PUBLIC SERVICE CO OF NORTH CAROLINA INC
10-Q, 1997-08-11
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION
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                  UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                     FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
(X)QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997

                                      OR

(  )TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

              For the transition period from ............ to ............

                         Commission file number 1-11429


         PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             NORTH CAROLINA                                  56-0233140
       (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

      400 COX ROAD, P.O. BOX 1398                             28053-1398
      GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA                                (Zip Code)
   (Address of principal executive offices)

                               (704) 864-6731
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                  NONE
            (Former name, former address and  former fiscal  year, 
                        if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding
at July 31, 1997....................................................19,732,403

                                                          1

<PAGE>


             PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



                       PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION


         The condensed  financial  statements included herein have been prepared
by the registrant  without audit,  pursuant to the rules and  regulations of the
Securities and Exchange  Commission.  Although certain  information and footnote
disclosures  normally  included in financial  statements  prepared in accordance
with generally  accepted  accounting  principles  have been condensed or omitted
pursuant  to such  rules  and  regulations,  the  registrant  believes  that the
disclosures   herein  are  adequate  to  make  the  information   presented  not
misleading.  It is recommended that these condensed financial statements be read
in conjunction  with the financial  statements and the notes thereto included in
the registrant's latest annual report on Form 10-K.


                                                          2

<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                       (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<CAPTION>
                               Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                     June 30             June 30              June 30
                               ------------------   ------------------  -------------------
<S>                            <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
                                 1997      1996       1997      1996      1997       1996
                               --------  --------   --------  --------  --------   --------
Operating revenues             $ 60,106  $ 58,807   $303,906  $275,782  $337,006   $302,500
Cost of gas                      30,715    32,382    165,894   151,341   182,691    162,017
                               --------  --------   --------  --------  --------   --------
Gross margin                     29,391    26,425    138,012   124,441   154,315    140,483
                               --------  --------   --------  --------  --------   --------

Operating expenses and taxes:
  Operating and maintenance      15,138    13,465     46,223    41,065    60,360     54,146
  Provision for depreciation      5,605     4,851     16,521    14,545    21,725     19,188
  General taxes                   3,518     3,468     14,414    13,402    17,018     15,732
  Income taxes                      587       736     19,509    17,974    16,032     15,184
                               --------  --------   --------  --------  --------   --------
                                 24,848    22,520     96,667    86,986   115,135    104,250
                               --------  --------   --------  --------  --------   --------
Operating income                  4,543     3,905     41,345    37,455    39,180     36,233

Other income, net                   822     1,089      2,878     2,597     3,632      2,723

Interest deductions               4,080     3,553     12,646    10,904    16,485     14,158
                               --------  --------   --------  --------  --------   --------
Net income                     $  1,285  $  1,441   $ 31,577  $ 29,148  $ 26,327   $ 24,798
                               ========  ========   ========  ========  ========   ========

Average common shares
 outstanding                     19,639    19,066     19,482    18,932    19,408     18,869

Earnings per share                 $.07      $.08      $1.62     $1.54     $1.36      $1.31

Cash dividends declared
 per share                         $.23      $.22       $.67     $.645      $.89     $.8575

</TABLE>



                                                                   3

<PAGE>



                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                     (In thousands)

                                          ASSETS

                                                  Jun 30     Sep 30      Jun 30
                                                   1997       1996        1996
                                                 --------   --------    --------
Gas utility plant                                $666,749   $629,218    $614,243
  Less - Accumulated depreciation                 198,560    183,529     179,414
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                  468,189    445,689     434,829
                                                 --------   --------    --------

Non-utility property, net                             654        691         705
                                                 --------   --------    --------

Current assets:
  Cash and temporary investments                    1,965      3,361       3,376
  Restricted cash and temporary investments        14,577      6,395       5,776
  Receivables, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts                               32,174     17,899      23,825
  Materials and supplies                            7,597      6,705       6,498
  Stored gas inventory                             15,337     15,863       9,483
  Deferred gas costs, net                          13,081     17,525      12,782
  Prepayments and other                             2,454      2,275       2,048
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                   87,185     70,023      63,788
                                                 --------   --------    --------
Deferred charges and other assets                  14,258      8,486       8,072
                                                 --------   --------    --------
  Total                                          $570,286   $524,889    $507,394
                                                 ========   ========    ========


