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SCHEDULE 14A
 
(Rule 14a-101)
 
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Filed by the Registrant [x]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement                  [_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule
[_]  Confidential, For Use of the                        14a-12
       Commission Only (as permitted
       by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[_]  Definitive Additional Materials
 
Progress Energy, Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[x]  No fee required.
 
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
____________________________________________________________________________________
2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
     amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
____________________________________________________________________________________
5)  Total fee paid:
 
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
 
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
      the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or
      schedule and the date of its filing.
____________________________________________________________________________________
      1) Amount Previously Paid:
____________________________________________________________________________________
      2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
____________________________________________________________________________________
      3) Filing Party:
____________________________________________________________________________________
      4) Date Filed:
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 

 
Progress Energy, Inc.
410 S. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1849
 
March 31, 2011
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
     I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Progress Energy, Inc. The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 11, 2011, at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East South Street, Raleigh, North Carolina.
 
     As described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, the matters scheduled to be acted upon at the meeting for Progress Energy, Inc. are the election of directors; an advisory (nonbinding) vote on executive compensation; an advisory (nonbinding) vote to determine whether to approve executive compensation every one, two or three years; and the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm for Progress Energy, Inc.
 
     We are pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that permit companies to electronically deliver proxy materials to their shareholders. This process allows us to provide our shareholders with the information they need while lowering printing and mailing costs and more efficiently complying with our obligations under the securities laws. On or about March 31, 2011, we mailed to our registered and beneficial shareholders a Notice containing instructions on how to access our combined Proxy Statement and Annual Report and vote online.
 
     Regardless of the size of your holdings, it is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. IN ADDITION TO VOTING IN PERSON AT THE MEETING, SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD MAY VOTE VIA A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER OR OVER THE INTERNET. SHAREHOLDERS WHO RECEIVED A PAPER COPY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ANNUAL REPORT MAY ALSO VOTE BY COMPLETING, SIGNING AND MAILING THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD IN THE NAME OF A BANK, BROKER OR OTHER HOLDER OF RECORD, CHECK YOUR PROXY CARD TO SEE WHICH OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU. Voting by any of these methods will ensure that your vote is counted at the Annual Meeting if you do not attend in person.
 
     I am delighted that you have chosen to invest in Progress Energy, Inc., and look forward to seeing you at the meeting. On behalf of the management and directors of Progress Energy, Inc., thank you for your continued support and confidence in 2011.
 
Sincerely,
 

William D. Johnson
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
 

PROXY STATEMENT















 
 
VOTING YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT
 
     Your vote is important. To ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, please vote your shares as promptly as possible. In addition to voting in person, shareholders of record may VOTE VIA A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER OR OVER THE INTERNET, as instructed in the materials.
 
     If you received this Proxy Statement by mail, please promptly SIGN, DATE and RETURN the enclosed proxy card or VOTE BY TELEPHONE in accordance with the instructions on the enclosed proxy card so that as many shares as possible will be represented at the Annual Meeting. A self-addressed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, is enclosed for your convenience.
 















 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
410 S. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1849
_______________________________
 
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
 
MAY 11, 2011
 
     The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Progress Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 11, 2011, at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East South Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. The meeting will be held in order to:
 
      (1)       Elect fourteen (14) directors of the Company, each to serve a one-year term. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for director.
   
  (2)   Vote on an advisory (nonbinding) proposal to approve executive compensation. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
   
  (3)   Vote on an advisory (nonbinding) proposal to determine whether the advisory (nonbinding) vote to approve executive compensation will occur every one, two or three years. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the option of one year on this proposal.
   
  (4)   Ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
   
  (5)   Transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
 
     All holders of the Company’s Common Stock of record at the close of business on March 4, 2011, are entitled to attend the meeting and to vote. The stock transfer books will remain open.
 
  By order of the Board of Directors
   
   
  JOHN R. MCARTHUR
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel
  and Corporate Secretary

Raleigh, North Carolina
March 31, 2011
 
 

PROXY STATEMENT
 
PROXY STATEMENT
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  Page
Annual Meeting and Voting Information 1
Proposal 1—Election of Directors 4
Principal Shareholders 11
Management Ownership of Common Stock 11
Changes in Control 13
Transactions with Related Persons 13
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 14
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics 14
Director Independence 15
Board, Board Committee and Annual Meeting Attendance 16
Board Committees 16
     Executive Committee 16
     Audit and Corporate Performance Committee 16
     Corporate Governance Committee 17
     Finance Committee 17
     Nuclear Project Oversight Committee (ad hoc) 17
     Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee 17
     Organization and Compensation Committee 18
     Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation 19
Director Nominating Process and Communications with Board of Directors 19
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight 20
Compensation Discussion and Analysis 22
Compensation Tables 47
     Summary Compensation 47
     Grants of Plan-Based Awards 50
     Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 53
     Option Exercises and Stock Vested 55
     Pension Benefits 56
     Nonqualified Deferred Compensation 57
     Cash Compensation and Value of Vesting Equity 59
     Potential Payments Upon Termination 61
     Director Compensation 71
Equity Compensation Plan Information 75
Proposal 2—Advisory (Nonbinding) Vote on Executive Compensation 76
Proposal 3—Advisory (Nonbinding) Vote on the Frequency of Shareholder Votes on Executive  
     Compensation 78
Report of the Audit and Corporate Performance Committee 79
Disclosure of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees 80
Proposal 4—Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 82
Financial Statements 83
Future Shareholder Proposals 83
Other Business 84
Exhibit A—Policy and Procedures with Respect to Related Person Transactions A-1

 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
  
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
410 S. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1849
_______________________________
 
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL
 
     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (at times referred to as the “Board”) of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. That meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 11, 2011, at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East South Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. (For directions to the meeting location, please see the map included at the end of this Proxy Statement.) Throughout this Proxy Statement, Progress Energy, Inc. is at times referred to as “Progress Energy,” “we,” “our” or “us.” This Proxy Statement and form of proxy were first sent to shareholders on or about March 31, 2011.
 
     An audio webcast of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be available online in Windows Media Player format at www.progress-energy.com/investor. The webcast will be archived on the site for three months following the date of the meeting.
 
     Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2010, including financial statements and schedules, are available upon written request, without charge, to the persons whose proxies are solicited. Any exhibit to the Form 10-K, as amended, is also available upon written request at a reasonable charge for copying and mailing. Written requests should be made to Ms. Sherri L. Green, Treasurer, Progress Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551. Our Form 10-K, as amended, is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) website at www.sec.gov or through our website at www.progress-energy.com/investor. The contents of these websites are not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Proxy Statement or proxy solicitation materials.
 
     In accordance with the “notice and access” rule adopted by the SEC, we are making our proxy materials available to our shareholders on the Internet, and we are mailing to our registered and beneficial holders a “Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials” containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and how to vote on the Internet and by telephone. If you received a “Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials” and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, free of charge, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials below.
 
     We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this procedure, shareholders of record who have the same address and last name and do not participate in the electronic delivery of proxy materials will receive only one copy of our Proxy Statement and Annual Report, unless one or more of the shareholders at that address notifies us that they wish to continue receiving individual copies. We believe this procedure provides greater convenience to our shareholders and saves money by reducing our printing and mailing costs and fees.
 
     If you prefer to receive a separate copy of our combined Proxy Statement and Annual Report, please write to Shareholder Relations, Progress Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551 or telephone our Shareholder Relations Section at 919-546-3014, and we will promptly send you a separate copy. If you are currently receiving multiple copies of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report at your address and would prefer that a single copy of each be delivered there, you may contact us at the address or telephone number provided in this paragraph.
 
 

PROXY STATEMENT
  
PROXIES
 
     The accompanying proxy is solicited by our Board of Directors, and we will bear the entire cost of solicitation. We expect to solicit proxies primarily by telephone, mail, e-mail or other electronic media or personally by our and our subsidiaries’ officers and employees, who will not be specially compensated for such services. In addition, the Company will engage Phoenix Advisory Partners, if necessary, to assist in the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board. It is anticipated that the cost of the solicitation services to the Company will be approximately $50,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
 
     You may vote shares either in person or by duly authorized proxy. In addition, you may vote your shares by telephone or via the Internet by following the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. Please be aware that if you vote via the Internet, you may incur costs such as telecommunication and Internet access charges for which you will be responsible. The Internet and telephone voting facilities for shareholders of record will close at 12:01 a.m. E.D.T. on the morning of the meeting. Any shareholder who has executed a proxy and attends the meeting may elect to vote in person rather than by proxy. You may revoke any proxy given by you in response to this solicitation at any time before the proxy is exercised by (i) delivering a written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary, (ii) timely filing, with our Corporate Secretary, a subsequently dated, properly executed proxy, or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and electing to vote in person. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting, by itself, will not constitute a revocation of a proxy. If you vote by telephone or via the Internet, you may also revoke your vote by any of the three methods noted above, or you may change your vote by voting again by telephone or via the Internet. If you decide to vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card, you should retain a copy of certain identifying information found on the proxy card in the event that you decide later to change or revoke your proxy by accessing the Internet. You should address any written notices of proxy revocation to: Progress Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
 
     All shares represented by effective proxies received by the Company at or before the Annual Meeting, and not revoked before they are exercised, will be voted in the manner specified therein. Executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted “FOR” the election of all directors as set forth in this Proxy Statement; “FOR” the proposal approving the Company’s executive compensation, as set forth in this Proxy Statement; “FOR” the option of one year for the frequency of the advisory “nonbinding” vote on executive compensation, as set forth in this Proxy Statement; and “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, as set forth in this Proxy Statement. Proxies will be voted at the discretion of the named proxies on any other business properly brought before the meeting.
 
     If you are a participant in our 401(k) Savings & Stock Ownership Plan, shares allocated to your Plan account will be voted by the Trustee only if you execute and return your proxy, or vote by telephone or via the Internet. Plan participants must provide voting instructions on or before 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 11, 2011.
 
     If you are a participant in the Savings Plan for Employees of Florida Progress Corporation (the “FPC Savings Plan”), shares allocated to your Plan account will be voted by the Trustee when you execute and return your proxy, or vote by telephone or via the Internet. If no direction is given, your shares will be voted in proportion with the shares held in the FPC Savings Plan and in the best interest of the FPC Savings Plan.
 
Special Note for Shares Held in “Street Name”
 
     If your shares are held by a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you will receive directions from your nominee that you must follow in order to have your shares voted. “Street name” shareholders who wish to vote in person at the meeting will need to obtain a special proxy form from the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee that holds their shares of record. You should contact your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee for details regarding how you may obtain this special proxy form.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     If your shares are held in “street name” and you do not give instructions as to how you want your shares voted (a “nonvote”), the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee who holds Progress Energy shares on your behalf may vote the shares at its discretion with regard to “routine” matters. However, such brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is not required to vote the shares of Common Stock, and therefore these unvoted shares would be counted as “broker nonvotes.”
 
     With respect to “routine” matters, such as the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee has authority (but is not required) under the rules governing self-regulatory organizations (the “SRO rules”), including the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), to vote its clients’ shares if the clients do not provide instructions. When a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee votes its clients’ Common Stock shares on routine matters without receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted “FOR” or “AGAINST” such routine matters. The NYSE recently amended its rules to make any matter relating to executive compensation a “nonroutine matter.” Matters relating to executive compensation include advisory votes to approve the compensation of executives and to determine how frequently to hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation.
 
     With respect to “nonroutine” matters, including the election of directors, matters relating to executive compensation and shareholder proposals, a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is not permitted under the SRO rules to vote its clients’ shares if the clients do not specifically instruct their brokerage firm, bank or other nominee on how to vote their shares. The brokerage firm, bank or other nominee will so note on the vote card, and this constitutes a “broker nonvote.” “Broker nonvotes” will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting but not for determining the number of shares voted “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAINING” from such nonroutine matters. At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the following three nonroutine matters will be presented for a vote: the election of 14 directors of the Company with terms expiring in 2012; an advisory (nonbinding) vote on executive compensation; and an advisory (nonbinding) vote to determine whether the vote on executive compensation will occur every one, two or three years.
 
     Accordingly, if you do not vote your proxy, your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee may either: (i) vote your shares on routine matters and cast a “broker nonvote” on nonroutine matters, or (ii) leave your shares unvoted altogether. Therefore, we encourage you to provide instructions to your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee by voting your proxy. This action ensures that your shares and voting preferences will be fully represented at the meeting.
 
VOTING SECURITIES
 
     Our directors have fixed March 4, 2011, as the record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only holders of our Common Stock of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote. As of March 4, 2011, there were outstanding 293,558,966 shares of Common Stock.
 
     Consistent with state law and our By-Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the total number of Common Stock shares entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Once a share of Common Stock is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment thereof, unless a new record date is or must be set in connection with any adjournment. Common Stock shares held of record by shareholders or their nominees who do not vote by proxy or attend the Annual Meeting in person will not be considered present or represented at the Annual Meeting and will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Proxies that withhold authority or reflect abstentions or “broker nonvotes” will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     Pursuant to the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, as amended effective May 10, 2006, a candidate for director will be elected upon receipt of at least a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote. Accordingly, assuming a quorum is present, each director shall be elected by a vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that director. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “FOR” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that director. Shares voting “ABSTAIN” and shares held in “street name” that are not voted in the election of directors will not be included in determining the number of votes cast.
 
     Approval of an advisory (nonbinding) proposal regarding executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement will require the affirmative vote of a majority of votes actually cast by holders of Common Stock entitled to vote. Assuming a quorum is present, the number of “FOR” votes cast at the meeting for this proposal must exceed the number of “AGAINST” votes cast at the meeting in order for this proposal to be approved. Abstentions from voting and “broker nonvotes” will not count as votes cast and will not have the effect of a “negative” vote with respect to any such matters.
 
     With regard to the advisory (nonbinding) proposal to determine whether the frequency vote to approve executive compensation will occur every one, two or three years, assuming a quorum is present, the option of once every year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of “FOR” votes cast at the meeting will be the frequency option for the advisory (nonbinding) vote on the compensation of our named executive officers that is approved on an advisory basis. Abstentions from voting and “broker nonvotes” will not count as votes cast and will not have the effect of a “negative” vote with respect to the vote on this proposal.
 
     Approval of the proposal to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm, and other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting, if any, generally will require the affirmative vote of a majority of votes actually cast by holders of Common Stock entitled to vote. Assuming a quorum is present, the number of “FOR” votes cast at the meeting for this proposal must exceed the number of “AGAINST” votes cast at the meeting in order for this proposal to be approved. Abstentions from voting and “broker nonvotes” will not count as votes cast and will not have the effect of a “negative” vote with respect to any such matters.
 
     We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. We will publish the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four (4) business days of the Annual Meeting. In addition, we will disclose the decision about how frequently the Company will conduct future votes on executive compensation in a Current Report on Form 8-K within 150 calendar days of our Annual Meeting, but no later than October 3, 2011. A copy of these Forms 8-K may be obtained without charge by any of the means outlined above for obtaining a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.
 
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that the number of directors of the Company shall be between eleven (11) and fifteen (15). The amended By-Laws also provide for annual elections of each director. Directors will serve one-year terms upon election at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
     Our Articles of Incorporation require that a candidate in an uncontested election for director receive a majority of the votes cast in order to be elected as a director (i.e., the number of votes cast “FOR” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that director). In a contested election (i.e., a situation in which the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), the standard for election of directors will be a plurality of the votes cast. Under North Carolina law, a director continues to serve in office until his or her successor is elected or until there is a decrease in the number of directors, even if the director is a candidate for re-election and does not receive the required vote, referred to as a “holdover director.” To address the potential for such a “holdover director,” our Board of Directors approved a provision in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. That provision states that if an incumbent director is nominated, but not re-elected by a majority vote, the director shall tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”) would then make a
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
recommendation to the Board about whether to accept or reject the resignation. The Board will act on the Governance Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale regarding it within 90 days after receipt of the tendered resignation. Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision shall not participate in the Governance Committee’s recommendation or Board of Directors’ action regarding the acceptance of the resignation offer. However, if all members of the Governance Committee do not receive a vote sufficient for re-election, then the independent directors who did not fail to receive a sufficient vote shall appoint a committee among themselves to consider the resignation offers and recommend to the Board of Directors whether to accept them. If the only directors who did not fail to receive a sufficient vote for re-election constitute three or fewer directors, all directors may participate in the action regarding whether to accept the resignation offers.
 
     Based on the report of the Governance Committee (see page 17), the Board of Directors nominates the following 14 nominees to serve as directors with terms expiring in 2012 and until their respective successors are elected and qualified: John D. Baker II, James E. Bostic, Jr., Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., James B. Hyler, Jr., William D. Johnson, Robert W. Jones, W. Steven Jones, Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez, E. Marie McKee, John H. Mullin, III, Charles W. Pryor, Jr., Carlos A. Saladrigas, Theresa M. Stone, and Alfred C. Tollison, Jr.
 
     There are no family relationships between any of the directors, any executive officers or nominees for director of the Company or its subsidiaries, and there is no arrangement or understanding between any director or director nominee and any other person pursuant to which the director or director nominee was selected.
 
     The election of directors will be determined by a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present. This means that the number of votes cast “FOR” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that director in order for the director to be elected. Abstentions and broker nonvotes, if any, are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect on the proposal to elect directors. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights in connection with the election of directors.
 
     Valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in the manner specified. Where specifications are not made, the shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of each of the 14 nominees. Votes (other than abstentions) will be cast pursuant to the accompanying proxy for the election of the nominees listed above unless, by reason of death or other unexpected occurrence, one or more of such nominees shall not be available for election, in which event it is intended that such votes will be cast for such substitute nominee or nominees as may be determined by the persons named in such proxy. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees listed above will not be available for election as a director.
 
     The Board of Directors, acting through the Governance Committee, is responsible for assembling for shareholder consideration a group of nominees that, taken together, have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills appropriate for functioning effectively as a board. The Governance Committee regularly reviews the composition of the Board in light of the Company’s changing requirements and its assessment of the Board’s performance. A discussion of the characteristics the Governance Committee looks for in evaluating director candidates appears in the “Governance Committee Process for Identifying and Evaluating Director Candidates” section on page 19 of this Proxy Statement.
 
     The names of the 14 nominees for election to the Board of Directors, along with their ages, principal occupations or employment for the past five years, directorships of public companies held during the past five years, and disclosures regarding the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Board to conclude that such individual should serve on the Board, are set forth below. (Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. (“PEC”) and Florida Power Corporation d/b/a Progress Energy Florida, Inc. (“PEF”), which are noted below, are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.) Information concerning the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all current directors appears on page 11 of this Proxy Statement.
 
     The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each nominee for director.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
Nominees for Election
 
     JOHN D. BAKER II, age 62, is Executive Chairman of Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc., which is engaged in the transportation and real estate businesses, since October 2010. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Patriot Transportation Holding from February 2008 to October 2010. Mr. Baker was President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Rock Industries, Inc., a producer of cement, aggregates, concrete and concrete products, from 1997 to 2007. As a lawyer and business executive with more than 35 years of experience in the construction materials and trucking industries, Mr. Baker brings to the Board business insight and expertise that are valuable to the Company as it navigates a complex and changing business environment. He has first-hand knowledge of the economic and business development issues facing companies in the State of Florida. Mr. Baker’s executive experience and service on the boards of other public companies have prepared him to respond to financial and operational challenges and have enhanced his ability to work effectively with other directors, understand board processes and functions, and oversee management. Mr. Baker has served as a director of the Company since 2009. He is a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and the Organization and Compensation Committee.
 
Other public directorships in past five years:
Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc. (1986 to present)
Wells Fargo & Company (January 2009 to present)
Texas Industries, Inc. (October 2010 to present)
Vulcan Materials Co. (November 2007 until February 2009)
Wachovia Bank, N.A. (2001 until December 2008)
Florida Rock Industries, Inc. (1979 until November 2007)
Hughes Supply, Inc. (1994 until 2006)
 
     JAMES E. BOSTIC, JR., age 63, has been Managing Director of HEP & Associates, a business consulting firm, and a partner of Coleman Lew & Associates, an executive search consulting firm, since 2006. He retired as Executive Vice President of Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of tissue, paper, packaging, building products, pulp and related chemicals, in 2006. During his 20 years at Georgia-Pacific, Mr. Bostic served in various senior positions, including service as Senior Vice President–Environmental, Government Affairs and Communications. Mr. Bostic’s business background and his expertise on environmental and regulatory issues are significant assets to the Company and the Board of Directors. That expertise will be particularly helpful as we continue to address new laws and regulations regarding alternative and renewable energy, emission reductions and other environmental issues. Additionally, as a result of his extensive service on the Board, Mr. Bostic has developed a keen understanding of how the Company operates, the key issues it faces, and the Company’s strategy for addressing those issues as it carries out its responsibilities to its shareholders and other stakeholders. Mr. Bostic has served as a director of the Company since 2002. He is a member of the Board’s Audit and Corporate Performance Committee, the Nuclear Project Oversight Committee and the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee.
 
     HARRIS E. DELOACH, JR., age 66, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sonoco Products Company, a manufacturer of paperboard and paper and plastic packaging products, since December 2010. He served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sonoco Products from April 2005 to December, 2010, and as President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2000 to April 2005. Mr. DeLoach joined Sonoco Products in 1986 and has served in various management positions during his tenure there. Prior to joining Sonoco, Mr. DeLoach was in private law practice and served as an outside counsel to Sonoco for 15 years. As a business leader in the State of South Carolina, Mr. DeLoach has first-hand knowledge of the economic and business development issues facing the communities we serve. Mr. DeLoach’s legal background and years of experience leading a global packaging company are valuable to the Company as it undertakes the long-range projects and initiatives necessary to optimize its balanced solution strategy for meeting its customers’ future energy needs and complying with public policies while creating long-term value in a challenging economy and changing business environment. Mr. DeLoach has served as a director of the Company since 2006. He is Chair of the Board’s Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Governance Committee, the Nuclear Project Oversight Committee and the Organization and Compensation Committee.
 
Other public directorships in past five years:
Sonoco Products Company (1998 to present)
Goodrich Corporation (2001 to present)
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     JAMES B. HYLER, JR., age 63, retired as Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of First Citizens Bank in 2008. He served in these positions from 1994 until 2008. Mr. Hyler was President of First Citizens Bank from 1988 to 1994, and served as Chief Financial Officer of First Citizens Bank from 1980 to 1988. Prior to joining First Citizens Bank, Mr. Hyler was an auditor with Ernst & Young for 10 years. He has more than 37 years of experience in the financial services industry. Mr. Hyler’s knowledge and expertise in financial services and corporate finance provide him with the skills needed to assist the Board in its analysis and decision making regarding financial matters as our utilities continue to move forward with the long-range projects and initiatives necessary to optimize our balanced solution strategy for meeting our customers’ future energy needs and complying with public policy while creating long-term value in a challenging economy and changing business environment. Mr. Hyler has served as a director of the Company since 2008. He is a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and the Organization and Compensation Committee.
 
    Other public directorships in past five years:
    First Citizens BancShares (August 1988 until January 2008)
 
     WILLIAM D. JOHNSON, age 57, is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Progress Energy, since October 2007. Mr. Johnson is also Chairman of PEC and PEF. Mr. Johnson has served as Chairman of the Company since July 2007. Mr. Johnson previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Progress Energy, from January 2005 to October 2007. In that role, Mr. Johnson oversaw the generation and delivery of electricity by PEC and PEF. Mr. Johnson has been with Progress Energy (formerly CP&L) in a number of roles since 1992, including Group President for Energy Delivery, President and Chief Executive Officer for Progress Energy Service Company, LLC and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Progress Energy. Before joining Progress Energy, Mr. Johnson was a partner with the Raleigh, N.C., law office of Hunton & Williams LLP, where he specialized in the representation of utilities. Mr. Johnson has served in a variety of senior management positions during his tenure with the Company. His background as a lawyer representing utilities, coupled with his years of hands-on experience at the Company, provides him with a unique perspective and a keen understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the Company and our industry. Mr. Johnson’s breadth of knowledge and experience in addressing key operational, policy, legislative and strategic issues, and his proven leadership skills will be significant assets to the Company as it focuses on optimizing its balanced solution strategy for meeting our customers’ future energy needs in the face of a challenging economy, and a changing regulatory and legislative environment. Mr. Johnson is Chair of the Board’s Executive Committee.
 
