Duke Energy CEO Rogers to speak on future of electric-utility industry July 16

Jim Rogers, chief executive officer of Duke Energy, will address the National Press Club at a luncheon July 16 on the future of the electric-utility industry.

Rogers is leading the merger of his company with Progress Energy, an effort expected to close by July 1. The combination will create the largest utility in the nation, with more than 7 million customers in six states, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida.

After the merger, Rogers will be executive chairman of Duke Energy, serving as the company’s primary spokesman on matters of national and international energy policy.

A CEO for 23 years, Rogers has worked to forge a collaboration with Chinese energy companies on clean energy technologies. He is a founding member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which has called on the federal government to enact legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Rogers also co-chaired the successful bi-partisan effort to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention and co-chairs the Charlotte Host Committee for the convention.

The luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. and Rogers’ remarks will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session ending at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $19 for National Press Club members, $30 for their guests and $37 for general admission. To reserve tickets, please email [email protected] or call 202-662-7501. Credentialed press may cover this event with proper ID.

To submit a question in advance, put ROGERS in the subject line and email to [email protected] before 10 a.m. the day of the luncheon.

Upcoming Luncheon:

Aug. 28 - Gen. James Amos, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps