Earthcharter

SBA Case Study: Progress Energy

Friday, 26 February 2010 19:59

LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY

Company Name: Progress Energy

Contact: Theresa Crane
Web site: www.progress-energy.com
Number of employees: 4,000+
Certifications/Affiliations:
Year established:
Industry:  Utilities

Introduction:  Progress Energy-Florida provides electricity to about 625,000 residential customers and about 75,000 business, governmental and wholesale customers in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Citrus counties.  Progress Energy Florida, employs more than 4,000 Floridians directly or through its parents and subsidiaries, is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives (Planet)

Technology/Infrastructure:  In June, Progress Energy recently completed their ‘repower’ of the Bartow Power Plant in St. Petersburg, an effort that involved changing the plant’s primary fuel source from fuel oil to cleaner, more efficient, natural gas.  This helped reduce emissions while significantly increasing the plant’s output.  In Crystal River, they are currently involved in a project to improve their existing nuclear power plant.  When the project is completed in 2011, the plant will have increased zero-emission generation capacity by 20 percent.  Progress Energy enacted a program called ‘Waste to Energy’ which burns solid waste and powers 56,000 households.

Materials and Recycling:  The Company’s new Florida headquarters building has a number of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features including high-efficiency chillers, solar water heating for primary heating of domestic hot water and low VOC paint.  Additionally, the building was constructed using recycled steel and concrete.

Products/Services:  Progress Energy Florida offers free Home and Business Energy Checks to help customers identify ways to reduce their energy costs.  Their energy advisors make specific recommendations and determine the customer’s eligibility for valuable Progress Energy rebates toward qualifying, energy-efficient improvements.  One example, Progress Energy offers a rebate to customers who install solar water heating, a move that can go a long way toward lowering their water heating costs.

Economic Impact (Profit)

Progress Energy believes that there success is directly correlated with the economic vitality of the communities they serve.  That is why the company recognizes the importance of hard work and community involvement while supporting their service territory’s economic and cultural development.

Through their energy efficient programs, Progress Energy Florida has helped customers save more than $1 billion in energy costs since 1981.  These savings are enough to power the city of St. Petersburg for more than five years.

Community Commitment (People)

External: Progress Energy Florida has a long history of supporting Tampa Bay-area charitable organizations.  They contribute to local education foundations, universities and community colleges by funding projects that not only teach students about energy, alternative energy and energy efficiency, but encourage them to consider careers in the energy sector.  They also support local environmental organizations and their efforts to preserve our natural environment.  Progress Energy Florida is engaged in partnerships that help build strong communities by providing services to the citizens who need them the most.

Progress Energy Florida’s employees support a number of charities through their personal efforts and collectively through monetary donations to the company’s Energy Neighbor Fund.  The Fund provides support to low-income customers who may otherwise have trouble paying their electric bill.

Progress Energy Florida offers additional support to low-income customers through our Neighborhood Energy Saver program.  The program teaches customers how to save energy and installs 16 free home energy improvements in the homes of low-income customers living in select, census-defined areas within their service territory.  Progress Energy Florida targets three to four communities each year.  Progress Energy Florida has installed more than 100,000 energy-efficient home improvements in more than 5,600 customer’s homes through this program.  This year alone, the program supported almost 900 customers in a qualifying Clearwater community.  Progress Energy also has a Day of Caring where employees are encouraged to donate time to a nonprofit.  It is estimated that 75% of those who participate for the first time, make it a permanent activity.

Internal:  Offers benefits to both full-time and part-time employees to include: health, 401K/Retirement plans, flexible working hours, vacation time.  In addition, Progress Energy provides benefits to Work Life partners regardless of gender.  Progress Energy has implemented Diversity programs and Networking groups (e.g. Latino or black women).  Every year the president of Progress Energy has an Employee Work Forum where every employee is invited to ask any questions directly to the President.

Partners/Recognition:  Pinellas Hope (provides a home for 280 homeless people), United Way Campaign, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tampa Bay Rays baseball community, Luis Graham Regeneration Center (employs challenged people)