in the  forward-looking  statements.  Please review "Risk Factors" and
"SAFE HARBOR FOR  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS"  for a discussion  of the factors
that may impact any such forward-looking statements made herein.

                                       72
<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The results of operations for the PEC  consolidated for the years ended December
31 are  summarized  in the table below.  The results of  operations  for the PEC
Electric segment are identical in all material respects between PEC and Progress
Energy for all periods presented.  The primary difference between the results of
operations  of the PEC  Electric  segment  and the  consolidated  PEC results of
operations relate to the nonelectric operations, as summarized below:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                         2004       2003      2002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEC Electric income before cumulative effect         $ 464      $ 515     $ 513
Caronet net income (loss)                                -          5       (79)
Other nonelectric net loss                              (6)       (18)       (6)
Cumulative effect of accounting change                   -        (23)        -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings for common stock                            $ 458      $ 479     $ 428
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caronet's results of operations for 2002 includes  after-tax  impairments of $87
million for other-than-temporary  declines in the value of the assets of Caronet
and  Caronet's  investment  in  Interpath  (See Note 7A to the PEC  Consolidated
Financial Statements).  The stock of Caronet was sold in December 2003 (See Note
1A to the PEC Consolidated Financial Statements).

The other  nonelectric  subsidiaries  of PEC  contributed  segment  losses of $6
million  and $18  million  for the  years  ended  December  31,  2004 and  2003,
respectively.   The  Other  nonelectric  results  for  2003  include  investment
impairments of $6 million after-tax on the Affordable  Housing portfolio held by
the  nonutility  subsidiaries  of PEC.  (See  Note  7B to the  PEC  Consolidated
Financial  Statements.)  A reduction  in  investment  losses  accounted  for the
remaining favorability compared to prior year.

In 2003,  PEC  Electric  recorded  cumulative  effects of changes in  accounting
principles  due  to  the  adoption  of  a  new  accounting  pronouncement.  This
adjustment  totaled to a $23 million loss due primarily to the new FASB guidance
related to the  accounting  for the purchase power contract with Broad River LLC
(See Note 13A to the PEC Consolidated Financial Statements).

Note 1D to the PEC Consolidated  Financial  Statements discusses its significant
accounting  policies.  The most critical  accounting policies and estimates that
impact PEC's  consolidated  financial  statements  are the  economic  impacts of
utility  regulation and asset impairment  policies,  described in more detail in
the Progress Energy Management's Discussion and Analysis section.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

PEC has primarily used a combination of unsecured  notes,  first mortgage bonds,
pollution  control  bonds,  commercial  paper  facilities  and revolving  credit
agreements for liquidity needs in excess of cash provided by operations.

During 2004,  PEC  extended its $165 million  364-day line of credit to July 27,
2005 and PEC's three-year $285 million line of credit expires July 31, 2005.

As discussed  above in the Progress  Energy  "Overview,"  in October  2004,  S&P
reduced  the  short-term  debt rating of PEC to A-3 from A-2. As a result of the
impact of these actions on PEC's ability to access the commercial paper markets,
PEC has borrowed on its revolving  credit  agreements.  As of December 31, 2004,
the total amount of outstanding  borrowings on PEC's revolving credit agreements
was $90  million.  The borrowed  funds were used to pay off maturing  commercial
paper and for other cash needs.

The changes by S&P do not trigger any debt or guarantee collateral requirements,
nor do they have any material  impact on the overall  liquidity of PEC. To date,
PEC's access to the commercial paper markets has not been materially impacted by
the rating agencies' actions.  However,  the changes have increased the interest
rate incurred on its short-term borrowings by 0.25% to 0.875%.

                                       73
<PAGE>

PEC expects to have sufficient  resources to meet its future  obligations either
through internally  generated funds, its short term-term borrowing facilities or
through the issuance of long-term debt.

HISTORICAL FOR 2004 AS COMPARED TO 2003 AND 2003 AS COMPARED TO 2002

In 2004, cash provided by operating  activities decreased when compared to 2003.
The decrease was caused primarily by a $89 million  under-recovery of fuel costs
and a $76 million decrease in payables to affiliates.  In 2003, cash provided by
operating  activities  increased  when compared to 2002,  largely as a result of
improved operating results.

In 2004, cash used in investing activities decreased  approximately $257 million
in 2004 when compared with 2003.  The decrease is primarily to net proceeds from
short-term  investments in 2004, compared to net purchases in 2003. The decrease
is partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures, primarily related to
increased spending for NC Clean Air legislation, and an increase in nuclear fuel
additions.

See the discussion  above for Progress Energy under  "Financing  Activities" for
information regarding PEC's financing activities.

FUTURE LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

PEC's estimated  capital  requirements for 2005, 2006 and 2007 are $650 million,
$670 million and $680 million,  respectively, and primarily reflect construction
expenditures to support  customer growth,  add regulated  generation and upgrade
existing  facilities.  See Note 6E to the PEC Consolidated  Financial Statements
for a  discussion  of expected  impacts on future  capital  expenditures  due to
changes in  capitalization  practice  for PEC.  PEC  expects to fund its capital
requirements  primarily through internally generated funds. In addition, PEC has
$450 million in credit facilities that support the issuance of commercial paper.
Access to the  commercial  paper  market  and the  utility  money  pool  provide
additional liquidity to help meet PEC's working capital requirements.  PEC plans
to enter into a new five-year line of credit in 2005 that will replace these two
expiring facilities.

See Note 9 to the PEC Consolidated Financial Statements for information on PEC's
available credit facilities at December 31, 2004.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

PEC's off-balance sheet  arrangements and contractual  obligations are described
below.

Market Risk and Derivatives

Under  its  risk  management  policy,  PEC may  use a  variety  of  instruments,
including  swaps,   options  and  forward  contracts,   to  manage  exposure  to
fluctuations in commodity  prices and interest  rates.  See Note 13 and Item 7A,
"Quantitative  and Qualitative  Disclosures About Market Risk," for a discussion
of market risk and derivatives.

Contractual Obligations

PEC is party to numerous  contracts and arrangements  obligating it to make cash
payments in future years. These contracts include financial arrangements such as
debt  agreements and leases,  as well as contracts for the purchase of goods and
services.  Amounts in the following table are estimated  based upon  contractual
terms and will likely differ from amounts  presented below.  Further  disclosure
regarding PEC's  contractual  obligations is included in the respective notes to
the PEC Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  PEC takes into  consideration  the
future  commitments when assessing its liquidity and future financing needs. The
following table reflects  Progress  Energy's  contractual  cash  obligations and
other commercial  commitments at December 31, 2004, in the respective periods in
which they are due:

                                       74
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Less than                       More than
(in millions)                                       Total     1 year    1-3 years 3-5 years    5 years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt (a) (See Note 9)                     $ 3,069     $   300   $   200   $   700     $ 1,869
Interest payments on long-term debt
   and interest rate derivatives (b)                  1,342         150       285       207         700
Capital lease obligations (See Note 18B)                 35           2         4         4          25
Operating leases (See Note 18B)                         187          28        37        25          97
Fuel and purchased power (c) (See Note 18A)           3,427         786     1,098       431       1,112
Other purchase obligations (See Note 18A)                25          12         -         -          13
North Carolina clean air capital commitments
  (See Note  17)                                        764         170       297       143         154
Other commitments (d)                                   131           -         -        26         105
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                               $ 8,980     $ 1,448   $ 1,921   $ 1,536     $ 4,075
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

a.   The  Company's  maturing  debt  obligations  are  generally  expected to be
     refinanced  with new debt issuances in the capital  markets.  However,  the
     Company  does  plan to  annually  reduce  its debt to total  capitalization
     leverage by one to two  percentage  points over the next few years  through
     selected  asset sales,  free cash flow and  increased  equity from retained
     earnings and ongoing equity issuances.
b.   Interest payments on long-term debt and interest rate derivatives are based
     on the interest  rate  effective  as of December  31,  2004,  and the LIBOR
     forward curve as of December 31, 2004, respectively.
c.   Fuel  and  purchased  power  commitments  represent  the  majority  of  the
     Company's   remaining  future   commitments  after  its  debt  obligations.
     Essentially  all of the  Company's  fuel  and  purchased  power  costs  are
     recovered through  pass-through  clauses in accordance with North Carolina,
     South  Carolina  and  Florida  regulations  and  therefore  do not  require
     separate liquidity support.
d.   In 2008, PEC must begin transitioning amounts currently retained internally
     to its external  decommissioning funds. The transition of $131 million must
     be complete by December  31,  2017,  and at least 10% must be  transitioned
     each year.


                                       75
<PAGE>

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Progress Energy, Inc.

Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market
rates and prices.  Certain market risks are inherent in the Company's  financial
instruments,  which arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of
business.  The Company's  primary  exposures are changes in interest  rates with
respect to its long-term  debt and commercial  paper,  and  fluctuations  in the
return on  marketable  securities  with  respect to its nuclear  decommissioning
trust  funds.  The  Company  manages  its  market  risk in  accordance  with its
established  risk management  policies,  which may include entering into various
derivative transactions.

These financial  instruments are held for purposes other than trading. The risks
discussed  below do not  include the price risks  associated  with  nonfinancial
instrument  transactions and positions associated with the Company's operations,
such as purchase and sales commitments and inventory.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company  manages its interest rate risks through the use of a combination of
fixed and  variable  rate  debt.  Variable  rate debt has rates  that  adjust in
periods ranging from daily to monthly.  Interest rate derivative instruments may
be used to  adjust  interest  rate  exposures  and to  protect  against  adverse
movements in rates.

The following  tables provide  information at December 31, 2004 and 2003,  about
the  Company's  interest rate  risk-sensitive  instruments.  The tables  present
principal cash flows and  weighted-average  interest rates by expected  maturity
dates  for the  fixed  and  variable  rate  long-term  debt  and  FPC  obligated
mandatorily redeemable securities of trust. The tables also include estimates of
the fair value of the Company's interest rate  risk-sensitive  instruments based
on quoted market prices for these or similar issues. For interest rate swaps and
interest  rate  forward  contracts,  the tables  present  notional  amounts  and
weighted-average  interest rates by contractual maturity dates for 2005-2009 and
thereafter and the fair value of the related hedges.  Notional  amounts are used
to calculate the contractual  cash flows to be exchanged under the interest rate
swaps and the settlement amounts under the interest rate forward contracts.  See
Note 18 for more information on interest rate derivatives.

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2004                                                                                        Fair Value
                                                                                                        December 31,
(dollars in millions)              2005     2006      2007    2008      2009     Thereafter   Total          2004
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed rate long-term debt          $ 349    $ 908    $ 674   $ 827      $ 400    $ 5,399     $ 8,557       $ 9,454
Average interest rate              7.38%    6.78%    6.41%   6.27%      5.95%      6.55%       6.54%
Variable rate long-term debt         -      $  55      -        -       $ 160    $   861     $ 1,076       $ 1,077
Average interest rate                -      2.95%      -        -       3.19%      1.70%       1.99%
Debt to affiliated trust(a)          -        -        -        -        -       $   309     $   309       $   312
Interest rate                        -        -        -        -        -         7.10%       7.10%
Interest rate derivatives:
    Pay variable /receive
    fixed                            -        -        -     $(100)      -       $   (50)    $  (150)      $     3
      Average pay rate               -        -        -       (b)       -          (b)        (b)
      Average receive rate           -        -        -     4.10%       -         4.65%       4.28%
    Interest rate forward
       contracts                   $ 200      -        -        -        -       $   131     $   331       $    (2)
      Average pay rate             3.07%      -        -        -        -         4.90%       3.79%
      Average receive rate          (c)       -        -        -        -          (b)       (b)(c)

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  FPC Capital I - Quarterly Income Preferred Securities.
(b)  Rate is 3-month LIBOR, which was 2.56% at December 31, 2004.
(c)  Rate is 1-month LIBOR, which was 2.40% at December 31, 2004.

                                       76
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2003                                                                                        Fair Value
                                                                                                        December 31,
(dollars in millions)               2004      2005     2006    2007      2008    Thereafter   Total         2003
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed rate long-term debt          $ 868     $ 349    $ 909   $  674    $  827    $ 5,836     $ 9,463      $ 10,501
Average interest rate              6.67%     7.38%    6.78%    6.41%     6.27%      6.51%       6.55%
Variable rate long-term debt          -        -         -    $  241       -      $   861     $ 1,102      $  1,103
Average interest rate                 -        -         -     3.04%       -        1.08%       1.51%
Debt to affiliated trust(a)           -        -         -       -         -      $   309     $   309      $    313
Interest rate                         -        -         -       -         -        7.10%       7.10%
Interest rate derivatives:
    Pay variable/receive
       fixed                          -        -      $(300)  $ (350)   $ (200)       -       $  (850)     $     (4)
      Average pay rate                                  (b)      (b)     (b)                    (b)
      Average receive rate                             2.75%   3.35%     2.93%                  3.04%
    Payer swaptions                   -        -         -       -      $  400        -       $   400      $      5
      Average pay rate                                                   4.75%
      Average receive rate                                               (b)
    Interest rate collars(c)       $  65       -         -    $  130       -          -       $   195      $    (11)
      Cap rate                     6.00%                       6.50%
      Floor rate                   4.13%                       5.13%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)  FPC Capital I - Quarterly Income Preferred Securities.
(b)  Rate is 3-month LIBOR, which was 1.15% at December 31, 2003.
(c)  Notional  amount is varying with a maximum of $195  million,  decreasing to
     $130 million after December 2004.

Marketable Securities Price Risk

The Company's electric utility  subsidiaries  maintain trust funds,  pursuant to
NRC requirements, to fund certain costs of decommissioning their nuclear plants.
These funds are primarily invested in stocks, bonds and cash equivalents,  which
are exposed to price  fluctuations  in equity markets and to changes in interest
rates.  The fair value of these  funds was $1.044  billion  and $938  million at
December  31, 2004 and 2003,  respectively.  The Company  actively  monitors its
portfolio by benchmarking  the  performance of its  investments  against certain
indices  and by  maintaining,  and  periodically  reviewing,  target  allocation
percentages   for   various   asset   classes.   The   accounting   for  nuclear
decommissioning  recognizes that the Company's  regulated electric rates provide
for  recovery of these  costs net of any trust fund  earnings,  and,  therefore,
fluctuations  in trust  fund  marketable  security  returns  do not  affect  the
earnings of the Company.

Contingent Value Obligations Market Value Risk

In connection with the acquisition of FPC, the Company issued 98.6 million CVOs.
Each CVO  represents  the  right to  receive  contingent  payments  based on the
performance of four synthetic fuel  facilities  purchased by subsidiaries of FPC
in October 1999. The payments, if any, are based on the net after-tax cash flows
the facilities  generate.  These CVOs are recorded at fair value, and unrealized
gains and losses  from  changes in fair value are  recognized  in  earnings.  At
December 31, 2004 and 2003, the fair value of these CVOs was $13 million and $23
million,  respectively.  A  hypothetical  10% decrease in the December 31, 2004,
market  price  would  result in a $1 million  decrease  in the fair value of the
CVOs.

Commodity Price Risk

The  Company is exposed to the  effects of market  fluctuations  in the price of
natural gas,  coal,  fuel oil,  electricity  and other  energy-related  products
marketed and  purchased as a result of its ownership of  energy-related  assets.
The Company's  exposure to these  fluctuations is  significantly  limited by the
cost-based  regulation of PEC and PEF.  Each state  commission  allows  electric
utilities  to recover  certain of these  costs  through  various  cost  recovery
clauses to the extent the respective  commission  determines that such costs are
prudent.  Therefore, while there may be a delay in the timing between when these
costs are  incurred  and when these  costs are  recovered  from the  ratepayers,
changes  from year to year have no  material  impact on  operating  results.  In
addition,   many  of  the  Company's   long-term  power  sales  contracts  shift
substantially all fuel responsibility to the purchaser. The Company also has oil
price risk exposure related to synfuel tax credits. See discussion in Note 23E.