     ROBERT W. JONES, age 60, is the sole owner of Turtle Rock Group, LLC, founded in May 2009. From 1974 until May 2009, Mr. Jones held various management positions at Morgan Stanley, a global provider of financial services to companies, governments and investors. He served as a Senior Advisor from 2006 until May 2009, and as Managing Director and Vice Chairman from 1997 until 2006. While at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Jones specialized in the utility industry for many years before being named Vice Chairman. Turtle Rock Group, LLC is a financial advisory consulting firm whose sole current client is Morgan Stanley. During his career, Mr. Jones has participated in many major international and domestic utility and project financing transactions, with a particular focus on strategic advisory and capital-raising assignments. He has testified before numerous state public utility commissions and has been a frequent speaker on regulatory and corporate governance issues. Mr. Jones’s expertise in financial services and his experience in the regulatory arena provide him with a unique perspective that will be beneficial to the Company as it undertakes the long-range projects and initiatives necessary to optimize its balanced solution strategy for meeting its customers’ future energy needs in a challenging economy and uncertain regulatory environment. Mr. Jones has served as a director of the Company since 2007. He is Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Governance Committee and the Organization and Compensation Committee.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     W. STEVEN JONES, age 59, is Dean (Emeritus) and Professor of Strategy and Organizational Behavior at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, since 2008. He served as Dean of the Kenan-Flagler Business School from August 2003 until August 2008. Prior to joining the Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2003, Mr. Jones had a 30-year career in business. That career included serving as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Suncorp-Metway Ltd., which provides banking, insurance and investing services in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He also worked for ANZ, one of Australia’s four major banks, in various capacities for eight years. Mr. Jones has international experience in developing strategy, leading change and building organizational capability in a variety of industries. His expertise in the financial services arena continues to be beneficial as the Company undertakes the long-range projects and initiatives necessary to optimize its balanced solution strategy for meeting its customers’ future energy needs and complying with public policies while creating long-term value in a challenging economy and changing business environment. Mr. Jones has served as a director of the Company since 2005. He is a member of the Board’s Audit and Corporate Performance Committee, the Nuclear Project Oversight Committee and the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee.
 
    Other public directorships in past five years:
    Premiere Global Services, Inc. (2007 to present)
    State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. (June 2010 to present)
    Bank of America (April 2005 until April 2008)
 
     MELQUIADES R. “MEL” MARTINEZ, age 64, is a Managing Director of JPMorgan Chase & Co., since August 2010. Mr. Martinez has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, most recently as partner in the law firm of DLA Piper in its Orlando, Florida office from September 2009 to July 2010 and as a United States Senator from Florida from 2005 to 2009. While serving in the U.S. Senate, he addressed multiple policy and legislative issues as a member of the following Senate committees: Armed Services; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; Foreign Relations; Energy and Natural Resources; Commerce; and Special Committee on Aging. Prior to his election, Mr. Martinez served as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2001 to 2004. His extensive legal, policy and legislative experience will be valuable to the Company as we address new laws and regulations in areas such as environmental compliance, renewable energy standards and energy policy. Prior to representing the State of Florida in the U.S. Senate, Mr. Martinez served as Mayor of Orange County, Florida, and as a board member of the Orlando Utilities Commission. He also spent over 25 years in private legal practice, conducting numerous trials in state and federal courts throughout Florida. As a resident and public servant of the State of Florida, Mr. Martinez brings to our Board a unique perspective and first-hand knowledge that continues to be beneficial as we address key regulatory issues in that state. Mr. Martinez’s diversified experience and background are significant assets to our Company’s Board. Mr. Martinez has served as a director of the Company since March 1, 2010. He is a member of the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee and the Organization and Compensation Committee.
 
     E. MARIE MCKEE, age 60, is President of the Corning Museum of Glass, since 1998, and served as Senior Vice President of Corning Incorporated, a manufacturer of components for high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions controls, telecommunications and life sciences, from 1996 to 2010. Ms. McKee has over 30 years of experience at Corning, where she held a variety of positions with increasing levels of responsibility. She initially served in various human resources manager positions including Human Resources Director for Corning’s Electronics Division, its Research & Development Division and its Centralized Engineering Division. While serving in these positions, Ms. McKee gained significant experience in designing and implementing human resources strategies, business processes and organizational change efforts. She then served in various management positions, including Division Vice President of Corporate Strategic Staffing, Vice President, Human Resources and Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Diversity Officer. Ms. McKee served as Chairman of Steuben Glass from 1998 until the company was sold in 2008. During her tenure on the Board, Ms. McKee’s business experience and perspective have proven valuable to the Company as it has addressed various operational and human resources issues. Ms. McKee’s depth of experience has provided her with a thorough knowledge of employment and compensation practices and strategies that enables her to assist the Organization and Compensation Committee and the Board in its analysis and
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
decision making regarding executive compensation, succession planning, diversity and other matters. Her experience will continue to be beneficial to the Company as shareholders, regulators and legislators continue to focus on executive compensation and corporate governance issues. Ms. McKee has served as a director of the Company and its predecessors since 1999. She is Chair of the Board’s Organization and Compensation Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Governance Committee, the Nuclear Project Oversight Committee and the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee.
 
     JOHN H. MULLIN, III, age 69, is Chairman of Ridgeway Farm, LLC, a limited liability company engaged in farming and timber management, since 1989. He is a former Managing Director of Dillon, Read & Co., a former investment banking firm. Mr. Mullin was employed by Dillon Read for approximately 20 years. During that time, he worked with a diversified mix of clients and was involved in a variety of corporate assignments, including private and public offerings, and corporate restructurings. Since 1989, Mr. Mullin has managed the diversified businesses of Ridgeway Farm. He has served on the boards of a number of other major publicly traded companies, providing him with substantial experience in the areas of corporate strategy, oversight and governance. Mr. Mullin’s executive and board experience have enabled him to develop the skills needed to work effectively with other directors, understand board processes and functions, and oversee management. Additionally, as a result of his many years of service on the Board, Mr. Mullin has developed a keen understanding of the Company’s operations, the key issues it faces and the Company’s strategy for addressing those issues as it carries out its responsibilities to its shareholders and other stakeholders. He has effectively utilized his broad and extensive business experiences and knowledge of the Company to provide leadership to the Company’s Board as Lead Director. Mr. Mullin has served as a director of the Company and its predecessors since 1999. He is Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and the Organization and Compensation Committee.
 
    Other public directorships in past five years:
    Sonoco Products Company (2002 to present)
    Hess Corporation (2007 to present)
    Liberty Corporation (1989 until 2006)
    Putnam Funds – Trustee (1997 until 2006)
 
     CHARLES W. PRYOR, JR., age 66, is Chairman of Urenco USA Inc. (formerly Urenco Investments, Inc.), a global provider of services and technology to the nuclear generation industry worldwide, since January 2007. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Urenco Investments, Inc. from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Pryor served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Utilities Business Group of British Nuclear Fuels from 2002 to 2004. From 1997 to 2002, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Westinghouse Electric Co., a supplier of nuclear fuel, nuclear services and advanced nuclear plant designs to utilities operating nuclear power plants. Mr. Pryor’s former service as chief executive officer of a multi-billion dollar company provides him with experience that enables him to understand the financial statements and financial affairs of the Company. He has extensive experience in managing capital-intensive industries and skillfully addressing regulatory matters, strategic planning and corporate development. Mr. Pryor’s knowledge and experience in engineering, power generation, nuclear fuel and the utility industry will be tremendous assets to the Board in the years ahead as our Company executes its plan to improve the performance of its nuclear fleet and optimizes its balanced solution strategy for meeting its customers’ future energy needs and complying with public policies while creating long-term value in a challenging economy and a changing business environment. Mr. Pryor has served as a director of the Company since 2007. He is Chair of the Board’s Nuclear Project Oversight Committee and a member of the Audit and Corporate Performance Committee and the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee.
 
       Other public directorships in past five years:
       DTE Energy Co. (1999 to present)
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     CARLOS A. SALADRIGAS, age 62, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Regis HRG, which offers a full suite of outsourced human resources services to small and mid-sized businesses. He has served in these positions since July 2008. Mr. Saladrigas served as Vice Chairman, from 2007 to 2008, and Chairman, from 2002 to 2007, of Premier American Bank in Miami, Florida. In 2002, Mr. Saladrigas retired as Chief Executive Officer of ADP Total Source (previously the Vincam Group, Inc.), a Miami-based human resources outsourcing company that provides services to small and mid-sized businesses. Mr. Saladrigas has extensive expertise in both the human resources and financial services arenas. His accounting background provides him with an understanding of the principles used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and enables him to effectively analyze those financial statements. Mr. Saladrigas is a resident of Florida and is familiar with the economic policy issues facing that state. As a result of his years of service on the Board, Mr. Saladrigas has gained institutional knowledge about the Company and its operations. His unique perspective and business acumen will continue to be valuable assets to the Board as the Company executes its plans to optimize its balanced solution strategy for meeting customer needs and complying with public policies while creating long-term value in a challenging economy and a changing business environment. Mr. Saladrigas has served as a director of the Company since 2001. He is a member of the Board’s Audit and Corporate Performance Committee and the Finance Committee. Mr. Saladrigas is one of the Board’s two designated Audit Committee Financial Experts.
 
     Other public directorships in past five years:
       Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (2003 to present)
 
     THERESA M. STONE, age 66, has been Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Corporation (“M.I.T.”), since February 2007. In her role as Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Ms. Stone is responsible for M.I.T.’s capital programs, facilities, human resources and information technology, and serves as M.I.T.’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. From November 2001 to March 2006, Ms. Stone served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Jefferson-Pilot Financial (now Lincoln Financial Group). Ms. Stone began her career as an investment banker, advising clients primarily in the financial services industry on financial and strategic matters and has held senior financial executive officer positions at various companies since that time. Ms. Stone’s knowledge and expertise in finance make her uniquely qualified to understand and effectively analyze the Company’s financial statements. Her depth of experience in finance and management provide her with the skills needed to assist the Board in its analysis and decision making regarding financial matters as the Company undertakes the long-range projects and initiatives necessary to optimize its balanced solution strategy for meeting its customers’ future energy needs and complying with public policies while creating long-term value in a challenging economy and a changing business environment. Ms. Stone has served as a director of the Company since 2005. She is Chair of the Board’s Audit and Corporate Performance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee. Ms. Stone is one of the Board’s two designated Audit Committee Financial Experts.
 
     ALFRED C. TOLLISON, JR., age 68, retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (“INPO”), a nuclear industry-sponsored nonprofit organization, in March 2006. He was employed by INPO from 1987 until March 2006. During his tenure there, Mr. Tollison’s responsibilities included industry and government relations, communications, information systems and administrative activities. He also served as the executive director of the National Academy for Nuclear Training. From 1970 until 1987, Mr. Tollison was employed by PEC, where he served in a variety of management positions, including plant general manager of the Brunswick Nuclear Plant and manager of nuclear training. His management experience as a chief executive officer of a large nonprofit entity in the energy industry, as well as his in-depth knowledge of that industry, enables him to bring a unique perspective to the Company’s Board. Mr. Tollison’s track record and expertise in promoting the safe and reliable operations of our nation’s nuclear generating plants will continue to be a significant asset to our Board as the Company executes its plan for improving the performance of its nuclear fleet and optimizes its balanced solution strategy for meeting the future energy needs of its customers safely, reliably and affordably. Mr. Tollison has served as a director of the Company since 2006. He is Vice Chair of the Board’s Nuclear Project Oversight Committee and a member of the Audit and Corporate Performance Committee and the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee. Mr. Tollison also serves as the Nuclear Oversight Director.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The table below sets forth the only shareholder we know to beneficially own more than 5 percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock as of December 31, 2010. We do not have any other class of voting securities.
 
               Number of Shares            Percentage of
Title of Class   Name and Address of Beneficial Owner   Beneficially Owned   Class
Common Stock State Street Corporation   26,315,1971   9.0
  One Lincoln Street        
  Boston, MA 02111        

     1 Consists of shares of Common Stock held by State Street Corporation, acting in various fiduciary capacities. State Street Corporation has sole power to vote with respect to 0 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 0 shares, shared power to vote with respect to 26,315,197 shares and shared power to dispose of 26,315,197 shares. State Street Corporation has disclaimed beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock. (Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed by State Street Corporation on February 11, 2011.)
 
MANAGEMENT OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following table describes the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of February 28, 2011, of (i) all current directors and nominees for director, (ii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table presented later in this Proxy Statement, and (iii) all directors and nominees for director and executive officers as a group. As of February 28, 2011, none of the individuals or the group in the above categories owned one percent (1%) or more of our voting securities. Unless otherwise noted, all shares of Common Stock set forth in the table are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, with sole voting and investment power, by such shareholder.
 
  Number of Shares
  of Common Stock
  Beneficially
Name Owned1,2
John D. Baker II 7,450  
James E. Bostic, Jr. 8,569 1
Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. 5,000  
James B. Hyler, Jr. 1,000  
William D. Johnson 204,278 2
Robert W. Jones 1,000  
W. Steven Jones 1,000  
Jeffrey J. Lyash 24,930 2
Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez 500  
John R. McArthur 66,718 2
E. Marie McKee 3,000 1
Mark F. Mulhern 50,874 2
John H. Mullin, III 10,000 1
Charles W. Pryor, Jr. 1,042  
Carlos A. Saladrigas 7,000 1
Theresa M. Stone 1,000  
Alfred C. Tollison, Jr. 1,000  
Lloyd M. Yates 48,784 2
Shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by all directors and executive    
       officers of the Company as a group (24 persons)            614,533 3

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PROXY STATEMENT
____________________
 
     1 Includes shares of our Common Stock such director has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of within 60 days through the exercise of certain stock options, as follows:
 
Director Stock Options
James E. Bostic, Jr. 4,000
E. Marie McKee 2,000
John H. Mullin, III 6,000
Carlos A. Saladrigas 6,000

     2 Includes shares of Restricted Stock currently held, and shares of our Common Stock such officer has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of within 60 days through the exercise of certain stock options, as follows:
 
Officer Restricted Stock Stock Options
William D. Johnson 5,534 —
Jeffrey J. Lyash 1,367 —
John R. McArthur 1,667 —
Mark F. Mulhern 1,167 7,000
Lloyd M. Yates 1,367 —

     3 Includes shares each group member (shares in the aggregate) has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of within 60 days through the exercise of certain stock options.
 
Ownership of Units Representing Common Stock
 
     The table below shows ownership of units representing our Common Stock under the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan and units under the Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan as of February 28, 2011. A unit of Common Stock does not represent an equity interest in the Company, and possesses no voting rights, but is equal in economic value at all times to one share of Common Stock.
 
  Directors’ Deferred Non-Employee Director
Director Compensation Plan Stock Unit Plan
John D. Baker II 3,884 2,971
James E. Bostic, Jr. 13,594 11,999
Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. 13,652 7,734
James B. Hyler, Jr. 2,305 4,665
Robert W. Jones 10,436 6,198
W. Steven Jones 15,111 9,357
Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez 1,365 1,395
E. Marie McKee 31,748 15,026
John H. Mullin, III 21,494 15,552
Charles W. Pryor, Jr. 3,017 6,198
Carlos A. Saladrigas 8,148 13,053
Theresa M. Stone 12,015 9,357
Alfred C. Tollison, Jr. 13,186 7,734

     The table below shows ownership as of February 28, 2011, of (i) performance units under the Long-Term Compensation Program; (ii) performance units recorded to reflect awards deferred under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan (“MICP”); (iii) performance shares awarded under the Performance Share Sub-Plan of the 1997, 2002 and 2007 Equity Incentive Plans (“PSSP”) (see “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table” on page 53); (iv) units recorded to reflect awards deferred under the PSSP; (v) replacement units representing the value of our contributions to the 401(k) Savings & Stock Ownership Plan that would have been made but for the deferral of salary under the Management Deferred Compensation Plan and contribution limitations under Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and (vi) Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) awarded under the 2002 and 2007 Equity Incentive Plans.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
  Long-Term          
  Compensation     PSSP    
Officer Program MICP PSSP Deferred MDCP RSUs
William D. Johnson — 1,812 122,314 — 1,121 66,714
Jeffrey J. Lyash — — 28,446 — 3,726 16,192
John R. McArthur — — 30,665 — — 16,632
Mark F. Mulhern — 1,808 25,611 911 — 14,558
Lloyd M. Yates — 2,829 28,129 6,749 168 16,087

CHANGES IN CONTROL
 
     On January 8, 2011, Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) and Progress Energy entered into a Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Progress Energy will be acquired by Duke Energy in a stock-for-stock transaction and continue as a wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy (the “Proposed Merger”). Both companies’ boards of directors have unanimously approved the Merger Agreement. However, consummation of the Proposed Merger is subject to customary conditions, including, among other things, approval of the shareholders of each company, expiration or termination of the applicable Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period, and receipt of approval, to the extent required, from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the Kentucky Public Service Commission, the South Carolina Public Service Commission, the Florida Public Service Commission, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and the Ohio Public Utilities Commission.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
 
     There were no transactions in 2010, and there are no currently proposed transactions involving more than $120,000, in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a participant and in which any of the Company’s directors, executive officers, nominees for director or any of their immediate family members had a direct or indirect material interest.
 
     Our Board of Directors has adopted policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of Related Person Transactions under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (the “Policy”), which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A. The Board has determined that the Governance Committee is best suited to review and approve Related Person Transactions because the Governance Committee oversees the Board of Directors’ assessment of our directors’ independence. The Governance Committee will review and may recommend to the Board amendments to this Policy from time to time.
 
     For the purposes of the Policy, a “Related Person Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships), in which we (including any of our subsidiaries) were, are or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The term “Related Person” is defined under the Policy to include our directors, executive officers, nominees to become directors and any of their immediate family members.
 
     Our general policy is to avoid Related Person Transactions. Nevertheless, we recognize that there are situations where Related Person Transactions might be in, or might not be inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our shareholders. These situations could include (but are not limited to) situations where we might obtain products or services of a nature, quantity or quality, or on other terms, that are not readily available from alternative sources or when we provide products or services to Related Persons on an arm’s length basis on terms comparable to those provided to unrelated third parties or on terms comparable to those provided to employees generally. In determining whether to approve or disapprove each Related Person Transaction, the Governance Committee considers various factors, including (i) the identity of the Related Person; (ii) the nature of the Related Person’s interest in the particular transaction; (iii) the approximate dollar amount involved in the transaction; (iv) the approximate dollar value of the Related Person’s interest in the transaction; (v) whether the Related Person’s interest in the transaction conflicts with his obligations to the Company and its shareholders; (vi) whether the transaction
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
will provide the Related Person with an unfair advantage in his dealings with the Company; and (vii) whether the transaction will affect the Related Person’s ability to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Governance Committee will only approve those Related Person Transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers to file reports of their holdings and transactions in our securities with the SEC and the NYSE. Based on our records and other information, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors and executive officers with respect to the Company’s 2010 fiscal year were met, except as previously disclosed in our 2010 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, dated March 31, 2010, as filed with the SEC.
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES AND CODE OF ETHICS
 
     The Board of Directors operates pursuant to an established set of written Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Governance Guidelines”) that set forth our corporate governance philosophy and the governance policies and practices we have implemented in support of that philosophy. The three core governance principles the Board embraces are integrity, accountability and independence.
 
     The Governance Guidelines describe Board membership criteria, the Board selection and orientation process and Board leadership. The Governance Guidelines require that a minimum of 80 percent of the Board’s members be independent and that the membership of each Board committee, except the Executive Committee, consist solely of independent directors. Directors who are not full-time employees of the Company must retire from the Board at age 73. Directors whose job responsibilities or other factors relating to their selection to the Board change materially after their election are required to submit a letter of resignation to the Board. The Board will have an opportunity to review the continued appropriateness of the individual’s Board membership under these circumstances, and the Governance Committee will make the initial recommendation as to the individual’s continued Board membership. The Governance Guidelines also describe the stock ownership guidelines that are applicable to Board members and prohibit compensation to Board members other than directors’ fees and retainers.
 
     The Governance Guidelines provide that the Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board will evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis, using objective criteria, and will communicate the results of its evaluation to the full Board. The Governance Guidelines also provide that the Governance Committee is responsible for conducting an annual assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the Board, and its standing committees, and reporting the results of each assessment to the full Board annually.
 
     The Governance Guidelines provide that Board members have complete access to our management and can retain, at our expense, independent advisors or consultants to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, as it deems necessary. The Governance Guidelines also state that it is the Board’s policy that the nonmanagement directors meet in executive session on a regularly scheduled basis. Those sessions are chaired by the Lead Director, John H. Mullin, III, who is also Chair of the Governance Committee. He can be contacted by writing to John H. Mullin, III, Lead Director, Progress Energy, Inc. Board of Directors, c/o John R. McArthur, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551. We screen mail addressed to Mr. Mullin for security purposes and to ensure that it relates to discrete business matters relevant to the Company. Mail addressed to Mr. Mullin that satisfies these screening criteria will be forwarded to him.
 
     In keeping with the Board’s commitment to sound corporate governance, we have adopted a comprehensive written Code of Ethics that incorporates an effective reporting and enforcement mechanism. The Code of Ethics is applicable to all of our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our Controller. The Board has adopted the Company’s Code of Ethics as its own standard. Board members, our officers and our employees certify their compliance with our Code of Ethics on an annual basis.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     Our Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics are posted on our Internet website and can be accessed at www.progress-energy.com/investor.
 
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
     The Board of Directors has determined that the following current members of the Board are independent, as that term is defined under the general independence standards contained in the listing standards of the NYSE:
 
John D. Baker II E. Marie McKee
James E. Bostic, Jr. John H. Mullin, III
Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. Charles W. Pryor, Jr.
James B. Hyler, Jr. Carlos A. Saladrigas
Robert W. Jones Theresa M. Stone
W. Steven Jones Alfred C. Tollison, Jr.
Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez  

     In addition to considering the NYSE’s general independence standards, the Board has adopted categorical standards to assist it in making determinations of independence. The Board’s categorical independence standards are outlined in our Governance Guidelines. The Governance Guidelines are available on our Internet website and can be accessed at www.progress-energy.com/investor. All directors and director nominees identified as independent in this Proxy Statement meet these categorical standards.
 
     In determining that the individuals named above are or were independent directors, the Governance Committee considered their involvement in various ordinary course commercial transactions and relationships during 2010 as described below:
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     All of the described transactions were ordinary course commercial transactions conducted at arm’s length and in compliance with the NYSE’s standards for director independence. In addition, the Governance Committee considers the relationships our directors have with tax-exempt organizations that receive contributions from the Company. The Governance Committee considered each of these transactions and relationships and determined that none of them was material or affected the independence of the directors involved under either the general independence standards contained in the NYSE’s listing standards or our categorical independence standards.
 
BOARD, BOARD COMMITTEE AND ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE
 
     The Board of Directors is currently comprised of fourteen (14) members. The Board of Directors met 10 times in 2010. Average attendance of the directors at the meetings of the Board and its committees held during 2010 was 96 percent, and no director attended less than 87 percent of all Board and his/her respective committee meetings held in 2010.
 
     Our Company expects all directors to attend its annual meetings of shareholders. Such attendance is monitored by the Governance Committee. All directors who were serving as directors as of May 12, 2010, the date of the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, attended that meeting.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES
 
     The Board of Directors appoints from its members an Executive Committee, an Audit and Corporate Performance Committee, a Governance Committee, a Finance Committee, a Nuclear Project Oversight Committee, an Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee, and an Organization and Compensation Committee. The charters of all committees of the Board are posted on our Internet website and can be accessed at www.progress-energy.com/investor. The current membership and functions of the standing Board committees are discussed below.
 
Executive Committee
 
     The Executive Committee is presently composed of one director who is an officer and five nonmanagement directors: Messrs. William D. Johnson—Chair, Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., Robert W. Jones, and John H. Mullin, III, Ms. E. Marie McKee, and Ms. Theresa M. Stone. The authority and responsibilities of the Executive Committee are described in our By-Laws. Generally, the Executive Committee will review routine matters that arise between meetings of the full Board and require action by the Board. The Executive Committee did not meet in 2010.
 
