NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 5, 2001--Standard&Poor's today affirmed its ratings on Duke Energy Corp. (single-'A'-plus/'A-1') and its affiliates. The outlook is stable. (A complete list of ratings is available on RatingsDirect, Standard&Poor's on-line credit research service, or by calling the Standard&Poor's Ratings Desk at (1) 212-438-2400.) The rating action follows Duke Energy's recent closing on new back-up facilities for the company's commercial paper program that totals $1.25 billion. The size of the new back-up facilities fails to conform to Standard&Poor's guideline that back-up facilities supporting the company's outstanding conventional commercial paper program must equal 100% of the program or 100% of upcoming maturities within the next 30 days. The company