                                       77
<PAGE>

The Company  uses  natural gas  hedging  instruments  to manage a portion of the
market  risk  associated  with  fluctuations  in the future  sales  price of the
Company's  natural gas. In addition,  the Company may engage in limited economic
hedging activity using natural gas and electricity financial instruments.

In 2004,  PEF entered  into  derivative  instruments  related to its exposure to
price fluctuations on fuel oil purchases.  At December 31, 2004, the fair values
of these  instruments  were a $2 million  long-term  derivative  asset  position
included  in other  assets  and  deferred  debits  and a $5  million  short-term
derivative  liability  position  included in other  current  liabilities.  These
instruments  receive  regulatory  accounting  treatment.  Gains are  recorded in
regulatory liabilities and losses are recorded in regulatory assets.

Refer  to  Note 18 for  additional  information  with  regard  to the  Company's
commodity contracts and use of derivative financial instruments.

The Company performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market
risk of its  commodity  positions.  A  hypothetical  10% increase or decrease in
quoted  market  prices in the near term on the  Company's  derivative  commodity
instruments  would not have had a material effect on the Company's  consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of December 31, 2004.

PEC

PEC has certain market risks inherent in its financial instruments,  which arise
from transactions  entered into in the normal course of business.  PEC's primary
exposures  are changes in interest  rates,  with respect to  long-term  debt and
commercial paper, and fluctuations in the return on marketable securities,  with
respect to its nuclear decommissioning trust funds.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk insofar as it relates
to PEC.

Interest Rate Risk

The  following  tables  provide  information  at about PEC's  interest rate risk
sensitive instruments:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2004                                                                                            Fair Value
                                                                                                            December 31,
(dollars in millions)                2005    2006       2007    2008      2009    Thereafter     Total          2004
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed rate long-term debt           $ 300       -      $ 200   $ 300     $ 400     $ 1,249      $ 2,449       $ 2,686
Average interest rate                7.50%      -      6.80%   6.65%     5.95%       6.13%        6.38%
Variable rate long-term debt           -        -         -        -        -      $   620      $   620       $   621
Average interest rate                  -        -         -        -        -        1.71%        1.71%
Interest rate forward contracts        -        -         -        -        -      $   131      $   131       $    (2)
      Average pay rate                                                               4.90%        4.90%
      Average receive rate                                                             (a)         (a)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a)  Rate is 3-month LIBOR, which was 2.56% at December 31, 2004

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 2003                                                                                           Fair Value
                                                                                                           December 31,
(dollars in millions)                2004    2005     2006      2007     2008     Thereafter       Total        2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed rate long-term debt           $ 300    $ 300       -     $ 200     $ 300     $ 1,688      $ 2,788       $ 3,065
Average interest rate                6.9%    7.50%       -      6.80%    6.65%       6.09%        6.44%
Variable rate long-term debt           -        -        -         -        -      $   620      $   620       $   621
Average interest rate                  -        -        -         -        -           -         1.09%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       78
<PAGE>

Commodity Price Risk

PEC is exposed to the  effects  of market  fluctuations  in the price of natural
gas, coal, fuel oil, electricity and other energy-related  products marketed and
purchased as a result of its ownership of energy-related  assets. PEC's exposure
to these fluctuations is significantly  limited by cost-based  regulation.  Each
state  commission  allows  electric  utilities to recover certain of these costs
through  various cost recovery  clauses to the extent the respective  commission
determines that such costs are prudent. Therefore, while there may be a delay in
the  timing  between  when these  costs are  incurred  and when these  costs are
recovered from the ratepayers, changes from year to year have no material impact
on operating results.  PEC may engage in limited economic hedging activity using
natural gas and electricity financial  instruments.  Refer to Note 13 to the PEC
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for additional  information  with regard to
PEC's commodity contracts and use of derivative financial instruments.

PEC performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of
its  commodity  positions.  A  hypothetical  10%  increase or decrease in quoted
market prices in the near term on its derivative commodity instruments would not
have had a material effect on PEC's consolidated financial position,  results of
operations or cash flows as of December 31, 2004.

                                       79
<PAGE>

ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The  following  consolidated   financial  statements,   supplementary  data  and
consolidated financial statement schedules are included herein:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
                                                                                                          Page
Progress Energy, Inc.
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Financial Statements - Progress Energy, Inc.:

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002                     83
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2004 and 2003                                                  84-85
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002                 86
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Common Stock Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2004,
   2003 and 2002                                                                                           87
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004,
   2003 and 2002                                                                                           87

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   Note 1  - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies                                   88
   Note 2  - New Accounting Standards                                                                      94
   Note 3  - Hurricane Related Costs                                                                       95
   Note 4  - Divestitures                                                                                  95
   Note 5  - Acquisitions and Business Combinations                                                        97
   Note 6  - Property, Plant and Equipment                                                                 99
   Note 7  - Current Assets                                                                               103
   Note 8  - Regulatory Matters                                                                           103
   Note 9  - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets                                                         108
   Note 10 - Impairments of Long-Lived Assets and Investments                                             109
   Note 11 - Equity                                                                                       109
   Note 12 - Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries - Not Subject to Mandatory Redemption                        113
   Note 13 - Debt and Credit Facilities                                                                   113
   Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments                                                          117
   Note 15 - Income Taxes                                                                                 117
   Note 16 - Contingent Value Obligations                                                                 119
   Note 17 - Benefit Plans                                                                                119
   Note 18 - Risk Management Activities and Derivatives Transactions                                      123
   Note 19 - Related Party Transactions                                                                   125
   Note 20 - Financial Information by Business Segment                                                    126
   Note 21 - Other Income and Other Expense                                                               128
   Note 22 - Environmental Matters                                                                        128
   Note 23 - Commitments and Contingencies                                                                133
   Note 24 - Subsequent Events                                                                            141
   Note 25 - Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)                                            142
</TABLE>

                                       80
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated  Financial  Statements  -  Carolina  Power  & Light  Company  d/b/a
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.:

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002                    144
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2004 and 2003                                                 145
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003
   and 2002                                                                                               146
Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003
   and 2002                                                                                               147
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004,
    2003 and 2002                                                                                         147

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
   Note 1  - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies                                  148
   Note 2  - New Accounting Standards                                                                     153
   Note 3  - Hurricane Related Costs                                                                      154
   Note 4  - Property, Plant and Equipment                                                                154
   Note 5  - Current Assets                                                                               157
   Note 6  - Regulatory Matters                                                                           157
   Note 7  - Impairments of Long-Lived Assets and Investments                                             160
   Note 8  - Equity                                                                                       160
   Note 9  - Debt and Credit Facilities                                                                   162
   Note 10 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments                                                          164
   Note 11 - Income Taxes                                                                                 164
   Note 12 - Benefit Plans                                                                                166
   Note 13 - Risk Management Activities and Derivatives Transactions                                      169
   Note 14 - Related Party Transactions                                                                   170
   Note 15 - Financial Information by Business Segment                                                    171
   Note 16 - Other Income and Other Expense                                                               172
   Note 17 - Environmental Matters                                                                        172
   Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies                                                                175
   Note 19 - Subsequent Event                                                                             179
   Note 20 - Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)                                            179

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial
           Statement Schedule - Progress Energy, Inc.                                                     180
           Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.                           181

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002:

           II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Progress Energy, Inc.                                   182
           II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Carolina Power & Light Company
                  d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.                                                   183
</TABLE>

All other  schedules  have been  omitted as not  applicable  or not  required or
because the  information  required  to be shown is included in the  Consolidated
Financial Statements or the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       81
<PAGE>

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Progress Energy,
Inc., and its subsidiaries  (the Company) at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the
related  consolidated  statements of income,  comprehensive  income,  changes in
common  stock  equity,  and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2004. These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of
the Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance  with the standards of the Public  Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  such consolidated  financial  statements present fairly, in all
material  respects,  the financial  position of the Company at December 31, 2004
and 2003,  and the results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period  ended  December  31,  2004,  in  conformity  with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Notes 1D and 18A to the consolidated  financial  statements,  in
2003, the Company adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 143
and Derivatives Implementation Group Issue C20.

We have also  audited,  in accordance  with the standards of the Public  Company
Accounting  Oversight Board (United States),  the effectiveness of the Company's
internal control over financial  reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the
criteria  established in Internal  Control--Integrated  Framework  issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report
dated March 7, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on management's assessment
of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial  reporting
and an  unqualified  opinion  on the  effectiveness  of the  Company's  internal
control over financial reporting.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

                                       82
<PAGE>

Raleigh, North Carolina
March 7, 2005

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of INCOME
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions except per share data)
Years ended December 31                                               2004         2003         2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Revenues
   Electric                                                        $ 7,153      $ 6,741      $ 6,601
   Diversified business                                              2,619        2,000        1,490
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Operating Revenues                                       9,772        8,741        8,091
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses
Utility
   Fuel used in electric generation                                  2,011        1,695        1,586
   Purchased power                                                     868          862          862
   Operation and maintenance                                         1,475        1,421        1,390
   Depreciation and amortization                                       878          883          820
   Taxes other than on income                                          425          405          386
Diversified business
   Cost of sales                                                     2,288        1,748        1,410
   Depreciation and amortization                                       190          157          118
   Impairment of long-lived assets                                       -           17          364
   (Gain)/loss on the sale of assets                                  (57)            1            -
   Other                                                               218          195          145
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Operating Expenses                                     8,296        7,384        7,081
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income                                                     1,476        1,357        1,010
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Income (Expense)
   Interest income                                                      14           11           15
   Impairment of investments                                             -          (21)         (25)
   Other, net                                                            8          (16)          27
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Other Income (Expense)                                    22          (26)          17
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Charges
   Net interest charges                                                653          635          641
   Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction                (6)          (7)          (8)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Interest Charges, Net                                    647          628          633
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Tax, Minority
   Interest, and Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting
   Principles                                                          851          703          394
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                                           115        (111)        (158)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from Continuing Operations before Minority Interest and
   Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles               736          814          552
Minority Interest, Net of Tax                                          (17)           3            -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from Continuing Operations Before Cumulative Effect of          753          811          552
   Change in Accounting Principles
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax                                      6           (8)         (24)
Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles,
   Net of Tax                                                            -          (21)           -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                                         $   759      $   782      $   528
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Common Shares Outstanding                                      242          237          217
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per Common Share
    Income from Continuing Operations before Cumulative Effect of
       Changes in Accounting Principles                            $  3.11      $  3.42      $  2.54
    Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax                                .02         (.03)        (.11)
    Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles,
       Net of Tax                                                        -         (.09)           -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Income                                                     $  3.13      $  3.30      $  2.43
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted Earnings per Common Share
    Income from Continuing Operations before Cumulative Effect of
       Changes in Accounting Principles                            $  3.10      $  3.40      $  2.53
    Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax                                .02         (.03)        (.11)
    Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles,
       Net of Tax                                                        -         (.09)           -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Income                                                     $  3.12      $  3.28      $  2.42
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Declared per Common Share                                $  2.32      $  2.26      $  2.20
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       83
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
December 31                                                      2004              2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Utility Plant
  Utility plant in service                                  $  22,103        $   21,680
  Accumulated depreciation                                     (8,783)           (8,174)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Utility plant in service, net                          13,320            13,506
  Held for future use                                              13                13
  Construction work in progress                                   799               559
  Nuclear fuel, net of amortization                               231               228
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Utility Plant, Net                               14,363            14,306
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                        62                47
  Short-term investments                                           82               226
  Receivables                                                   1,084             1,084
  Inventory                                                       982               907
  Deferred fuel cost                                              229               270
  Deferred income taxes                                           121                87
  Prepayments and other current assets                            175               268
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Current Assets                                    2,735             2,889
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Debits and Other Assets
  Regulatory assets                                             1,064               598
  Nuclear decommissioning trust funds                           1,044               938
  Diversified business property, net                            2,010             2,095
  Miscellaneous other property and investments                    446               464
  Goodwill                                                      3,719             3,726
  Prepaid pension costs                                            42               462
  Intangibles, net                                                337               357
  Other assets and deferred debits                                233               258
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Total Deferred Debits and Other Assets                  8,895             8,898
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