Audit and Corporate Performance Committee
 
     The Audit and Corporate Performance Committee (the “Audit Committee”) is presently composed of the following six nonmanagement directors: Ms. Theresa M. Stone—Chair, and Messrs. James E. Bostic, Jr., W. Steven Jones, Charles W. Pryor, Jr., Carlos A. Saladrigas, and Alfred C. Tollison, Jr. All members of the committee are independent as that term is defined under the enhanced independence standards for audit committee members contained in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the related rules, as amended, as incorporated into the listing standards of the NYSE. Mr. Saladrigas and Ms. Stone have been designated by the Board as the “Audit Committee Financial Experts,” as that term is defined in the SEC’s rules. The work of the Audit Committee includes oversight responsibilities relating to the integrity of our financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, performance of the internal audit function and of the independent registered public accounting firm, and the Corporate Ethics Program. The role of the Audit Committee is further discussed under “Report of the Audit and Corporate Performance Committee” below. The Audit Committee held seven meetings in 2010.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
Corporate Governance Committee
 
     The Governance Committee is presently composed of the following five nonmanagement directors: Messrs. John H. Mullin, III—Chair/Lead Director, Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., and Robert W. Jones, Ms. E. Marie McKee, and Ms. Theresa M. Stone. All members of the Governance Committee are independent as that term is defined under the general independence standards contained in the NYSE listing standards. The Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board with respect to the governance of the Company and the Board. Its responsibilities include recommending amendments to our Charter and By-Laws; making recommendations regarding the structure, charter, practices and policies of the Board; ensuring that processes are in place for annual Chief Executive Officer performance appraisal and review of succession planning and management development; recommending a process for the annual assessment of Board performance; recommending criteria for Board membership; and reviewing the qualifications of and recommending to the Board nominees for election. The Governance Committee is responsible for conducting investigations into or studies of matters within the scope of its responsibilities and for retaining outside advisors to identify director candidates. The Governance Committee will consider qualified candidates for director nominated by shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders, provided, however, that written notice of any shareholder nominations must be received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company no later than the close of business on the 120th calendar day before the date our Proxy Statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. See “Future Shareholder Proposals” below for more information regarding shareholder nominations of directors. The Governance Committee held 10 meetings in 2010.
 
Finance Committee
 
     The Finance Committee is presently composed of the following six nonmanagement directors: Messrs. Robert W. Jones—Chair, John D. Baker II, James B. Hyler, Jr., John H. Mullin, III, and Carlos A. Saladrigas, and Ms. Theresa M. Stone. The Finance Committee reviews and oversees our financial policies and planning, financial position, strategic planning and investments, pension funds and financing plans. The Finance Committee also monitors our risk management activities and financial position and recommends changes to our dividend policy and proposed budget. The Finance Committee held four meetings in 2010.
 
Nuclear Project Oversight Committee (ad hoc)
 
     The Nuclear Project Oversight Committee is presently composed of the following six nonmanagement directors: Messrs. Charles W. Pryor, Jr.—Chair, Alfred C. Tollison, Jr.—Vice Chair, James E. Bostic, Jr., Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., and W. Steven Jones, and Ms. E. Marie McKee. The ad hoc Nuclear Project Oversight Committee serves as the primary point of contact for Board oversight of the construction of new nuclear projects, and advises the Board of construction status, including schedule, cost and legal, legislative and regulatory activities. The Nuclear Project Oversight Committee did not meet in 2010.
 
Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee
 
     The Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee is presently composed of the following seven nonmanagement directors: Messrs. Harris E. DeLoach, Jr.—Chair, James E. Bostic, Jr., W. Steven Jones, Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez, Charles W. Pryor, Jr., and Alfred C. Tollison, Jr., and Ms. E. Marie McKee. The Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee reviews our load forecasts and plans for generation, transmission and distribution, fuel procurement and transportation, customer service, energy trading and term marketing, and other Company operations. The Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee reviews and assesses our policies, procedures, and practices relative to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers, contractors and the public. The Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee advises the Board and makes recommendations for the Board’s consideration regarding operational, environmental and safety-related issues. The Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee held six meetings in 2010.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
Organization and Compensation Committee
 
     The Organization and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) is presently composed of the following seven nonmanagement directors: Ms. E. Marie McKee—Chair, and Messrs. John D. Baker II, Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., James B. Hyler, Jr., Robert W. Jones, Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez, and John H. Mullin, III. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent as that term is defined under the general independence standards contained in the NYSE listing standards. The Compensation Committee verifies that personnel policies and procedures are in keeping with all governmental rules and regulations and are designed to attract and retain competent, talented employees and develop the potential of these employees. The Compensation Committee reviews all executive development plans, makes executive compensation decisions, evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and oversees plans for management succession.
 
     The Compensation Committee may hire outside consultants, and the Compensation Committee has no limitations on its ability to select and retain consultants as it deems necessary or appropriate. Annually, the Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of its compensation consultant to assess its effectiveness in assisting the Committee with implementing the Company’s compensation program and principles. For 2010, the Compensation Committee retained Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) as its executive compensation and benefits consultant to assist the Compensation Committee in meeting its compensation objectives for our Company. Under the terms of its engagement, in 2010, Meridian reported directly to the Compensation Committee.
 
     The Compensation Committee relies on its compensation consultant to advise it on various matters relating to our executive compensation and benefits program. These services include:
     The Compensation Committee has adopted a policy for Pre-Approval of Compensation Consultant Services (the “Policy”). Pursuant to the Policy, the compensation consultant may not provide any services or products to the Company without the express prior approval of the Compensation Committee. The compensation consultant did not provide any services or products to the Company other than those that are provided to the Committee and that are related to the Company’s executive compensation and benefits program.
 
     The Compensation Committee’s chair or the chairman of our Board of Directors may call meetings, other than previously scheduled meetings, as needed. The Compensation Committee may form subcommittees for any purpose that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. Appropriate executive officers of the Company ensure that the Compensation Committee receives administrative support and assistance, and make recommendations to the Committee to ensure that compensation plans are aligned with our business strategy and compensation philosophy. John R. McArthur, our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, serves as management’s liaison to the Compensation Committee. William D. Johnson, our Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for conducting annual performance evaluations of the other executive officers and making recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding those executives’ compensation.
 
     The Compensation Committee held eight meetings in 2010.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
     None of the directors who served as members of the Compensation Committee during 2010 was our employee or former employee and none of them had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During 2010, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or equivalent), or the board of directors of another entity whose executive officer(s) served on our Compensation Committee or Board of Directors.
 
DIRECTOR NOMINATING PROCESS AND COMMUNICATIONS
WITH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Governance Committee
 
     The Governance Committee performs the functions of a nominating committee. The Governance Committee’s Charter describes its responsibilities, including recommending criteria for membership on the Board, reviewing qualifications of candidates and recommending to the Board nominees for election to the Board. As noted above, the Governance Guidelines contain information concerning the Committee’s responsibilities with respect to reviewing with the Board on an annual basis the qualification standards for Board membership and identifying, screening and recommending potential directors to the Board. All members of the Governance Committee are independent as defined under the general independence standards of the NYSE’s listing standards. Additionally, the Governance Guidelines require that all members of the Governance Committee be independent.
 
Director Candidate Recommendations and Nominations by Shareholders
 
     Shareholders should submit any director candidate recommendations in writing in accordance with the method described under “Communications with the Board of Directors” below. Any director candidate recommendation that is submitted by one of our shareholders to the Governance Committee will be acknowledged, in writing, by the Corporate Secretary. The recommendation will be promptly forwarded to the Chair of the Governance Committee, who will place consideration of the recommendation on the agenda for the Governance Committee’s regular December meeting. The Governance Committee will discuss candidates recommended by shareholders at its December meeting and present information regarding such candidates, along with the Governance Committee’s recommendation regarding each candidate, to the full Board for consideration. The full Board will determine whether it will nominate a particular candidate for election to the Board.
 
     Additionally, in accordance with Section 11 of our By-Laws, any shareholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors at the applicable meeting of shareholders may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors if that shareholder complies with the notice procedure set forth in the By-Laws and summarized in “Future Shareholder Proposals” below.
 
Governance Committee Process for Identifying and Evaluating Director Candidates
 
     The Governance Committee evaluates all director candidates, including those nominated or recommended by shareholders, in accordance with the Board’s qualification standards, which are described in the Governance Guidelines. The Committee evaluates each candidate’s qualifications and assesses them against the perceived needs of the Board. Qualification standards for all Board members include: integrity; sound judgment; independence as defined under the general independence standards contained in the NYSE listing standards and the categorical standards adopted by the Board; financial acumen; strategic thinking; ability to work effectively as a team member; demonstrated leadership and excellence in a chosen field of endeavor; experience in a field of business; professional or other activities that bear a relationship to our mission and operations; appreciation of the business and social environment in which we operate; an understanding of our responsibilities to shareholders, employees, customers and the communities we serve; and service on other boards of directors that would not detract from service on our Board.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     Although the Company does not have an official policy regarding the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, diversity is among the factors that are considered in selecting Board nominees. The Company values diversity among its Board members and seeks to create a Board that reflects the demographics of the areas we serve, and includes a complementary mix of individuals with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, professional experiences, education and skills that reflect the broad set of challenges the Board confronts.
 
Communications with the Board of Directors
 
     The Board has approved a process for shareholders and other interested parties to send communications to the Board. That process provides that shareholders and other interested parties can send communications to the Board and, if applicable, to the Governance Committee or to specified individual directors, including the Lead Director, in writing c/o John R. McArthur, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Progress Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551.
 
     We screen mail addressed to the Board, the Governance Committee or any specified individual director for security purposes and to ensure that the mail relates to discrete business matters relevant to the Company. Mail that satisfies these screening criteria is forwarded to the appropriate director.
 
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT
 
Board Leadership Structure
 
     Our Governance Guidelines allow the Board to select a Chairman based on the needs of the Company at the time. The Board may appoint the Chief Executive Officer or it may choose another director for the Chairman position. Thus, the Board has the authority to separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions if it chooses to do so, but it is not required to do so.
 
     Currently, the Board believes that the Company’s interests are best served by having the Chief Executive Officer also serve as Chairman because it allows the Board to most effectively and directly leverage the Chief Executive Officer’s day-to-day familiarity with the Company’s operations. This is particularly beneficial for the Board at this time given the rapidly evolving nature of the energy industry and the complexity of the projects being considered by the Company, including the construction of new nuclear facilities.
 
     Our Governance Guidelines provide that if the Chief Executive Officer currently holds the position of Chairman, then the full Board shall appoint an independent director to serve as Chair of the Governance Committee and Lead Director of the Board. The clearly delineated and comprehensive duties of the Lead Director include presiding over all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions and other meetings of the non-management and independent directors and serving as liaison and facilitating communication between the independent directors and the Chairman. The Lead Director also provides input to the Chairman and CEO with respect to information sent to the Board and the agendas and schedules for Board and committee meetings. Any independent director, including the Lead Director, has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors. If requested by major shareholders, the Lead Director is available for consultation and direct communication. In addition, the Lead Director serves as a mentor and advisor to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and assures that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer understands the Board’s views on critical matters. Pursuant to the Governance Guidelines, Mr. Mullin, an independent director and Chair of the Governance Committee, has served as Lead Director of the Board since 2004.
 
     In our view, our current leadership structure has fostered sound corporate governance practices and strong independent Board leadership that have benefitted the Company and its shareholders.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
Board Role in Risk Oversight
 
     We have established a framework that supports the risk management activities that occur across Progress Energy. The framework establishes processes for identifying, measuring, managing and monitoring risk across the Company and its subsidiaries. We also maintain an ongoing oversight structure that details risk types and the internal organizations and Board Committees that have oversight and governance responsibility for each risk type. Our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Management have responsibility for assessing and managing the Company’s exposure to risk. In this regard, we have established a Risk Management Committee, comprised of various senior executives, that provides guidance and direction in the identification and management of financial risks. The Board is not involved in the Company’s day-to-day risk management activities; however, the Board and its various Committees are involved in different aspects of overseeing those activities.
 
     The risks associated with our strategic plan are discussed annually with the Board of Directors. Because overseeing risk is an ongoing process and inherent in the Company’s strategic decisions, the Board also discusses risk throughout the year at other meetings in relation to specific proposed actions.
 
     The Audit and Corporate Performance Committee is responsible for ensuring that appropriate risk management guidelines and controls are in place and reviews the oversight structure for managing risk. The Audit and Corporate Performance Committee reviews and discusses with management the Company’s guidelines and policies governing risk assessment and risk management. The Audit and Corporate Performance Committee is also responsible for oversight of the risks associated with financial reporting and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
 
     The Finance Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Risk Management Committee Policy and Guidelines. It oversees the financial risks associated with guarantees, risk capital, corporate financing activities and debt structure. The Finance Committee ensures that dollar amounts and limits are managed within the established framework. The Finance Committee reports to the full Board at least once a quarter.
 
     The Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee is charged with oversight of risks related to operations, major capital projects and environmental, health and safety issues.
 
     The Organization and Compensation Committee is responsible for the oversight of risks that can result from personnel issues and misalignment between compensation and performance plans and the interests of the Company’s shareholders.
 
     Our risk management structure is designed to enable the Board to stay informed about and understand the key risks facing the Company, how those risks relate to the Company’s business and strategy, and the steps the Company is taking to manage those risks.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 
     We are an integrated electric utility primarily engaged in the regulated utility business. Our executive compensation philosophy is designed to provide competitive compensation consistent with key principles that we believe are critical to our long-term success.
 
     We are committed to providing an executive compensation program that supports the following goals and philosophies:
     Highlights of the 2010 executive compensation program are:
Relative Total Shareholder Return:
Progress Energy vs. Median of Benchmarking and PSSP Peer Groups
 
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
                                        CEO Mix of Target Compensation
 
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
                                           NEO (Excluding CEO) Mix of Target Compensation
 
     For 2010, the Company’s NEOs were:
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
I. COMPENSATION OVERVIEW
 
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
 
     Our Company is highly regulated at both the federal and state levels; therefore, significant swings in earnings performance or growth over time are less influenced by any particular individual or groups of individuals. We believe our compensation program for executive officers does not incentivize excessive risk taking for the following reasons:
     We have determined that the compensation program for executive officers who are in senior management positions does not encourage excessive risk taking for all the reasons stated above.
 
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
 
     Our executive compensation program is administered by the Committee, which is composed of seven independent directors (as defined under the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules). Members of the Committee do not receive compensation under any compensation program in which our executive officers participate. For a discussion of director compensation, see the “Director Compensation” section on page 71 of this Proxy Statement.
 
     The Committee’s charter authorizes the Committee to hire outside consultants. The Committee evaluates the performance of its compensation consultant annually to assess the consultant’s effectiveness in assisting the Committee with implementing the Company’s compensation program and principles. The Committee retained Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) as its independent executive compensation consultant to assist the Committee in meeting the Company’s compensation objectives. The Committee regularly meets with its consultant in executive session to discuss matters independent of management. Under the terms of its engagement, in 2010 Meridian reported directly to the Committee. Meridian solely provides executive compensation advisory services to the Committee and provides no other services to the Committee or the Company.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     Our executive officers and other members of management periodically meet with the compensation consultant to ensure the consultant understands the Company’s business strategy. Our executive officers and other Company employees provide the consultant with information regarding our executive compensation and benefit plans and how we administer them on an as-needed basis. In addition, the executive officers ensure that the Committee receives administrative support and assistance, and make recommendations to the Committee to ensure that compensation plans are aligned with our business strategy and meet the principles described above. John R. McArthur, our Executive Vice President, serves as management’s liaison to the Committee. William D. Johnson, our Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for conducting annual performance evaluations of the other executive officers and making recommendations to the Committee regarding those executives’ compensation. The independent directors of the Board conduct an annual performance evaluation of Mr. Johnson. The Committee discusses the results of the evaluation with Mr. Johnson and makes compensation decisions for him giving consideration to the evaluation results.
 
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING PHILOSOPHY
 
     The Committee believes its compensation philosophy is aligned with our executive compensation objective of linking pay to performance. When we benchmark and set compensation for our executives against a peer group, we focus on “target” compensation. Target compensation is the value of a pay opportunity as of the beginning of the year. For short-term incentives, this means the value of that incentive opportunity based on the target percentage of salary if our performance objectives are achieved. For example, the Chief Executive Officer’s target incentive opportunity is 85% of salary. This means if we reach our targeted financial objectives for the year, a target incentive award would likely be paid. Correspondingly, if performance should fall short or rise above these goals, then the earned incentive award would typically be lesser or greater than targeted. In any event, target incentive opportunities are not a certainty but are a function of business results.
 
     For the performance shares, the ultimate value of any earned award is entirely a function of performance against the pre-established 3-year performance goals as well as the value of the underlying stock price. Also, for the restricted shares the value of any earned award is a function of continued service and the value of the underlying stock price. The target value is not a certainty but only the value of the opportunity.
 
     What ultimately might be earned from either short- or long-term incentives is a function of performance and extended service. With respect to our variable pay programs, it is generally not the Company’s purpose to deliver comparable pay outcomes versus that of other companies since outcomes can differ by company based on their performance. Rather, our general compensation objective is to deliver comparable pay opportunities. Realized results will then be a significant function of performance and continued service. This is a common convention among companies; nonetheless, it is an important context to consider when reviewing the remainder of this CD&A where regular references to targets and/or grant date values for our compensation programs appear.
 
     Target total compensation opportunities are intended to approximate the 50th percentile of our peer group (as defined below) with flexibility to pay higher or lower amounts based on individual contribution, competition, retention, succession planning and the uniqueness and complexity of a position. To assess overall compensation, the Committee utilizes tally sheets that provide a summary of the elements of compensation for each senior executive. The tally sheets indicate target and actual pay earned. They also summarize potential retirement benefits at age 65, current equity holdings and potential value from severance.
 
     The compensation opportunities vary significantly from individual to individual based on the specific nature of the executive position. For example, our CEO is responsible for the overall performance of the Company and, as such, his position has a greater scope of responsibility than our other executive positions and is benchmarked accordingly. From a market perspective, the position of chief executive officer receives a greater compensation opportunity than other executive positions. The Committee therefore sets our CEO’s compensation opportunity at a level that reflects the responsibilities of his position and the Committee’s expectations.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
COMPETITIVE BENCHMARKING
 
     On an annual basis, the Committee’s compensation consultant provides the Committee with a written analysis comparing base salaries, target annual incentives and the grant date value of long-term incentives of our executive officers to compensation opportunities provided to executive officers of our peers. For 2010, the Committee approved the use of a peer group of 18 integrated utilities used in the prior year and added three new companies: CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CMS Energy Corporation, and NiSource, Inc. (the “Benchmarking Peer Group”). These companies were added to further the Benchmarking Peer Group’s alignment with the executive market in which the Company competes for talent. Further, the addition of the new peer companies positioned the Company’s revenue more closely to the overall median than the previous peer group. The Benchmarking Peer Group is comprised of utilities that have transmission, distribution and generation assets and was chosen based primarily on revenues. The median revenue of the Benchmarking Peer Group is $10.3 billion compared to the Company’s $10.2 billion. These companies would likely be companies with which we primarily compete for executive talent. The table below lists the companies in the Benchmarking Peer Group.
 
Benchmarking Peer Group
Allegheny Energy, Inc. Duke Energy Corporation PG&E Corporation
Ameren Corporation Edison International Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
American Electric Power Co., Inc. Entergy Corporation PPL Corporation
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Exelon Corporation SCANA Corporation
CMS Energy Corporation FirstEnergy Corporation Southern Company
Dominion Resources, Inc. NextEra Energy, Inc. TECO Energy, Inc.
DTE Energy Company NiSource, Inc. Xcel Energy, Inc.

     The electric utility industry has subsectors identified frequently as competitive merchant, regulated delivery, regulated integrated, and unregulated integrated (typically state-regulated delivery and unregulated generation). Each of these subsectors typically differs in financial performance and market valuation characteristics such as earnings multiples, earnings growth prospects and dividend yields. Progress Energy generally is identified as being in the regulated integrated subsector. This means Progress Energy and its peer companies are primarily rate-of-return regulated, operate in the full range of the value chain (generation, transmission and/or delivery), and typically have requirements to serve all customers under state utility regulations. The Committee annually evaluates the Benchmarking Peer Group to ensure that it remains appropriate for compensation comparisons.
 
SECTION 162(m) IMPACTS
 
     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits, with certain exceptions, the amount a publicly held company may deduct each year for compensation over $1 million paid or accrued with respect to its chief executive officer and any of the other three most highly compensated officers (excluding the chief financial officer). Certain performance-based compensation is, however, specifically exempt from the deduction limit. To qualify as performance-based, compensation must be paid pursuant to a plan that is:
     The Committee considers the impact of Section 162(m) when designing executive compensation elements and attempts to minimize nondeductible compensation. The Company received shareholder approval of the Progress Energy 2009 Executive Incentive Plan (the “EIP”), an annual cash incentive plan for the Company’s named executive officers, at its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The MICP and EIP were designed to work together
 
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PROXY STATEMENT

to enable the Company to preserve the tax deductibility of incentive awards under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, to the extent practicable. The sole purpose of the EIP is to preserve the tax deductibility of incentive awards that are qualified performance-based compensation.
 
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
 
     To align the interests of our executives with the interests of shareholders, the Committee utilizes stock ownership guidelines for all executive officers. The guidelines are designed to ensure that our management maintains a significant financial stake in the Company’s long-term success. The guidelines require each senior executive to own a multiple of his or her base salary in the form of Company common stock within five years of assuming his or her position. The required levels of ownership are designed to reflect the level of responsibility that the executive positions entail.
 
     The Committee benchmarked both the position levels and the multiples in our guidelines against those of the Benchmarking Peer Group and general industry practices. The benchmarking for 2010 indicated that the Company’s guidelines were “at market” with respect to ownership levels, the types of equity that count toward ownership, and the timeframe for compliance. The Committee also considered the results of the vote on a shareholder proposal included in the Company’s 2010 Proxy Statement that proposed the Committee adopt a policy requiring senior executives to retain no less than 75% of net after-tax shares acquired through equity compensation programs until the year following termination of employment through retirement or otherwise. The Committee did not adopt such a policy in 2010 based in part on the fact that approximately 76% of the votes cast were against the proposal. The stock ownership guidelines for our executive officer positions are shown in the table below:
 
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Chief Executive Officer 5.0 times Base Salary
Chief Operating Officer 4.0 times Base Salary
Chief Financial Officer 3.0 times Base Salary
Presidents/Executive Vice Presidents/Senior Vice Presidents 3.0 times Base Salary

     For purposes of meeting the applicable guidelines, the following are considered as common stock owned by an executive: (i) shares owned outright by the executive; (ii) stock held in a defined contribution, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or other stock-based plan; (iii) phantom stock deferred under an annual incentive or base salary deferral plan; (iv) stock earned and deferred in any long-term incentive plan account; (v) restricted stock awards and RSUs; and (vi) stock held in a family trust or immediate family holdings.
 
     As of February 25, 2011, our named executive officers exceeded the guidelines (see Management Ownership table on page 11 of this Proxy Statement for specific details). As an indication of Mr. Johnson’s alignment of his interests with that of our shareholders, he currently holds equity valued at more than 12 times his base salary (based on the closing share price on February 25, 2011), which exceeds the 5-times base salary required under the guidelines.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement

II. ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION
 
     The table below summarizes the current elements of our executive compensation program.
 
      Short- or
      Long-Term
Element Brief Description Primary Purpose Focus
Base Salary Fixed compensation. Annual merit increases reward individual performance and growth in the position. Basic element of compensation that pays for expertise and experience and necessary to attract and retain. Short-term
(annual)
Annual Incentive Variable compensation based on achievement of annual performance goals. Rewards operating performance results that are consistent with reliable and efficient electric service. Short-term
(annual)
Long-Term Incentives —
Performance Shares		 Variable compensation based on achievement of long-term performance goals. Align interests of shareholders and management and aid in attracting and retaining executives. Long-term
Long-Term Incentives —
Restricted Stock/Restricted
Stock Units		 Variable compensation based on target levels. Service-based vesting. Align interests of shareholders and management and essential in attracting and retaining executives. Long-term
Supplemental Senior
Executive Retirement Plan		 Formula-based compensation, based on salary, annual incentives and eligible years of service. Provides long-term retirement benefit influenced by service and performance. Aids in attracting and retaining executives. Long-term
Management Change-In-
Control Plan		 Defines Company’s relationship with executives in the event of a change-in-control. Aligns interests of shareholders and management and aids in (i) attracting executives; (ii) retaining executives during transition following a change-in-control; and (iii) focusing executives on maximizing value for shareholders. Long-term
Employment Agreements Define Company’s relationship with its executives and provide protection to each of the parties in the event of termination of employment. Aid in attracting and retaining executives. Long-term
Executive Perquisites Personal benefits awarded outside of base pay and incentives. Aid in attracting and retaining executives and allowing executives to focus their energies on Company priorities. Short-term
(annual)
Other Broad-Based
Benefits		 Employee benefits such as health and welfare benefits, 401(k) and pension plan. Basic elements of compensation expected in the marketplace. Aid in attracting and retaining executives. Both Short-
and Long-term
Deferred Compensation Provides executives with tax deferral options in addition to those available under our qualified plans. Aids in attracting and retaining executives. Long-term

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PROXY STATEMENT

     The table below shows the target awards of short-term and long-term incentives to each NEO for 2010. Percentages for incentives are expressed as a percentage of base salary. Additional elements of compensation are discussed further in this section.
 
