Energy Related Job Opportunities in Midst of Severe Recession to be Examined at Energy Summit

Leading the Charlotte region out of the recession by creating new jobs and economic opportunities in the area's fast-growing energy sector will be the focus of the first-ever Charlotte Energy Summit, from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, April 6, at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel.

Representatives from more than 50 energy-related companies in the Charlotte area will brainstorm about:

• How to attract new energy companies to the region, currently home to more than 100 energy-related businesses employing more than 20,000 workers.
• How to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funds currently available for green energy initiatives and energy research.
• How to position the Charlotte region as a nationally recognized "energy cluster."

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) CEO Jim Rogers will speak about the region's future as a major energy research and development hub at a closing dinner, where results from the afternoon brainstorming session will be presented.

Duke Energy, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte Regional Partnership are sponsoring the summit. More than 95 percent of invited guests have said they plan to attend.