           Total Assets                                     $  25,993        $   26,093
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                       84
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (concluded)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
December 31                                                                          2004              2003
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock Equity
  Common stock without par value, 500 million shares authorized,
      247 and 246 million shares issued and outstanding, respectively)          $   5,360        $    5,270
  Unearned restricted shares (1 and 1 million shares, respectively)                   (13)              (17)
  Unearned ESOP shares (3 and 4 million shares, respectively)                         (76)              (89)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                               (164)              (50)
  Retained earnings                                                                 2,526             2,330
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Common Stock Equity                                                   7,633             7,444
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries - Not Subject to Mandatory
   Redemption                                                                          93                93
Minority Interest                                                                      36                30
Long-Term Debt, Affiliate                                                             270               270
Long-Term Debt, Net                                                                 9,251             9,664
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Capitalization                                                       17,283            17,501
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Liabilities
  Current portion of long-term debt                                                   349               868
  Accounts payable                                                                    742               635
  Interest accrued                                                                    219               228
  Dividends declared                                                                  145               140
  Short-term obligations                                                              684                 4
  Customer deposits                                                                   180               167
  Other current liabilities                                                           742               608
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Current Liabilities                                                   3,061             2,650
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
  Noncurrent income tax liabilities                                                   599               701
  Accumulated deferred investment tax credits                                         176               190
  Regulatory liabilities                                                            2,654             2,879
  Asset retirement obligations                                                      1,282             1,271
  Accrued pension and other benefits                                                  562               508
  Other liabilities and deferred credits                                              376               393
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities                                5,649             5,942
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 22 and 23)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Total Capitalization and Liabilities                                 $  25,993        $   26,093
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                       85
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CASH FLOWS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
Years ended December 31                                                             2004            2003           2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Activities
Net income                                                                       $   759         $   782        $   528
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities
      (Income) loss from discontinued operations                                      (6)              8             24
      Net (gain) loss on sale of operating assets                                    (57)              1              -
      Impairment of long-lived assets and investments                                  -              38            389
      Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles                            -              21              -
      Depreciation and amortization                                                1,181           1,146          1,099
      Deferred income taxes                                                          (74)           (276)          (402)
      Investment tax credit                                                          (14)            (16)           (18)
      Deferred fuel credit                                                           (19)           (133)           (37)
      Cash provided (used) by changes in operating assets and liabilities
         Receivables                                                                 (35)           (158)           (50)
         Inventory                                                                  (108)              8            (66)
         Prepayments and other current assets                                        (18)             39            (24)
         Accounts payable                                                             33              37            100
         Other current liabilities                                                    82             121             56
         Regulatory assets and liabilities                                          (284)            (21)            46
         Other                                                                       167             127            (18)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                 1,607           1,724          1,627
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing Activities
Gross utility property additions                                                    (998)           (972)        (1,169)
Diversified business property additions                                             (236)           (584)          (558)
Nuclear fuel additions                                                              (101)           (117)           (81)
Proceeds from sales of subsidiaries and other investments                            366             579             43
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash                                                 -               -           (365)
Purchases of short-term investments                                               (2,108)         (2,813)        (2,962)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments                                      2,252            2,587         2,962
Acquisition of intangibles                                                            (1)           (200)           (10)
Other                                                                                (46)            (26)           (61)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                                     (872)         (1,546)        (2,201)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock, net                                                         73             304            687
Issuance of long-term debt, net                                                      421           1,539          1,783
Net increase (decrease) in short-term indebtedness                                   680            (696)          (247)
Retirement of long-term debt                                                      (1,353)           (810)        (1,157)
Dividends paid on common stock                                                      (558)           (541)          (480)
Other                                                                                 17              12             (5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities                     (720)            (192)           581
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                  15             (14)             7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year                                        47              61             54
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year                                         $    62         $    47        $    61
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the year - interest (net of amount capitalized)                 $   657         $   643        $   651
                            income taxes (net of refunds)                        $   189         $   177        $   219
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncash Activities
o    In April 2002,  Progress  Fuels  Corporation,  a subsidiary of the Company,
     acquired 100% of Westchester Gas Company. In conjunction with the purchase,
     the Company  issued  approximately  $129  million in common stock (See Note
     5D).
o    In  December  2003,  Progress  Telecommunications   Corporation  (PTC)  and
     Caronet,  Inc.,  both  indirectly  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  of Progress
     Energy, and EPIK Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Odyssey
     Telecorp,   Inc.,  contributed   substantially  all  of  their  assets  and
     transferred certain  liabilities to Progress Telecom,  LLC, a subsidiary of
     PTC (See Note 5A).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       86
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CHANGES in COMMON STOCK EQUITY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Accumulated                  Total
                                             Common Stock      Unearned   Unearned       Other                     Common
                                             Outstanding      Restricted    ESOP     Comprehensive    Retained     Stock
(in millions except per share data)         Shares    Amount    Shares     Shares    Income (Loss)    Earnings     Equity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, January 1, 2002                      219    $ 4,121    $  (14)    $ (114)         $  (32)     $ 2,043    $ 6,004
Net income                                                                                                 528        528
Other comprehensive loss                                                                     (206)                   (206)
                                                                                                                -----------
Issuance of shares                             19        815                                                          815
Purchase of restricted stock                                       (16)                                               (16)
Restricted stock expense recognition                                 8                                                  8
Cancellation of restricted shares                         (1)        1                                                  -
Allocation of ESOP shares                                 16                   12                                      28
Dividends ($2.20 per share)                                                                               (484)      (484)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2002                    238      4,951       (21)      (102)           (238)       2,087      6,677
Net income                                                                                                 782        782
Other comprehensive income                                                                    188                     188
                                                                                                                -----------
Issuance of shares                              8        305                                                          305
Stock options exercised                                    4                                                            4
Purchase of restricted stock                              (1)       (7)                                                (8)
Restricted stock expense recognition                                10                                                 10
Cancellation of restricted shares                         (1)        1                                                  -
Allocation of ESOP shares                                 12                   13                                      25
Dividends ($2.26 per share)                                                                               (539)      (539)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2003                    246      5,270       (17)       (89)            (50)       2,330      7,444
Net income                                                                                                 759        759
Other comprehensive loss                                                                     (114)                   (114)
                                                                                                                -----------
Issuance of shares                              1         62                                                           62
Stock options exercised                                   18                                                           18
Purchase of restricted stock                                        (7)                                                (7)
Restricted stock expense recognition                                 7                                                 7
Cancellation of restricted shares                         (4)        4                                                  -
Allocation of ESOP shares                                 14                   13                                      27
Dividends ($2.32 per share)                                                                               (563)      (563)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2004                    247    $ 5,360     $ (13)    $  (76)         $ (164)     $ 2,526    $ 7,633
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)
Years ended December 31                                                             2004            2003           2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                                                        $  759           $ 782         $ 528
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
      Changes in net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges (net of tax
       benefit of  $10, $7 and $18, respectively)                                    (18)            (12)          (28)
      Reclassification adjustment for amounts included in net income
       (net of tax expense of ($16), ($11) and ($10), respectively)                   26              19            16
      Reclassification of minimum pension liability to regulatory
       assets (net of tax expense of ($2))                                             4               -             -
      Minimum pension liability adjustment (net of tax benefit
       (expense) of $78, ($112) and $121, respectively)                             (130)            177          (192)
      Foreign currency translation and other                                           4               4            (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)                                    $ (114)          $ 188        $ (206)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income                                                              $  645           $ 970        $  322
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       87
<PAGE>

PROGRESS ENERGY, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     A. Organization

     Progress Energy, Inc. (Progress Energy or the Company) is a holding company
     headquartered in Raleigh,  North Carolina.  The Company is registered under
     the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA), as amended,  and as
     such,  the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  are  subject to the  regulatory
     provisions  of PUHCA.  Effective  January 1, 2003,  three of the  Company's
     subsidiaries,   Carolina  Power  &  Light  Company  (CP&L),  Florida  Power
     Corporation  and Progress  Ventures,  Inc.,  began doing business under the
     assumed names  Progress  Energy  Carolinas,  Inc.  (PEC),  Progress  Energy
     Florida, Inc. (PEF) and Progress Energy Ventures, Inc. (PVI), respectively.

     Through its wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  PEC and PEF,  the  Company's  PEC
     Electric  and  PEF  segments  are  primarily  engaged  in  the  generation,
     transmission,  distribution  and sale of  electricity  in portions of North
     Carolina,  South Carolina and Florida.  The Progress Ventures business unit
     consists of the Fuels business  segment (Fuels) and Competitive  Commercial
     Operations  (CCO)  operating  segments.  The Fuels  segment is  involved in
     natural gas drilling and production,  coal terminal services,  coal mining,
     synthetic  fuel  production,  fuel  transportation  and  delivery.  The CCO
     segment includes  nonregulated  generation and energy marketing activities.
     Through  the Rail  Services  (Rail)  segment,  the  Company is  involved in
     nonregulated  railcar repair, rail parts reconditioning and sales and scrap
     metal  recycling.  Through its other business units, the Company engages in
     other nonregulated business areas, including  telecommunications and energy
     management and related  services.  Progress Energy's legal structure is not
     currently aligned with the functional management and financial reporting of
     the Progress  Ventures  business  unit.  Whether,  and when,  the legal and
     functional structures will converge depends upon legislative and regulatory
     action, which cannot currently be anticipated.

     B. Basis of Presentation

     The  consolidated  financial  statements  are prepared in  accordance  with
     accounting  principles  generally  accepted in the United States of America
     (GAAP) and include  the  activities  of the Company and its  majority-owned
     subsidiaries.  Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
     eliminated in  consolidation  except as permitted by Statement of Financial
     Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain
     Types of Regulation,"  which provides that profits on intercompany sales to
     regulated  affiliates  are not  eliminated if the sales price is reasonable
     and the future  recovery of the sales price through the ratemaking  process
     is probable.

     The consolidated  financial  statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
     include the  majority-owned  and  controlled  subsidiaries.  Noncontrolling
     interests in the  subsidiaries  along with the income or loss attributed to
     these interests are included in minority  interest in both the Consolidated
     Balance Sheets and in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The results of
     operations for minority  interest are reported on a net of tax basis if the
     underlying subsidiary is structured as a taxable entity.

     Unconsolidated  investments  in  companies  over which the Company does not
     have control,  but has the ability to exercise influence over operating and
     financial policies (generally 20%-50%  ownership),  are accounted for under
     the equity method of accounting. These investments are primarily in limited
     liability corporations and limited liability partnerships, and the earnings
     from these investments are recorded on a pre-tax basis (See Note 21). These
     equity method investments are included in miscellaneous  other property and
     investments in the  Consolidated  Balance Sheets.  At December 31, 2004 and
     2003,  the Company  has equity  method  investments  of  approximately  $27
     million and $36 million, respectively.

     Certain  investments  in debt  and  equity  securities  that  have  readily
     determinable  market  values,  and for  which  the  Company  does  not have
     control, are accounted for as  available-for-sale  securities at fair value
     in accordance  with SFAS No. 115,  "Accounting  for Certain  Investments in
     Debt and Equity  Securities." These investments include investments held in
     trust funds,  pursuant to United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
     requirements,  to fund certain costs of decommissioning nuclear plants. The
     fair value of these  trust  funds was $1.044  billion  and $938  million at
     December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company also actively invests
     available  cash  balances  in  various  financial   instruments,   such  as
     tax-exempt debt securities that have stated maturities of 20 years or more.
     These   instruments   provide  for  a  high  degree  of  liquidity  through
     arrangements  with banks that provide daily and weekly  liquidity and 7, 28
     and 35 day auctions that allow for the  redemption of the investment at its
     face  amount  plus  earned  income.  As the  Company  intends to sell these
     instruments  generally within 30 days from the balance sheet date, they are

                                       88
<PAGE>

     classified as current assets. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the fair value
     of these investments was $82 million and $226 million, respectively.  Other
     investments  in debt and equity  securities  are included in  miscellaneous
     other  property and  investments in the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  At
     December 31, 2004 and 2003, the fair value of these other  investments  was
     $39 million and $39 million, respectively.

     Other  investments  are  stated  principally  at cost.  These  cost  method
     investments are included in miscellaneous other property and investments in
     the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  At December  31, 2004,  and 2003,  the
     Company has  approximately  $14 million and $14 million,  respectively,  of
     cost method investments.

     The results of operations of Rail are reported one month in arrears. During
     2003,  the  Company  ceased  recording   portions  of  the  Fuels'  segment
     operations  one month in arrears.  The net impact of this action  increased
     net income by $2 million for the year.

     Certain amounts for 2003 and 2002 have been  reclassified to conform to the
     2004  presentation.   Reclassifications  include  the  reclassification  of
     instruments  used in  PEC's  cash  management  program  from  cash and cash
     equivalents to short-term investments of $226 million at December 31, 2003,
     in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the Consolidated  Statements of Cash
     Flow for each of the three years in the period  ended  December  31,  2004,
     total cash balances and total cash flows used in investing  activities were
     revised to reflect the  reclassification of these instruments from cash and
     cash equivalents to short-term investments.

     C. Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

     The Company  consolidates  all voting interest  entities in which it owns a
     majority voting interest and all variable interest entities for which it is
     the primary  beneficiary in accordance  with FASB  Interpretation  No. 46R,
     "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - An Interpretation of ARB No.
     51"  (FIN  No.  46R).  The  Company  is  the  primary  beneficiary  of  and
     consolidates two limited  partnerships that qualify for federal  affordable
     housing and historic tax credits under  Section 42 of the Internal  Revenue
     Code (Code).  As of December 31, 2004, the total assets of the two entities
     were $37 million,  the majority of which are  collateral  for the entities'
     obligations  and are  included in other  current  assets and  miscellaneous
     other property and investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     The  Company  is the  primary  beneficiary  of a limited  partnership  that
     invests in 17 low-income housing  partnerships that qualify for federal and
     state tax credits.  The Company has  requested but has not received all the
     necessary  information to determine the primary  beneficiary of the limited
     partnership's  underlying 17 partnership  investments,  and has applied the
     information  scope  exception  in FIN  No.  46R,  paragraph  4(g) to the 17
     partnerships.  The  Company  has no  direct  exposure  to loss  from the 17
     partnerships; the Company's only exposure to loss is from its investment of
     less than $1 million in the consolidated limited  partnership.  The Company
     will  continue  its efforts to obtain the  necessary  information  to fully
     apply FIN No. 46R to the 17 partnerships.  The Company believes that if the
     limited  partnership is determined to be the primary  beneficiary of the 17
     partnerships,  the effect of consolidating the 17 partnerships would not be
     significant to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     The Company has  variable  interests  in two power  plants  resulting  from
     long-term power purchase contracts. The Company has requested the necessary
     information  to  determine  if the  counterparties  are  variable  interest
     entities or to identify the primary  beneficiaries.  Both entities declined
     to provide the Company with the necessary  financial  information,  and the
     Company  has  applied  the  information  scope  exception  in FIN No.  46R,
     paragraph 4(g). The Company's only significant exposure to variability from
     these contracts  results from fluctuations in the market price of fuel used
     by the two entities'  plants to produce the power purchased by the Company.
     The Company is able to recover  these fuel costs  under PEC's fuel  clause.
     Total purchases from these  counterparties  were approximately $58 million,
     $53  million  and $53  million in 2004,  2003 and 2002,  respectively.  The
     Company will  continue its efforts to obtain the necessary  information  to
     fully  apply  FIN No.  46R to  these  contracts.  The  combined  generation
     capacity of the two  entities'  power plants is  approximately  880 MW. The
     Company believes that if it is determined to be the primary  beneficiary of
     these two entities,  the effect of consolidating  the entities would result
     in increases to total assets,  long-term  debt and other  liabilities,  but
     would have an  insignificant  or no impact on the  Company's  common  stock
     equity,  net earnings or cash flows.  However,  because the Company has not
     received  any  financial  information  from these two  counterparties,  the
     impact cannot be determined at this time.

     The Company also has interests in several other variable  interest entities
     for which the Company is not the primary  beneficiary.  These  arrangements
     include  investments  in  approximately  28 limited  partnerships,  limited
     liability  corporations  and venture  capital funds and two building leases
     with  special-purpose  entities.  The  aggregate  maximum loss  exposure at
     December  31,  2004,  that the  Company  could be required to record in its
     income statement as a result of these arrangements totals approximately $38
     million.  The  creditors of these  variable  interest  entities do not have
     recourse  to the general  credit of the Company in excess of the  aggregate
     maximum loss exposure.

                                       89
<PAGE>

     D. Significant Accounting Policies

     USE OF ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

     In  preparing  consolidated  financial  statements  that conform with GAAP,
     management  must make  estimates and  assumptions  that affect the reported
     amounts of assets and  liabilities,  disclosure  of  contingent  assets and
     liabilities  at the  date  of the  consolidated  financial  statements  and
     amounts of revenues and expenses  reflected  during the  reporting  period.
     Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     REVENUE RECOGNITION

     The Company recognizes  electric utility revenues as service is rendered to
     customers.  Operating  revenues include unbilled  electric utility revenues
     earned  when  service has been  delivered  but not billed by the end of the
     accounting period.  Diversified  business revenues are generally recognized
     at the time  products  are shipped or as  services  are  rendered.  Leasing
     activities  are accounted for in accordance  with SFAS No. 13,  "Accounting
     for  Leases."  Revenues  related to design  and  construction  of  wireless
     infrastructure   are  recognized  upon  completion  of  services  for  each
     completed phase of design and  construction.  Revenues from the sale of oil
     and gas production are recognized when title passes, net of royalties.

     FUEL COST DEFERRALS

     Fuel expense  includes fuel costs or recoveries  that are deferred  through
     fuel clauses  established  by the  electric  utilities'  regulators.  These
     clauses allow the utilities to recover fuel costs and portions of purchased
     power costs through surcharges on customer rates. These deferred fuel costs
     are  recognized  in  revenues  and fuel  expenses  as they are  billable to
     customers.

     EXCISE TAXES

     PEC and PEF collect from customers certain excise taxes levied by the state
     or local  government  upon the  customers.  PEC and PEF  account for excise
     taxes on a gross basis.  For the years ended  December  31, 2004,  2003 and
     2002,  gross  receipts  tax,  franchise  taxes  and other  excise  taxes of
     approximately  $240 million,  $217 million and $212 million,  respectively,
     are  included  in utility  revenues  and taxes  other than on income in the
     Consolidated Statements of Income.

     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

     The  Company  measures  compensation  expense  for  stock  options  as  the
     difference  between the market  price of its common  stock and the exercise
     price of the option at the grant date.  The exercise price at which options
     are granted by the Company  equals the market price at the grant date,  and
     accordingly,  no compensation  expense has been recognized for stock option
     grants. For purposes of the pro forma disclosures required by SFAS No. 148,
     "Accounting for  Stock-Based  Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - An
     Amendment of FASB  Statement No. 123" (SFAS No. 148),  the  estimated  fair
     value of the  Company's  stock  options is  amortized  to expense  over the
     options' vesting period.  The following table illustrates the effect on net
     income and  earnings per share if the fair value method had been applied to
     all outstanding and unvested awards in each period:

                                       90
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions except per share data)                                      2004               2003          2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income, as reported                                                $  759             $  782        $  528
Deduct: Total stock option expense determined under fair
     value method for all awards, net of related tax effects               10                 11             8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net income                                                   $  749             $  771        $  520
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share
  Basic -   as reported                                                $ 3.13             $ 3.30        $ 2.43
  Basic -   pro forma                                                  $ 3.09             $ 3.25        $ 2.40
  Diluted - as reported                                                $ 3.12             $ 3.28        $ 2.42
  Diluted - pro forma                                                  $ 3.08             $ 3.24        $ 2.39
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     See Note 2 for a discussion of newly issued accounting  guidance related to
     stock-based compensation.