                            CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

Capitalization:
  Common equity -
   Common stock, $1 par                          $ 19,662   $ 19,204    $ 19,076
   Capital in excess of par value                 121,486    114,008     112,116
   Retained earnings                               73,900     55,423      64,953
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                  215,048    188,635     196,145
  Long-term debt                                  183,350    140,150     143,900
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                  398,398    328,785     340,045
                                                 --------   --------    --------

Current liabilities:
  Maturities of long-term debt                      9,300      6,800       9,300
  Accounts payable                                 19,558     20,301      23,641
  Accrued taxes                                     9,057      3,075       9,155
  Customer prepayments and deposits                 3,859      6,014       2,920
  Cash dividends and interest                       7,156      7,319       7,056
  Restricted supplier refunds                       9,732      6,395       5,776
  Other                                             4,771      3,960       3,589
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                   63,433     53,864      61,437
  Interim bank loans                               23,000     59,500      24,000
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                   86,433    113,364      85,437
                                                 --------   --------    --------

Deferred credits and other liabilities:
  Income taxes, net                                58,684     56,233      56,024
  Investment tax credits                            3,677      4,210       4,119
  Accrued pension cost                              9,205     12,214      11,679
  Deferred revenues                                 3,345       -            232
  Other                                            10,544     10,083       9,858
                                                 --------   --------    --------
                                                   85,455     82,740      81,912
                                                 --------   --------    --------
  Total                                          $570,286   $524,889    $507,394
                                                 ========   ========    ========

                                                               4

<PAGE>



                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS
                                     (In thousands)

                                             Twelve Months Ended
                                                   June 30
                                             -------------------
                                                1997      1996
                                              -------   -------
Balance beginning of period                   $64,953   $56,365
Add - Net income                               26,327    24,798
Deduct - Common stock dividends
          and other                            17,380    16,210
                                              -------   -------

Balance end of period                         $73,900   $64,953
                                              =======   =======


<TABLE>


                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (In thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                              Nine Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                                   June 30                June 30
                                              -----------------    -------------------
                                               1997      1996        1997       1996
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>    
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net income                                  $31,577   $29,148     $26,327    $24,798
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
   to net cash provided by operating
   activities -
    Depreciation, depletion and other          19,115    17,744      25,365     23,301
    Deferred income taxes, net                  2,451     3,418       2,661      4,396
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------
                                               53,143    50,310      54,353     52,495
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:
       Receivables, net                       (15,982)  (11,748)    (10,234)   (12,746)
       Inventories                               (367)    1,737      (6,953)    (1,158)
       Accounts payable                          (743)    3,229      (4,083)    10,422
       Accrued pension cost                    (3,008)   (1,251)     (2,474)    (1,278)
       Other                                    6,239    (2,914)     (1,099)   (10,296)
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------
                                               39,282    39,363      29,510     37,439
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Construction expenditures                   (40,401)  (43,689)    (57,140)   (65,099)
  Non-utility and other                        (3,872)   (1,374)     (4,300)    (2,011)
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------
                                              (44,273)  (45,063)    (61,440)   (67,110)
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Sale of senior debentures, net of expenses   49,404    49,314      49,404     49,314
  Issuance of common stock through
   dividend reinvestment, stock purchase
   and stock option plans                       7,807     5,746       9,736      7,096
  Increase (decrease) in interim bank
   loans, net                                 (36,500)  (27,000)     (1,000)     5,500
  Retirement of long-term debt
   and common stock                            (4,334)   (7,980)    (10,642)   (15,496)
  Cash dividends                              (12,782)  (11,997)    (16,979)   (15,948)
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------
                                                3,595     8,083      30,519     30,466
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
 temporary investments                         (1,396)    2,383      (1,411)       795
Cash and temporary investments
 at beginning of period                         3,361       993       3,376      2,581
                                              -------   -------     -------    -------

Cash and temporary investments
 at end of period                             $ 1,965   $ 3,376     $ 1,965    $ 3,376
                                              =======   =======     =======    =======

Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest (net of amount capitalized)        $12,796   $10,180     $16,403    $12,474
  Income taxes                                 11,560     7,845      15,195     10,663

</TABLE>
                                                               5

<PAGE>





                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in
PSNC's 1996 Annual Report. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim
periods have been recorded. Certain amounts previously reported have been
reclassified to conform with the current period's presentation.

