Discretionary Voting Authority

At the date this proxy statement went to press, we did not anticipate that any other matters would be raised at the meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting for consideration, the persons named as proxies will have discretion to vote on those matters according to their best judgment.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Based solely on information furnished to us and contained in reports filed with the SEC, as well as any written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that during 1999 all SEC filings of our directors and executive officers complied with the requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act, except that Sandra P. Meyer, who became an executive officer of Duke Energy in September 1999, failed to timely report a sale of Duke Energy Common Stock through our dividend reinvestment plan in November 1999.

Online Access to Annual Reports and Proxy Statements

Save Duke Energy future postage and printing expense by consenting to view future annual reports and proxy statements online on the Internet.

Most shareholders can elect to view future proxy statements and annual reports over the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail. Those shareholders will be given the opportunity to consent to future Internet delivery when they vote their proxy. For some shareholders, this option is available only if you vote on the Internet.

If you are not given an opportunity to consent to Internet delivery when you vote your proxy, contact the bank, broker or other holder of record through which you hold your shares and inquire about the availability of such an option for you.

If you consent, your account will be so noted and, when Duke Energy’s annual report for 2000 and proxy statement for the 2001 annual meeting become available, you will be notified on how to access them on the Internet. Shareholders of record may indicate their consent on this year’s proxy card, and will receive a paper proxy card for next year’s annual meeting in the mail.

If you elect to receive your Duke Energy materials via the Internet, you can still request paper copies by contacting Investor Relations at (800) 488-3853 or by e-mail at InvestDUK@duke-energy.com.

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