     UTILITY PLANT

     Utility  plant in service  is stated at  historical  cost less  accumulated
     depreciation. The Company capitalizes all construction-related direct labor
     and  material  costs of units of property as well as indirect  construction
     costs. Certain costs that would otherwise not be capitalized under GAAP are
     capitalized in accordance with regulatory  treatment.  The cost of renewals
     and  betterments is also  capitalized.  Maintenance and repairs of property
     (including  planned major  maintenance  activities),  and  replacements and
     renewals of items determined to be less than units of property, are charged
     to maintenance  expense as incurred,  with the exception of nuclear outages
     at PEF.  Pursuant to a  regulatory  order,  PEF accrues for nuclear  outage
     costs in advance of  scheduled  outages,  which occur every two years.  The
     cost of units of property replaced or retired,  less salvage, is charged to
     accumulated  depreciation.  Removal or disposal costs that do not represent
     SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," (SFAS No. 143)
     are charged to a regulatory liability.

     Allowance  for  funds  used  during  construction  (AFUDC)  represents  the
     estimated  debt and equity costs of capital funds  necessary to finance the
     construction  of new regulated  assets.  As  prescribed  in the  regulatory
     uniform system of accounts,  AFUDC is charged to the cost of the plant. The
     equity funds  portion of AFUDC is credited to other income and the borrowed
     funds portion is credited to interest charges.

     ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

     Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the guidance in SFAS No. 143
     to account for legal obligations  associated with the retirement of certain
     tangible long-lived assets. The present value of retirement costs for which
     the Company has a legal  obligation  are  recorded as  liabilities  with an
     equivalent  amount  added  to  the  asset  cost  and  depreciated  over  an
     appropriate period. The liability is then accreted over time by applying an
     interest method of allocation to the liability.

     The adoption of this statement had no impact on the income of the regulated
     entities,  as the effects were offset by the  establishment of a regulatory
     asset and a regulatory liability pursuant to SFAS No. 71 (See Note 8A). The
     North Carolina  Utilities  Commission (NCUC), the Public Service Commission
     of South Carolina (SCPSC) and the Florida Public Service  Commission (FPSC)
     issued orders to authorize  deferral of all prospective  effects related to
     SFAS No. 143 as a regulatory  asset or liability (See Note 8A).  Therefore,
     SFAS No. 143 has no impact on the income of the regulated entities.

     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION - UTILITY PLANT

     For financial reporting purposes, substantially all depreciation of utility
     plant other than nuclear fuel is computed on the straight-line method based
     on the  estimated  remaining  useful  life of the  property,  adjusted  for
     estimated salvage (See Note 6A). Pursuant to their rate-setting  authority,
     the NCUC,  SCPSC and FPSC can also grant  approval to  accelerate or reduce
     depreciation and amortization of utility assets (See Note 8).

     Amortization   of  nuclear   fuel  costs  is  computed   primarily  on  the
     units-of-production   method.   In  the  Company's  retail   jurisdictions,
     provisions for nuclear  decommissioning costs are approved by the NCUC, the
     SCPSC and the FPSC and are based on  site-specific  estimates  that include
     the costs for removal of all radioactive and other  structures at the site.
     In the wholesale jurisdictions,  the provisions for nuclear decommissioning
     costs are approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

                                       91
<PAGE>

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     The Company  considers cash and cash  equivalents  to include  unrestricted
     cash on hand,  cash in banks and  temporary  investments  purchased  with a
     maturity of three months or less.

     INVENTORY

     The  Company  accounts  for  inventory  using  the   average-cost   method.
     Inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

     REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     The Company's regulated operations are subject to SFAS No. 71, which allows
     a regulated  company to record  costs that have been or are  expected to be
     allowed in the ratemaking  process in a period different from the period in
     which the costs would be charged to expense by a  nonregulated  enterprise.
     Accordingly,  the Company records assets and  liabilities  that result from
     the regulated  ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for
     nonregulated  entities.  These regulatory assets and liabilities  represent
     expenses  deferred for future  recovery from customers or obligations to be
     refunded to customers  and are  primarily  classified  in the  Consolidated
     Balance Sheets as regulatory  assets and regulatory  liabilities  (See Note
     8A).

     DIVERSIFIED BUSINESS PROPERTY

     Diversified   business   property  is  stated  at  cost  less   accumulated
     depreciation.  If an impairment  is recognized on an asset,  the fair value
     becomes  its new cost  basis.  The costs of renewals  and  betterments  are
     capitalized.  The cost of repairs and  maintenance is charged to expense as
     incurred. For properties other than oil and gas properties, depreciation is
     computed  on  a  straight-line  basis  using  the  estimated  useful  lives
     disclosed  in Note 6B.  Depletion  of  mineral  rights is  provided  on the
     units-of-production  method based upon the estimates of recoverable amounts
     of clean mineral.

     The  Company  uses the  full-cost  method  to  account  for its oil and gas
     properties.  Under the full-cost  method,  substantially all productive and
     nonproductive   costs   incurred  in  connection   with  the   acquisition,
     exploration and development of oil and gas reserves are capitalized.  These
     capitalized costs include the costs of all unproved properties and internal
     costs  directly  related to acquisition  and  exploration  activities.  The
     amortization base also includes the estimated future cost to develop proved
     reserves.  Except for costs of unproved  properties  and major  development
     projects in progress, all costs are amortized using the units-of-production
     method on a country by country basis over the life of the Company's  proved
     reserves.   Accordingly,   all  property  acquisition,   exploration,   and
     development costs of proved oil and gas properties,  including the costs of
     abandoned properties, dry holes, geophysical costs and annual lease rentals
     are capitalized as incurred, including internal costs directly attributable
     to such  activities.  Related  interest  expense  incurred  during property
     development  activities  is  capitalized  as a cost of such  activity.  Net
     capitalized  costs of unproved property are reclassified as proved property
     and well costs when related proved reserves are found. Costs to operate and
     maintain wells and field equipment are expensed as incurred.  In accordance
     with Rule 4-10 of Regulation  S-X, sales or other  dispositions  of oil and
     gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized  costs, with
     no gain or loss recorded unless certain significance tests are met.

     GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     Goodwill  is subject to at least an annual  assessment  for  impairment  by
     applying a two-step  fair-value-based test. This assessment could result in
     periodic impairment charges. Intangible assets are being amortized based on
     the economic benefit of their respective lives.

     UNAMORTIZED DEBT PREMIUMS, DISCOUNTS AND EXPENSES

     Long-term debt premiums, discounts and issuance expenses are amortized over
     the terms of the debt issues. Any expenses or call premiums associated with
     the  reacquisition  of debt obligations by the utilities are amortized over
     the  applicable  life  using  the  straight-line   method  consistent  with
     ratemaking treatment (See Note 8A).

                                       92
<PAGE>

     INCOME TAXES

     The Company  and its  affiliates  file a  consolidated  federal  income tax
     return. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences.
     These occur when there are  differences  between the book and tax  carrying
     amounts  of assets  and  liabilities.  Investment  tax  credits  related to
     regulated  operations  have been deferred and are being  amortized over the
     estimated  service  life  of  the  related  properties.   Credits  for  the
     production  and sale of  synthetic  fuel are deferred as AMT credits to the
     extent they cannot be or have not been utilized in the annual  consolidated
     federal  income  tax  returns,  and are  included  in  income  tax  expense
     (benefit) in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

     DERIVATIVES

     The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No.
     133,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS
     No.  133),  as amended by SFAS No. 138 and SFAS No.  149.  SFAS No. 133, as
     amended,  establishes  accounting  and reporting  standards for  derivative
     instruments,  including certain  derivative  instruments  embedded in other
     contracts, and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires that an entity
     recognize all derivatives as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and
     measure those  instruments at fair value,  unless the derivatives  meet the
     SFAS No.  133  criteria  for  normal  purchases  or  normal  sales  and are
     designated as such. The Company generally designates derivative instruments
     as normal  purchases or normal sales whenever the SFAS No. 133 criteria are
     met. If normal  purchase or normal sale  criteria  are not met, the Company
     will generally  designate the  derivative  instruments as cash flow or fair
     value  hedges if the related SFAS No. 133 hedge  criteria  are met.  During
     2003, the FASB  reconsidered an interpretation of SFAS No. 133. See Note 18
     for the effect of the interpretation and additional  information  regarding
     risk management activities and derivative transactions.

     ENVIRONMENTAL

     As  discussed  in Note 22, the Company  accrues  environmental  remediation
     liabilities   when  the   criteria   for  SFAS  No.  5,   "Accounting   for
     Contingencies" (SFAS No. 5), have been met. Environmental expenditures that
     relate to an existing  condition caused by past operations and that have no
     future economic  benefits are expensed.  Accruals for estimated losses from
     environmental  remediation  obligations  generally are  recognized no later
     than  completion  of the  remedial  feasibility  study.  Such  accruals are
     adjusted as additional  information develops or circumstances change. Costs
     of future  expenditures for environmental  remediation  obligations are not
     discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental  remediation
     costs from  other  parties  are  recognized  when  their  receipt is deemed
     probable. Environmental expenditures that have future economic benefits are
     capitalized in accordance with the Company's asset capitalization policy.

     IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS

     As  discussed  in Note  10,  the  Company  reviews  the  recoverability  of
     long-lived  tangible  and  intangible  assets  whenever  indicators  exist.
     Examples of these indicators include current period losses, combined with a
     history of losses or a projection  of continuing  losses,  or a significant
     decrease in the market price of a long-lived  asset group.  If an indicator
     exists for assets to be held and used,  then the asset  group is tested for
     recoverability  by comparing the carrying value to the sum of  undiscounted
     expected future cash flows directly attributable to the asset group. If the
     asset group is not recoverable through undiscounted cash flows or the asset
     group is to be disposed of, then an impairment  loss is recognized  for the
     difference  between  the  carrying  value  and the fair  value of the asset
     group.  The  accounting  for impairment of assets is based on SFAS No. 144,
     "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets."

     The Company reviews its investments to evaluate whether or not a decline in
     fair value below the carrying value is an other-than-temporary decline. The
     Company  considers  various factors,  such as the investee's cash position,
     earnings and revenue outlook,  liquidity and management's  ability to raise
     capital in determining whether the decline is other-than-temporary.  If the
     Company determines that an other-than-temporary decline exists in the value
     of  its  investments,  it is  the  Company's  policy  to  write-down  these
     investments to fair value.

     Under the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties,  total
     capitalized  costs are limited to a ceiling  based on the present  value of
     discounted  (at 10%) future net revenues  using  current  prices,  plus the
     lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties. The ceiling test
     takes into  consideration  the prices of qualifying  cash flow hedges as of
     the balance sheet date. If the ceiling  (discounted  revenues) is not equal
     to or greater  than total  capitalized  costs,  the  Company is required to
     write-down  capitalized  costs to this  level.  The Company  performs  this
     ceiling test  calculation  every quarter.  No write-downs  were required in
     2004, 2003 or 2002.

                                       93
<PAGE>

     SUBSIDIARY STOCK TRANSACTIONS

     Gains  and  losses  realized  as a  result  of  common  stock  sales by the
     Company's  subsidiaries  are  recorded in the  Consolidated  Statements  of
     Income,  except for any  transactions  that must be  credited  directly  to
     equity in accordance with the provisions of Staff  Accounting  Bulletin No.
     51, "Accounting for Sales of Stock by a Subsidiary."

2.   NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     FASB STAFF POSITION 106-2,  "ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS RELATED
     TO THE MEDICARE  PRESCRIPTION  DRUG  IMPROVEMENT AND  MODERNIZATION  ACT OF
     2003"

     In  December  2003,  the  Medicare   Prescription  Drug,   Improvement  and
     Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Act) was signed into law. In accordance
     with guidance issued by the Financial  Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in
     FASB Staff Position 106-1,  "Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related
     to the Medicare  Prescription  Drug  Improvement and  Modernization  Act of
     2003," (FASB Staff Position 106-1) the Company elected to defer  accounting
     for the effects of the  Medicare  Act due to  uncertainties  regarding  the
     effects of the  implementation  of the Medicare Act and the  accounting for
     certain  provisions  of the  Medicare  Act.  In May 2004,  the FASB  issued
     definitive  accounting guidance for the Medicare Act in FASB Staff Position
     106-2,  which was  effective  for the Company in the third quarter of 2004.
     FASB  Staff  Position  106-2  results  in the  recognition  of lower  other
     postretirement  employment  benefit  (OPEB)  costs to reflect  prescription
     drug-related  federal subsidies to be received under the Medicare Act. As a
     result  of the  Medicare  Act,  the  Company's  accumulated  postretirement
     benefit  obligation as of January 1, 2004, was reduced by approximately $83
     million,   and  the  Company's  2004  net  periodic  cost  was  reduced  by
     approximately $13 million.

     SFAS NO. 123 (REVISED 2004), "SHARE-BASED PAYMENT" (SFAS NO. 123R)

     In December  2004,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R,  which  revises SFAS No.
     123, "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation," and supersedes  Accounting
     Principles  Board (APB)  Opinion No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock  Issued to
     Employees."  The key  requirement  of SFAS  No.  123R is that  the  cost of
     share-based  awards to employees  will be measured based on an award's fair
     value  at  the  grant  date,  with  such  cost  to be  amortized  over  the
     appropriate  service period.  Previously,  entities could elect to continue
     accounting  for such awards at their grant date  intrinsic  value under APB
     Opinion No. 25, and the Company made that  election.  The  intrinsic  value
     method resulted in the Company recording no compensation  expense for stock
     options granted to employees (See Note 11).

     SFAS No.  123R will be  effective  for the  Company  on July 1,  2005.  The
     Company  intends to  implement  the standard  using the  required  modified
     prospective method. Under that method, the Company will record compensation
     expense  under SFAS No.  123R for all awards it grants  after July 1, 2005,
     and it will record  compensation  expense (as previous  awards  continue to
     vest) for the unvested  portion of  previously  granted  awards that remain
     outstanding  at July 1, 2005.  In 2004,  the Company  made the  decision to
     cease  granting  stock  options  and intends to replace  that  compensation
     program with other programs.  Therefore, the amount of stock option expense
     expected  to be  recorded  in 2005 is below the amount that would have been
     recorded if the stock option program had continued.  The Company expects to
     record  approximately  $3 million of pre-tax  expense for stock  options in
     2005.

     PROPOSED FASB INTERPRETATION OF SFAS NO. 109, "ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES"

     In July 2004, the FASB stated that it plans to issue an exposure draft of a
     proposed  interpretation  of SFAS No. 109,  "Accounting  for Income  Taxes"
     (SFAS No.  109),  that would  address  the  accounting  for  uncertain  tax
     positions.  The FASB has indicated  that the  interpretation  would require
     that  uncertain  tax  benefits be probable of being  sustained  in order to
     record such benefits in the consolidated financial statements. The exposure
     draft is  expected to be issued in the first  quarter of 2005.  The Company
     cannot  predict  what  actions  the FASB will take or how any such  actions
     might  ultimately  affect the  Company's  financial  position or results of
     operations,  but such changes could have a material impact on the Company's
     evaluation and recognition of Section 29 tax credits (See Note 23E).