         PSNC's business is seasonal in nature; therefore, the financial results
for any  interim period are not necessarily indicative of those which may be
expected for the annual period.

2. In  October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued its
Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Awards of
Stock-Based  Compensation to Employees." This statement defines a fair value
method of accounting for stock options or similar equity instruments and was
adopted by PSNC beginning October 1, 1996.

         SFAS No. 123 permits companies to continue to account for stock-based
compensation  awards under existing accounting rules, but requires disclosure in
a note to the financial statements of the pro forma net income and earnings per
share as if PSNC had adopted the new method of accounting.  Currently PSNC has
two  stock-based  compensation  plans  which are described in  Note 3 to the
financial  statements in PSNC's 1996 Annual Report. PSNC will continue to apply
current accounting rules and adopt only the disclosure requirements for these
plans.  As a result, adoption of the new statement will not directly impact
PSNC's financial position or results of operations.


                                                              6

<PAGE>


                        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Changes in Results of Operations

(Amounts in thousands except
 degree day and customer data)          Three Months Ended June 30
                                    ---------------------------------
                                                           Increase
                                      1997       1996     (Decrease)       %
                                    --------   --------    --------        --
Gross margin                        $ 29,391   $ 26,425    $  2,966        11
Less - Franchise taxes                 1,905      1,870          35         2
                                    --------   --------    --------
  Net margin                        $ 27,486   $ 24,555    $  2,931        12
                                    ========   ========    ========

Total volume throughput (DT):
  Residential                          3,277      3,610        (333)       (9)
  Commercial/small industrial          2,246      2,549        (303)      (12)
  Large commercial/industrial          8,138      7,548         590         8
                                    --------   --------    --------
                                      13,661     13,707         (46)        -
                                    ========   ========    ========

System average degree days:
  Actual                                 406        318          88        28
  Normal                                 258        258           -         -
  Percent of normal                      157%       123%

Weather normalization adjustment
 income (refund), net of
 franchise taxes                    $    907   $ (1,942)   $  2,849

Customers at end of period: (1)
  Residential                        262,780    247,666      15,114         6
  Commercial/small industrial         39,385     40,106        (721)       (2)
  Large commercial/industrial          2,405        400       2,005       NMF
                                    --------   --------    --------
                                     304,570    288,172      16,398         6
                                    ========   ========    ========


         (1) During the twelve months ended June 30, 1997, approximately 2,000
customers were reclassified from commercial/small industrial to large
commercial/industrial.

       Net margin for the three months ended June 30, 1997 increased $2,931,000
as compared to the same period last year.  This increase in net margin is
attributable to the items shown below (in thousands):

                                      Commercial/     Large
                                         Small      Commercial/
                        Residential   Industrial    Industrial    Other    Total
                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----    -----
 Price variance *
  General rate increase
   effective 10/96          $1,399       $ 402       $  (959)    $ -      $  842
 Volume variances, net       1,462        (110)          622       -       1,974
 Other                        -           -             -           115      115
                            ------       -----       -------     ------   ------
  Total                     $2,861       $ 292       $  (337)    $  115   $2,931
                            ======       =====       =======     ======   ======

 * Includes changes in sales mix.

                                                              7

<PAGE>






     This  increase in net margin is due  primarily to the general rate increase
effective October 1, 1996 and to an increase in the number of customers served.