Incentive Targets
      Long-Term Incentive  
    Short-Term Targets as a Percentage  
    (annual) of Salary Total
Named Executive Base Salary Incentive Performance Restricted Incentive
Officer (as of 1/1/11) Target1 Shares2 Stock Target
William D. Johnson $990,000 85% 233% 117% 435%
Mark F. Mulhern $450,000 55% 117% 58% 230%
Jeffrey J. Lyash $453,000 55% 117% 58% 230%
Lloyd M. Yates $448,000 55% 117% 58% 230%
John R. McArthur $488,000 55% 117% 58% 230%

     1 Annual incentive awards can range from 0%-200% of target percentages.
 
     2 Payout opportunities can range from 0%-200% of target percentages.
 
 
1. BASE SALARY
 
     The primary purpose of base salaries is to provide a basic element of compensation necessary to attract and retain executives. Base salary levels are established based on data from the Benchmarking Peer Group identified on page 27 and consideration of each executive officer’s skills, experience, responsibilities and performance. Market compensation levels that approximate the 50th percentile of the Benchmarking Peer Group are used to assist in establishing each executive’s job value (commonly called the “midpoint” at other companies). Job values serve as the market reference for determining base salaries.
 
     Each year, the compensation consultant provides the market values for our executive officer positions. Based, in part, on these market values and, in part, on the executives’ achievement of individual and Company goals, the Chief Executive Officer then recommends to the Committee base salary adjustments for our executive officers (excluding himself). The Committee reviews the proposed base salaries, adjusts them as it deems appropriate based on the executives’ achievement of individual and Company goals and market trends that result in changes to job values, and approves them in the first quarter of each year. The Committee meets in executive session with the compensation consultant to review and establish the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary.
 
2. ANNUAL INCENTIVE
 
     We sponsor the MICP, an annual cash incentive plan, in which our executives, managers and supervisors participate. The Company includes managers and supervisors in the MICP to increase accountability for all levels of the Company’s management team and to better align compensation with management performance. Annual incentive opportunities are provided to executive officers to promote the achievement of annual performance objectives. MICP targets are based on a percentage of each executive’s base salary and are intended to offer target award opportunities that approximate the 50th percentile of the market for the Benchmarking Peer Group.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement

     Each year, the Committee establishes, based on the recommendations of the CEO, the threshold, target and outstanding levels for the performance measures applicable to the named executive officers. The 2010 MICP performance measures were ongoing earnings per share (Ongoing EPS) and legal entity net income for PEC and PEF as shown in the table below:
 
2010 MICP Financial Performance Goals
(in millions except EPS) Threshold Target Outstanding
Company Ongoing EPS $2.75 $2.95 $3.05
PEC Net Income $572 $605 $623
PEF Net Income $405 $429 $441

     The MICP’s performance targets are designed to align with our financial plan and are intended to appropriately motivate the executive officers to achieve the desired corporate financial objectives. Effective January 1, 2010, the legal entity net income performance measure was implemented as a result of the Company’s desire to increase its legal entity focus on net income results. The potential MICP funding for each performance measure is 50% at threshold, 100% at target and 200% at outstanding (maximum). Interpolation is applied when actual performance is between the identified levels. Each performance measure is assigned a weight based on the relative importance of that measure to the Company’s performance. During the year, updates are provided to the Committee on the Company’s performance as compared to the performance measures. For 2010, the named executive officers’ performance measures under the MICP were weighted among Ongoing EPS and legal entity net income as follows:
 
    Performance Measures
    (Relative Percentage Weight)
    Company PEC PEF
Named Executive Target Ongoing Net Net
Officer Opportunity EPS Income Income
William D. Johnson 85% 100% — —
Mark F. Mulhern 55% 100% — —
Jeffrey J. Lyash 55% 35% 32.5% 32.5%
Lloyd M. Yates 55% 45% 55% —
John R. McArthur 55% 100% — —

     The determination of the annual MICP award that each named executive officer receives has two steps: i) funding the MICP awards based on the performance as compared to the financial goals specified above; and ii) determining individual MICP awards.
 
     First, the Committee approves the total amount that will be made available to fund MICP awards to managers and executives, including the NEOs. To determine the total amount available to fund all MICP awards, we calculate an amount for each MICP participant by multiplying each participant’s base salary by a performance factor (based on the sum of a participant’s weighted target award achievements). The performance factor ranges between 0 and 200% of a participant’s target award, depending upon the results of each applicable performance measure. The sum of these amounts for all participants is the total amount of funds available to pay to all participants, including the named executive officers.
 
     Second, the CEO recommends to the Committee an MICP payment for executives (excluding the CEO) based on the executive’s target award opportunity, the degree to which the Company achieved certain goals, and the executive’s individual performance based on achieving individual goals and operating results. The Committee reviews the CEO’s recommendations and approves and/or makes adjustments as appropriate. The CEO’s MICP payment is determined by the Committee based upon the Committee’s annual evaluation of the CEO’s performance. The Committee may reduce but cannot increase the amount payable to a participant according to business factors determined by the Committee, including the performance measures under the MICP.
 
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     As allowed by the MICP, the Committee uses discretion to adjust funding amounts up or down depending on factors that it deems appropriate, such as weather, storm costs, impairments, restructuring costs, and gains/losses on sales of assets. The Committee uses Ongoing EPS as defined and reported by the Company in its annual earnings release.
 
     Based on management’s recommendations, with respect to 2010, the Committee exercised discretion for the three performance measures: the Company’s Ongoing EPS, PEC net income and PEF net income. The Committee approved adjusting the Company’s earnings per share results downward by $0.22 to account for favorable weather, storm and regulatory costs. The Committee approved adjusting PEC net income for favorable weather, storm and regulatory costs for a net downward adjustment of $32 million. The Committee approved adjusting PEF net income downward by $42 million to account for favorable weather and regulatory costs. These adjustments resulted in the Company’s Ongoing EPS, PEC net income and PEF net income performance at 73%, 74% and 82% of target, respectively. As a result of these downward adjustments, the 2010 MICP payments were below the target award opportunity for each of the NEOs.
 
3. LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
 
     The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) was approved by our shareholders in 2007 and allows the Committee to make various types of long-term incentive awards to Equity Incentive Plan participants, including the named executive officers. The awards are provided to the named executive officers to align the interests of each executive with those of the Company’s shareholders. Long-term incentive awards are intended to offer target award opportunities that approximate the 50th percentile of the peer group. Currently, the Committee utilizes two types of equity-based incentives: restricted stock units and performance shares.
 
     The Committee has determined that to accomplish our compensation program’s purposes effectively, equity-based awards should consist of one-third restricted stock units and two-thirds performance shares. This allocation reflects the Committee’s strategy of utilizing long-term incentives to retain officers, align officers’ interests with those of the Company’s shareholders and drive specific financial performance.
 
     Performance shares are intended to focus executive officers on the multi-year sustained achievement of financial and shareholder value objectives. RSUs are intended to further align executives’ interests with shareholder interests while providing strong retention for the executive to remain with the Company long enough for the restricted stock units to vest.
 
     The table below shows the 2010 long-term incentive targets for the NEOs’ positions.
 
Long-Term Incentive Award Target1
  Performance Restricted Stock
  Shares Units
  Target Award Target Award
Position2 2010 20103
Chief Executive Officer 233% 117%
Executive Vice President 117% 58%
Chief Financial Officer 117% 58%
President, PEC 117% 58%

     1 Target award amounts are expressed as percentages of base salaries for the listed positions.
 
     2 Position held at Progress Energy, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
 
     3 NEOs’ 2010 RSU target award amounts were reduced by 20%.
 
     After October 2004, we ceased granting stock options. All previously granted stock options remain valid in accordance with their terms and conditions.
 
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Performance Shares
 
     The Performance Share Sub-Plan under the Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the Committee to issue performance shares to executives as selected by the Committee in its sole discretion. The value of a performance share is equal to the value of a share of the Company’s common stock, and earned performance share awards are paid in Company common stock. The performance period for a performance share is the three-consecutive-calendar-year period beginning in the year in which it is granted. Dividends or dividend equivalents are not paid on unvested performance shares. Rather, dividend equivalents accrue quarterly and are reinvested in additional shares that are only paid on earned performance shares at the end of each three-year performance cycle.
 
     To determine the number of shares granted at the beginning of each performance cycle, the Company divides the target award value by the closing stock price on the last trading day of the year prior to the beginning of the performance period. The performance shares must then be earned over the three-year performance cycle. The granting of performance shares does not provide the participant with any guarantee of actually receiving the awards.
 
     Notwithstanding the above calculation, the Committee may exercise discretion in determining the size of each performance share grant, with the maximum grant size at 125% of target. In 2010, the Committee did not exercise this discretion with respect to any grant of the named executive officers.
 
2007 Performance Share Sub-Plan (the “2007 PSSP”)
 
     The 2007 PSSP provides for an adjusted measure of total shareholder return (referred to as “Total Business Return” or TBR) to be utilized as the sole measure for determining the amount of a performance share award upon vesting. TBR is computed assuming a constant price to earnings ratio, which was set at the beginning of each performance period. During a period when the Company was undergoing transformation of its underlying operating portfolio, this measure was intended to filter out external or market-based variations in the Company’s stock price and focus on internal restructuring. The performance measure also uses the Company’s publicly reported ongoing earnings as the earnings component for determining performance share awards. The Committee chose this method as the sole performance measure to support its desire to better align the long-term incentives with the interests of our shareholders and to emphasize our focus on dividend and Ongoing EPS growth. TBR was used for the 2007 – 2009 and 2008 – 2010 performance share grants made under the 2007 PSSP. The performance measures for the 2008 – 2010 performance cycle are shown in the table below.
 
  Threshold Target Outstanding
2007 Total Business Return1   5%     8%  ≥10.5%
2007 Percentage of Target Award Earned 50% 100%     200%
2008 Total Business Return1   5%     8%     ≥11%
2008 Percentage of Target Award Earned 25% 100%     200%

     1 Total shareholder return, adjusted to reflect a constant price to earnings ratio set at January 1 of the grant year and to reflect the Company’s ongoing earnings per share for each year of the performance period.
 
     Additionally, the Committee retained the discretion to reduce the number of performance shares awarded if it determines that the payouts resulting from the TBR do not appropriately reflect the Company’s actual performance.
 
     In the first quarter of 2010, the Committee approved a payout of 125% of the target value for the 2007 – 2009 PSSP grants.
 
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2009 Performance Share Sub-Plan (the “2009 PSSP”)
 
     The 2009 PSSP uses two equally weighted performance measures: relative total shareholder return (TSR) and earnings growth. TSR, unlike the previously discussed TBR, is based on the conventional metric of annual share price appreciation and dividends. By using a combination of relative TSR and absolute earnings growth, the 2009 PSSP allows the Committee to consider the Company’s performance as compared to the PSSP Peer Group (as defined below), and management’s achievement of internal goals.
 
Relative TSR
 
     The relative TSR performance is calculated using the Company’s three-year annualized TSR ranked against the PSSP Peer Group. TSR is defined as the appreciation or depreciation in the value of the stock, plus dividends paid during the year, divided by the closing value of the stock on the last trading day of the preceding year. The table below shows the percent of target awards that may be earned based on the Company’s relative TSR percentile ranking:
 
Performance and Award Structure (50%)
Percentile Ranking Percent of Target Award Earned
80th 200%
50th 100%
40th 50%
<40th 0%

     However, regardless of the relative ranking, if the Company’s TSR is negative for the performance period, no award above the threshold can be earned.
 
     In making awards under the 2009 PSSP, the Committee used a group of highly regulated companies with a business strategy similar to ours based on a percentage of regulated earnings (the “PSSP Peer Group”). These companies have a significant amount of their earnings generated from regulated assets. In addition, the PSSP Peer Group was selected based on other factors including revenues, market capitalization, and enterprise value. The PSSP Peer Group differs from the Benchmarking Peer Group the Committee uses for purposes of benchmarking compensation. The Benchmarking Peer Group is a broader group that represents those companies with which we primarily compete for executive talent and includes companies that are not regulated integrated utilities. The Committee believes that for purposes of our long-term incentive plan, it is more appropriate to use the PSSP Peer Group comprised of companies that derive a significant percentage of their earnings from regulated businesses. The table below lists the companies in the PSSP Peer Group.
 
PSSP Peer Group
Alliant Energy Corporation Great Plains Energy, Inc. SCANA Corporation
American Electric Power, Inc. NV Energy, Inc. Southern Company
Consolidated Edison, Inc. PG&E Corporation Westar Energy, Inc.
DPL, Inc. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Wisconsin Energy Corp.
Duke Energy Corporation Portland General Electric Company Xcel Energy, Inc.

Earnings Growth
 
     Earnings growth is based on the Company’s annual Ongoing EPS. Ongoing EPS is determined in accordance with the Company’s “Policy for Press Release Earnings Disclosure of Non-GAAP Measures.” The earnings growth component of the PSSP award is based on the Company’s earnings growth performance as measured against pre-established goals set at the beginning of the performance period. The Committee determined the earnings growth targets for the 2010 annual grant were appropriate in consideration of a challenging economy,
 
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consistency with analysts’ expectations, the 2010 projected analysts’ consensus on earnings growth for the PSSP Peer Group, and continued uncertainties of the Florida regulatory environment. The table below shows the percent of target awards that may be earned based on the Company’s earnings growth performance:
 
Performance and Award Structure (50%)
  Three-Year Average Ongoing Percent of Target Award
Performance EPS Growth Earned
  2009-2011 2010-2012  
Threshold 2% 1% 50%
Target 4% 3% 100%
Maximum 6% 5% 200%

Restricted Stock Units
 
     The restricted stock unit component of the current long-term incentive program helps us retain executives and aligns the interests of management with those of our shareholders and management by rewarding executives for increasing and sustaining shareholder value. The Committee believes that the service-based nature of RSUs is essential in retaining an experienced and capable management team.
 
     Executive officers typically receive a grant of service-based RSUs in the first quarter of each year which are subject to a three-year graded vesting schedule. The size of each grant is based on the executive officer’s target award percentage and is determined by using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the year prior to the date of the award. The Committee establishes target levels based on the peer group information discussed under the caption “Competitive Positioning Philosophy” on page 26 above. The 2010 RSU targets for the NEOs are shown in the “Long-Term Incentive Award Target” table on page 32 above. The granting of RSUs does not provide the participant with any guarantee of vesting in the awards. Holders of RSUs receive quarterly cash dividend equivalents equal to the amount of any quarterly dividends paid on our common stock.
 
     To further accent the retention quality of the Equity Incentive Plan and to recognize the contribution of the officer team, including the named executive officers, the Committee may also issue in its discretion service-based ad hoc grants of restricted stock units to executives. No ad hoc grants were awarded by the Committee during 2010.
 
4. SUPPLEMENTAL SENIOR EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
 
     The Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) provides a supplemental, unfunded pension benefit for executive officers who have at least 10 years of service with at least three years of service on our Senior Management Committee (“SMC”), i.e., service as a Senior Vice President or above. The SERP is designed to provide pension benefits above those earned under our qualified pension plan. Current tax laws place various limits on the benefits payable under our qualified pension, including a limit on the amount of annual compensation that can be taken into account when applying the plan’s benefit formulas. Therefore, the retirement incomes provided to the named executive officers by the qualified plans generally constitute a smaller percentage of final pay than is typically the case for other Company employees. To make up for this shortfall and to maintain the market-competitiveness of the Company’s executive retirement benefits, we maintain the SERP for members of the SMC, including the NEOs.
 
     The SERP defines covered compensation as annual base salary plus the annual cash incentive award. The qualified plans define covered compensation as base salary only. The Committee believes it is appropriate to include annual cash incentive awards in the definition of covered compensation for purposes of determining pension plan benefits for the named executive officers to ensure that the named executive officers can replace in retirement a portion of total compensation received during employment. This approach takes into account the fact that base pay alone comprises a relatively smaller percentage of a named executive officer’s total compensation than of other Company employees’ total compensation.
 
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     The Committee believes that the SERP is a valuable and effective tool for attraction and retention due to its significant benefit and vesting requirements. It is also a common tool among the Benchmarking Peer Group and utilities in general. Total years of service attributable to an eligible executive officer may consist of actual or deemed years. The Committee grants deemed years of service on a case-by-case basis depending upon our need to attract and retain a particular executive officer. All of our named executive officers participate in the SERP and are fully vested in the SERP other than John R. McArthur, who will begin participation and vest on January 1, 2012.
 
     Payments under the SERP are made in the form of an annuity, payable at age 65. The monthly SERP payment is calculated using a formula that equates to 4% per year of service (capped at 62%) multiplied by the average monthly eligible pay for the highest completed 36 months of eligible pay within the preceding 120-month period. Eligible pay includes base salary and annual incentive. (For those executives who became SERP participants on or after January 1, 2009, the target benefit percentage is 2.25% rather than 4% per year of service. None of the named executive officers for 2010 is subject to the new benefit percentage.) Benefits under the SERP are fully offset by Social Security benefits and by benefits paid under our qualified pension plan. An executive officer who is age 55 or older with at least 15 years of service may elect to retire and commence his or her SERP benefit prior to age 65. The early retirement benefit will be reduced by 2.5% for each year the participant receives the benefit prior to reaching age 65.
 
5. MANAGEMENT CHANGE-IN-CONTROL PLAN
 
     We sponsor a Management Change-In-Control Plan (the “CIC Plan”) for selected employees. The purpose of the CIC Plan is to retain key management employees who are critical to the negotiation and subsequent success of any transition resulting from a change-in-control (“CIC”) of the Company. Providing such protection to executive officers in general minimizes disruption during a pending or anticipated CIC. Under our CIC Plan, we generally define a CIC as occurring at the earliest of the following:
     The purposes of the CIC Plan and the levels of payment it provides are designed to:
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
     The Committee has the sole authority and discretion to designate employees and/or positions for participation in the CIC Plan. The Committee has designated certain positions, including all of the NEO positions, for participation in the CIC Plan. The benefits provided under the CIC Plan do not duplicate the employment agreement severance benefits in the case of CIC Plan participants. Participants are not eligible to receive any of the CIC Plan’s benefits absent both a CIC of the Company and an involuntary termination of the participant’s employment without cause, including voluntary termination for good reason. Good reason termination includes changes in employment circumstances such as a:
     Rather than allowing benefit amounts to be determined at the discretion of the Committee, the CIC Plan has specified multipliers designed to be competitive with current market practices. With the assistance of its compensation consultant, the Committee has reviewed the design of the CIC Plan to ensure that it meets the Company’s business objectives and falls within competitive parameters. The Committee has determined that the current CIC Plan is effective at meeting the goals described above.
 
     The CIC Plan provides separate tiers of severance benefits based on the position a participant holds within our Company. The continuation of health and welfare benefits coverage and the degree of excise tax gross-up for terminated participants align with the length of time during which they will receive severance benefits.
 
     The following table sets forth the key provisions of the CIC Plan benefits as it relates to our NEOs:
 
  Tier I Tier II
Eligible Positions Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice Presidents
Chief Operating Officer,
Presidents and Executive
Vice Presidents
Cash Severance 300% of base salary and annual incentive1 200% of base salary and annual incentive1
Health & Welfare Coverage Period Coverage up to 36 months Coverage up to 24 months
Gross-ups Full gross-up of excise tax Conditional gross-up of excise tax

     1 The cash severance payment will be equal to the sum of the applicable percentage of annual base salary and the greater of the average of the participant’s annual incentive award for the three years immediately preceding the participant’s employment termination date, or the participant’s target annual incentive award for the year the participant’s employment with the Company terminates.
 
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     Additionally, the CIC Plan has the following key provisions:
 
Benefit Description
Annual Incentive 100% of target incentive if terminated within coverage period after CIC.
Restricted Stock Agreements Restrictions are fully waived on all outstanding grants if terminated during coverage period (unless outstanding awards are not assumed by the acquiring company in which case they would vest at CIC).
Performance Share Sub-Plan Outstanding awards vest (at the target level) as of the termination date (unless outstanding awards are not assumed by the acquiring company in which case they would vest at CIC).
Stock Option Agreements Unvested awards if assumed by acquiring company would vest according to their normal schedule; otherwise they would vest if participant is terminated during coverage period after the CIC (there are no unvested stock option awards currently outstanding).
Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan Participant shall be deemed to have met minimum service requirements for benefit purposes, and participant shall be entitled to payment of benefit under the SERP.
Deferred Compensation Entitled to payment of accrued benefits in all accrued nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

     In the event an NEO is terminated following a change-in-control of the Company, benefits payable under the CIC Plan will be paid in lieu of any severance benefits payable under the NEO’s employment agreement if the transaction qualifies as a change in control under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If the transaction is not a Section 409A change in control, the NEO will receive the same level of CIC Plan benefits except that a portion of the cash severance will be paid in installments rather than in a lump sum. Accordingly, the amounts shown in the “Involuntary or Good Reason Termination (CIC)” columns in the tables captioned “Potential Payments Upon Termination,” on pages 61 through 70 below show only the potential payments each of our NEOs would be eligible to receive under the CIC Plan in the event of a CIC.
 
     The CIC Plan also permits the Board to establish a nonqualified trust to protect the benefits of the impacted participants. This type of trust generally is established to protect nonqualified and/or deferred compensation against various risks such as a CIC or a management change-of-heart. Any such trust the Board establishes will be irrevocable and inaccessible to future or current management, and may be currently funded. To date, no such trust has been funded with respect to any of our NEOs.
 
Application of the CIC Plan and Other Compensation Related Consequences of the Proposed Merger with Duke Energy
 
     On January 8, 2011, Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) and the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if the merger is consummated, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy and shareholders of the Company will receive shares of Duke Energy common stock. Consummation of the merger is subject to customary conditions, including among other things, approval of the shareholders of each company.
 
     Our NEOs will not receive additional compensation or benefits under their employment agreements or the CIC Plan solely on account of the consummation of the merger with Duke Energy. However, subject to the limitations described below, if an NEO is terminated without “cause” or resigns with “good reason” within twenty-four months after consummation of the merger, they will be entitled to severance benefits under the CIC Plan as set forth in the “Involuntary or Good Reason Termination (CIC)” column of the tables captioned “Potential Payments Upon Termination,” on pages 61 through 70 below. The eligibility of certain NEOs to receive the CIC Plan benefits is limited by the following:
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
     Upon consummation of the merger, outstanding options to purchase shares of Company common stock and outstanding awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units, phantom shares and performance shares will be converted into equity or equity-based awards in respect of a number of shares of Duke Energy common stock equal to the number of shares of Company common stock represented by such award multiplied by the exchange ratio under the Merger Agreement and will remain subject to the same vesting requirements as were applicable to such awards prior to consummation of the merger with Duke Energy. In other words, the vesting of options and other equity awards held by our NEOs will not be accelerated on account of the completion of the merger. The outstanding annual incentive awards of our NEOs also will remain subject to their original vesting requirements and will remain subject to performance criteria. The compensation committee of the Duke Energy board of directors will adjust the original performance criteria for outstanding performance shares and annual incentive awards as it determines is appropriate and equitable to reflect the merger, Progress Energy’s performance prior to completion of the merger and the performance criteria of awards made to similarly situated Duke Energy employees.
 
     Notwithstanding the provisions of the CIC Plan providing for the funding of a nonqualified trust to protect the benefits of the impacted participants, the terms of the Merger Agreement prohibit the funding of any such trust and stipulate that the CIC Plan must be amended prior to the consummation of the merger to eliminate any funding requirement.
 