                                       94
<PAGE>

3.   HURRICANE RELATED COSTS

     Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne struck significant portions of
     the  Company's  service  territories  during  the  third  quarter  of 2004,
     significantly   impacting  PEF's  territory.   As  of  December  31,  2004,
     restoration  of the  Company's  systems from  hurricane-related  damage was
     estimated at $398 million.  PEC incurred  restoration costs of $13 million,
     of which $12 million was charged to operation and  maintenance  expense and
     $1 million was charged to capital  expenditures.  PEF had  estimated  total
     costs  of $385  million,  of which  $47  million  was  charged  to  capital
     expenditures,  and $338  million  was charged to the storm  damage  reserve
     pursuant to a regulatory order.

     In accordance with a regulatory order, PEF accrues $6 million annually to a
     storm  damage  reserve  and is  allowed  to defer  losses  in excess of the
     accumulated reserve for major storms. Under the order, the storm reserve is
     charged  with  operation  and   maintenance   expenses   related  to  storm
     restoration and with capital expenditures related to storm restoration that
     are in excess of expenditures assuming normal operating  conditions.  As of
     December 31, 2004, $291 million of hurricane restoration costs in excess of
     the previously recorded storm reserve of $47 million had been classified as
     a regulatory asset recognizing the probable  recoverability of these costs.
     On November  2, 2004,  PEF filed a petition  with the FPSC to recover  $252
     million of storm costs plus interest from retail ratepayers over a two-year
     period.  Storm reserve costs of $13 million were  attributable to wholesale
     customers.  The Company  has  received  approval  from the FERC to amortize
     these costs  consistent  with recovery of such amounts in wholesale  rates.
     PEF continues to review the restoration cost invoices received.  Given that
     not all  invoices  have been  received as of December  31,  2004,  PEF will
     update  its  petition  with the FPSC upon  receipt  and audit of all actual
     charges  incurred.  Hearings on PEF's petition for recovery of $252 million
     of storm  costs  filed  with the FPSC are  scheduled  to begin on March 30,
     2005.

     On November 17, 2004, the Citizens of the State of Florida,  by and through
     Harold McLean, Public Counsel, and the Florida Industrial Power Users Group
     (FIPUG),  (collectively,  Joint  Movants),  filed a Motion to Dismiss PEF's
     petition to recover the $252 million in storm costs.  On November 24, 2004,
     PEF responded in opposition to the motion,  which was also the FPSC staff's
     position in its recommendation to the Commission on December 21, 2004, that
     it should deny the Motion to Dismiss.  On January 4, 2005,  the  Commission
     ruled in favor of PEF and denied Joint Movant's Motion to Dismiss.

     PEF's January 2005 notice to the FPSC of its intent to file for an increase
     in its base  rates  effective  January  1,  2006,  anticipates  the need to
     replenish  the  depleted  storm  reserve  balance  and adjust the annual $6
     million  accrual in light of recent storm history to restore the reserve to
     an adequate level over a reasonable time period (See Note 8C).

     PEC does not have an ongoing  regulatory  mechanism to recover storm costs;
     therefore,  hurricane  restoration  costs  recorded in the third quarter of
     2004 were  charged  to  operations  and  maintenance  expenses  or  capital
     expenditures based on the nature of the work performed.  In connection with
     other storms,  PEC has previously  sought and received  permission from the
     NCUC  and the  SCPSC to defer  storm  expenses  and  amortize  them  over a
     five-year  period.  PEC did not seek  deferral of 2004 storm costs from the
     NCUC (See Note 8B).

4.   DIVESTITURES

     A. Sale of Natural Gas Assets

     In December  2004,  the Company sold certain  gas-producing  properties and
     related assets owned by Winchester  Production  Company,  Ltd.  (Winchester
     Production),  an  indirectly  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Progress  Fuels
     Corporation  (Progress Fuels),  which is included in the Fuels segment. Net
     proceeds of  approximately  $251 million were used to reduce debt.  Because
     the sale significantly altered the ongoing relationship between capitalized
     costs  and  remaining  proved  reserves,  under  the  full-cost  method  of
     accounting,  the pre-tax  gain of $56 million  was  recognized  in earnings
     rather than as a reduction of the basis of the Company's  remaining oil and
     gas  properties.  The pre-tax gain has been included in  (gain)/loss on the
     sale of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

                                       95
<PAGE>

     B. Divestiture of Synthetic Fuel Partnership Interests

     In June 2004, the Company through its subsidiary,  Progress Fuels, sold, in
     two transactions,  a combined 49.8% partnership  interest in Colona Synfuel
     Limited   Partnership,   LLLP,  one  of  its  synthetic  fuel   facilities.
     Substantially all proceeds from the sales will be received over time, which
     is  typical  of such  sales in the  industry.  Gain from the sales  will be
     recognized  on a cost  recovery  basis.  The  Company's  book  value of the
     interests sold totaled approximately $5 million. The Company received total
     gross  proceeds of $10 million in 2004.  Based on projected  production and
     tax credit levels,  the Company  anticipates  receiving  approximately  $24
     million  in 2005,  approximately  $31  million in 2006,  approximately  $32
     million in 2007, and approximately $8 million through the second quarter of
     2008.  In the event that the  synthetic  fuel tax  credits  from the Colona
     facility are reduced,  including an increase in the price of oil that could
     limit or  eliminate  synthetic  fuel tax  credits,  the amount of  proceeds
     realized from the sale could be significantly impacted.

     C. Railcar Ltd., Divestiture

     In  December  2002,  the  Progress  Energy  Board of  Directors  adopted  a
     resolution approving the sale of Railcar Ltd., a subsidiary included in the
     Rail Services segment.  An estimated  pre-tax  impairment of $59 million on
     assets held for sale was  recognized  in December  2002 to  write-down  the
     assets to fair value less costs to sell.  This impairment has been included
     in impairment of long-lived assets in the Consolidated Statements of Income
     (See Note 10A).  In March 2003,  the  Company  signed a letter of intent to
     sell the majority of Railcar Ltd.  assets to The  Andersons,  Inc., and the
     transaction   closed  in  February  2004.   Proceeds  from  the  sale  were
     approximately   $82  million   before   transaction   costs  and  taxes  of
     approximately  $13 million.  In July 2004,  the Company sold the  remaining
     assets  classified as held for sale to a third-party for net proceeds of $6
     million.  The assets of Railcar  Ltd.  were grouped as assets held for sale
     and were  included  in other  current  assets on the  Consolidated  Balance
     Sheets at December 31, 2003, at approximately $75 million,  which reflected
     the Company's  estimates of the fair value expected to be realized from the
     sale of these assets less costs to sell.

     D. Mesa Hydrocarbons, Inc., Divestiture

     In October 2003, the Company sold certain gas-producing properties owned by
     Mesa  Hydrocarbons,  LLC, a wholly owned  subsidiary of Progress Fuels. Net
     proceeds were  approximately $97 million.  Because the Company utilizes the
     full-cost method of accounting for its oil and gas operations,  the pre-tax
     gain of  approximately  $18  million was applied to reduce the basis of the
     Company's other U.S. oil and gas investments and will prospectively  result
     in a reduction of the  amortization  rate applied to those  investments  as
     production occurs.

     E. NCNG Divestiture

     On September 30, 2003,  the Company  completed  the sale of North  Carolina
     Natural Gas  Corporation  (NCNG) and the  Company's  equity  investment  in
     Eastern North Carolina  Natural Gas Company (ENCNG) to Piedmont Natural Gas
     Company,  Inc. Net  proceeds  from the sale of NCNG of  approximately  $443
     million were used to reduce debt.

     The  consolidated  financial  statements have been restated for all periods
     presented for the discontinued  operations of NCNG. The net income of these
     operations  is  reported as  discontinued  operations  in the  Consolidated
     Statements of Income.  Interest  expense of $10 million and $16 million for
     the  years  ended  December  31,  2003  and  2002,  respectively,  has been
     allocated  to  discontinued  operations  based on the net  assets  of NCNG,
     assuming a uniform  debt-to-equity  ratio across the Company's  operations.
     The Company ceased recording  depreciation  effective October 1, 2002, upon
     classification  of  the  assets  as  discontinued   operations.   After-tax
     depreciation expense recorded by NCNG for the year ended December 31, 2002,
     was $9 million. Results of discontinued operations for years ended December
     31 were as follows:

                                       96
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                                    2004        2003        2002
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                                                         $  -       $ 284       $ 300
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes                                     $  -       $   6       $   9
Income tax expense                                                  -           2           4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings from discontinued operations                           -           4           5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain/(Loss) on disposal of discontinued operations,
       including  applicable  income tax  benefit / (expense) of
       $6, $1 and $3, respectively                                  6         (12)        (29)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations                     $  6       $  (8)      $ (24)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     During 2004, the Company  recorded an additional tax gain of  approximately
     $6 million due to final tax adjustments related to the divestiture of NCNG.

     The sale of ENCNG resulted in net proceeds of $7 million and a pre-tax loss
     of $2  million,  which  is  included  in  other,  net on  the  Consolidated
     Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2003.

5.   ACQUISITIONS AND BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     A. Progress Telecommunications Corporation

     In  December  2003,  Progress  Telecommunications   Corporation  (PTC)  and
     Caronet, Inc. (Caronet), both wholly owned subsidiaries of Progress Energy,
     and EPIK Communications,  Inc. (EPIK), a wholly owned subsidiary of Odyssey
     Telecorp, Inc. (Odyssey), contributed substantially all of their assets and
     transferred  certain  liabilities  to  Progress  Telecom,  LLC (PT LLC),  a
     subsidiary  of PTC.  Subsequently,  the  stock  of  Caronet  was sold to an
     affiliate  of Odyssey  for $2 million in cash and  Caronet  became a wholly
     owned subsidiary of Odyssey. Following consummation of all the transactions
     described above,  PTC holds a 55% ownership  interest in, and is the parent
     of, PT LLC.  Odyssey  holds a combined  45%  ownership  interest  in PT LLC
     through EPIK and Caronet.  The accounts of PT LLC have been included in the
     Company's Consolidated Financial Statements since the transaction date.

     The transaction was accounted for as a partial  acquisition of EPIK through
     the issuance of the stock of a consolidated  subsidiary.  The contributions
     of PTC's and Caronet's net assets were recorded at their carrying values of
     approximately  $31  million.   EPIK's  contribution  was  recorded  at  its
     estimated fair value of $22 million using the purchase  method.  No gain or
     loss was  recognized  on the  transaction.  The  EPIK  purchase  price  was
     initially allocated as follows: property and equipment - $27 million; other
     current  assets  - $9  million;  current  liabilities  - $21  million;  and
     goodwill - $7 million.  During 2004, PT LLC developed a restructuring  plan
     to exit certain leasing arrangements of EPIK and finalized its valuation of
     acquired assets and liabilities. Management considered a number of factors,
     including  valuations  and  appraisals,  when making these  determinations.
     Based on the results of these  activities,  the preliminary  purchase price
     allocation  for EPIK was revised as follows at December 31, 2004:  property
     and equipment - $36 million; other current assets - $7 million;  intangible
     assets - $1 million; current liabilities - $18 million; and exit costs - $4
     million.  The exit costs consist primarily of lease  termination  penalties
     and  noncancelable  lease payments made after certain leased properties are
     vacated.  The pro forma results of operations  reflecting  the  acquisition
     would not be materially  different than the reported  results of operations
     for 2003 or 2002.

     B. Acquisition of Natural Gas Reserves

     During 2003, Progress Fuels entered into several  independent  transactions
     to acquire  approximately  200  natural  gas-producing  wells  with  proven
     reserves  of  approximately  190  billion  cubic feet  (Bcf) from  Republic
     Energy, Inc., and three other privately owned companies,  all headquartered
     in Texas.  The total  cash  purchase  price for the  transactions  was $168
     million.  The pro forma results of operations  reflecting  the  acquisition
     would not be materially  different from the reported  results of operations
     for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

                                       97
<PAGE>

     C. Wholesale Energy Contract Acquisition

     In May 2003, PVI entered into a definitive  agreement with Williams  Energy
     Marketing  and Trading,  a subsidiary of The Williams  Companies,  Inc., to
     acquire a  long-term  full-requirements  power  supply  agreement  at fixed
     prices with Jackson Electric Membership Corporation  (Jackson),  located in
     Jefferson,  Georgia. The agreement calls for a $188 million cash payment to
     Williams  Energy  Marketing  and Trading in exchange for  assignment of the
     Jackson supply agreement;  the $188 million cash payment was recorded as an
     intangible  asset and is being amortized  based on the economic  benefit of
     the contract (See Note 9). The power supply  agreement  terminates in 2015,
     with a first refusal right to extend for five years. The agreement includes
     the use of 640  megawatts  (MW) of  contracted  Georgia  System  generation
     comprised of nuclear,  coal, gas and  pumped-storage  hydro resources.  PVI
     expects to supplement the acquired resources with open market purchases and
     with its own  intermediate and peaking assets in Georgia to serve Jackson's
     forecasted  1,100 MW peak demand in 2005 growing to a  forecasted  1,700 MW
     demand by 2015.

     D. Westchester Acquisition

     In April 2002,  Progress Fuels, a subsidiary of Progress  Energy,  acquired
     100% of Westchester Gas Company (Westchester).  During 2004 the name of the
     company was changed to Winchester Energy Co. Ltd.. The acquisition included
     approximately 215 natural  gas-producing  wells, 52 miles of intrastate gas
     pipeline and 170 miles of  gas-gathering  systems  located within a 25-mile
     radius of Jonesville, Texas, on the Texas-Louisiana border.

     The aggregate  purchase price of  approximately  $153 million  consisted of
     cash  consideration  of  approximately  $22 million and the issuance of 2.5
     million shares of Progress Energy common stock then valued at approximately
     $129  million.  The purchase  price  included  approximately  $2 million of
     direct transaction costs. The final purchase price was allocated to oil and
     gas properties,  intangible  assets,  diversified  business  property,  net
     working  capital  and  deferred  tax  liabilities  for  approximately  $152
     million, $9 million, $32 million, $5 million and $45 million, respectively.
     The $9 million  intangible  assets relates to customer  contracts (See Note
     9). The  acquisition  has been  accounted for using the purchase  method of
     accounting and, accordingly, the results of operations for Westchester have
     been included in Progress Energy's Consolidated  Financial Statements since
     the date of acquisition. The pro forma results of operations reflecting the
     acquisition would not be materially  different from the reported results of
     operations for the year ended December 31, 2002.

     E. Generation Acquisition

     In February  2002,  PVI acquired 100% of two electric  generating  projects
     located in Georgia from LG&E Energy  Corp.,  a subsidiary  of Powergen plc.
     The two  projects  consist  of 1) Walton  County  Power,  LLC,  in  Monroe,
     Georgia,  a 460 MW natural  gas-fired  plant placed in service in June 2001
     and 2) Washington County Power, LLC, in Washington  County,  Georgia, a 600
     MW natural  gas-fired  plant placed in service in June 2003. The Walton and
     Washington  projects have been  accounted for using the purchase  method of
     accounting  and,  accordingly,  have  been  included  in  the  Consolidated
     Financial Statements since the acquisition date.

     In the final allocation, the aggregate cash purchase price of approximately
     $348 million was allocated to diversified  business  property,  intangibles
     and goodwill for $228  million,  $56 million and $64 million,  respectively
     (See Note 9). Of the acquired  intangible  assets, $33 million was assigned
     to tolling and power sale agreements with LG&E Energy Marketing,  Inc., for
     each  project and $23 million was  assigned to  interconnection  contracts.
     Goodwill  was  assigned to the CCO segment and will be  deductible  for tax
     purposes.

     The pro forma results of operations reflecting the acquisition would not be
     materially  different from the reported  results of operations for the year
     ended December 31, 2002.