(Amounts in thousands except
 degree day data)                          Nine Months Ended June 30
                                    --------------------------------
                                                             Increase
                                      1997        1996      (Decrease)     %
                                    --------    --------     --------      --
Gross margin                        $138,012    $124,441     $ 13,571      11
Less - Franchise taxes                 9,754       8,854          900      10
                                    --------    --------     --------
  Net margin                        $128,258    $115,587     $ 12,671      11
                                    ========    ========     ========

Total volume throughput (DT):
  Residential                         18,653      21,379       (2,726)    (13)
  Commercial/small industrial         11,011      12,863       (1,852)    (14)
  Large commercial/industrial         25,597      22,237        3,360      15
                                    --------    --------     --------
                                      55,261      56,479       (1,218)     (2)
                                    ========    ========     ========

System average degree days:
  Actual                               3,231       3,845*        (614)    (16)
  Normal                               3,367       3,385*         (18)     (1)
  Percent of normal                       96%        114%

Weather normalization adjustment
 income (refund), net of
 franchise taxes                    $  5,961    $ (8,735)    $ 14,696

* Reflects an additional day for leap year.

     Net margin for the nine months ended June 30, 1997 increased $12,671,000 as
compared  to the same period last year.  This increase in net margin  is
attributable to the items shown below (in thousands):

                                       Commercial/     Large
                                         Small      Commercial/
                        Residential    Industrial   Industrial    Other   Total
                        -----------    ----------   -----------   -----   -----
Price variance*
 General rate increase
  effective 10/96          $ 7,162       $2,675      $(4,160)     $-     $ 5,677
Volume variances, net        3,754         (648)       3,594       -       6,700
Other                         -            -            -           294      294
                           -------       ------      -------      -----  -------
 Total                     $10,916       $2,027      $  (566)     $ 294  $12,671
                           =======       ======      =======      =====  =======

 * Includes changes in sales mix.

      This  increase in net margin is due primarily to the general rate increase
effective October 1, 1996 and to an increase in the number of customers served.


                                                             8

<PAGE>




MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION (Continued)


(Amounts in thousands except
 degree day data)                        Twelve Months Ended June 30
                                    --------------------------------
                                                             Increase
                                      1997        1996      (Decrease)     %
                                    --------    --------     --------      --
Gross margin                        $154,315    $140,483     $ 13,832      10
Less - Franchise taxes                10,785       9,692        1,093      11
                                    --------    --------     --------
  Net margin                        $143,530    $130,791     $ 12,739      10
                                    ========    ========     ========

Total volume throughput (DT):
  Residential                         19,672      22,417       (2,745)    (12)
  Commercial/small industrial         12,456      14,247       (1,791)    (13)
  Large commercial/industrial         32,300      28,826        3,474      12
                                    --------    --------     --------
                                      64,428      65,490       (1,062)     (2)
                                    ========    ========     ========


System average degree days:
  Actual                               3,242       3,868*        (626)    (16)
  Normal                               3,384       3,402*         (18)     (1)
  Percent of normal                       96%        114%

Weather normalization adjustment
 income (refund), net of
 franchise taxes                    $  5,963    $ (8,735)    $ 14,698

* Reflects an additional day for leap year.

       Net margin for the twelve months ended June 30, 1997 increased
$12,739,000  as compared to the same period last year. This increase in net
margin is attributable to the items shown below (in thousands):

                                      Commercial/    Large
                                        Small      Commercial/
                        Residential   Industrial   Industrial    Other   Total
                        -----------   ----------   ----------    -----   -----
Price variance*
 General rate increase
  effective 10/96          $ 7,182       $2,704    $(4,090)     $ -     $ 5,796
Volume variances, net        3,981         (497)     3,857        -       7,341
Resolution - S. Expansion     -            -          -           (734)    (734)
Other                         -            -          -            336      336
                           -------       ------    -------      ------  -------
 Total                     $11,163       $2,207    $  (233)     $ (398) $12,739
                           =======       ======    =======      ======  =======

* Includes changes in sales mix.

      This increase in net margin is due primarily to the general rate increase
effective October 1, 1996 and to an increase in the number of customers served.

