Perdue, Duke Energy CEO to speak at NC summit

CHARLOTTE -- Gov. Beverly Perdue will participate in an energy summit in Charlotte that's being organized by Duke Energy Corp., the Charlotte Chamber and Charlotte Regional Partnership. The summit begins Monday afternoon at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel. It will focus on creating jobs and economic opportunity in the energy sector. Duke Energy says the region already has 100 energy-related businesses employing more than 20,000 workers. Representatives of about 50 of those companies will be at the summit and participate in working sessions, some of which will focus on how to position the Charlotte region as a nationally recognized "energy cluster." Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers will speak about the region's future as a major energy research and development hub at the closing dinner. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)