                                       98
<PAGE>

6.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     A. Utility Plant

     The balances of electric utility plant in service at December 31 are listed
     below, with a range of depreciable lives for each:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                2004             2003
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production plant  (7-33 years)             $ 11,966         $ 12,044
Transmission plant  (30-75 years)             2,282            2,167
Distribution plant  (12-50 years)             6,749            6,432
General plant and other  (8-75 years)         1,106            1,037
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utility plant in service                   $ 22,103         $ 21,680
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Generally,  electric utility plant at PEC and PEF, other than nuclear fuel,
     is  pledged  as  collateral  for the first  mortgage  bonds of PEC and PEF,
     respectively.

     Allowance  for  funds  used  during  construction  (AFUDC)  represents  the
     estimated  debt and equity costs of capital funds  necessary to finance the
     construction  of new regulated  assets.  As  prescribed  in the  regulatory
     uniform systems of accounts, AFUDC is charged to the cost of the plant. The
     equity funds portion of AFUDC is credited to other income, and the borrowed
     funds  portion is  credited  to interest  charges.  Regulatory  authorities
     consider AFUDC an appropriate  charge for inclusion in the rates charged to
     customers  by the  utilities  over the service  life of the  property.  The
     composite  AFUDC rate for PEC's  electric  utility  plant was 7.2% in 2004,
     4.0% in 2003 and 6.2% in 2002,  respectively.  The composite AFUDC rate for
     PEF's electric utility plant was 7.8% in 2004, 2003 and 2002.

     Depreciation   provisions  on  utility  plant,  as  a  percent  of  average
     depreciable  property other than nuclear fuel,  were 2.2%, 2.5% and 2.6% in
     2004, 2003 and 2002,  respectively.  The depreciation provisions related to
     utility  plant were $463  million,  $517  million and $488 million in 2004,
     2003 and 2002,  respectively.  In  addition to utility  plant  depreciation
     provisions,   depreciation   and   amortization   expense   also   includes
     decommissioning   cost  provisions,   asset  retirement   obligation  (ARO)
     accretion,  cost of removal provisions (See Note 6D),  regulatory  approved
     expenses (See Note 8 and Note 22) and NC Clean Air Legislation amortization
     (See Note 8B).

     During 2004,  PEC met the  requirements  of both the NCUC and the SCPSC for
     the implementation of two depreciation  studies that allowed the utility to
     reduce  the  rates  used to  calculate  depreciation  expense.  The  annual
     reduction  in  depreciation  expense  is  approximately  $82  million.  The
     reduction  is due  primarily  to  extended  lives at each of PEC's  nuclear
     units. The new depreciation rates were effective January 1, 2004.

     Amortization  of nuclear fuel costs,  including  disposal costs  associated
     with  obligations  to  the  U.S.  Department  of  Energy  (DOE)  and  costs
     associated  with  obligations  to  the  DOE  for  the  decommissioning  and
     decontamination of enrichment facilities,  for the years ended December 31,
     2004,  2003 and 2002 were $140  million,  $143  million  and $141  million,
     respectively,  and are included in fuel used for electric generation in the
     Consolidated Statements of Income.

     B. Diversified Business Property

     The  balances of  diversified  business  property at December 31 are listed
     below, with a range of depreciable lives for each:

                                       99
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                                       2004         2003
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment (3-25 years)                                          $     383      $   246
Nonregulated generation plant and equipment (3-40 years)            1,302        1,299
Land and mineral rights                                               107           93
Buildings and plants (5-40 years)                                     131          125
Oil and gas properties (units-of-production)                          336          412
Telecommunications equipment (5-20 years)                              80           63
Rail equipment (3-20 years)                                            29          125
Marine equipment (3-35 years)                                          87           83
Computers, office equipment and software (3-10 years)                  36           36
Construction work in progress                                          26           13
Accumulated depreciation                                             (507)        (400)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversified business property, net                              $   2,010      $ 2,095
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     The synthetic fuel facilities are being  depreciated  through 2007 when the
     Section 29 tax credits will expire. The Company's  nonregulated  businesses
     capitalize  interest costs under SFAS No. 34,  "Capitalization  of Interest
     Costs."  During  the  years  ended  December  31,  2004,   2003  and  2002,
     respectively,  the  Company  capitalized  $7  million,  $20 million and $38
     million,  respectively,  of its interest cost of $660 million, $655 million
     and $679 million. Capitalized interest for 2004 is related to the expansion
     of Fuels' gas operations.  Capitalized interest in 2003 and 2002 is related
     to  the  expansion  of  its  nonregulated   generation  portfolio  at  PVI.
     Capitalized interest is included in diversified  business property,  net on
     the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Diversified business depreciation expense
     was $148 million,  $120 million and $85 million for December 31, 2004, 2003
     and 2002, respectively.

     C. Joint Ownership of Generating Facilities

     PEC and PEF hold ownership  interests in certain  jointly owned  generating
     facilities.  Each is entitled to shares of the  generating  capability  and
     output of each unit equal to their  respective  ownership  interests.  Each
     also  pays its  ownership  share of  additional  construction  costs,  fuel
     inventory  purchases  and  operating  expenses.  PEC's and  PEF's  share of
     expenses for the jointly owned  facilities  is included in the  appropriate
     expense  category.  The  co-owner of  Intercession  City Unit P11 (P11) has
     exclusive  rights  to the  output  of the unit  during  the  months of June
     through September.  PEF has that right for the remainder of the year. PEC's
     and PEF's ownership  interests in the jointly owned  generating  facilities
     are listed below with related information at December 31 ($ in millions):

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004                                                  Company                                    Construction
                                                     Ownership        Plant       Accumulated       Work in
    Subsidiary                 Facility               Interest     Investment     Depreciation     Progress
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEC                Mayo Plant                          83.83%        $   516       $    249            $  1
PEC                Harris Plant                        83.83%          3,185          1,387              13
PEC                Brunswick Plant                     81.67%          1,624            888              28
PEC                Roxboro Unit 4                      87.06%            323            147               1
PEF                Crystal River Unit 3                91.78%            889            443               9
PEF                Intercession City Unit P11          66.67%             22              7               8
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003                                                  Company                                    Construction
                                                     Ownership        Plant       Accumulated       Work in
    Subsidiary                 Facility               Interest     Investment     Depreciation     Progress
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEC                Mayo Plant                          83.83%        $   464       $    242            $ 50
PEC                Harris Plant                        83.83%          3,248          1,424               7
PEC                Brunswick Plant                     81.67%          1,611            885              21
PEC                Roxboro Unit 4                      87.06%            323            139               1
PEF                Crystal River Unit 3                91.78%            875            442              46
PEF                Intercession City Unit P11          66.67%             22              6               6
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     In the tables above, plant investment and accumulated  depreciation are not
     reduced  by the  regulatory  disallowances  related to the  Shearon  Harris
     Nuclear Plant (Harris Plant).

                                      100
<PAGE>

     D. Asset Retirement Obligations

     At  December  31,  2004 and 2003,  the asset  retirement  costs  related to
     nuclear   decommissioning   of  irradiated   plant,   net  of   accumulated
     depreciation,  totaled $277 million and $354 million,  respectively.  Funds
     set aside in the  Company's  nuclear  decommissioning  trust  funds for the
     nuclear  decommissioning  liability totaled $1.044 billion and $938 million
     at December 31, 2004 and 2003,  respectively.  Net nuclear  decommissioning
     trust  unrealized  gains are included in regulatory  liabilities  (See Note
     8A).

     Decommissioning  cost  provisions,  which are included in depreciation  and
     amortization  expense,  were $31  million  in each of 2004,  2003 and 2002.
     Management believes that  decommissioning  costs that have been and will be
     recovered  through  rates by PEC and PEF will be  sufficient to provide for
     the costs of  decommissioning.  The Company's  expenses  recognized for the
     disposal  or  removal  of  utility  assets  that are not SFAS No. 143 asset
     removal  obligations,  which are included in depreciation  and amortization
     expense, were $160 million, $158 million and $149 million in 2004, 2003 and
     2002, respectively.

     The  utilities   recognize  removal,   nonirradiated   decommissioning  and
     dismantlement costs in regulatory  liabilities on the Consolidated  Balance
     Sheets (See Note 8A). At December 31, 2004,  such costs  consist of removal
     costs of $1.606 billion,  removal costs for nonirradiated  areas at nuclear
     facilities   of  $131  million  and  amounts   previously   collected   for
     dismantlement of fossil generation plants of $144 million.  At December 31,
     2003, such costs consist of removal costs of $1.846 billion,  removal costs
     for nonirradiated  areas at nuclear  facilities of $129 million and amounts
     previously  collected for dismantlement of fossil generation plants of $143
     million.  During 2004, PEC reduced its estimated removal costs to take into
     account the estimates used in the depreciation  studies  implemented during
     2004  (See  Note 6A).  This  resulted  in a  downward  revision  in the PEC
     estimated  removal costs and equal increase in accumulated  depreciation of
     approximately $345 million.

     PEC's most recent  site-specific  estimates of  decommissioning  costs were
     developed  in 2004,  using  2004  cost  factors,  and are  based on  prompt
     dismantlement  decommissioning,  which  reflects the cost of removal of all
     radioactive and other  structures  currently at the site, with such removal
     occurring after operating  license  expiration.  These  estimates,  in 2004
     dollars,  are $294  million  for  Robinson  Unit No.  2, $290  million  for
     Brunswick  Unit No.  1,  $313  million  for  Brunswick  Unit No. 2 and $359
     million for the Harris Plant.  The estimates are subject to change based on
     a variety  of factors  including,  but not  limited  to,  cost  escalation,
     changes in technology applicable to nuclear  decommissioning and changes in
     federal, state or local regulations. The cost estimates exclude the portion
     attributable  to North  Carolina  Eastern  Municipal  Power  Agency  (Power
     Agency),  which holds an undivided  ownership interest in the Brunswick and
     Harris nuclear  generating  facilities.  NRC operating licenses held by PEC
     currently  expire in December 2014 and September 2016 for Brunswick Units 2
     and 1,  respectively.  An application to extend these licenses 20 years was
     submitted in October 2004.  The NRC  operating  license held by PEC for the
     Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant (Harris  Plant)  currently  expires in October
     2026.  An  application  to extend  this  license 20 years is expected to be
     submitted  in the  fourth  quarter  of 2006.  On April  19,  2004,  the NRC
     announced  that it has renewed  the  operating  license for PEC's  Robinson
     Nuclear Plant (Robinson) for an additional 20 years through July 2030.

     PEF's most recent site-specific  estimate of decommissioning  costs for the
     Crystal  River  Nuclear  Plant (CR3) was  developed in 2000 based on prompt
     dismantlement  decommissioning.  The  estimate,  in 2000  dollars,  is $491
     million  and is subject to change  based on the same  factors as  discussed
     above  for  PEC's  estimates.   The  cost  estimate  excludes  the  portion
     attributable to other  co-owners of CR3. The NRC operating  license held by
     PEF for Crystal River Unit No. 3 (CR3) currently  expires in December 2016.
     An  application to extend this license 20 years is expected to be submitted
     in the first quarter of 2009.

     The Company has  identified  but not  recognized  AROs  related to electric
     transmission and distribution and  telecommunications  assets as the result
     of easements  over property not owned by the Company.  These  easements are
     generally  perpetual and require retirement action only upon abandonment or
     cessation of use of the property for the specified purpose.  The ARO is not
     estimable  for such  easements,  as the  Company  intends to utilize  these
     properties  indefinitely.  In the event the  Company  decides to abandon or
     cease the use of a  particular  easement,  an ARO would be recorded at that
     time.

     The Company's  nonregulated AROs relate to coal mine operations,  synthetic
     fuel  operations  and gas production of Progress  Fuels.  The related asset
     retirement costs, net of accumulated depreciation,  totaled $10 million and
     $5 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

                                      101
<PAGE>

     The following table shows the changes to the asset retirement  obligations.
     Additions  relate primarily to additional  reclamation  obligations at coal
     mine operations of Progress Fuels.  The deductions to regulated ARO related
     to PEC re-measuring the nuclear  decommissioning costs of irradiated plants
     to take into account updated  site-specific  decommissioning  cost studies,
     which are required by the NCUC every five years.

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                                Regulated       Nonregulated
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations as of January 1, 2003           $ 1,183            $ 10
Additions                                                          -              11
Accretion expense                                                 68               1
Deductions                                                         -              (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2003           1,251              20
Additions                                                          -               6
Accretion expense                                                 73               2
Deductions                                                       (63)             (7)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2004         $ 1,261            $ 21
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     The  cumulative  effect of initial  adoption of this  statement  related to
     nonregulated  operations  was $1 million of income,  which is  included  in
     cumulative  effect of change in  accounting  principles,  net of tax on the
     Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2003. Pro
     forma net income has not been  presented  for prior  years  because the pro
     forma  application of SFAS No. 143 to prior years would result in pro forma
     net income not materially different from the actual amounts reported.

     E. Insurance

     PEC and PEF are members of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), which
     provides primary and excess  insurance  coverage against property damage to
     members' nuclear  generating  facilities.  Under the primary program,  each
     company  is insured  for $500  million  at each of its  respective  nuclear
     plants.   In   addition   to   primary   coverage,   NEIL   also   provides
     decontamination,  premature  decommissioning  and excess property insurance
     with limits of $2.0 billion on the  Brunswick and Harris  Plants,  and $1.1
     billion on the Robinson and Crystal River Unit No. 3 (CR3) Plants.

     Insurance coverage against incremental costs of replacement power resulting
     from  prolonged  accidental  outages  at nuclear  generating  units is also
     provided  through  membership  in NEIL.  Both PEC and PEF are insured under
     NEIL,  following a 12-week deductible period, for 52 weeks in the amount of
     $3 million per week at the  Brunswick and Harris  Plants,  $2.5 million per
     week at the Robinson  Plant and $4.5 million per week at the CR3 Plant.  An
     additional  110 weeks (71 weeks for CR3) of  coverage is provided at 80% of
     the above weekly amounts.  For the current policy period, the companies are
     subject to retrospective  premium  assessments of up to approximately $29.3
     million with respect to the primary coverage, $32.4 million with respect to
     the  decontamination,  decommissioning  and excess property  coverage,  and
     $20.2 million for the incremental  replacement power costs coverage, in the
     event  covered  losses at insured  facilities  exceed  premiums,  reserves,
     reinsurance and other NEIL resources. Pursuant to regulations of the United
     States Nuclear Regulatory  Commission (NRC), each company's property damage
     insurance  policies  provide  that all  proceeds  from  such  insurance  be
     applied,  first, to place the plant in a safe and stable condition after an
     accident and, second, to decontaminate, before any proceeds can be used for
     decommissioning,  plant repair or restoration.  Each company is responsible
     to the extent losses may exceed limits of the coverage described above.

     Both  PEC  and PEF are  insured  against  public  liability  for a  nuclear
     incident up to $10.8 billion per occurrence.  Under the current  provisions
     of the Price Anderson Act, which limits  liability for accidents at nuclear
     power plants,  each company,  as an owner of nuclear units, can be assessed
     for a portion of any third-party  liability claims arising from an accident
     at any commercial  nuclear power plant in the United  States.  In the event
     that public  liability  claims from an insured nuclear incident exceed $300
     million  (currently  available through commercial  insurers),  each company
     would be subject to pro rata  assessments  of up to $101  million  for each
     reactor owned per  occurrence.  Payment of such  assessments  would be made
     over time as necessary to limit the payment in any one year to no more than
     $10 million per reactor owned. Congress could possibly approve revisions to
     the Price Anderson Act during 2005 that could include  increased limits and
     assessments  per reactor owned.  The final outcome of this matter cannot be
     predicted at this time.