                                                              9

<PAGE>



     Operating and maintenance expenses for the three, nine and twelve months
ended June 30, 1997 increased 12%, 13% and 12%, respectively, as compared to the
same periods last year. For the nine and twelve months ended June 30, 1997,
approximately $1,440,000 of the increase resulted from expenses related to the
voluntary early retirement program offered during the first quarter of fiscal
1997, as discussed in Note 11 to the financial statements in PSNC's 1996 Annual
Report.  Net of  this one-time charge, operating and maintenance expenses
increased 9% for both the nine- and  twelve-month periods ended June 30, 1997.
Operating and maintenance expenses increased for all three periods due to
increases in costs associated with outsourcing meter reading, telecommunications
expenses, the provision for uncollectible accounts, which is based on revenues,
increased professional fees, outside services for consultants in the information
systems and public relations areas,  employee education  and  other
employee-related benefits.  Also contributing to the increase for the nine- and
twelve-month periods was increased power usage at PSNC's liquefied natural gas
facility. Partially offsetting the nine- and twelve-month increases were reduced
expenses for hospitalization insurance due to a $605,000 adjustment in December
1996 to  eliminate  the  health insurance reserve since the Company is now
affiliated with a health maintenance organization provider.  Another offset for
all three periods is a refund of $181,000 related to favorable life insurance
claims experience for the 1996 plan year.

     Depreciation expense increased for the three, nine and twelve months ended
June 30, 1997 due to utility  plant  additions.  General  taxes for the nine and
twelve  months  ended June 30, 1997 both increased  8% as compared to the same
periods last year.  These increases are mainly due to increased  franchise taxes
based on  perating revenues that increased 10% and 11%, respectively, as
compared to the same periods last year.

     Other income for the three months ended June 30, 1997 decreased $267,000 as
compared to the same period last year, while  increasing  $281,000 and $909,000,
respectively, for the nine- and twelve-month periods. The change in other income
for all three  periods is comprised  of several items.  Income from subsidiary
operations decreased $197,000, $338,000, and $105,000, respectively, for the
three, nine and twelve  months ended June 30, 1997.  The decrease in subsidiary
income for all three  periods is due mainly to the December 1996 formation of
Sonat Public Service Company L.L.C. of which PSNC and Sonat Marketing, Inc. each
owns 50%. Through this joint venture, all earnings, including earnings from
secondary market transactions, are split evenly between both partners.  Income
from subsidiary operations also decreased for the nine- and twelve-month periods
due to weather that was 16% warmer than both of the prior year  periods  which
negatively impacted margin earned from secondary market transactions.  This
decrease is partially offset for all three periods by the five-year amortization
of deferred revenue and the related interest income generated from the formation
of the joint venture.  Merchandise and jobbing  income increased for all three
respective periods by $69,000, $125,000 and $157,000. The increase for the nine-
and twelve-month  periods was partially offset by a one-time expense of $235,000
related to the  voluntary  early  retirement  program.  The increase in interest
income for all three periods was due  primarily to interest  related to deferred
gas costs of $45,000, $558,000 and $932,000, respectively. Also interest income
increased due to a loan

                                                            10

<PAGE>



MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION (Continued)

made to a real estate developer for purposes of constructing office and
warehouse space for PSNC.  This loan was paid upon PSNC's acquisition of the
property in August 1997.  Impacting other income for all three periods in the
previous year was a $265,000 gain related to the sale of land in June 1996.

     Interest deductions for the three, nine and twelve months ended June 30,
1997 increased 15%, 16% and 16%, respectively, as compared to the same periods
last year. The primary reason for the increase in the three-month period is the
interest expense increase due to the December 17, 1996 issuance of $50,000,000
of 7.45% Senior Debentures due 2026.  Interest deductions for the nine- and
twelve-month periods also increased due to the January 10, 1996  issuance of
$50,000,000 of 6.99% Senior Debentures due 2026.  Offsetting the increases for
the  nine- and twelve-month periods is a decrease in interest expense on
short-term debt resulting from decreased interest rates.

     The change in earnings per share for all three periods reflects increases
of 3% in the average number of common shares outstanding as compared to the same
periods last year.  These increases are primarily due to shares issued through
PSNC's stock purchase plans.

     On April 9, 1997, the Board of Directors increased PSNC's quarterly cash
dividend  by $.01  per  share, from  $.22 to $.23, payable July 1,  1997,  to
shareholders of record June 10, 1997.