     On March 16, 2011, the Board amended the SERP in two respects. The SERP was amended to provide that all service with the Company and its affiliates, including Duke Energy and its affiliates, after completion of the merger will be treated as service as a Senior Vice President or above for purposes of meeting the SERP’s eligibility requirements. Second, the SERP was amended to limit participation in the SERP to executives who were members of the SMC on January 8, 2011.
 
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6. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     Each named executive officer has an employment agreement that documents the Company’s relationship with that executive. We provide these agreements to the executives as a means of attracting and retaining them. Each agreement has a term of three years. When an agreement’s remaining term diminishes to two years, the agreement automatically adds another year to the term, unless we give a 60-day advance notice that we do not want to extend the agreement. If a named executive officer is terminated without cause during the term of the agreement, he is entitled to severance payments equal to his base salary times 2.99, as well as up to 18 months of COBRA reimbursement. A description of each named executive officer’s employment agreement is discussed under the “Employment Agreement” section of the “Discussion of Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” on page 52 of this Proxy Statement.
 
     The Committee provides employment agreements to the named executive officers because it believes that such agreements are important for the Company to be competitive and retain a cohesive management team. The employment agreements also provide for a defined employment arrangement with the executives and provide various protections for the Company, such as prohibiting competition with the Company, solicitation of the Company’s employees and disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets. The Committee believes that the terms of the employment agreements are in line with general industry practice.
 
7. EXECUTIVE PERQUISITES
 
     We provide limited perquisites and other benefits to our executives. Amounts attributable to perquisites are disclosed in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 47.
 
     The Committee has determined that the current perquisites are appropriate and consistent with market practices. The perquisites available to the named executive officers during 2010 include:
 
Perquisites for 2010 Description
Personal Travel on Corporate Aircraft and “Business-Related” Spousal Travel1 Personal and spousal travel on corporate aircraft is permitted under very limited circumstances.
Financial and Estate Planning An annual allowance of up to $16,500 for the purpose of purchasing financial and estate planning counseling and services and preparation of personal tax return.
Luncheon and Health Club Dues Membership in an approved luncheon club and membership in a health club of executive officer’s choice.
Executive Physical Reimbursement of up to $2,500 for an extensive physical at a clinic specializing in executive physicals, every other year.
Internet and Telecom Service2 Monthly fees for Internet and telecom access.
Home Security An installed home security system and payment of monitoring fees.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance $500,000 of AD&D insurance for each executive officer.

     1 Personal travel on the Company’s aircraft in the event of a family emergency or similar situation is permitted with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer. Executives’ spouses may travel on the Company’s aircraft to accompany the executives to “business-related” events executives’ spouses are requested to attend. For 2010, the named executive officers whose perquisites included spousal travel on corporate aircraft for business purposes were Messrs. Johnson, Lyash, and Yates.
 
     2 Including home use of Company-owned computer.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     The Committee believes that the perquisites we provide to our executives are reasonable, competitive and consistent with our overall executive compensation program in that they help us attract and retain skilled and qualified executives. We believe that these benefits generally allow our executives to work more efficiently and, in the case of the tax and financial planning services, help them to optimize the value received from all of the compensation and benefits programs offered. The costs of these benefits constitute only a small percentage of each named executive officer’s total compensation.
 
8. OTHER BROAD-BASED BENEFITS
 
     The named executive officers receive our general corporate benefits provided to all of our regular, full-time, nonbargaining employees. These broad-based benefits include the following:
9. DEFERRED COMPENSATION
 
     We sponsor the Management Deferred Compensation Plan (the “MDCP”), an unfunded, deferred compensation arrangement. The plan is designed to provide executives with tax deferral options, in addition to those available under the existing qualified plans. An executive may elect to defer, on a pre-tax basis, payment of up to 50% of his or her salary for a minimum of five years or until his or her date of retirement. As a make-up for the 401(k) statutory compensation limits, executives receive deferred compensation credits of 6% of their base salary over the Internal Revenue Code statutory compensation limit on 401(k) retirement plans. The Committee views the matching feature as a restoration benefit designed to restore the matching contribution the executive would have received under the 401(k) retirement plan in the absence of the Internal Revenue Service compensation limits. Each executive may allocate his or her deferred compensation among available deemed investment funds that mirror those options available under the 401(k) plan.
 
     Executives can elect to defer up to 100% of their MICP and/or performance share awards. The deferral option is provided as an additional benefit to executive officers to provide flexibility in the receipt of compensation. Deferred awards may be allocated among deemed investment options that mirror the Company’s 401(k) Plan. Effective September 1, 2010, the named executive officers cannot allocate deferred awards to the deemed Company stock investment fund.
 
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III. 2010 COMPENSATION DECISIONS
 
Company Performance
 
     The Committee made decisions for the executive officers’ compensation following the provisions of the compensation plans and benefit programs described in Article II, Elements of Compensation. The Committee also considered a number of factors in exercising its permitted discretion under the plans, including the challenging economic environment, the performance of the Company’s nuclear fleet, and the Company’s overall operational and financial results. Highlights of the Company’s 2010 performance include the following:
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
 
     William D. Johnson
 
     In March 2010, the Committee considered Mr. Johnson’s salary against the salaries of the chief executive officers in the Benchmarking Peer Group, the Company’s performance, the difficult external economic climate and the performance of our nuclear fleet. Based on these factors, the Committee did not approve an increase to Mr. Johnson’s salary of $990,000. Mr. Johnson’s current target total base compensation is approximately 9% below the 50th percentile of the Benchmarking Peer Group due to his relatively short tenure in the Chief Executive Officer position, and more significantly, the challenging economic environment. It is the Committee’s intention to increase Mr. Johnson’s salary over time to a level that is at the 50th percentile of the Benchmarking Peer Group. For 2010, the Committee set Mr. Johnson’s MICP target award opportunity at 85% of base salary. This target award was the same as the target Mr. Johnson had in 2007 after he assumed his new position, and represents a target award opportunity
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
that is below the 50th percentile of market. The payout of the 2010 MICP award was based on the extent to which Mr. Johnson achieved his performance goals, which were focused on the following general areas of Company success:
     In recognition of his accomplishments during 2010, the Committee awarded Mr. Johnson an MICP payout of $715,000, which is equal to 85% of Mr. Johnson’s target award. The Committee considered, among other things, Mr. Johnson’s leadership in achieving ongoing EPS of $3.06 which was higher than the upper end of the Company’s guidance range of $3.00 to $3.05; managing 21 major capital projects that collectively came in 6% under budget for the year-end; increasing renewable energy capacity; successfully applying CBE resulting in all business units, except nuclear, holding operations and maintenance (“O&M”) expenses flat at 2009 levels; and guiding the strategic direction of the Company that resulted in the execution of the Merger Agreement with Duke Energy. The Committee also considered the Company’s challenges in the nuclear business unit, including higher than budgeted utility non-fuel O&M related to unplanned nuclear outages at the Robinson Nuclear Plant. The Committee recognized Mr. Johnson’s focus on improving nuclear fleet performance by strengthening the leadership of the entire generating fleet and developing a comprehensive nuclear fleet renewal plan. The Committee also considered Mr. Johnson’s emphasis on specific leadership behaviors and expectations throughout the year, which were communicated to the Company’s management team in clear and direct terms. The Committee also noted Mr. Johnson’s increasing leadership in key national industry organizations, including frequent, direct engagement with policymakers and regulators at the federal and state levels.
 
     With respect to his long-term incentive compensation during 2010, Mr. Johnson was granted 22,596 restricted stock units and 56,248 performance shares in accordance with his pre-established targets of 117% and 233%, respectively, of his base salary. The performance shares are earned based on performance over the three years ending December 31, 2012. Additionally, 29,456 shares of the 2007 annual grant vested in 2010 and were paid out at 125% of target. The total year-over-year compensation to Mr. Johnson for 2010, as compared to 2009, as noted in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 47 of this Proxy Statement, was largely flat.
 
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Chief Financial Officer Compensation
 
     Mark F. Mulhern
 
     In March 2010, Mr. Johnson recommended the Committee approve a market-based adjustment to Mr. Mulhern’s base salary. The Committee approved a base salary of $450,000 for Mr. Mulhern, representing a 5.9% increase to his previous salary of $425,000. The new base salary was set at 15.9% below the 50th percentile of the Benchmarking Peer Group. Mr. Mulhern’s base salary was established at this level due to his relatively short tenure in the Chief Financial Officer position, and more significantly, the challenging economic environment. It is the Committee’s intention to increase Mr. Mulhern’s salary over time to a level that is at the 50th percentile of the Benchmarking Peer Group.
 
     For 2010, Mr. Mulhern’s MICP target award was set at 55% of his base salary. This target award is the same target Mr. Mulhern had in 2009 after he assumed the Chief Financial Officer position and represents a target award opportunity that is below the 50th percentile of the market. Mr. Mulhern’s performance goals for 2010 focused on the following general areas of Company success:
     In recognition of his accomplishments in 2010 and on Mr. Johnson’s recommendation, the Committee awarded Mr. Mulhern an MICP payout of $205,000, which is equal to 84% of Mr. Mulhern’s target award. The Committee considered, among other things, Mr. Mulhern’s significant role in the Company achieving a 12.6% shareholder return as of the end of the year; implementation of an integrated strategic planning process including appropriate focus on capital discipline, O&M expense management, and long-term workforce planning; supporting a successful rate settlement for PEF requiring adaptation of the Company’s financial plan to absorb no new cash revenue during the settlement period; and negotiating and executing the Merger Agreement with Duke Energy. The Committee also noted Mr. Mulhern’s leadership in coordinating the development of the financial components for the Company’s regulatory strategy and strategic scenario planning.
 
     With respect to his long-term incentive compensation, in 2010, Mr. Mulhern was granted 4,809 restricted stock units and 12,126 performance shares in accordance with his pre-established targets of 58% and 117%, respectively, of base salary. The performance shares are earned based on performance over the three years ending December 31, 2012. Additionally, 7,131 shares of the 2007 annual grant vested in 2010 and were paid out at 125% of target. Mr. Mulhern’s compensation in 2010, as noted in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 47 of this Proxy Statement, increased by 8.2% from the amount of total compensation he received in 2009, largely due to an increase in his accrued pension benefits.
 
Compensation of Other Named Executive Officers
 
     For 2010, Mr. Johnson recommended and the Committee approved no increases to the base salaries for Messrs. Lyash, Yates, and McArthur.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     On Mr. Johnson’s recommendation, the Committee awarded Messrs. Lyash, Yates, and McArthur 2010 MICP awards as described in the table below.
 
Named Executive 2010 MICP Percent of  
Officer Award Target Explanation of Award
Jeffrey J. Lyash $195,000 78% Mr. Lyash played a significant role in developing and implementing a comprehensive nuclear fleet renewal plan; accelerating the CBE initiative into nuclear outages; improving performance of the Brunswick Nuclear Plant; and maintaining regulatory confidence in the Company’s nuclear generation group’s leadership.
Lloyd M. Yates $195,000 79% Mr. Yates played a significant role in achieving the successful financial and operational performance of PEC which contributed to the Company achieving its ongoing EPS goal; effectively managing PEC’s O&M expenses, particularly for nuclear outages and in the supply chain business unit; and effectively communicating the Company’s climate change policy and Balanced Solution Strategy to external stakeholders and industrial customers.
John R. McArthur $220,000 82% Mr. McArthur played a significant role in developing a North Carolina legislative approach for 2011 to support consistent regulated earnings and cost recovery for nuclear investment; improving our business planning process through better alignment and deeper understanding of our business objectives and cost drivers; achieving success in all clause recovery dockets in Florida; recovering all fuel and efficiency and renewable costs and incentives in North Carolina and South Carolina; and negotiating and executing the Merger Agreement with Duke Energy.

     With respect to long-term compensation, in 2010 each of the other named executive officers received annual grants of restricted stock units and performance shares in accordance with their pre-established targets. The table below describes those grants.
 
  Restricted  
  Stock Units Vesting in Performance
Named Executive 1/3 Increments in 2011, Shares
Officer 2012 and 2013 Vesting 2013
Jeffrey J. Lyash 5,126 12,924
Lloyd M. Yates 5,069 12,782
John R. McArthur 5,522 13,923

     Mr. Lyash’s total compensation as shown in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 47 of this Proxy Statement decreased 10.6% from the amount of total compensation he received in 2009.
 
     Mr. Yates’ total compensation as shown in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 47 of this Proxy Statement decreased 3.2% from the amount of total compensation he received in 2009.
 
     Mr. McArthur’s total compensation as shown in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 47 of this Proxy Statement decreased 3.3% from the amount of total compensation he received in 2009.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
IV. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
     The Committee has reviewed and discussed this CD&A with management as required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K. Based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in this Proxy Statement.
 
Organization and Compensation Committee
 
E. Marie McKee, Chair
John D. Baker II
Harris E. DeLoach, Jr.
James B. Hyler, Jr.
Robert W. Jones
Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez
John H. Mullin, III

     Unless specifically stated otherwise in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed soliciting material, shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2010
 
     The following Summary Compensation Table discloses the compensation during 2010 of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other three most highly paid executive officers who were serving at the end of 2010. Additionally, column (h) is dependent upon actuarial assumptions for determining the amounts included. A change in these actuarial assumptions would impact the values shown in this column. Where appropriate, we have indicated the major assumptions in the footnote to column (h).
 
              Change in    
              Pension Value    
              and    
              Nonqualified    
            Non-Equity Deferred    
Name and       Stock Option Incentive Plan Compensation All Other  
Principal   Salary1 Bonus Awards2 Awards3 Compensation4 Earnings5 Compensation6 Total
Position Year ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
William D. Johnson, 2010 $990,000 N/A $3,109,607 — $715,000 $1,096,829 $316,051 $6,227,487
Chairman, President and 2009 979,231   3,090,605 — 950,000 1,144,448 289,726 6,454,010
Chief Executive Officer7 2008 950,000   2,911,701 — 929,000 1,091,256 304,571 6,186,528
Mark F. Mulhern, 2010 $443,269 N/A $667,916 — $205,000 $517,696 $77,672 $1,911,553
Senior Vice President and 2009 414,231   655,990 — 225,000 369,822 102,137 1,767,180
Chief Financial Officer 2008 355,385   433,473 — 200,000 820,419 141,354 1,950,631
Jeffrey J. Lyash, 2010 $453,000 N/A $711,892 — $195,000 $281,882 $102,290 $1,744,064
Executive Vice President – 2009 450,846   728,120 — 235,000 244,369 292,061 1,950,396
Energy Supply 2008 432,885   612,952 — 225,000 323,904 140,812 1,735,553
Lloyd M. Yates, President 2010 $448,000 N/A $704,043 — $195,000 $342,925 $80,548 $1,770,516
and Chief Executive 2009 445,846   720,683 — 235,000 308,815 119,432 1,829,776
Officer, PEC 2008 429,231   612,952 — 210,000 777,983 155,042 2,185,208
John R. McArthur, 2010 $488,000 N/A $766,911 — $220,000 $81,601 $92,677 $1,649,189
Executive Vice President, 2009 485,846   780,070 — 250,000 74,001 116,381 1,706,298
General Counsel and 2008 459,423   571,390 — 250,000 46,028 137,536 1,464,377
Corporate Secretary                  

     1 Consists of base salary earnings prior to (i) employee contributions to the Progress Energy 401(k) Savings & Stock Ownership Plan and (ii) voluntary deferrals, if any, under the Management Deferred Compensation Plan. See “Deferred Compensation” discussion in Part II of the CD&A. Salary adjustments, if deemed appropriate, generally occur in March of each year.
 
     2 Includes the fair value of stock awards as of the grant date computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. Assumptions made in the valuation of material stock awards are discussed in Note 9.B. to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010. The values reflected for 2008 in columns (e) and (j) are different than originally disclosed because these values represent the fair value of stock awards as of the grant date rather than the expense related to equity awards for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Fair value of stock awards granted in 2010 and the maximum potential payout for the performance shares granted in 2010 are based on the March 16, 2010 closing stock price of $39.44 as shown in the table below:
 
2010 Stock Awards (column (e)) Maximum Potential
  Grant Date Fair Value Payout for Performance Shares
  Restricted Performance Total Maximum Maximum
Name Stock Units Shares (column (e)) Percentage Value
William D. Johnson $891,186 $2,218,421 $3,109,607 200% $4,436,842
Mark F. Mulhern 189,667 478,249 667,916 200% 956,498
Jeffrey J. Lyash 202,169 509,723 711,892 200% 1,019,446
Lloyd M. Yates 199,921 504,122 704,043 200% 1,008,244
John R. McArthur 217,788 549,123 766,911 200% 1,098,246

     3 We ceased granting stock options in 2004. No additional expense remains with respect to our stock option program.
 
     4 Includes the awards given under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan (MICP) for 2008, 2009 and 2010 performance.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     5 Includes the change in present value of the accrued benefit under Progress Energy’s Pension Plan, SERP, and/or Restoration Plan where applicable. The current incremental present values were determined using actuarial present value factors as provided by our actuarial consultants, Buck Consultants, based on FAS mortality assumptions post-age 65 and FAS discount rates for the years shown as follows:
 
  FAS Discount Rates
      Restoration
Year Pension Plan SERP Retirement Plan
2010 5.50% 5.70% 5.00%
2009 5.95% 6.10% 5.45%
2008 6.30% 6.30% 6.25%

     In addition, it includes the above market earnings on deferred compensation under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees. The 1996-1999 Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees provided a fixed rate of return of 10.0% on deferred amounts, which was 2.7% above the market interest rate of 7.3% at the time the plan was frozen in 1996. The Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees was discontinued in 2000 and replaced with the Management Deferred Compensation Plan, which does not have a guaranteed rate of return. Named executive officers who were participants in the 1996-1999 Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees continue to receive plan benefits with respect to amounts deferred prior to its discontinuance in 2000. The above market earnings under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees are included in this column for Mr. Johnson. Changes in the accrued benefit under each plan for named executive officers are shown in the table below:
 
2010 Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (column (h))
        Above Market  
  Change in Change in Change in Earnings on Deferred Total
Name Pension Plan SERP Restoration Plan Compensation Plan (column (h))
William D. Johnson $80,055 $1,005,387 — $11,387 $1,096,829
Mark F. Mulhern 57,308 460,388 — — 517,696
Jeffrey J. Lyash 60,279 221,603 — — 281,882
Lloyd M. Yates 41,092 301,833 — — 342,925
John R. McArthur 41,256 — 40,345 — 81,601

     6 Includes the following items: Company match contributions under the Progress Energy 401(k) Savings & Stock Ownership Plan; deferred credits under Management Deferred Compensation Plan (MDCP); perquisites; the Company’s payment of the FICA tax on the non-qualified retirement accrual and the tax gross-up on the imputed income of that tax payment; and dividends paid under provisions of the Restricted Stock Award/Unit Plans. The total value of perquisites and personal benefits received by Messrs. Mulhern and Yates was less than $10,000 each. Thus, those amounts are excluded from this column. Named executive officers were compensated for these items as follows:
 
2010 All Other Compensation (column (i))
        Imputed    
  Company Deferred Perquisites Income    
  Contributions Credits under (detailed in and Tax   Total
Name under 401(k) the MDCP table below) Gross-ups Dividends (column (i))
William D. Johnson $14,700 $44,700 $65,145 $6,201 $185,305 $316,051
Mark F. Mulhern 14,700 11,601 — 5,521 45,850 77,672
Jeffrey J. Lyash 14,700 12,480 24,012 315 50,784 102,291
Lloyd M. Yates 14,700 12,180 — 3,125 50,543 80,548
John R. McArthur 13,569 14,580 11,058 722 52,748 92,677

48
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     Perquisites that exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites and personal benefits for each officer are quantified in the table below. “Other” perquisites include health club dues, spousal meals, spousal travel, Internet and telecom access, AD&D insurance, residential telephone, meals (family other than spouse), and registration fee (family other than spouse).
 
2010 Perquisites (Component of column (i))
        Spousal    
        Travel on    
  Luncheon Financial/Tax Home Corporate   Total
Name Club Dues Planning Security Aircraft* Other Perquisites
William D. Johnson $1,508 $7,500 $30,128 $20,228 $5,781 $65,145
Jeffrey J. Lyash 2,088 6,583 918 11,934 2,489 24,012
John R. McArthur 1,476 7,500 840 0 1,242 11,058

* Executives’ spouses may travel on the Company’s aircraft only to accompany executives on “business-related” events that spouses are requested to attend.
 
     7 Mr. Johnson did not receive additional compensation for his service on the Board of Directors.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
 
    Estimated Estimated All  
    Future Payouts Under Future Payouts Under Other  
    Non-Equity Incentive Equity Incentive Stock  
    Plan Awards1 Plan Awards2 Awards: Grant Date
                Number Fair Value
                of Shares of Stock
                of Stock and Option
  Grant Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum or Units3 Awards4
Name Date ($) ($) ($) (#) (#) (#) (#) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
William D. Johnson,
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer		 MICP                
3/4/11 $420,750 $841,500 $1,683,000          
Restricted                
Stock Units                
3/16/10             22,596 $891,186
PSSP                
3/16/10       28,124 56,248 112,496   $2,218,421
Mark F. Mulhern,
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer		 MICP                
3/4/11 $121,899 $243,798 $487,596          
Restricted                
Stock Units                
3/16/10             4,809 $189,667
PSSP                
3/16/10       6,063 12,126 24,252   $478,249
Jeffrey J. Lyash,
Executive Vice
President – Energy
Supply
 MICP                
3/4/11 $124,575 $249,150 $498,300          
Restricted                
Stock Units                
3/16/10             5,126 $202,169
PSSP                
3/16/10       6,462 12,924 25,848   $509,723
Lloyd M. Yates,
President and Chief
Executive Officer, PEC		 MICP                
3/4/11 $123,200 $246,400 $492,800          
Restricted                
Stock Units                
3/16/10             5,069 $199,921
PSSP                
3/16/10       6,391 12,782 25,564   $504,122
John R. McArthur,
Executive Vice
President, General
Counsel and Corporate
Secretary		 MICP                
3/4/11 $134,200 $268,400 $536,800          
Restricted                
Stock Units                
3/16/10             5,522 $217,788
PSSP                
3/16/10       6,962 13,923 27,846   $549,123

     1 The Management Incentive Compensation Plan is considered a non-equity incentive compensation plan. Award amounts are shown at threshold, target, and maximum levels. The target award is calculated using the 2010 eligible earnings times the executive’s target percentage. See target percentage in table on page 31 of the CD&A. Threshold is calculated at 50% of target and maximum is calculated at 200% of target. Actual award amounts paid are reflected in the Summary of Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.
 
     2 Reflects the potential payouts in shares of the 2010 PSSP grants. The grant size was calculated by multiplying the executive’s salary as of January 1, 2010, times his 2010 PSSP target and dividing by the December 31, 2009, closing stock price of $41.01. The Threshold column reflects the minimum payment level under our PSSP, which is 50% of the target amount shown in the Target column. The amount shown in the maximum column is 200% of the target amount.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
     3 Reflects the number of restricted stock units granted during 2010 under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The number of shares granted was determined by multiplying the executive’s salary as of January 1, 2010, times his 2010 restricted stock target and dividing by the December 31, 2009, closing stock price of $41.01.
 
     4 Reflects the grant date fair value of the award based on the following assumptions: Market value of restricted stock granted on March 16, 2010, based on closing price of $39.44 per share, times the shares granted in column (i). Market value of PSSP granted on March 16, 2010, based on closing stock price on March 16, 2010, of $39.44 times target number of shares in column (g). The 2010 PSSP grant payout is expected to be 100% of target.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
DISCUSSION OF SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF
PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     In 2007, Messrs. Johnson, Mulhern, Lyash, Yates and McArthur entered into employment agreements with the Company or one of its subsidiaries, referred to collectively in this section as the “Company.” The employment agreements replaced the previous employment agreements in effect for each of these officers.
 
     The employment agreements provide for base salary, annual incentives, perquisites and participation in the various executive compensation plans offered to our senior executives. Upon expiration, the agreements are automatically extended by an additional year on January 1 of each year. We may elect not to extend an executive officer’s agreement and must notify the officer of such an election at least 60 days prior to the automatic extension date. Each employment agreement contains restrictive covenants imposing non-competition obligations, restricting solicitation of employees and protecting our confidential information and trade secrets for specified periods if the applicable officer is terminated without cause or otherwise becomes eligible for the benefits under the agreement.
 