                                      102
<PAGE>

     Under the NEIL policies,  if there were multiple terrorism losses occurring
     within one year, NEIL would make available one industry  aggregate limit of
     $3.2  billion,  along  with  any  amounts  it  recovers  from  reinsurance,
     government  indemnity or other sources up to the limits for each  claimant.
     If  terrorism  losses  occurred  beyond the one-year  period,  a new set of
     limits and resources would apply. For nuclear  liability claims arising out
     of terrorist acts, the primary level available through commercial  insurers
     is now subject to an industry  aggregate limit of $300 million.  The second
     level of coverage  obtained  through the assessments  discussed above would
     continue  to apply to losses  exceeding  $300  million  and  would  provide
     coverage in excess of any  diminished  primary  limits due to the terrorist
     acts.

     PEC and PEF self-insure their  transmission and distribution  lines against
     loss due to storm  damage  and other  natural  disasters.  PEF  accrues  $6
     million  annually to a storm damage reserve  pursuant to a regulatory order
     and may defer losses in excess of the reserve (See Notes 3 and 8A).

7.   CURRENT ASSETS

     RECEIVABLES

     At December 31, receivables were comprised of:

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                       2004           2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade accounts receivable                         $   689        $   705
Unbilled accounts receivable                          271            293
Notes receivable                                       98             61
Other receivables                                      27             47
Unbilled other receivables                             28             10
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable            (29)           (32)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total receivables                                 $ 1,084        $ 1,084
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Income tax receivables and interest income  receivables are not included in
     this classification. These amounts are in prepaids and other current assets
     on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

     INVENTORY

     At December 31, inventory was comprised of:

- ------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                       2004           2003
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Fuel for production               $  235         $  210
Inventory for sale                   230            167
Materials and supplies               517            530
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventory                   $  982         $  907
- ------------------------------------------------------------

8.   REGULATORY MATTERS

     A. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

     As regulated entities,  the utilities are subject to the provisions of SFAS
     No. 71.  Accordingly,  the utilities  record certain assets and liabilities
     resulting  from the  effects of the  ratemaking  process  that would not be
     recorded under GAAP for nonregulated  entities.  The utilities'  ability to
     continue  to meet  the  criteria  for  application  of SFAS  No.  71 may be
     affected  in the  future by  competitive  forces and  restructuring  in the
     electric utility industry.  In the event that SFAS No. 71 no longer applied
     to a separable  portion of the  Company's  operations,  related  regulatory
     assets and liabilities would be eliminated unless an appropriate regulatory
     recovery mechanism was provided.  Additionally,  these factors could result
     in an impairment of utility plant assets as determined pursuant to SFAS No.
     144.

                                      103
<PAGE>


     At December 31, the balances of  regulatory  assets  (liabilities)  were as
     follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions)                                                            2004             2003
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred fuel cost - current (Note 8B and 8C)                      $      229        $     270
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred fuel cost - long-term (Note 8B and 8C)                           107               47
Deferred impact of ARO - PEC (Note 1D)                                    305              291
Income taxes recoverable through future rates (Note 15)                    84               75
Loss on reacquired debt (Note 1D)                                          53               55
Deferred DOE enrichment facilities-related costs                           16               24
Storm deferral (Notes 3 and 8B)                                           316               21
Postretirement benefits (Note 17)                                          74                9
Other                                                                     109               76
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total long-term regulatory assets                                  1,064              598
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred energy conservation cost - current                                (8)              (7)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-ARO cost of removal (Note 6D)                                      (1,881)          (2,118)
Deferred impact of ARO (Note 1D)                                         (221)            (212)
Net nuclear decommissioning trust unrealized gains (Note 6D)             (224)            (204)
Postretirement benefits (Note 17B)                                        (45)            (211)
Storm reserve (Note 3)                                                      -              (41)
Clean air compliance (Note 8B)                                           (248)             (74)
Other                                                                     (35)             (19)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total long-term regulatory liabilities                            (2,654)          (2,879)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net regulatory assets (liabilities)                       $   (1,369)       $  (2,018)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     Except for portions of deferred  fuel costs and deferred  storm costs,  all
     regulatory  assets earn a return or the cash has not yet been expended,  in
     which  case the  assets  are  offset  by  liabilities  that do not  incur a
     carrying cost. The Company expects to fully recover these assets and refund
     the liabilities through customer rates under current regulatory practice.

     B. PEC Retail Rate Matters

     As of  December  31,  2004,  PEC's  North  Carolina  retail fuel costs were
     underrecovered  by $145  million.  This amount is comprised of $117 million
     eligible  for recovery in 2005 and $28 million  deferred  from a 2001 order
     from the NCUC that cannot be collected  during 2005, and has therefore been
     classified  as a long-term  asset.  PEC  intends to collect  this amount by
     October 31, 2007.

     On October 15, 2004,  the SCPSC  approved PEC's request to leave fuel rates
     unchanged.  The deferred fuel balance at December 31, 2004, is $23 million.
     This amount is eligible  for  recovery  in PEC's 2005 South  Carolina  fuel
     review.

     PEC   obtained   SCPSC  and  NCUC   approval  of  fuel  factors  in  annual
     fuel-adjustment  proceedings.  The NCUC approved an annual  increase of $62
     million,  $20 million and $46 million by orders  issued in September  2004,
     2003 and 2002,  respectively.  The SCPSC  approved PEC's petition each year
     and the changes were insignificant.

     PEC filed with the SCPSC seeking permission to defer expenses incurred from
     the first quarter 2004 winter storm.  The SCPSC  approved  PEC's request to
     defer the costs and  amortize  them  ratably  over five years  beginning in
     January 2005.  Approximately $9 million related to storm costs was deferred
     in 2004.

     In  October  2003,  PEC filed  with the NCUC  seeking  permission  to defer
     expenses  incurred  from  Hurricane  Isabel and the  February  2003  winter
     storms.  In December  2003,  the NCUC  approved  PEC's request to defer the
     costs  associated with Hurricane Isabel and the February 2003 ice storm and
     amortize them over a period of five years.  PEC charged  approximately  $24
     million in 2003 from  Hurricane  Isabel and from ice storms to the deferred
     account.  PEC recognized $5 million and $3 million of NC storm amortization
     during 2004 and 2003, respectively.

                                      104
<PAGE>

     The NCUC and SCPSC have approved  proposals to accelerate  cost recovery of
     PEC's nuclear  generating  assets beginning January 1, 2000, and continuing
     through 2009.  The aggregate  minimum and maximum  amounts of cost recovery
     are $530 million and $750 million, respectively.  Accelerated cost recovery
     of these  assets  resulted  in no  additional  expense in 2004 and 2003 and
     additional depreciation expense of approximately $53 million in 2002. Total
     accelerated  depreciation  recorded  through  December 31,  2004,  was $403
     million.

     The North  Carolina  Clean  Smokestacks  Act enacted in June 2002 (NC Clean
     Air),  requires state utilities to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx)
     and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from coal-fired  plants.  The NCUC has allowed the
     utilities to amortize and recover the costs associated with meeting the new
     emission  standards over a seven-year period beginning January 1, 2003. The
     legislation  provides for  significant  flexibility in the amount of annual
     amortization  recorded,  which  allows  the  utilities  to vary the  amount
     amortized within certain limits.  This flexibility  provides a utility with
     the  opportunity to consider the impacts of other factors on its regulatory
     return on equity when setting the  amortization  amount for each year.  PEC
     recognized  $174 million and $74 million of clean air  amortization  during
     2004 and 2003,  respectively.  This legislation freezes PEC's base rates in
     North Carolina for five years, subject to certain conditions (See Note 22).

     In  conjunction  with the FPC  merger,  PEC reached a  settlement  with the
     Public  Staff of the NCUC in which it  agreed  to  provide  credits  to its
     nonreal  time pricing  customers  in the amounts of $3 million in 2002,  $5
     million in 2003 and $6 million in both 2004 and 2005.

     In conjunction with the acquisition of NCNG in 1999, PEC agreed not to seek
     a base retail  electric rate increase in North  Carolina and South Carolina
     through  December  2004.  The agreement not to seek a base retail  electric
     rate  increase  in  South   Carolina  was  extended  to  December  2005  in
     conjunction with regulatory approval to form a holding company.

     C. PEF Retail Rate Matters

     On November 9, 2004, the FPSC approved PEF's  underrecovered  fuel costs of
     $156 million for 2004,  of which PEF plans to defer $79 million  until 2006
     to mitigate the impact on customers resulting from the need to also recover
     hurricane-related  costs. Therefore, $79 million of deferred fuel costs has
     been  classified  as a long-term  asset.  As of December 31, 2004,  PEF was
     underrecovered  in fuel costs by $168 million.  The  additional $12 million
     over and above the $156  million  approved  by the FPSC will be included in
     PEF's 2005 fuel filing.

     On June 29, 2004, the FPSC approved a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement,
     executed on April 29, 2004,  by PEF,  the Office of Public  Counsel and the
     Florida  Industrial  Power Users  Group.  The  stipulation  and  settlement
     resolved the issue pending  before the FPSC regarding the costs PEF will be
     allowed to  recover  through  its Fuel and  Purchased  Power Cost  Recovery
     clause in 2004 and beyond for waterborne  coal  deliveries by the Company's
     affiliated coal supplier,  Progress Fuels Corporation.  The settlement sets
     fixed per ton  prices  based on point of  origin  for all  waterborne  coal
     deliveries in 2004, and establishes a market-based  pricing methodology for
     determining  recoverable  waterborne  coal  transportation  costs through a
     competitive  solicitation  process  or  market  price  proxies  in 2005 and
     thereafter.  The settlement  reduces the amount that PEF will charge to the
     Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Recovery clause for waterborne transportation
     by approximately $11 million beginning in 2004.

     On November 3, 2004, the FPSC approved PEF's petition for  Determination of
     Need for the  construction  of a fourth unit at PEF's Hines Energy Complex.
     Hines  Unit  4 is  needed  to  maintain  electric  system  reliability  and
     integrity and to continue to provide adequate electricity to its ratepayers
     at a  reasonable  cost.  Hines Unit 4 will be a combined  cycle unit with a
     generating  capacity  of  461  MW  (summer  rating).  The  estimated  total
     in-service  cost of Hines Unit 4 is $286  million,  and the unit is planned
     for commercial  operation in December 2007. If the actual cost is less than
     the estimate,  customers  will receive the benefit of such cost  underruns.
     Any  costs  that  exceed  this  estimate  will  not be  recoverable  absent
     extraordinary circumstances as found by the FPSC in subsequent proceedings.

     See Note 3 for information on PEF's petition for storm cost recovery.

                                      105
<PAGE>

     PEF RATE CASE SETTLEMENT

     The FPSC initiated a rate  proceeding in 2001  regarding  PEF's future base
     rates.  In March  2002,  the  parties  in PEF's  rate case  entered  into a
     Stipulation and Settlement Agreement (the Agreement) related to retail rate
     matters.  The  Agreement  was  approved  by the  FPSC in  April  2002.  The
     Agreement  is generally  effective  from May 2002  through  December  2005,
     provided, however, that if PEF's base rate earnings fall below a 10% return
     on equity, PEF may petition the FPSC to amend its base rates.

     The Agreement  provides  that PEF will reduce its retail  revenues from the
     sale of electricity by an annual amount of $125 million. The Agreement also
     provides that PEF will operate under a Revenue Sharing  Incentive Plan (the
     Plan) through  2005,  and  thereafter  until  terminated by the FPSC,  that
     establishes annual revenue caps and sharing  thresholds.  The Plan provides
     that retail base rate  revenues  between  the  sharing  thresholds  and the
     retail base rate revenue caps will be divided into two shares - a 1/3 share
     to be  received  by PEF's  shareholders,  and a 2/3 share to be refunded to
     PEF's retail customers, provided, however, that for the year 2002 only, the
     refund to  customers  was limited to 67.1% of the 2/3 customer  share.  The
     retail base rate revenue sharing  threshold amounts for 2004, 2003 and 2002
     were $1.370 billion, $1.333 billion and $1.296 billion,  respectively,  and
     will  increase $37 million in 2005.  The Plan also provides that all retail
     base rate revenues above the retail base rate revenue caps  established for
     each year will be  refunded to retail  customers  on an annual  basis.  For
     2002,  the refund to customers was limited to 67.1% of the retail base rate
     revenues that exceeded the 2002 cap. The retail base revenue caps for 2004,
     2003 and 2002 were  $1.430  billion,  $1.393  billion  and $1.356  billion,
     respectively,  and will increase $37 million in 2005. Any amounts above the
     retail base revenue caps will be refunded  100% to  customers.  At December
     31,  2004,  $9 million  has been  accrued  and will be  refunded  to retail
     customers by March 2005.  The 2003 revenue  sharing amount was $18 million,
     and was refunded to customers by April 30, 2004.  Approximately  $5 million
     was  originally  returned in March 2003  related to 2002  revenue  sharing.
     However,  in February  2003,  the parties to the  Agreement  filed a motion
     seeking an order from the FPSC to enforce the  Agreement.  In this  motion,
     the parties disputed PEF's  calculation of retail revenue subject to refund
     and contended that the refund should be approximately $23 million.  In July
     2003, the FPSC ruled that PEF must provide an additional $18 million to its
     retail  customers  related to the 2002  revenue  sharing  calculation.  PEF
     recorded  this  refund in the second  quarter  of 2003 as a charge  against
     electric operating revenue and refunded this amount by October 2003.

     The Agreement  also provides that  beginning  with the  in-service  date of
     PEF's  Hines  Unit 2 and  continuing  through  December  2005,  PEF will be
     allowed  to  recover  through  the fuel  cost  recovery  clause a return on
     average investment and depreciation expense for Hines Unit 2, to the extent
     such  costs do not  exceed  the Unit's  cumulative  fuel  savings  over the
     recovery  period.  Hines  Unit 2 is a 516 MW  combined-cycle  unit that was
     placed in service in December  2003.  In 2004,  PEF  recovered  $36 million
     through this clause related to Hines Unit 2.

     In  addition,  PEF  suspended  retail  accruals on its reserves for nuclear
     decommissioning   and   fossil   dismantlement   through   December   2005.
     Additionally,  for each calendar year during the term of the Agreement, PEF
     will record a $63 million  depreciation  expense  reduction and may, at its
     option,  record up to an equal annual amount as an  offsetting  accelerated
     depreciation  expense.  No  accelerated  depreciation  expense was recorded
     during 2004 and 2003. In addition, PEF is authorized, at its discretion, to
     accelerate the amortization of certain  regulatory  assets over the term of
     the Agreement.

     Under the terms of the Agreement, PEF agreed to continue the implementation
     of its four-year Commitment to Excellence  Reliability Plan and expected to
     achieve  a 20%  improvement  in  its  annual  System  Average  Interruption
     Duration  Index by no later than 2004.  If this  improvement  level was not
     achieved for calendar  years 2004 or 2005, PEF would have provided a refund
     of $3 million  for each year the level is not  achieved to 10% of its total
     retail customers served by its worst performing  distribution feeder lines.
     PEF achieved this improvement level in 2004.

     In January 2005, in  anticipation  of the expiration of its Stipulation and
     Settlement approved by the FPSC in 2002 to conclude PEF's then-pending rate
     case,  PEF  notified the FPSC that it intends to request an increase in its
     base rates,  effective  January 1, 2006.  In its notice,  PEF requested the
     FPSC to approve calendar year 2006 as the projected test period for setting
     new base rates.  The request for increased  base rates is based on the fact
     that PEF has faced  significant  cost  increases  over the past  decade and
     expects its operational costs to continue to increase.  These costs include
     the costs  associated with  completion of the Hines 3 generation  facility,
     extraordinary  hurricane damage costs including capital costs which are not
     expected to be directly  recoverable,  the need to  replenish  the depleted
     storm reserve and the expected infrastructure  investment necessary to meet
     high  customer  expectations,  coupled with the demands  placed on PEF as a
     result  of  strong  customer   growth.   On  February  7,  2005,  the  FPSC
     acknowledged   receipt  of  PEF's  notice  and  authorized  minimum  filing
     requirements and testimony to be filed May 1, 2005.