Changes in Financial Condition

     The capital expansion program, through the construction of lines, services,
systems, and facilities, and the purchase of equipment, is designed to help PSNC
meet the growing demand for its product.  PSNC's fiscal 1997 construction budget
is approximately  $64,400,000,  compared to actual construction expenditures for
fiscal 1996 of $60,428,000.  The construction program is regularly  reviewed by
management and is dependent upon PSNC's continuing  ability to generate adequate
funds internally and to sell new issues of debt and  equity securities on
acceptable terms.  Construction expenditures during the nine and twelve months
ended June 30, 1997 were $40,401,000 and $57,140,000,  respectively, as compared
to $43,689,000  nd  65,099,000  for the same  periods a year  ago.  Although
construction expenditures  for  the  nine  months ended  June 30, 1997 are
approximately $10,000,000 below budget,  management  anticipates  meeting the
construction expenditure budget amount for fiscal 1997.

     PSNC generally  finances its operations with internally generated funds,
supplemented with bank lines of credit to satisfy seasonal requirements.  PSNC
also  borrows under  its bank  lines  of  credit  to  finance portions of its
construction expenditures pending refinancing through the issuance of equity or
long-term  debt at a later date.  PSNC has committed lines of credit with seven
commercial banks which vary monthly depending upon seasonal requirements and a
five-year revolving line of

                                                            11

<PAGE>



credit with one bank. For the twelve-month period beginning April 1, 1997, lines
of  credit  with  these banks range from a minimum of $37,000,000 to a
winter-period maximum of $81,000,000.  PSNC also has uncommitted annual lines of
credit  with four of these  banks  totaling $80,000,000.  Lines of credit are
evaluated periodically by management and renegotiated to accommodate anticipated
short-term  financing needs.  Management believes these lines are currently
adequate  to finance a  portion of construction expenditures, stored gas
inventories and other corporate needs.

     On December 17, 1996, PSNC sold $50,000,000 of 7.45% Senior  Debentures due
2026 in a public offering. The net proceeds of $49,404,000 were used to pay down
a significant portion of the then outstanding short-term debt.

     At  June 30, 1997, restricted cash and  temporary investments were
$14,577,000, an increase of $8,182,000 from September 30, 1996.  This net
increase  was due in part to the restricted cash contribution from Sonat
Marketing Company  L.P. (Sonat  Marketing).  As discussed in Note 11 to the
financial statements in PSNC's 1996 Annual Report, PSNC Production  Corporation
and Sonat Marketing, a subsidiary of Sonat Inc., created Sonat Public Service
Company L.L.C. Sonat Marketing  contributed  $4,944,000 for its 50% ownership of
which  approximately $4,845,000 is currently restricted.  Sonat Marketing is
entitled to a partial refund of its contribution not yet earned if the economics
of the  transaction are adversely  modified  by  any regulatory body over a
five-year period. Restrictions on the cash investment will be released annually
in equal amounts over a four-year period.  Also contributing to the increase in
restricted  cash and temporary investments are refunds of $9,732,000 received
from  PSNC's pipeline supplier that  have not yet been deposited into the
expansion fund in the Office of the State Treasurer. This fund was created by an
order of the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), dated June 3, 1993, to
finance the construction of natural gas lines into unserved areas of PSNC's
service territory that otherwise would not be economically feasible to serve.

     The increase in receivables at June 30, 1997 as compared to June 30, 1996
includes a $7,500,000 loan made to a real estate developer for the purpose of
constructing office and warehouse space for PSNC. This receivable was paid upon
PSNC's acquisition of the property in August 1997.

     Stored gas inventories increased $5,854,000 as compared to June 1996. This
increase was due to additional quantities stored, an increase in the average
cost of natural gas and the addition of a storage service.

