As a large landowner, we consider protection of species and habitats on our lands and rights of way a priority.

Rare Plants

Progress Energy works closely with the N.C. Natural Heritage Program and the S.C. Heritage Trust program to preserve and protect the special elements of natural diversity and natural areas in the Carolinas. We work cooperatively to protect rare plant species and associated unique biological communities along Progress Energy power line corridors by minimizing disturbances during corridor maintenance.

Avian Protection

Our service territory is located in one of the nation’s most important migratory thruways and provides seasonal nesting sites for dozens of species of birds. Our state’s rivers also provide natural habitat for eagles, ospreys and other raptors. We have an avian protection plan designed to protect birds by reducing the risk that result from avian interactions with utility facilities. Actions we are taking include:

• Equipment that alerts or deters birds from utility infrastructure
• Artificial nesting platforms to protect birds from the risk of electrocution
• Coordinated nest removal and relocation when other options do not exist

SPOTLIGHT: Crystal River Mariculture Center

The Crystal River Mariculture Center is a multi-species marine hatchery established to offset the impacts of cooling water systems used at our Crystal River Energy Complex in Citrus County, Fla. The center includes an 8,100-square foot hatchery building and eight one-acre ponds that are used to culture marine species for release into the Gulf of Mexico.

Red drum, spotted seatrout and pink shrimp are the primary species cultured. Forage fish such as pinfish and pigfish are also cultured, along with certain crustaceans such as stone crab and blue crab. Since opening in 1991, the center has released to local coastal waters more than 2.250 million spotted seatrout, red drum and shrimp juveniles.

Other wildlife protection initiatives:

• We partnered with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to upgrade its sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program.
• Our Asheville and Lee Plants are certified as Wildlife and Industry Together (WAIT) sites by the N.C. Wildlife Federation. WAIT is an environmental program that recognizes industry leadership and fosters public awareness in conservation, wildlife restoration and wildlife protection activities.
• We are a long-time partner in the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee, a voluntary conservation partnership formed to help recovery and conservation of the robust redhorse fish. This is a rare species of sucker fish that is native to large Atlantic slope rivers in the Carolinas and Georgia.