In this report, Progress Energy makes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The matters discussed throughout this report that are not historical facts are forward looking and, accordingly, involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement is based on information current as of the date of this report and speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and Progress Energy undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.
Examples of factors that you should consider with respect to any forward-looking statements made throughout this document include, but are not limited to, the following: the impact of fluid and complex laws and regulations, including those relating to the environment and the Energy Policy Act of 2005; the anticipated future need for additional baseload generation and associated transmission facilities in our regulated service territories and the accompanying regulatory and financial risks; the financial resources and capital needed to comply with environmental laws and renewable energy portfolio standards and our ability to recover related eligible costs under cost-recovery clauses or base rates; our ability to meet current and future renewable energy requirements; the inherent risks associated with the operation and potential construction of nuclear facilities, including environmental, health, regulatory and financial risks; weather and drought conditions that directly influence the production, delivery and demand for electricity; recurring seasonal fluctuations in demand for electricity; fluctuations in the price of energy commodities and purchased power and our ability to recover such costs through the regulatory process; our ability to control costs, including operations and maintenance and large construction projects; the duration and severity of the current financial market distress that began in the third quarter of 2008; the ability to successfully access capital markets on favorable terms; the stability of commercial credit markets and our access to short- and long-term credit; and the impact that increases in leverage may have on us and our affiliates.
These and other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Progress Energy’s or its affiliates’ filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Many, but not all, of the factors that may impact actual results are discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of Progress Energy’s Form 10-K, which you should carefully read. All such factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and may be beyond our control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can management assess the effect of each such factor on Progress Energy.