     Except for the application of previously granted years of service credit to our post-employment health and welfare plans as discussed below, the employment agreements do not affect the compensation, benefits or incentive targets payable to the applicable officers.
 
     With respect to Mr. Johnson, the Employment Agreement specifies that the years of service credit we previously granted to him for purposes of determining eligibility and benefits in the SERP will also be applicable for purposes of determining eligibility and benefits in our post-employment health and welfare benefit plans. Mr. Johnson was awarded seven years of deemed service toward the benefits and vesting requirements of the SERP. However, as of 2008, Mr. Johnson reached the maximum service accrual and therefore benefit augmentation for deemed service is $0. Three of those years also were deemed to have been in service on the Senior Management Committee for purposes of SERP eligibility.
 
     Each Employment Agreement provides that if the applicable officer is terminated without cause or is constructively terminated (as defined in Paragraph 8(a)(i) of the agreement), then the officer will receive (i) severance equal to 2.99 times the officer’s then-current base salary and (ii) reimbursement for the costs of continued coverage under certain of our health and welfare benefit plans for a period of up to 18 months.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
 
  Option Awards1 Stock Awards
                  Equity
                  Incentive
                Equity Plan
                Incentive Awards:
                Plan Market or
      Equity         Awards: Payout
      Incentive         Number of Value of
      Plan         Unearned Unearned
  Number   Awards:     Number of Market Shares, Shares,
  of Number of Number of     Shares or Value of Units or Units or
  Securities Securities Securities     Units of Shares or Other Other
  Underlying Underlying Underlying     Stock Units of Rights Rights
  Unexercised Unexercised Unexercised Option   That Stock That That That
  Options Options Unearned Exercise Option Have Not Have Not Have Not Have Not
  (#) (#) Options Price Expiration Vested Vested Vested Vested
  Exercisable Unexercisable (#) ($) Date (#) ($) (#) ($)
Name (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)2 (h)3 (i)4 (j)4
William D. Johnson,                  
Chairman, President                  
and Chief                  
Executive Officer — — — — — 72,248 $3,141,343 112,869 $4,907,526
Mark F. Mulhern,                  
Senior Vice President                  
and Chief Financial                  
Officer 7,000 — — $44.75 9/30/2013 15,725 $683,723 20,733 $901,486
Jeffrey J. Lyash,                  
Executive Vice                  
President – Energy                  
Supply — — — — — 17,559 $763,465 24,941 $1,084,416
Lloyd M. Yates,                  
President and Chief                  
Executive Officer,                  
PEC — — — — — 17,454 $758,900 24,792 $1,077,968
John R. McArthur,                  
Executive Vice                  
President, General                  
Counsel and                  
Corporate Secretary — — — — — 18,299 $795,641 25,178 $1,094,716

     1 All outstanding stock options were vested as of December 31, 2006. The Company ceased granting stock options in 2004.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     2 Consists of outstanding restricted stock grants and restricted stock units as follows:
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (column (g))
    William D. Mark F. Jeffrey J. Lloyd M. John R.
Stock Award Vesting Date Johnson Mulhern Lyash Yates McArthur
Restricted Stock March 14, 2011 5,534 1,167 1,367 1,367 1,667
Restricted Stock Units March 16, 2011 7,532 1,603 1,708 1,689 1,840
Restricted Stock Units March 17, 2011 9,297 1,868 2,159 2,135 2,329
Restricted Stock Units March 18, 2011 7,651 1,136 1,597 1,597 1,497
Restricted Stock Units March 20, 2011 4,936 1,189 1,576 1,576 1,477
Restricted Stock Units March 16, 2012 7,532 1,603 1,709 1,690 1,841
Restricted Stock Units March 17, 2012 17,298 4,368 4,159 4,135 4,329
Restricted Stock Units March 20, 2012 4,936 1,188 1,575 1,575 1,478
Restricted Stock Units March 16, 2013 7,532 1,603 1,709 1,690 1,841
Total (column (g)) 72,248 15,725 17,559 17,454 18,299

     3 Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested is based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share.
 
     4 The 2008 grant vests on January 1, 2011; the 2009 grant vests on January 1, 2012; and the 2010 grant vests on January 1, 2013. Performance share value for the 2009 annual grant is expected to be at 0% of target while the 2008 annual grant and 2010 annual grant are expected to be 100% of target. The value in Column (j) is derived by multiplying the shares (rounded to the nearest whole share) times the December 31, 2010 closing stock price ($43.48). The difference between the calculated value and the noted value is attributable to fractional shares. See further discussion under “Performance Shares” in Part II of the CD&A. Outstanding performance shares for named executive officers are shown in the table below:
 
Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (column (i))
    William D. Mark F. Jeffrey J. Lloyd M. John R.
Stock Award Vesting Date Johnson Mulhern Lyash Yates McArthur
Performance Shares January 1, 2011 54,125 8,069 11,443 11,443 10,637
Performance Shares January 1, 2012 0 0 0 0 0
Performance Shares January 1, 2013 58,744 12,664 13,498 13,349 14,541
Total (column (i)) 112,869 20,733 24,941 24,792 25,178

54
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
 
  Option Awards Stock Awards
  Number of   Number of  
  Shares Value Shares Value
  Acquired Realized Acquired Realized
  on Exercise on Exercise on Vesting on Vesting
Name (#) ($) (#) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d)1 (e)2
William D. Johnson, — — 76,448 $3,080,112
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer        
Mark F. Mulhern, — — 26,504 $1,064,791
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer        
Jeffrey J. Lyash, — — 31,031 $1,248,972
Executive Vice President – Energy Supply        
Lloyd M. Yates, — — 31,006 $1,247,986
President and Chief Executive Officer, PEC        
John R. McArthur, — — 30,632 $1,231,050
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and        
Corporate Secretary        

     1 Reflects the number of restricted stock shares, restricted stock units, and performance shares that vested in 2010 for named executive officers as shown in the table below.
 
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (column (d))
    Vesting William D. Mark F. Jeffrey J. Lloyd M. John R.
Stock Award Vesting Date Price Johnson Mulhern Lyash Yates McArthur
Performance Shares January 1, 2010 $41.01 43,965 10,644 14,232 14,232 13,229
Restricted Stock March 14, 2010 $38.60 5,533 1,167 1,367 1,367 1,667
Restricted Stock March 15, 2010 $38.60 5,067 — 1,100 1,100 1,434
Restricted Stock March 21, 2010 $39.45 — 3,500 — — —
Restricted Stock Units March 17, 2010 $39.44 9,297 1,868 2,159 2,134 2,328
Restricted Stock Units March 18, 2010 $39.82 7,650 1,136 1,597 1,597 1,497
Restricted Stock Units March 22, 2010 $39.84 4,936 8,189 10,576 10,576 10,477
Total (column (d))   76,448 26,504 31,031 31,006 30,632

     2 The value realized is the sum of the vested shares for each vesting date times the vesting price. Values realized on vesting during 2010 for named executive officers are shown in the table below:
 
Value Realized on Vesting (column (e))
    Vesting William D. Mark F. Jeffrey J. Lloyd M. John R.
Stock Award Vesting Date Price Johnson Mulhern Lyash Yates McArthur
Performance Shares January 1, 2010 $41.01 $1,803,005 $436,510 $583,654 $583,654 $542,521
Restricted Stock March 14, 2010 $38.60 $213,574 $45,046 $52,766 $52,766 $64,346
Restricted Stock March 15, 2010 $38.60 $195,586 — $42,460 $42,460 $55,352
Restricted Stock March 21, 2010 $39.45 — $138,075 — — —
Restricted Stock Units March 17, 2010 $39.44 $366,674 $73,674 $85,151 $84,165 $91,816
Restricted Stock Units March 18, 2010 $39.82 $304,623 $45,236 $63,593 $63,593 $59,611
Restricted Stock Units March 22, 2010 $39.84 $196,650 $326,250 $421,348 $421,348 $417,404
Total (column (e))   $3,080,112 $1,064,791 $1,248,972 $1,247,986 $1,231,050

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PROXY STATEMENT
 
PENSION BENEFITS TABLE
 
    Number of Present  
    Years Value of Payments
    Credited Accumulated During Last
    Service Benefit1 Fiscal Year
Name Plan Name (#) ($) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
William D. Johnson, Progress Energy Pension Plan 18.3 $528,633 $0
Chairman, President and Supplemental Senior      
Chief Executive Officer Executive Retirement Plan 25.32 $8,287,8713 $0
Mark F. Mulhern, Progress Energy Pension Plan 14.8 $326,707 $0
Senior Vice President and Supplemental Senior      
Chief Financial Officer Executive Retirement Plan 14.8 $1,605,1554 $0
Jeffrey J. Lyash, Progress Energy Pension Plan 17.6 $334,696 $0
Executive Vice President – Supplemental Senior      
Energy Supply Executive Retirement Plan 17.6 $1,640,8115 $0
Lloyd M. Yates, Progress Energy Pension Plan 12.1 $198,700 $0
President and Chief Executive Supplemental Senior      
Officer, PEC Executive Retirement Plan 12.1 $1,367,5396 $0
John R. McArthur, Progress Energy Pension Plan 9.1 $192,479 $0
Executive Vice President, Restoration Retirement Plan 9.1 $162,615 $0
General Counsel and        
Corporate Secretary        

     1 Actuarial present value factors as provided by our actuarial consultants, Buck Consultants, based on FAS mortality assumptions post-age 65 and FAS discount rates as of December 31, 2010, for computation of accumulated benefit under the Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan and the Progress Energy Pension Plan were 5.70% and 5.50% respectively. Additional details on the formulas for computing benefits under the Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan and Progress Energy Pension Plan can be found under the headings “Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan” and “Other Broad-Based Benefits,” respectively, in the CD&A.
 
     2 Includes seven years of deemed service. However, as of 2008, Mr. Johnson reached the maximum service accrual and therefore benefit augmentation for deemed service is $0.
 
     3 Based on an estimated annual benefit payable at age 65 of $1,046,261.
 
     4 Based on an estimated annual benefit payable at age 65 of $282,595.
 
     5 Based on estimated annual benefit payable at age 65 of $322,742.
 
     6 Based on estimated annual benefit payable at age 65 of $254,485.
 
56
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
 
     The table below shows the nonqualified deferred compensation for each of the named executive officers. Information regarding details of the deferred compensation plans currently in effect can be found under the heading “Deferred Compensation” in the CD&A on page 41 of this Proxy Statement. In addition, the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees is discussed in footnote 5 to the “Summary Compensation Table.”
 
      Aggregate   Aggregate
  Executive Registrant Earnings Aggregate Balance
  Contributions Contributions in Last Withdrawals/ at Last
  in Last FY1 in Last FY2 FY3 Distributions FYE4
Name and Position ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
William D. Johnson,          
Chairman, President          
and Chief Executive Officer $0 $44,700 $68,9325 $0   $849,703
Mark F. Mulhern,          
Senior Vice President and Chief          
Financial Officer $22,163 $11,601 $20,715 ($147,094)6 $233,261
Jeffrey J. Lyash,          
Executive Vice President –          
Energy Supply $0 $12,480 $20,359 $0   $168,012
Lloyd M. Yates,          
President and Chief Executive          
Officer, PEC $22,400 $12,180 $66,737 $0   $601,121
John R. McArthur, Executive          
Vice President, General          
Counsel and Corporate Secretary $73,200 $14,580 $29,600 $0   $301,215

     1 Reflects salary deferred under the Management Deferred Compensation Plan, which is reported as “Salary” in the Summary Compensation Table. For 2010, named executive officers deferred the following percentages of their base salary: (i) Mulhern – 5%; Yates – 5%; and McArthur – 15%.
 
     2 Reflects registrant contributions under the Management Deferred Compensation Plan, which is reported as “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
     3 Includes aggregate earnings in the last fiscal year under the following nonqualified plans: Management Incentive Compensation Plan, Management Deferred Compensation Plan, Performance Share Sub-Plan, and Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees.
 
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     4 Includes December 31, 2010 balances under the following deferred compensation plans: Management Incentive Compensation Plan, Performance Share Sub-Plan, Management Deferred Compensation Plan, and Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees. Balances for named executive offices under each deferral plan are shown in the table below:
 
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE (column (f))
      Deferred    
  Management Management Compensation    
  Deferred Incentive for Key Performance  
  Compensation Compensation Management Share Sub- Total
Name Plan Plan Employees Plan (column (f))
William D. Johnson $492,740 $77,712 $279,251 — $849,703
Mark F. Mulhern $116,631 $77,537 — $39,093 $233,261
Jeffrey J. Lyash $168,012 — — — $168,012
Lloyd M. Yates $190,251 $121,356 — $289,514 $601,121
John R. McArthur $301,215 — — — $301,215

     5 Includes above market earnings of $11,387 under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Management Employees, which is reported as “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
     6 Mr. Mulhern received distributions from his Management Incentive Deferred Compensation Plan: $84,465; Management Deferred Compensation Plan: $0; and Performance Share Sub-Plan: $62,629.
 
58
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
CASH COMPENSATION AND VALUE OF VESTING EQUITY TABLE
 
     The following table shows the actual cash compensation and value of vesting equity received in 2010 by the named executive officers. The Committee believes that this table is important in order to distinguish between the actual cash and vested value received by each named executive officer as opposed to the grant date fair value of equity awards as shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
      Deferred              
    Annual Compensation  Restricted   Restricted        
    Incentive under Stock / Performance Stock / Stock   Tax  
  Base (paid in MDCP and Units Shares Unit Options   Gross-  
Name and Salary 2010) MICP Vesting Vesting Dividends Vesting Perquisite ups  
Position (a)1 (b)2 (c)3 (d)4 (e)5 (f)6 (g)7 (h)8 (i)9 Total
William D.
Johnson,
Chairman,
President
and Chief
Executive
Officer		 $990,000 $950,000 $0 $1,277,107 $1,803,005 $185,305 $0 $65,145 $6,201 $5,276,763
Mark F.
Mulhern,
Senior Vice
President
and Chief
Financial
Officer		 $443,269 $225,000 $22,163 $628,280 $436,510 $45,850 $0 $8,408 $5,521 $1,792,838
Jeffrey J.
Lyash,
Executive
Vice
President –
Energy
Supply		 $453,000 $235,000 $0 $665,318 $583,654 $50,784 $0 $24,012 $315 $2,012,083
Lloyd M.
Yates,
President
and Chief
Executive
Officer, PEC		 $448,000 $235,000 $22,400 $664,332 $583,654 $50,543 $0 $9,874 $3,125 $1,994,528
John R.
McArthur,
Executive
Vice
President,
General
Counsel and
Corporate
Secretary		 $488,000 $250,000 $73,200 $688,529 $542,521 $52,748 $0 $11,058 $722 $2,033,578

     1 Consists of the total 2010 base salary earnings prior to (i) employee contributions to the Progress Energy 401(k) Savings & Stock Ownership Plan and (ii) voluntary deferrals, if applicable, under the Management Deferred Compensation Plan (MDCP) shown in column (c).
 
     2 Awards given under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan (MICP) attributable to Plan Year 2009 and paid in 2010.
 
     3 Consists of amounts deferred under the MDCP and the MICP. These deferral amounts are part of Base Pay and/or Annual Incentive and therefore are not included in the Total column.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     4 Reflects the value of restricted stock and restricted stock units vesting in 2010. The value of the restricted stock was calculated using the opening stock price for Progress Energy Common Stock three days prior to the day vesting occurred. The value of the restricted stock units was calculated using the closing stock price for Progress Energy Common Stock on the business day prior to when vesting occurred.
 
     5 Reflects the value of performance shares vesting on January 1, 2010. The value of the 2007 performance share units were calculated using the closing stock price for Progress Energy Common Stock on the business day prior to when distribution occurred.
 
     6 Reflects dividends and dividend equivalents paid as the result of outstanding restricted stock or restricted stock units held in Company Plan accounts.
 
     7 Reflects the value of any stock options vesting in 2010. Since we ceased granting stock options under our Incentive Plans in 2004, all outstanding options had fully vested by 2006.
 
     8 Reflects the value of all perquisites provided during 2010. For a complete listing of the perquisites, see the “Executive Perquisites” section of the “Elements of Compensation” discussion of the CD&A on page 40 of this Proxy Statement. Perquisite details for each named executive officer are discussed in the Summary Compensation Table footnotes.
 
     9 Reflects the Company’s payment of the Medicare portion of the FICA tax on the non-qualified retirement accrual and the tax gross-up on the imputed income of that tax payment provided during 2010.
 
60
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION
William D. Johnson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
          Involuntary    
      Involuntary   or Good    
      Not for   Reason    
  Voluntary Early Cause For Cause Termination    
  Termination Retirement1 Termination Termination (CIC)12 Disability Death
  ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Compensation              
       Base Salary—$990,0002 $0 $0 $2,960,100 $0 $5,712,500 $594,000 $0
       Annual Incentive3 $0 $715,000 $0 $0 $841,500 $715,000 $715,000
Long-term Incentives:              
Performance Shares (PSSP)4              
       2008 PSSP Grant $0 $2,353,332 $0 $0 $2,353,332 $2,353,332 $2,353,332
       2009 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $2,692,674 $0 $1,795,116
       2010 PSSP Grant $0 $851,398 $0 $0 $2,554,194 $851,398 $851,398
Restricted Stock Units5              
       2007 RSU Grant $0 $362,188 $0 $0 $429,235 $429,235 $429,235
       2008 RSU Grant $0 $304,925 $0 $0 $332,665 $332,665 $332,665
       2009 RSU Grant $0 $792,466 $0 $0 $1,156,351 $1,156,351 $1,156,351
       2010 RSU Grant $0 $450,322 $0 $0 $982,474 $0 $0
Restricted Stock6              
       2006 RS Grant $0 $240,618 $0 $0 $240,618 $240,618 $240,618
Benefits and Perquisites              
       Incremental Nonqualified Pension7 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
       Deferred Compensation8 $849,703 $849,703 $849,703 $849,703 $849,703 $849,703 $849,703
       Post-retirement Health Care9 $0 $0 $24,682 $0 $48,396 $0 $0
       Executive AD&D Proceeds10 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $500,000 $500,000
       280G Tax Gross-up11 $0 $0 $0 $0 $5,488,512 $0 $0
TOTAL $849,703 $6,919,952 $3,834,485 $849,703 $23,682,154 $8,022,302 $9,223,418

     1 Mr. Johnson became eligible for early retirement at age 55 in January 2009. Therefore, under the voluntary termination and involuntary not for cause termination scenarios, Mr. Johnson would be treated as having met the early retirement criteria under the Equity Incentive Plan and would be paid out under the early retirement provisions of that plan. Mr. Johnson is not eligible for normal retirement.
 
     2 There is no provision for payment of salary under voluntary termination, early retirement, for cause termination or death. In the event of involuntary not for cause termination, the salary continuation provision of Mr. Johnson’s employment agreement requires a severance equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary ($990,000) payable in equal installments over a period of 2.99 years. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the maximum benefit allowed under the cash payment provision of the Management Change-in-Control Plan equals three times the sum of annual salary plus average MICP award for the three years prior (($990,000 + $914,167) x 3). In the event of a long-term disability, Mr. Johnson would receive 60% of base salary during the period of his disability, offset by any Social Security benefits and Progress Energy Pension Plan payments. The long-term disability payment as shown in the table above represents an annual amount before offsets.
 
     3 There is no provision for payment of annual incentive under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), Mr. Johnson would receive 100% of his target award under the Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan provisions of the Management Change-in-Control Plan, calculated as 85% times $990,000. In the event of early retirement, death or disability, Mr. Johnson would receive a pro-rata incentive award for the period worked during the year. For December 31, 2010, this is based on the full award. For 2010, Mr. Johnson’s MICP award was $715,000.
 
     4 Amounts shown for performance shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. Unvested performance shares would be forfeited under for cause termination. Voluntary termination and involuntary not for cause termination are not applicable. See footnote 1. In the event of early retirement or disability, a pro rata percentage of performance shares would vest based upon the period of employment during the performance measurement period and the extent that the performance factors are satisfied. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), unvested performance shares vest as of the date of Management
 
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Change-in-Control and payment is made based upon the target value of the award. In the event of death, the 2008 performance shares would vest 100% and be paid in an amount using performance factors determined at the time of the event. For the 2009 and 2010 performance grants, a pro-rata payment would be made based upon the target value of the award and time in the plan.
 
     5 Amounts shown for restricted stock units are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock units, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested units would be forfeited under for cause termination. Voluntary termination and involuntary not for cause termination are not applicable. See footnote 1. In the event of early retirement, Mr. Johnson would receive a pro-rata percentage of all unvested units, based upon the number of full months elapsed between the grant date and the date of early retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock units would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock units that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. Mr. Johnson would immediately vest restricted stock units granted in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and would forfeit restricted stock units granted in 2010.
 
     6 Amounts shown for restricted stock shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock shares, see “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested shares would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. In the event of early retirement, all outstanding shares may vest at the Committee’s discretion. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding shares would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock shares that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. All of Mr. Johnson’s restricted stock grant dates are beyond the one-year threshold; therefore, all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately.
 
     7 No accelerated vesting or incremental nonqualified pension benefit applies under any of these scenarios. Mr. Johnson was vested under the SERP as of December 31, 2010, so there is no incremental value due to accelerated vesting under involuntary or good reason termination (CIC). For a detailed description of the accumulated SERP benefit and estimated annual benefit payable at age 65, see “Pension Benefits Table.” In the event of early retirement, Mr. Johnson would receive a 2.5% decrease in his accrued SERP benefit for each year that he is younger than age 65.
 
     8 All outstanding deferred compensation balances will be paid immediately following termination, subject to IRC Section 409(a) regulations, under voluntary termination, early retirement, involuntary not for cause termination, for cause termination, involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), death and disability. Unvested MICP deferral premiums would be forfeited. Mr. Johnson would forfeit $0 of unvested deferred MICP premiums.
 
     9 No post-retirement health care benefits apply under voluntary termination, for cause termination, death or disability. In the event of early retirement, Mr. Johnson would receive no additional benefits above what all full-time, nonbargaining employees would receive. Under involuntary not for cause termination, Mr. Johnson would be reimbursed for 18 months of COBRA premiums at $1,371.22 per month as provided in his employment agreement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for Company-paid medical, dental and vision coverage in the same plan Mr. Johnson was participating in prior to termination for 36 months at $1,344.33 per month.
 
     10 Mr. Johnson would be eligible to receive $500,000 proceeds from the executive AD&D policy.
 
     11 Upon a change in control, the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for the Company to pay all excise taxes under IRC Section 280G plus applicable gross-up amounts for Mr. Johnson. Under IRC Section 280G, Mr. Johnson would be subject to excise tax on $10,222,095 of excess parachute payments above his base amount. Those excess parachute payments result in $2,044,419 of excise taxes, $3,365,647 of tax gross-ups, and $78,446 of employer Medicare tax related to the excise tax payment. As discussed above, in connection with the merger with Duke Energy, Duke Energy, Diamond Acquisition Corporation and Mr. Johnson executed a term sheet pursuant to which the parties agreed to enter into an employment agreement upon consummation of the merger. Pursuant to the term sheet, if Mr. Johnson is involuntarily terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” following, but prior to the second anniversary of, the consummation of the merger, no tax gross-up will be provided.
 
     12 See “Management Change-in-Control Plan – Application of the CIC Plan and Other Compensation Related Consequences of the Proposed Merger with Duke Energy” on pages 38 through 39 above for a discussion regarding “involuntary” or “good reason” termination following the merger with Duke Energy.
 