                                      106
<PAGE>

     D. Regional Transmission Organizations and Standard Market Design

     In 2000, the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission (FERC) issued Order No.
     2000 regarding regional  transmission  organizations (RTOs). This Order set
     minimum  characteristics  and  functions  that  RTOs must  meet,  including
     independent  transmission service. In July 2002, the FERC issued its Notice
     of  Proposed  Rulemaking  in  Docket  No.   RM01-12-000,   Remedying  Undue
     Discrimination  through  Open  Access  Transmission  Service  and  Standard
     Electricity Market Design (SMD NOPR). If adopted as proposed, the rules set
     forth in the SMD NOPR would  have  materially  altered  the manner in which
     transmission  and  generation  services are provided and paid for. In April
     2003, the FERC released a White Paper on the Wholesale Market Platform. The
     White Paper  provided an overview of what the FERC intended to include in a
     final rule in the SMD NOPR docket. The White Paper retained the fundamental
     and most protested  aspects of SMD NOPR,  including  mandatory RTOs and the
     FERC's  assertion of  jurisdiction  over certain aspects of retail service.
     The FERC has not yet issued a final rule on SMD NOPR.  The  Company  cannot
     predict  the  outcome of these  matters or the effect that they may have on
     the GridSouth and  GridFlorida  proceedings  currently  ongoing  before the
     FERC. By order issued  December 22, 2004, the FERC  terminated a portion of
     the proceedings regarding GridSouth. The GridSouth Companies asked the FERC
     for further  clarification  as to the portions of the  GridSouth  docket it
     intended  to  address.  On March 2, 2005,  the FERC  affirmed  that it only
     intended to close the  mediation  portion of the  GridSouth  docket.  It is
     unknown  what  impact the  future  proceedings  will have on the  Company's
     earnings, revenues or prices.

     The Florida  Public Service  Commission  (FPSC) ruled in December 2001 that
     the formation of GridFlorida by the three major investor-owned utilities in
     Florida,  including  PEF, was prudent but ordered  changes in the structure
     and market design of the proposed organization. In September 2002, the FPSC
     set a hearing  for market  design  issues;  this order was  appealed to the
     Florida Supreme Court by the consumer advocate of the state of Florida.  In
     June  2003,  the  Florida   Supreme  Court  dismissed  the  appeal  without
     prejudice.  In September 2003, the FERC held a Joint  Technical  Conference
     with  the  FPSC to  consider  issues  related  to  formation  of an RTO for
     peninsular  Florida.  In December  2003,  the FPSC  ordered  further  state
     proceedings  and  established  a  collaborative   workshop  process  to  be
     conducted  during  2004.  In June 2004,  the  workshop  process  was abated
     pending  completion  of a  cost-benefit  study  currently  scheduled  to be
     presented at a FPSC workshop on May 25, 2005, with subsequent action by the
     FPSC to be thereafter determined.

     The  Company  has $33 million  and $4 million  invested  in  GridSouth  and
     GridFlorida,  respectively,  related to startup costs at December 31, 2004.
     The Company expects to recover these startup costs in conjunction  with the
     GridSouth and GridFlorida  original  structures or in conjunction  with any
     alternate combined transmission structures that emerge.

     E. FERC Market Power Mitigation

     A FERC order  issued in November  2001 on certain  unaffiliated  utilities'
     triennial  market-based wholesale power rate authorization updates required
     certain  mitigation  actions  that those  utilities  would need to take for
     sales/purchases  within their control areas and required those utilities to
     post  information on their Web sites regarding their power systems' status.
     As  a  result  of  a  request  for  rehearing   filed  by  certain   market
     participants,  FERC  issued an order  delaying  the  effective  date of the
     mitigation plan until after a planned technical  conference on market power
     determination.  In December 2003, the FERC issued a staff paper  discussing
     alternatives  and held a technical  conference  in January  2004.  In April
     2004,  the FERC  issued two orders  concerning  utilities'  ability to sell
     wholesale  electricity at market-based  rates. In the first order, the FERC
     adopted two new interim screens for assessing  potential  generation market
     power  of  applicants  for  wholesale  market-based  rates,  and  described
     additional  analyses and mitigation  measures that could be presented if an
     applicant  does not pass one of these interim  screens.  In July 2004,  the
     FERC issued an order on rehearing  affirming its  conclusions  in the April
     order.  In the second  order,  the FERC  initiated a rulemaking to consider
     whether the FERC's current  methodology  for  determining  whether a public
     utility  should be allowed to sell wholesale  electricity  at  market-based
     rates  should be modified in any way. PEF does not have  market-based  rate
     authority for wholesale sales in peninsular  Florida.  Given the difficulty
     PEC believes it would experience in passing one of the interim screens,  on
     August  12,  2004,   PEC  notified  the  FERC  that  it  would  revise  its
     Market-based Rate tariff to restrict it to sales outside PEC's control area
     and file a new  cost-based  tariff for sales within PEC's control area that
     incorporates the FERC's default  cost-based rate methodologies for sales of
     one year or less. PEC  anticipates  making this filing in the first quarter
     of 2005.  PEC does not  anticipate  that  the  current  operations  will be
     materially impacted by this change. Although the Company cannot predict the
     ultimate outcome of these changes, the Company does not anticipate that the
     current operations of PEC or PEF would be impacted  materially if they were
     unable to sell  power at  market-based  rates in their  respective  control
     areas.

                                      107
<PAGE>

     F. Energy Delivery Capitalization Practice

     The  Company  has  reviewed  its  capitalization  policies  for its  Energy
     Delivery  business units in PEC and PEF. That review  indicated that in the
     areas of outage and  emergency  work not  associated  with major storms and
     allocation of indirect  costs,  both PEC and PEF should revise the way that
     they estimate the amount of capital costs  associated  with such work.  The
     Company has  implemented  such  changes  effective  January 1, 2005,  which
     include  more  detailed  classification  of outage and  emergency  work and
     result in more precise  estimation  and a process of  retesting  accounting
     estimates  on an annual  basis.  As a result of the  changes in  accounting
     estimates for the outage and emergency  work and indirect  costs,  a lesser
     proportion  of PEC's and PEF's costs will be  capitalized  on a prospective
     basis. The Company estimates that the combined impact for both utilities in
     2005 will be that  approximately  $55 million of costs that would have been
     capitalized under the previous policies will be expensed.  Pursuant to SFAS
     No. 71, PEC and PEF have informed the state regulators having  jurisdiction
     over  them of this  change  and that  the new  estimation  process  will be
     implemented  effective  January 1, 2005.  The Company has also  requested a
     method change from the IRS.

9.   GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     The Company  performed the annual  goodwill  impairment  test in accordance
     with FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible  Assets, for the
     CCO  segment  in the  first  quarter  of  2004,  and  the  annual  goodwill
     impairment test for the PEC Electric and PEF segments in the second quarter
     of 2004, each of which indicated no impairment.

     The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill,  by reportable segment, are
     as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Corporate
(in millions)                           PEC Electric        PEF            CCO     and Other      Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of January 1, 2003              $ 1,922        $ 1,733       $ 64          $ -        $ 3,719
Acquisitions                                     -              -          -            7              7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of December 31, 2003            $ 1,922        $ 1,733       $ 64          $ 7        $ 3,726
Purchase accounting adjustment                   -              -          -           (7)            (7)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of December 31, 2004            $ 1,922        $ 1,733       $ 64          $ -        $ 3,719
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     In  December  2003,  $7  million  in  goodwill  was  recorded  based  on  a
     preliminary   purchase   price   allocation   as  part   of  the   Progress
     Telecommunications Corporation partial acquisition of EPIK and was reported
     in the Other  segment.  As  discussed  in Note 5A, the Company  revised the
     preliminary EPIK purchase price allocation as of September 2004, and the $7
     million of goodwill was  reallocated to certain  tangible  assets  acquired
     based on the results of valuations and appraisals.

     The gross carrying  amount and  accumulated  amortization  of the Company's
     intangible assets at December 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                2004                                   2003
                                  ----------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                  Gross Carrying     Accumulated        Gross Carrying     Accumulated
(in millions)                         Amount         Amortization           Amount         Amortization
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synthetic fuel intangibles            $ 134             $ (80)               $ 140            $ (64)
Power agreements acquired               221               (39)                 221              (20)
Other                                   119               (18)                  93              (13)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                 $ 474             $(137)               $ 454            $ (97)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     In June 2004,  the Company  sold,  in two  transactions,  a combined  49.8%
     partnership  interest in Colona Synfuel Limited  Partnership,  LLLP, one of
     its synthetic fuel  operations.  Approximately $6 million in synthetic fuel
     intangibles  and  $3  million  in  related  accumulated  amortization  were
     included in the basis of the partnership interest sold.

     All of the Company's  intangibles  are subject to  amortization.  Synthetic
     fuel intangibles represent intangibles for synthetic fuel technology. These
     intangibles  are  being  amortized  on  a  straight-line  basis  until  the
     expiration  of tax credits  under  Section 29 of the Internal  Revenue Code
     (Section 29) in December 2007 (See Note 23E).  The  intangibles  related to
     power  agreements  acquired  are  being  amortized  based  on the  economic

                                      108
<PAGE>

     benefits of the  contracts  (See Notes 5C and 5D).  Other  intangibles  are
     primarily  acquired customer  contracts and permits that are amortized over
     their  respective  lives. Of the increase in other intangible  assets,  $24
     million resulted from the minimum pension liability  adjustment at December
     31, 2004 (See Note 17).

     Amortization  expense  recorded  on  intangible  assets for the years ended
     December  31,  2004,  2003 and 2002 was,  in  millions,  $42,  $37 and $33,
     respectively.  The estimated  annual  amortization  expense for  intangible
     assets for 2005 through 2009, in millions,  is approximately $35, $36, $36,
     $18 and $18, respectively.

10.  IMPAIRMENTS OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS

     The  Company  applies  SFAS No. 144 for the  accounting  and  reporting  of
     impairment or disposal of long-lived  assets. In 2003 and 2002, the Company
     recorded  pre-tax  long-lived  asset and investment  impairments  and other
     charges of approximately $38 million and $414 million, respectively.

     A. Long-Lived Assets

     Due to the reduction in coal production, the Company evaluated Kentucky May
     coal mine's  long-lived  assets in 2003. Fair value was determined based on
     discounted  cash flows.  As a result of this review,  the Company  recorded
     asset  impairments  of $17  million  on a pre-tax  basis  during the fourth
     quarter of 2003.

     An estimated  impairment of assets held for sale of $59 million is included
     in the 2002 amount, which relates to Railcar Ltd. (See Note 4C).

     Due to  the  decline  of  the  telecommunications  industry  and  continued
     operating  losses,  the Company  initiated an independent  valuation  study
     during 2002 to assess the  recoverability  of the long-lived  assets of PTC
     and  Caronet.  Based  on  this  assessment,   the  Company  recorded  asset
     impairments  of $305  million on a pre-tax  basis and other  charges of $25
     million on a pre-tax basis  primarily  related to inventory  adjustments in
     the third  quarter  of 2002.  This  write-down  constitutes  a  significant
     reduction in the book value of these long-lived assets.

     The long-lived asset impairments  include an impairment of property,  plant
     and  equipment,  construction  work in process and intangible  assets.  The
     impairment  charge  represents  the  difference  between the fair value and
     carrying amount of these long-lived  assets. The fair value of these assets
     was determined  using a valuation study heavily  weighted on the discounted
     cash flow methodology, using market approaches as supporting information.

     B. Investments

     The Company  continually  reviews its  investments  to determine  whether a
     decline in fair value  below the cost  basis is other  than  temporary.  In
     2003, PEC's affordable  housing investment (AHI) portfolio was reviewed and
     deemed  to  be  impaired  based  on  various  factors  including  continued
     operating  losses of the AHI portfolio and  management  performance  issues
     arising at certain  properties within the AHI portfolio.  As a result,  PEC
     recorded an  impairment of $18 million on a pre-tax basis during the fourth
     quarter of 2003.  PEC also  recorded an impairment of $3 million for a cost
     investment.

     In May 2002, Interpath Communication, Inc., merged with a third party. As a
     result,  the Company  reviewed the Interpath  investment for impairment and
     wrote off the remaining  amount of its cost-basis  investment in Interpath,
     recording a pre-tax impairment of $25 million in the third quarter of 2002.
     In the fourth quarter of 2002,  the Company sold its remaining  interest in
     Interpath for a nominal amount.

11.  EQUITY

     A. Common Stock

     At December 31, 2004,  the Company had  approximately  63 million shares of
     common stock  authorized by the Board of Directors  that remained  unissued
     and reserved,  primarily to satisfy the requirements of the Company's stock
     plans. In 2002, the Board of Directors  authorized meeting the requirements
     of the Progress  Energy  401(k)  Savings and Stock  Ownership  Plan and the
     Investor Plus Stock Purchase Plan with original issue shares.  During 2004,
     2003 and 2002, respectively,  the Company issued approximately 1 million, 8
     million  and 2  million  shares  under  these  plans  for net  proceeds  of
     approximately  $62  million,  $305  million  and $86  million.  The Company
     continues to meet the requirements of the restricted stock plan with issued
     and outstanding shares.

                                      109
<PAGE>

     In November  2002,  the Company  issued 14.7 million shares of common stock
     for net cash proceeds of approximately  $600 million,  which were primarily
     used to retire  commercial  paper.  In April 2002,  the Company  issued 2.5
     million shares of common stock,  valued at approximately  $129 million,  in
     conjunction with the purchase of Westchester (See Note 5D).

     There are various provisions  limiting the use of retained earnings for the
     payment of dividends  under  certain  circumstances.  At December 31, 2004,
     there were no significant restrictions on the use of retained earnings.

     B. Stock-Based Compensation

     EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

     The Company sponsors the Progress Energy 401(k) Savings and Stock Ownership
     Plan  (401(k)) for which  substantially  all full-time  nonbargaining  unit
     employees  and  certain  part-time   nonbargaining  unit  employees  within
     participating subsidiaries are eligible.  Participating subsidiaries within
     the  Company as of January 1, 2003,  were PEC,  PEF,  PTC,  Progress  Fuels
     (Corporate) and Progress  Energy Service  Company.  Effective  December 19,
     2003,  (the PT LLC/EPIK  merger date),  PTC no longer  participates  in the
     401(k) plan.  The 401(k),  which has Company  matching and  incentive  goal
     features,  encourages systematic savings by employees and provides a method
     of  acquiring  Company  common  stock and other  diverse  investments.  The
     401(k), as amended in 1989, is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that
     can enter into acquisition loans to acquire Company common stock to satisfy
     401(k)  common  share  needs.  Qualification  as an ESOP did not change the
     level of benefits  received by  employees  under the 401(k).  Common  stock
     acquired with the proceeds of an ESOP loan is held by the 401(k) Trustee in
     a suspense account.  The common stock is released from the suspense account
     and made  available  for  allocation  to  participants  as the ESOP loan is
     repaid.  Such  allocations  are used to  partially  meet common stock needs
     related to Company matching and incentive  contributions  and/or reinvested
     dividends.  All or a portion of the dividends paid on ESOP suspense  shares
     and on ESOP  shares  allocated  to  participants  may be used to repay ESOP
     acquisition  loans.  To the extent used to repay such loans,  the dividends
     are  deductible  for income tax  purposes.  Also,  beginning  in 2002,  the
     dividends paid on ESOP shares that are either paid directly to participants
     or  used to  purchase  additional  shares,  which  are  then  allocated  to
     participants, are fully deductible for income tax purposes.