Duke Energy, one of the nation’s largest power companies, will join the American Wind Wildlife Institute (AWWI) effective January 2012, AWWI announced today.

"We are delighted to welcome Duke Energy to AWWI’s collaborative team of companies and non-profits and to work together on wind-wildlife solutions,” said AWWI Executive Director Abby Arnold. “This year, we have seen a surge of interest in our shared goal of promoting wind energy while protecting wildlife, with five new industry and conservation partners and friends, including Duke Energy, joining AWWI.”

AWWI offers a collaborative way forward on wind-wildlife issues that is grounded in peer-reviewed science and seeks practical improvements in avoiding, minimizing and mitigating wind-wildlife impacts. AWWI’s national research program identifies and supports priority research. AWWI is also establishing a centralized database or "research information system" to collect data and improve analysis, refining a landscape-level assessment tool, supporting research to improve the effectiveness of mitigation practices, and offering a forum for dialogue. AWWI’s collaborative approach is supported by a governance structure that is equally balanced between conservation non-profits and wind energy industry partners. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses, is a leader in developing innovative wind and solar energy solutions for customers throughout the United States. The company's growing portfolio of commercial renewable assets includes 10 wind farms and 13 solar farms in operation in seven states, totaling more than 1,000 megawatts in electric-generating capacity. In addition to its 10 wind farms in Wyoming, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Duke Energy Renewables has committed to build five additional wind farms totaling 770 megawatts in Kansas, Pennsylvania and Texas in 2012. Learn more at www.duke-energy.com/renewables.

For a full list of AWWI Sustaining Partners and Friends, click here. Duke Energy is joining AWWI in 2012 as a Friend.