62
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION
Mark F. Mulhern, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
          Involuntary    
      Involuntary   or Good    
      Not for   Reason    
  Voluntary Early Cause For Cause Termination    
  Termination Retirement Termination Termination (CIC)11 Disability Death
  ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Compensation              
       Base Salary—$450,0001 $0 $0 $1,345,500 $0 $1,395,000 $270,000 $0
       Annual Incentive2 $0 $0 $0 $0 $247,500 $205,000 $205,000
Long-term Incentives:              
Performance Shares (PSSP)3              
       2008 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $350,850 $350,850 $350,850
       2009 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $547,978 $0 $365,319
       2010 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $550,636 $183,545 $183,545
Restricted Stock Units4              
       2007 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $103,352 $103,352 $103,352
       2008 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $49,393 $49,393 $49,393
       2009 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $271,141 $271,141 $271,141
       2010 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $209,095 $0 $0
Restricted Stock5              
       2006 RS Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $50,741 $50,741 $50,741
Benefits and Perquisites              
       Incremental Nonqualified Pension6 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
       Deferred Compensation7 $233,262 $0 $233,262 $233,262 $233,262 $233,262 $233,262
       Post-retirement Health Care8 $0 $0 $15,249 $0 $19,934 $0 $0
       Executive AD&D Proceeds9 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $500,000 $500,000
       280G Tax Gross-up10 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,141,872 $0 $0
TOTAL $233,262 $0 $1,594,011 $233,262 $5,170,754 $2,217,284 $2,312,603

     1 There is no provision for payment of salary under voluntary termination, for cause termination or death. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary not for cause termination, the salary continuation provision of Mr. Mulhern’s employment agreement requires a severance equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary ($450,000) payable in equal installments over a period of 2.99 years. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the maximum benefit allowed under the cash payment provision of the Management Change-in-Control Plan equals two times the sum of annual salary plus annual target MICP award (($450,000 + $247,500) x 2). In the event of a long-term disability, Mr. Mulhern would receive 60% of base salary during the period of his disability, offset by any Social Security benefits and Progress Energy Pension Plan payments. The long-term disability payment as shown in the table above represents an annual amount before offsets.
 
     2 There is no provision for payment of annual incentive under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), Mr. Mulhern would receive 100% of his target award under the Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan provisions of the Management Change-in-Control Plan, calculated as 55% times $450,000. In the event of death or disability, Mr. Mulhern would receive a pro-rata incentive award for the period worked during the year. For December 31, 2010, this is based on the full award. For 2010, Mr. Mulhern’s MICP award was $205,000.
 
     3 Amounts shown for performance shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. Unvested performance shares would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), unvested performance shares vest as of the date of Management Change-in-Control and payment is made based upon the target value of the award. In the event of disability, a pro rata percentage of performance shares would vest based upon the period of employment during the performance measurement period and the extent that the performance factors are satisfied. In the event of death, the 2008 performance shares would vest 100% and be paid in an amount using performance factors determined at the time of the event. For the 2009 and 2010 performance grants, the target value of the award would be paid based upon time in the plan.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     4 Amounts shown for restricted stock units are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock units, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock units would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock units would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock units that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. Mr. Mulhern would immediately vest restricted stock units granted in 2007, 2008, and 2009; and would forfeit restricted stock units granted in 2010.
 
     5 Amounts shown for restricted stock shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock shares, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock shares that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. All of Mr. Mulhern’s restricted stock grant dates are beyond the one-year threshold; therefore, all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately.
 
     6 No accelerated vesting or incremental nonqualified pension benefit applies under any of these scenarios. Mr. Mulhern was vested under the SERP as of December 31, 2010, so there is no incremental value due to accelerated vesting under involuntary or good reason termination (CIC).
 
     7 All outstanding deferred compensation balances will be paid immediately following termination, subject to IRC Section 409(a) regulations, under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, for cause termination, involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), death and disability. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Unvested MICP deferral premiums would be forfeited. Mr. Mulhern would forfeit $0 of unvested deferred MICP premiums.
 
     8 No post-retirement health care benefits apply under voluntary termination, for cause termination, death or disability. Mr. Mulhern is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Under involuntary not for cause termination, Mr. Mulhern would be reimbursed for 18 months of COBRA premiums at $847.18 per month as provided in his employment agreement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for Company-paid medical, dental and vision coverage in the same plan Mr. Mulhern was participating in prior to termination for 24 months at $830.57 per month.
 
     9 Mr. Mulhern would be eligible to receive $500,000 proceeds from the executive AD&D policy.
 
     10 Upon a change in control, the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for the Company to pay all excise taxes under IRC Section 280G plus applicable gross-up amounts for Mr. Mulhern. Under IRC Section 280G, Mr. Mulhern would be subject to excise tax on $2,126,683 of excess parachute payments above his base amount. Those excess parachute payments result in $425,337 of excise taxes, $700,215 of tax gross-ups, and $16,320 of employer Medicare tax related to the excise tax payment.
 
     11 See “Management Change-in-Control Plan – Application of the CIC Plan and Other Compensation Related Consequences of the Proposed Merger with Duke Energy” on pages 38 through 39 above for a discussion regarding “involuntary” or “good reason” termination following the merger with Duke Energy.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION
Jeffrey J. Lyash, Executive Vice President – Energy Supply
 
          Involuntary    
      Involuntary   or Good    
      Not for   Reason    
  Voluntary Early Cause For Cause Termination    
  Termination Retirement Termination Termination (CIC)11 Disability Death
  ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Compensation              
       Base Salary—$453,0001 $0 $0 $1,354,470 $0 $2,106,450 $271,800 $0
       Annual Incentive2 $0 $0 $0 $0 $249,150 $195,000 $195,000
Long-term Incentives:              
Performance Shares (PSSP)3              
       2008 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $497,544 $497,544 $497,544
       2009 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $633,345 $0 $422,230
       2010 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $586,872 $195,624 $195,624
Restricted Stock Units4              
       2007 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,005 $137,005 $137,005
       2008 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $69,438 $69,438 $69,438
       2009 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $274,707 $274,707 $274,707
       2010 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $222,878 $0 $0
Restricted Stock5              
       2006 RS Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $59,437 $59,437 $59,437
Benefits and Perquisites              
       Incremental Nonqualified Pension6 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
       Deferred Compensation7 $168,012 $0 $168,012 $168,012 $168,012 $168,012 $168,012
       Post-retirement Health Care8 $0 $0 $17,420 $0 $34,158 $0 $0
       Executive AD&D Proceeds9 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $500,000 $500,000
       280G Tax Gross-up10 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,565,051 $0 $0
TOTAL $168,012 $0 $1,539,902 $168,012 $6,604,047 $2,368,567 $2,518,997

     1 There is no provision for payment of salary under voluntary termination, for cause termination or death. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary not for cause termination, the salary continuation provision of Mr. Lyash’s employment agreement requires a severance equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary ($453,000) payable in equal installments over a period of 2.99 years. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the maximum benefit allowed under the cash payment provision of the Management Change-in-Control Plan equals three times the sum of annual salary plus annual target MICP award (($453,000 + $249,150) x 3). In the event of a long-term disability, Mr. Lyash would receive 60% of base salary during the period of his disability, offset by any Social Security benefits and Progress Energy Pension Plan payments. The long-term disability payment as shown in the table above represents an annual amount before offsets.
 
     2 There is no provision for payment of annual incentive under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), Mr. Lyash would receive 100% of his target award under the Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan provisions of the Management Change-in-Control Plan, calculated as 55% times $453,000. In the event of death or disability, Mr. Lyash would receive a pro-rata incentive award for the period worked during the year. For December 31, 2010, this is based on the full award. For 2010, Mr. Lyash’s MICP award was $195,000.
 
     3 Amounts shown for performance shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. Unvested performance shares would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), unvested performance shares vest as of the date of Management Change-in-Control and payment is made based upon the target value of the award. In the event of disability, a pro rata percentage of performance shares would vest based upon the period of employment during the performance measurement period and the extent that the performance factors are satisfied. In the event of death, the 2008 performance shares would vest 100% and be paid in an amount using performance factors determined at the time of the event. For the 2009 and 2010 performance grants, the target value of the award would be paid based upon time in the plan.
 
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     4 Amounts shown for restricted stock units are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock units, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock units would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock units would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock units that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. Mr. Lyash would immediately vest restricted stock units granted in 2007, 2008, and 2009; and would forfeit restricted stock units granted in 2010.
 
     5 Amounts shown for restricted stock shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock shares, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock shares that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. All of Mr. Lyash’s restricted stock grant dates are beyond the one-year threshold; therefore, all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately.
 
     6 No accelerated vesting or incremental nonqualified pension benefit applies under any of these scenarios. Mr. Lyash was vested under the SERP as of December 31, 2010, so there is no incremental value due to accelerated vesting under involuntary or good reason termination (CIC).
 
     7 All outstanding deferred compensation balances will be paid immediately following termination, subject to IRC Section 409(a) regulations, under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, for cause termination, involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), death and disability. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Unvested MICP deferral premiums would be forfeited. Mr. Lyash would forfeit $0 of unvested deferred MICP premiums.
 
     8 No post-retirement health care benefits apply under voluntary termination, for cause termination, death or disability. Mr. Lyash is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Under involuntary not for cause termination, Mr. Lyash would be reimbursed for 18 months of COBRA premiums at $967.80 per month as provided in his employment agreement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for Company-paid medical, dental and vision coverage in the same plan Mr. Lyash was participating in prior to termination for 36 months at $948.83 per month.
 
     9 Mr. Lyash would be eligible to receive $500,000 proceeds from the executive AD&D policy.
 
     10 Upon a change in control, the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for the Company to pay all excise taxes under IRC Section 280G plus applicable gross-up amounts for Mr. Lyash. Under IRC Section 280G, Mr. Lyash would be subject to excise tax on $2,914,834 of excess parachute payments above his base amount. Those excess parachute payments result in $582,967 of excise taxes, $959,715 of tax gross-ups, and $22,369 of employer Medicare tax related to the excise tax payment.
 
     11 See “Management Change-in-Control Plan – Application of the CIC Plan and Other Compensation Related Consequences of the Proposed Merger with Duke Energy” on pages 38 through 39 above for a discussion regarding “involuntary” or “good reason” termination following the merger with Duke Energy.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION
Lloyd M. Yates, President and Chief Executive Officer, PEC
 
          Involuntary    
      Involuntary   or Good    
      Not for   Reason    
  Voluntary Early Cause For Cause Termination    
  Termination Retirement Termination Termination (CIC)11 Disability Death
  ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Compensation              
       Base Salary—$448,0001 $0 $0 $1,339,520 $0 $2,083,200 $268,800 $0
       Annual Incentive2 $0 $0 $0 $0 $246,400 $195,000 $195,000
Long-term Incentives:              
Performance Shares (PSSP)3              
       2008 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $497,544 $497,544 $497,544
       2009 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $626,219 $0 $417,479
       2010 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $580,424 $193,475 $193,475
Restricted Stock Units4              
       2007 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,005 $137,005 $137,005
       2008 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $69,438 $69,438 $69,438
       2009 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $272,620 $272,620 $272,620
       2010 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $220,400 $0 $0
Restricted Stock5              
       2006 RS Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $59,437 $59,437 $59,437
Benefits and Perquisites              
       Incremental Nonqualified Pension6 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
       Deferred Compensation7 $601,121 $0 $601,121 $601,121 $601,121 $601,121 $601,121
       Post-retirement Health Care8 $0 $0 $24,682 $0 $48,396 $0 $0
       Executive AD&D Proceeds9 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $500,000 $500,000
       280G Tax Gross-up10 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,554,752 $0 $0
TOTAL $601,121 $0 $1,965,323 $601,121 $6,996,956 $2,794,440 $2,943,119

     1 There is no provision for payment of salary under voluntary termination, for cause termination or death. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary not for cause termination, the salary continuation provision of Mr. Yates’ employment agreement requires a severance equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary ($448,000) payable in equal installments over a period of 2.99 years. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the maximum benefit allowed under the cash payment provision of the Management Change-in-Control Plan equals three times the sum of annual salary plus annual target MICP award (($448,000 + $246,400) x 3). In the event of a long-term disability, Mr. Yates would receive 60% of base salary during the period of his disability, offset by any Social Security benefits and Progress Energy Pension Plan payments. The long-term disability payment as shown in the table above represents an annual amount before offsets.
 
     2 There is no provision for payment of annual incentive under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), Mr. Yates would receive 100% of his target award under the Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan provisions of the Management Change-in-Control Plan, calculated as 55% times $448,000. In the event of death or disability, Mr. Yates would receive a pro-rata incentive award for the period worked during the year. For December 31, 2010 this is based on the full award. For 2010, Mr. Yates’ MICP award was $195,000.
 
     3 Amounts shown for performance shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. Unvested performance shares would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), unvested performance shares vest as of the date of Management Change-in-Control and payment is made based upon the target value of the award. In the event of disability, a pro rata percentage of performance shares would vest and the extent that the performance factors are satisfied. In the event of death, the 2008 performance shares would vest 100% and be paid in an amount using performance factors determined at the time of the event. For the 2009 and 2010 performance grants, the target value of the award would be paid based upon time in the plan.
 
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     4 Amounts shown for restricted stock units are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock units, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock units would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock units would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock units that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. Mr. Yates would immediately vest restricted stock units granted in 2007, 2008, and 2009; and would forfeit restricted stock units granted in 2010.
 
     5 Amounts shown for restricted stock shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock shares, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock shares that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. All of Mr. Yates’ restricted stock grant dates are beyond the one-year threshold; therefore, all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately.
 
     6 No accelerated vesting or incremental nonqualified pension benefit applies under any of these scenarios. Mr. Yates was vested under the SERP as of December 31, 2010, so there is no incremental value due to accelerated vesting under involuntary or good reason termination (CIC).
 
     7 All outstanding deferred compensation balances will be paid immediately following termination, subject to IRC Section 409(a) regulations, under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, for cause termination, involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), death and disability. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Unvested MICP deferral premiums would be forfeited. Mr. Yates would forfeit $0 of unvested deferred MICP premiums.
 
     8 No post-retirement health care benefits apply under voluntary termination, for cause termination, death or disability. Mr. Yates is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Under involuntary not for cause termination, Mr. Yates would be reimbursed for 18 months of COBRA premiums at $1,371.22 per month as provided in his employment agreement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for Company-paid medical, dental and vision coverage in the same plan Mr. Yates was participating in prior to termination for 36 months at $1,344.33 per month.
 
     9 Mr. Yates would be eligible to receive $500,000 proceeds from the executive AD&D policy.
 
     10 Upon a change in control, the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for the Company to pay all excise taxes under IRC Section 280G plus applicable gross-up amounts for Mr. Yates. Under IRC Section 280G, Mr. Yates would be subject to excise tax on $2,895,652 of excess parachute payments above his base amount. Those excess parachute payments result in $579,130 of excise taxes, $953,400 of tax gross-ups, and $22,222 of employer Medicare tax related to the excise tax payment.
 
     11 See “Management Change-in-Control Plan – Application of the CIC Plan and Other Compensation Related Consequences of the Proposed Merger with Duke Energy” on pages 38 through 39 above for a discussion regarding “involuntary” or “good reason” termination following the merger with Duke Energy.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION
John R. McArthur, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
 
          Involuntary    
      Involuntary   or Good    
      Not for   Reason    
  Voluntary Early Cause For Cause Termination    
  Termination Retirement Termination Termination (CIC)11 Disability Death
  ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Compensation              
       Base Salary—$488,0001 $0 $0 $1,459,120 $0 $2,269,200 $292,800 $0
       Annual Incentive2 $0 $0 $0 $0 $268,400 $220,000 $220,000
Long-term Incentives:              
Performance Shares (PSSP)3              
       2008 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $462,480 $462,480 $462,480
       2009 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $683,179 $0 $455,453
       2010 PSSP Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $632,237 $210,746 $210,746
Restricted Stock Units4              
       2007 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $128,483 $128,483 $128,483
       2008 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $65,090 $65,090 $65,090
       2009 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $289,490 $289,490 $289,490
       2010 RSU Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $240,097 $0 $0
Restricted Stock5              
       2006 RS Grant $0 $0 $0 $0 $72,481 $72,481 $72,481
Benefits and Perquisites              
       Incremental Nonqualified Pension6 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,483,339 $0 $0
       Deferred Compensation7 $301,215 $0 $301,215 $301,215 $301,215 $301,215 $301,215
       Post-retirement Health Care8 $0 $0 $16,626 $0 $32,599 $0 $0
       Executive AD&D Proceeds9 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $500,000 $500,000
       280G Tax Gross-up10 $0 $0 $0 $0 $2,347,525 $0 $0
TOTAL $301,215 $0 $1,776,961 $301,215 $9,275,815 $2,542,785 $2,705,438

     1 There is no provision for payment of salary under voluntary termination, for cause termination or death. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary not for cause termination, the salary continuation provision of Mr. McArthur’s employment agreement requires a severance equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary ($488,000) payable in equal installments over a period of 2.99 years. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the maximum benefit allowed under the cash payment provision of the Management Change-in-Control Plan equals three times the sum of annual salary plus annual target MICP award (($488,000 + $268,400) x 3). In the event of a long-term disability, Mr. McArthur would receive 60% of base salary during the period of his disability, offset by any Social Security benefits and Progress Energy Pension Plan payments. The long-term disability payment as shown in the table above represents an annual amount before offsets.
 
     2 There is no provision for payment of annual incentive under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), Mr. McArthur would receive 100% of his target bonus under the Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan provisions of the Management Change-in-Control Plan, calculated as 55% times $488,000. In the event of death or disability, Mr. McArthur would receive a pro-rata incentive award for the period worked during the year. For December 31, 2010, this is based on the full award. For 2010, Mr. McArthur’s MICP award was $220,000.
 
     3 Amounts shown for performance shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. Unvested performance shares would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), unvested performance shares vest as of the date of Management Change-in-Control and payment is made based upon the target value of the award. In the event of disability, a pro rata percentage of performance shares would vest based upon the period of employment during performance measurement period and the extent that the performance factors are satisfied. In the event of death, the 2008 performance shares would vest 100% and be paid in an amount using performance factors determined at the time of the event. For the 2009 and 2010 performance grants, the target value of the award would be paid based upon time in the plan.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     4 Amounts shown for restricted stock units are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock units, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock units would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock units would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock units that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. Mr. McArthur would immediately vest restricted stock units granted in 2007, 2008, and 2009; and would forfeit restricted stock units granted in 2010.
 
     5 Amounts shown for restricted stock shares are based on a December 31, 2010, closing price of $43.48 per share. For a detailed description of outstanding restricted stock shares, see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table.” Unvested restricted stock would be forfeited under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, or for cause termination. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately. Upon death or disability, all outstanding restricted stock shares that are more than one year past their grant date would vest immediately. Shares that are less than one year past their grant date would be forfeited. All of Mr. McArthur’s restricted stock grant dates are beyond the one-year threshold; therefore, all outstanding restricted stock shares would vest immediately.
 
     6 Mr. McArthur was not vested under the SERP as of December 31, 2010, so this is the incremental value due to accelerated vesting under involuntary or good reason termination (CIC). No accelerated vesting or incremental nonqualified pension benefit applies under any other scenario above.
 
     7 All outstanding deferred compensation balances will be paid immediately following termination, subject to IRC Section 409(a) regulations, under voluntary termination, involuntary not for cause termination, for cause termination, involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), death and disability. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Unvested MICP deferral premiums would be forfeited. Mr. McArthur would forfeit $0 of unvested deferred MICP premiums.
 
     8 No post-retirement health care benefits apply under voluntary termination, for cause termination, death or disability. Mr. McArthur is not eligible for early retirement or normal retirement. Under involuntary not for cause termination, Mr. McArthur would be reimbursed for 18 months of COBRA premiums at $923.64 per month as provided in his employment agreement. In the event of involuntary or good reason termination (CIC), the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for Company-paid medical, dental and vision coverage in the same plan Mr. McArthur was participating in prior to termination for 36 months at $905.53 per month.
 
     9 Mr. McArthur would be eligible to receive $500,000 proceeds from the executive AD&D policy.
 
     10 Upon a change in control, the Management Change-in-Control Plan provides for the Company to pay all excise taxes under IRC Section 280G plus applicable gross-up amounts for Mr. McArthur. Under IRC Section 280G, Mr. McArthur would be subject to excise tax on $4,372,154 of excess parachute payments above his base amount. Those excess parachute payments result in $874,431 of excise taxes, $1,439,541 of tax gross-ups, and $33,553 of employer Medicare tax related to the excise tax payment.
 
     11 See “Management Change-in-Control Plan – Application of the CIC Plan and Other Compensation Related Consequences of the Proposed Merger with Duke Energy” on pages 38 through 39 above for a discussion regarding “involuntary” or “good reason” termination following the merger with Duke Energy.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     The following includes the required table and related narrative detailing the compensation each director received for his or her services in 2010.
 
          Change in    
          Pension Value    
          and    
  Fees     Non-Equity Nonqualified    
  Earned     Incentive Deferred    
  or Paid in Stock Option Plan Compensation All Other  
  Cash1 Awards2 Awards Compensation Earnings Compensation3 Total
Name ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)
John D. Baker II $93,500 $60,000 — — — $20,581 $174,081
James E. Bostic, Jr. $93,500 $60,000 — — — $112,696 $266,196
Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. $103,500 $60,000 — — — $89,058 $252,558
James B. Hyler, Jr. $93,500 $60,000 — — — $23,881 $177,381
Robert W. Jones $103,500 $60,000 — — — $66,607 $230,107
W. Steven Jones $93,500 $60,000 — — — $104,240 $257,740
Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez $78,188 $0 — — — $2,424 $80,612
E. Marie McKee $107,000 $60,000 — — — $214,542 $381,542
John H. Mullin, III $108,500 $60,000 — — — $168,244 $336,744
Charles W. Pryor, Jr. $93,500 $60,000 — — — $35,787 $189,287
Carlos A. Saladrigas $93,500 $60,000 — — — $92,831 $246,331
Theresa M. Stone $107,000 $60,000 — — — $90,827 $257,827
Alfred C. Tollison, Jr. $101,500 $60,000 — — — $86,944 $248,444

     1 Reflects the annual retainer plus any Board or Committee fees earned in 2010. Amounts may have been paid in cash or deferred into the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
     2 Reflects the grant date fair value of awards granted under the Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan in 2010. The assumptions made in the valuation of awards granted pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan are not addressed in our consolidated financial statements, footnotes to our consolidated financial statements or in Management’s Discussion and Analysis because the Director Plan is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. As a liability plan under FASB ASC Topic 718, the fair value of the Director Plan is re-measured at each financial statement date. The grant date fair value for each stock unit granted to each director on January 4, 2010 was $40.93. The numbers of stock units outstanding in the Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan as of December 31, 2010 for each Director listed above are shown in the table in footnote 3 below.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
     3 Includes the following items: The dollar value of dividend reinvestments and unit appreciation/depreciation accrued under the Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan; and dividend reinvestments and unit appreciation/depreciation accrued under the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan. The dollar values of dividend reinvestments and unit appreciation for each Director listed above are in the table below. The total value of the perquisites and personal benefits received by each director was less than $10,000. Thus, those amounts are excluded from this column. The numbers of stock units outstanding in the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2010 for each Director listed above are in the table below.
 
  Non-Employee Director Non-Employee Director  
  Stock Unit Plan Deferred Compensation Plan  
    Dividend Reinvestments   Dividend Reinvestments  
    and Unit Appreciation/   and Unit Appreciation/  
  Stock Units Depreciation in column Stock Units Depreciation in column  
  Outstanding as of (g) Outstanding as of (g)  
  Dec. 31, 2010 ($) Dec. 31, 2010 ($) Total
Name (see footnote 2 above) (see footnote 3 above) (see footnote 3 above) (see footnote 3 above) (column (g))
John D. Baker II 1,555 $7,619 3,153 $12,962 $20,581
James E. Bostic, Jr. 10,462 $50,586 13,104 $62,110 $112,696
Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. 6,255 $30,290 12,698 $58,768 $89,058
James B. Hyler, Jr. 3,227 $15,684 1,849 $8,197 $23,881
Robert W. Jones 4,739 $22,978 9,560 $43,629 $66,607
W. Steven Jones 7,856 $38,013 14,195 $66,227 $104,240
Melquiades R. “Mel” Martinez 0 $0 633 $2,424 $2,424
E. Marie McKee 13,449 $64,994 31,151 $149,548 $214,542
John H. Mullin, III 13,968 $67,498 21,034 $100,746 $168,244
Charles W. Pryor, Jr. 4,739 $22,978 2,805 $12,809 $35,787
Carlos A. Saladrigas 11,502 $55,603 7,867 $37,228 $92,831
Theresa M. Stone 7,856 $38,013 11,098 $52,814 $90,827
Alfred C. Tollison, Jr. 6,255 $30,290 12,250 $56,654 $86,944

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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
DISCUSSION OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
 
RETAINER AND MEETING FEES
 
     During 2010, Directors who were not employees of the Company received an annual retainer of $80,000, of which $30,000 was automatically deferred under the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (see below). The Lead Director/Chair of the following Board Committees received an additional retainer of $15,000: Audit and Corporate Performance Committee; Governance Committee; and Organization and Compensation Committee. The Chair of each of the following standing Board Committees received an additional retainer of $10,000: Finance Committee and Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee. The nonchair members of the following standing Board Committees received an additional retainer of $7,500: Audit and Corporate Performance Committee and Organization and Compensation Committee. The nonchair members of the following standing Board Committees received an additional retainer of $6,000: Governance Committee; Finance Committee; and Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee. In addition, a special meeting fee of $1,500 was paid to members of the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee in the January 1, 2011 retainer. The special meeting was held on September 15, 2010, and the special meeting fee was approved by the Governance Committee on December 7, 2010. The Nuclear Oversight Director received an additional retainer of $8,000. The Chair of the Nuclear Project Oversight Committee receives an attendance fee of $2,000 per meeting held by that Committee. Additionally, each member of the Nuclear Project Oversight Committee receives an attendance fee of $1,500 per meeting held by that Committee. Directors who are not employees of the Company received a fee of $1,500 per meeting, paid with the next quarterly retainer, for noncustomary meetings or reviews of the Company’s operations that are approved by the Governance Committee. Directors who are employees of our Company do not receive an annual retainer or attendance fees. All Directors are reimbursed for expenses incidental to their service as Directors. Committee positions held by the Directors are discussed in the “Board Committees” section of this Proxy Statement.
 
     Effective January 1, 2011, the cash component of the annual retainer was increased by $25,000. The annual retainer is now $105,000, of which $30,000 will be automatically deferred under the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (see below).
 
     The Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan provides that each Director will receive an annual grant of stock units that is equivalent to $60,000.
 
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 
     In addition to $30,000 from the annual retainer that is automatically deferred, outside Directors may elect to defer any portion of the remainder of their annual retainer and Board attendance fees until after the termination of their service on the Board under the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan. Any deferred fees are deemed to be invested in a number of units of Common Stock of the Company, but participating Directors receive no equity interest or voting rights in any shares of the Common Stock. The number of units credited to the account of a participating Director is equal to the dollar amount of the deferred fees divided by the average of the high and low selling prices (i.e., market value) of the Common Stock on the day the deferred fees would otherwise be payable to the participating Director. The number of units in each account is adjusted from time to time to reflect the payment of dividends on the number of shares of Common Stock represented by the units. Unless otherwise agreed to by the participant and the Board, when the participant ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors, he or she will receive cash equal to the market value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of payment multiplied by the number of units credited to the participant’s account.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK UNIT PLAN
 
     Effective January 1, 1998, we established the Non-Employee Director Stock Unit Plan (“Stock Unit Plan”). The Stock Unit Plan provides for an annual grant of stock units equivalent to $60,000 to each non-employee Director. Each unit is equal in economic value to one share of the Company’s Common Stock, but does not represent an equity interest or entitle its holder to vote. The number of units is adjusted from time to time to reflect the payment of dividends with respect to the Common Stock of the Company. Effective January 1, 2007, a Director shall be fully vested at all times in the stock units credited to his or her account.
 
OTHER COMPENSATION
 
     Directors are eligible to receive certain perquisites, including tickets to various cultural arts and sporting events, which are de minimis in value. Each retiring Director also receives a gift valued at approximately $1,500 in appreciation for his/her service on the Board.
 
     We charge Directors with imputed income in connection with (i) their travel on Company aircraft for non-Company related purposes and (ii) their spouses’ travel on Company aircraft.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
as of December 31, 2010
 
      (c)
      Number of
  (a)   securities
  Number of   remaining available
  securities to   for future issuance
  be issued upon (b) under equity
  exercise of Weighted-average compensation plans
  outstanding exercise price of (excluding
  options, outstanding securities
  warrants and options, reflected in column
Plan category rights warrants and rights (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by      
       security holders 4,309,620 $44.08 5,570,969
Equity compensation plans not approved by      
       security holders N/A N/A N/A
       
Total 4,309,620 $44.08 5,570,969

     Column (a) includes stock options outstanding, outstanding performance units assuming maximum payout potential, and outstanding restricted stock units.
 
     Column (b) includes only the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options.
 
     Column (c) includes reduction for unissued, outstanding performance units assuming maximum payout potential and unissued, outstanding restricted stock units, and issued restricted stock.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
 
PROPOSAL 2—ADVISORY (NONBINDING) VOTE ON
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) requires that companies seek a nonbinding shareholder vote to approve the compensation package of their named executive officers (“NEOs”), as disclosed in the annual proxy statement. On January 25, 2011, the SEC adopted final rules to implement the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that relate to shareholder approval of executive compensation arrangements. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to express your views on the Company’s executive compensation program.
 
     The advisory vote on executive compensation is a nonbinding vote on the compensation of the Company’s NEOs, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in this Proxy Statement. The advisory vote is not a vote on the compensation of the Company’s Board of Directors or the Company’s compensation policies as they relate to risk management. Your vote will not directly affect or otherwise limit any existing compensation or award arrangements of any of our NEOs. Your vote is advisory and is not binding on the Board of Directors; however, the Compensation Committee of the Board will take the outcome of the vote into account when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
 
     The Company’s executive compensation philosophy is designed to provide competitive compensation consistent with key principles we believe are critical to our long-term success. The Company is committed to providing an executive compensation program that aligns our management team’s interests with shareholders’ expectations of earnings per share growth and a competitive dividend yield; effectively compensates our management team for actual performance over the short- and long-term; rewards operating performance results that are sustainable and consistent with reliable and efficient electric service; attracts and retains an experienced and effective management team; motivates and rewards our management team to produce growth and performance for our shareholders that are sustainable, consistent with prudent risk-taking and based on sound corporate governance practices; and provides market competitive levels of target (i.e., opportunity) compensation.
 
     We urge you to consider the following highlights of our 2010 executive compensation program in connection with your vote on this proposal:
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
     See pages 29 to 45 of this Proxy Statement for more information regarding these elements of our executive compensation program and decisions.
 
FOR THESE REASONS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, “FOR” THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
 
RESOLVED, THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, THE COMPENSATION TABLES AND ANY RELATED DISCUSSION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT

PROPOSAL 3—ADVISORY (NONBINDING) VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY
OF SHAREHOLDER VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     In addition to the advisory vote on executive compensation, the Dodd-Frank Act and the SEC rules require companies to seek a nonbinding shareholder vote to advise whether the say-on-pay vote should occur every one, two or three years. Shareholders also have the option to abstain from voting on the matter.
 
     The Board of Directors has determined that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is the best approach for the Company. In making its determination, the Board was influenced by the fact that the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”) is evaluated, adjusted and approved on an annual basis. The Board believes that our shareholders’ sentiment should be a factor that the Compensation Committee and the Board should consider as part of the annual compensation review and determination process. An annual advisory vote on executive compensation will enable our shareholders to provide us with direct input regarding our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year.
 
     You may cast your vote by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years, or abstain from voting in response to the resolution set forth below:
 
     “RESOLVED, that the option of once every year, two years, or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast will be determined to be the preferred frequency with which the Company is to hold an advisory vote by shareholders to approve the compensation of our NEOs, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the compensation tables and any related discussion contained in our annual meeting proxy statement.”
 
     The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast will be the frequency of the vote on the compensation of our NEOs that has been approved by our shareholders on an advisory basis. Although the vote is nonbinding, our Board of Directors will take the outcome of the vote into account when making future decisions about the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS,
FOR THE OPTION OF “1 YEAR” AS THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH SHAREHOLDERS ARE
PROVIDED AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement

REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND CORPORATE
PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE
 
     The Audit and Corporate Performance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, with the Company’s management and with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T, by the SEC’s Regulation S-X, Rule 2-07, and by the NYSE’s Corporate Governance Rules, as may be modified, amended or supplemented.
 
     The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its independence.
 
     Based upon the review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, for filing with the SEC.
 
Audit and Corporate Performance Committee
 
Theresa M. Stone, Chair
James E. Bostic, Jr.
W. Steven Jones
Charles W. Pryor, Jr.
Carlos A. Saladrigas
Alfred C. Tollison, Jr.

     Unless specifically stated otherwise in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the foregoing Report of the Audit Committee shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT

DISCLOSURE OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S FEES
 
     The Audit Committee has actively monitored all services provided by its independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte & Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) and the relationship between audit and non-audit services provided by Deloitte. We have adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all audit and permissible non-audit services rendered by Deloitte, and the fees billed for those services. Our Controller (the “Controller”) is responsible to the Audit Committee for enforcement of this procedure, and for reporting noncompliance. Pursuant to the pre-approval policy, the Audit Committee specifically pre-approved the use of Deloitte for audit, audit-related and tax services.
 
     The pre-approval policy requires management to obtain specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee for the use of Deloitte for any permissible non-audit services, which generally are limited to tax services, including tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice services such as return review and consultation and assistance. Other types of permissible non-audit services will not be considered for approval except in limited instances, which could include circumstances in which proposed services provide significant economic or other benefits to us. In determining whether to approve these services, the Audit Committee will assess whether these services adversely impair the independence of Deloitte. Any permissible non-audit services provided during a fiscal year that (i) do not aggregate more than 5 percent of the total fees paid to Deloitte for all services rendered during that fiscal year and (ii) were not recognized as non-audit services at the time of the engagement must be brought to the attention of the Controller for prompt submission to the Audit Committee for approval. These de minimis non-audit services must be approved by the Audit Committee or its designated representative before the completion of the services. Non-audit services that are specifically prohibited under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404, SEC rules, and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) rules are also specifically prohibited under the policy.
 
     Prior to approval of permissible tax services by the Audit Committee, the policy requires Deloitte to (1) describe in writing to the Audit Committee (a) the scope of the service, the fee structure for the engagement and any side letter or other amendment to the engagement letter or any other agreement between the Company and Deloitte relating to the service and (b) any compensation arrangement or other agreement, such as a referral agreement, a referral fee or fee-sharing arrangement, between Deloitte and any person (other than the Company) with respect to the promoting, marketing or recommending of a transaction covered by the service; and (2) discuss with the Audit Committee the potential effects of the services on the independence of Deloitte.
 
     The policy also requires the Controller to update the Audit Committee throughout the year as to the services provided by Deloitte and the costs of those services. The policy also requires Deloitte to annually confirm its independence in accordance with SEC and NYSE standards. The Audit Committee will assess the adequacy of this policy as it deems necessary and revise accordingly.
 
     Set forth in the table below is certain information relating to the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for professional services rendered to us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
        2010       2009
Audit fees   $ 3,395,000   $ 3,581,000
Audit-related fees     64,000     91,000
Tax fees     22,000     19,000
Other fees     —     —
Total fees   $ 3,481,000   $ 3,691,000
             

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Progress Energy Proxy Statement

     Audit fees include fees billed for services rendered in connection with (i) the audits of our annual financial statements and those of our SEC reporting subsidiaries (Carolina Power & Light Company and Florida Power Corporation); (ii) the audit of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; (iii) the reviews of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and those of our SEC reporting subsidiaries; (iv) accounting consultations arising as part of the audits; and (v) audit services in connection with statutory, regulatory or other filings, including comfort letters and consents in connection with SEC filings and financing transactions. Audit fees for 2010 and 2009 also include $1,175,000 and $1,265,000, respectively, for services in connection with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 and the related PCAOB Standard No. 2 relating to our internal control over financial reporting.
 
     Audit-related fees include fees billed for (i) special procedures and letter reports; (ii) benefit plan audits when fees are paid by us rather than directly by the plan; and (iii) accounting consultations for prospective transactions not arising directly from the audits.
 
     Tax fees include fees billed for tax compliance matters and tax planning and advisory services.
 
     The Audit Committee has concluded that the provision of the non-audit services listed above as “Tax fees” is compatible with maintaining Deloitte’s independence.
 
     None of the services provided required approval by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis waiver provisions described above.
 
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PROXY STATEMENT

PROPOSAL 4—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
     The Audit and Corporate Performance Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte & Touche”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, and has directed that management submit the selection of that independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders. Deloitte & Touche has served as the independent registered public accounting firm for our Company and its predecessors since 1930. In selecting Deloitte & Touche, the Audit Committee considered carefully Deloitte & Touche’s previous performance for us, its independence with respect to the services to be performed and its general reputation for adherence to professional auditing standards. A representative of Deloitte & Touche will be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Shareholder ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our By-Laws or otherwise. However, we are submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche to the shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Deloitte & Touche. Even if the shareholders ratify the selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it is determined that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.
 
     Valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in the manner specified. Where no specification is made, the shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm. Votes (other than votes withheld) will be cast pursuant to the accompanying proxy for the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche.
 
     The proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, requires approval by a majority of the votes actually cast by holders of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions from voting and broker nonvotes will not count as shares voted and will not have the effect of a “negative” vote, as described in more detail under the heading “PROXIES” on page 2.
 
     The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors recommend a vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     Our 2010 Annual Report, which includes financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, together with the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, was sent to those who were shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 4, 2011.
 
FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     Shareholder proposals submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting must be received no later than December 2, 2011, at our principal executive offices, addressed to the attention of:
 
John R. McArthur
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Progress Energy, Inc.
P.O. Box 1551
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551

     Upon receipt of any such proposal, we will determine whether or not to include such proposal in the proxy statement and proxy in accordance with regulations governing the solicitation of proxies.
 
     In order for a shareholder to nominate a candidate for director, under our By-Laws timely notice of the nomination must be received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company either by personal delivery or by United States registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, not later than the close of business on the 120th calendar day before the date our proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the fact that an annual meeting is held after the anniversary of the preceding annual meeting commence a new time period for a shareholder’s giving of notice as described above. The shareholder filing the notice of nomination must include:
               –    the name and address of record of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made and of the person or persons to be nominated;
   
  –   the class and number of our shares that are owned by the shareholder and such beneficial owner;
   
  –   a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of our shares entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; and
   
  –   a description of all arrangements, understandings or relationships between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder.

               –    the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of such person;
   
  –   the principal occupation or employment of such person;
   
  –   the class and number of shares of our stock that are beneficially owned by such person;

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PROXY STATEMENT

               –    any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors or is otherwise required by the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
   
  –   the written consent of such person to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

     In order for a shareholder to bring other business before a shareholder meeting, we must receive timely notice of the proposal not later than the close of business on the 60th day before the first anniversary of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting. Such notice must include:
     These requirements are separate from the requirements a shareholder must meet to have a proposal included in our proxy statement.
 
     Any shareholder desiring a copy of our By-Laws will be furnished one without charge upon written request to the Corporate Secretary. A copy of the By-Laws, as amended and restated on May 10, 2006, was filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, and is available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
 
OTHER BUSINESS
 
     The Board of Directors does not intend to bring any business before the meeting other than that stated in this Proxy Statement. The Board knows of no other matter to come before the meeting. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the Board of Directors that the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote on such matters pursuant to the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
 
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Progress Energy Proxy Statement

Exhibit A
 
POLICY AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
 
A. Policy Statement
 
     The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) recognizes that Related Person Transactions (as defined below) can present heightened risks of conflicts of interest or improper valuation or the perception thereof. Accordingly, the Company’s general policy is to avoid Related Person Transactions. Nevertheless, the Company recognizes that there are situations where Related Person Transactions might be in, or might not be inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. These situations could include (but are not limited to) situations where the Company might obtain products or services of a nature, quantity or quality, or on other terms, that are not readily available from alternative sources or when the Company provides products or services to Related Persons (as defined below) on an arm’s length basis on terms comparable to those provided to unrelated third parties or on terms comparable to those provided to employees generally. The Company, therefore, has adopted the procedures set forth below for the review, approval or ratification of Related Person Transactions.
 
     This Policy has been approved by the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) will review and may recommend to the Board amendments to this Policy from time to time.
 
B. Related Person Transactions
 
     For the purposes of this Policy, a “Related Person Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness, (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which the Company (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
 
     For purposes of this Policy, a “Related Person” means:
 
           1.       any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer (i.e. members of the Senior Management Committee and the Controller) of the Company, Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., or Progress Energy Florida, Inc. or a nominee to become a director of the Company, Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., or Progress Energy Florida, Inc.;
   
  2.   any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the voting securities of the Company or its subsidiaries;
   
  3.   any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner; and
   
  4.   any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

A-1
 
 

PROXY STATEMENT

C. Approval Procedures
 
           1.       The Board has determined that the Committee is best suited to review and approve Related Person Transactions. Accordingly, at each calendar year’s first regularly scheduled Committee meeting, management shall recommend Related Person Transactions to be entered into by the Company for that calendar year, including the proposed aggregate value of such transactions if applicable. After review, the Committee shall approve or disapprove such transactions and at each subsequently scheduled meeting, management shall update the Committee as to any material change to those proposed transactions.
   
  2.   In determining whether to approve or disapprove each related person transaction, the Committee will consider various factors, including the following:
       
     
  • the identity of the related person;
     
  • the nature of the related person’s interest in the particular transaction;
     
  • the approximate dollar amount involved in the transaction;
     
  • the approximate dollar value of the related person’s interest in the transaction;
     
  • whether the related person’s interest in the transaction conflicts with his obligations to the Company and its shareholders;
     
  • whether the transaction will provide the related person with an unfair advantage in his dealings with the Company; and
     
  • whether the transaction will affect the related person’s ability to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
   
 
The Committee will only approve those related person transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
   
  3.   In the event management recommends any further Related Person Transactions subsequent to the first calendar year meeting, such transactions may be presented to the Committee for approval at the next Committee meeting. In these instances in which the Legal Department, in consultation with the President and Chief Operating Officer, determines that it is not practicable or desirable for the Company to wait until the next Committee meeting, any further Related Person Transactions shall be submitted to the Chair of the Committee (who will possess delegated authority to act between Committee meetings). The Chair of the Committee shall report to the Committee at the next Committee meeting any approval under this Policy pursuant to his/her delegated authority.
   
  4.   No member of the Committee shall participate in any review, consideration or approval of any Related Person Transaction with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is the Related Person. The Committee (or the Chair) shall approve only those Related Person Transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, as the Committee (or the Chair) determines in good faith. The Committee or Chair, as applicable, shall convey the decision to the President and Chief Operating Officer, who shall convey the decision to the appropriate persons within the Company.

A-2
 
 

Progress Energy Proxy Statement

D. Ratification Procedures
 
     In the event the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel becomes aware of a Related Person Transaction that has not been previously approved or previously ratified under this Policy, said officer shall immediately notify the Committee or Chair of the Committee, and the Committee or Chair shall consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances regarding the Related Person Transaction. Based on the conclusions reached, the Committee or the Chair shall evaluate all options, including but not limited to ratification, amendment, termination or recession of the Related Person Transaction, and determine how to proceed.
 
E. Review of Ongoing Transactions
 
     At the Committee’s first meeting of each calendar year, the Committee shall review any previously approved or ratified Related Person Transactions that remain ongoing and have a remaining term of more than six months or remaining amounts payable to or receivable from the Company of more than $120,000. Based on all relevant facts and circumstances, taking into consideration the Company’s contractual obligations, the Committee shall determine if it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to continue, modify or terminate the Related Person Transaction.
 
F. Disclosure
 
     All Related Person Transactions are to be disclosed in the filings of the Company, Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. or Progress Energy Florida, Inc., as applicable, with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and related rules. Furthermore, all Related Person Transactions shall be disclosed to the Corporate Governance Committee of the Board and any material Related Person Transaction shall be disclosed to the full Board of Directors.
 
     The material features of this Policy shall be disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K or in the Company’s proxy statement, as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
 
A-3
 
 

PROXY STATEMENT

Directions to Progress Energy’s
2011 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting
 
Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
2 E. South Street, Raleigh, North Carolina

Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts          
002CS-61034
 
 


 
 
IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
 
MR A SAMPLE
DESIGNATION (IF ANY)
ADD 1
ADD 2
ADD 3
ADD 4
ADD 5
ADD 6
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Electronic Voting Instructions
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
 
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
 
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
 
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 12:01 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 11, 2011.
                
Vote by Internet
  • Log on to the Internet and go to
    www.envisionreports.com/pgn
  • Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.
Vote by telephone
  • Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada any time on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.
  • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. x    

Annual Meeting Proxy Card
1234 5678 9012 345
  6
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
6  
 
 A   
Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2, FOR Proposal 4, and a vote for 1 YEAR on Proposal 3, all of which are sponsored by the Company.
   
       
1. 
Election of Directors:
     For      Against   Abstain          For      Against   Abstain           For      Against   Abstain   
       01 - J. BAKER o o o   02 - J. BOSTIC o o o   03 - H. DELOACH o o o  
                                 
    04 - J. HYLER o o o   05 - W. JOHNSON o o o   06 - R. JONES o o o  
                                 
    07 - W. JONES o o o   08 - M. MARTINEZ o o o   09 - E. MCKEE o o o  
                                 
    10 - J. MULLIN o o o   11 - C. PRYOR o o o   12 - C. SALADRIGAS o o o  
                                 
    13 - T. STONE o o o   14 - A. TOLLISON o o o            
 
        For      Against   Abstain              1 Yr     2 Yrs     3 Yrs     Abstain  
2.  Advisory (nonbinding) vote on executive compensation. o o o   3.  Advisory (nonbinding) vote on the frequency of the advisory (nonbinding) vote on executive compensation. o o o o
                       
4.
Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Progress Energy’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2011.
 
 o o o   5. In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business that is properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.        
 
 B   
Non-Voting Items
Change of Address — Please print new address below.
  
 
IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.
 
   
C 1234567890               J N T
1 U PX                1 0 9 8 7 1 1
    

 
 

.
 
2011 Annual Meeting of Progress Energy, Inc. Shareholders
May 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, North Carolina
(map located on back of Meeting Notice & Proxy Statement)
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
Please take note of the important information enclosed with the Proxy Card. That information relates to the management and operations of your Company and requires your immediate attention and approval. Details are discussed in the enclosed proxy materials. Your vote counts, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to vote your shares. Please mark the boxes on this Proxy Card and indicate how you would like your shares to be voted, then sign the card and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope. If you prefer, you may vote by telephone or via the Internet by following the instructions in the proxy materials. Please note that the proxy materials are not related to our proposed merger with Duke Energy.
 
If you are a participant in our 401(k) Savings & Stock Ownership Plan, shares allocated to your Plan account will be voted by the Trustee only if you execute and return your proxy, or vote by telephone or via the Internet. Plan participants must provide voting instructions on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on May 6, 2011.
 
If you are a participant in the Savings Plan for Employees of Florida Progress Corporation (the “FPC Savings Plan”), shares allocated to your Plan account will be voted by the Trustee when you execute and return your proxy, or vote by telephone or via the Internet. If no direction is given, your shares will be voted in proportion with the shares held in the FPC Savings Plan and in the best interest of the FPC Savings Plan.
 
Your vote must be submitted prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011, unless you plan to vote in person at the Meeting.
 
Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.
 
These proxy materials are not related to our proposed merger with Duke Energy. You will receive separate proxy materials for the special shareholder meeting we plan to hold in connection with the merger at a later date.
 
 
 
 
  6
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
6  

Annual Meeting Proxy Card          
PROGRESS ENERGY, INC.
410 S. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
 
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
The undersigned hereby appoints William D. Johnson and John R. McArthur, and each of them as Proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote the shares of stock of Progress Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) registered in the name of the undersigned, or which the undersigned has the power to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., and at any adjournment thereof, for the election of each nominee for director, for Proposal 2, for Proposal 4, and for 1 year on Proposal 3, which are set forth on the reverse side hereof, and upon other matters properly brought before the meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the notice of said Annual Meeting and the proxy statement.
 
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER(S). UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR, FOR PROPOSAL 2, FOR PROPOSAL 4, AND FOR 1 YEAR ON PROPOSAL 3, ALL AS SET FORTH IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES ARE: J. BAKER, J. BOSTIC, H. DELOACH, J. HYLER, W. JOHNSON, R. JONES, W. JONES, M. MARTINEZ, E. MCKEE, J. MULLIN, C. PRYOR, C. SALADRIGAS, T. STONE AND A. TOLLISON. IF ANY DIRECTOR BECOMES UNAVAILABLE, THE PROXIES WILL VOTE FOR A SUBSTITUTE DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD.
 
PLEASE VOTE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 
 C 
 Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.   Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.   Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
/      /        
 
IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.