     Net  deferred gas costs fluctuate in response to the operation of PSNC's
Rider D rate mechanism. This mechanism allows PSNC to recover margin losses on
negotiated  sales to large commercial and industrial customers with alternate
fuel  capability.  It also allows PSNC to recover from customers all prudently
incurred  gas costs. On a monthly  basis, any difference in amounts paid and
collected  for these costs is recorded for subsequent refund to or collection
from  PSNC's customers.  Deferred  gas  costs  at  June 30, 1997 represent
undercollections from customers of $13,081,000. These undercollections primarily
reflect the unanticipated surge in the price of natural gas during January 1997.
PSNC's deferred gas costs balances are approved by the NCUC

                                                            12

<PAGE>



in annual gas cost prudence reviews and are refunded to or collected from
customers over a  subsequent twelve-month period.  Amounts that have not been
refunded to or collected  from customers bear interest at an annual rate of 10%
as required by the NCUC.  PSNC's strategy is to manage the balance of deferred
gas costs to a minimal level over a twelve-month period.  Deferred gas costs at
September 30, 1996 reflect undercollections of demand costs from customers of
$17,525,000.

     The increase in deferred charges and other assets as compared to both
September 30, 1996 and June 30, 1996 is primarily the result of the investments
in PSNC's  subsidiaries and deferred debt expense associated with the December
17, 1996 sale of 7.45% Senior Debentures previously discussed.

     The increase in other current liabilities at June 30, 1997 as compared to
both  September 1996 and June 1996 is primarily due to recording the current
portion of the deferred revenue associated with the creation of Sonat Public
Service Company L.L.C. The noncurrent portion is recorded in deferred revenues.

     The  decrease  in  accrued  pension  cost  at June  30, 1997 is due to the
recognition  of $1,475,000 of  unrecognized  net gains and assets in the pension
plan related to the voluntary early retirement program.

Regulatory Matters

     PSNC began providing natural gas service in McDowell County during December
1996. The project to serve McDowell County was the first project undertaken by
PSNC using monies from its NCUC approved expansion fund. The original estimate
to complete this project was approximately $14,500,000, of which $8,193,500 will
be financed by PSNC's expansion fund.  Through June 30, 1997,  $14,169,000 was
spent on the project, of which $7,781,000 was received from the expansion fund.
PSNC will receive an additional $412,500 over the next five years in the form of
local government assistance payments that will be deposited into its expansion
fund.

     PSNC currently provides natural gas service to the eastern portion of
Haywood County and plans to extend service to western Haywood County, including
Waynesville, Clyde and Lake Junaluska by late 1997 or early 1998.  The current
estimated cost to expand service to this area is $7,182,000.  On December 30,
1996,  PSNC filed an application  with the NCUC requesting expansion funds for
this project.  On April 22, 1997,  the NCUC approved this project and authorized
disbursements from the expansion fund of $4,127,000.

     The Cardinal Pipeline was placed into service in December 1994 and provides
additional daily capacity to PSNC's eastern service territory in and around the
Durham and Raleigh areas. In September 1995, PSNC, Piedmont Natural Gas Company,
Inc. (Piedmont), Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco), and North
Carolina  Natural  Gas  Corporation  (NCNG)  signed a letter of intent to form a
limited liability company (LLC) to purchase and extend the Cardinal Pipeline. As
proposed, the  pipeline  will be extended 67 miles from  Burlington  to a point
southeast of Raleigh, will add 140 million cubic feet per day of additional firm
capacity (100  million  for PSNC and 40  million  for  NCNG),  and will cost an
estimated $75 million. On December 23, 1996, the

                                                            13

<PAGE>



LLC filed an application  with the NCUC for approval of this project.  A public
hearing was held on May 20, 1997, and the applicants are awaiting an order from
the NCUC.

     Pine Needle LNG Co.,  LLC ("Pine  Needle") was formed by subsidiaries of
Transco,  Piedmont,  NCNG, Amerada Hess, PSNC and the Municipal Gas Authority of
Georgia. Pine Needle will own a liquefied natural gas storage facility,  with an
estimated  cost of $107 million.  This facility will be located near  Transco's
pipeline  northwest  of  Greensboro and will  have a storage capacity of four
billion  cubic feet with  vaporization  capability of 400 million cubic feet per
day. On April 30, 1996, the Federal Energy  Regulatory  Commission (FERC) made a
preliminary  determination  to grant a certificate  authorizing the construction
and  peration of Pine  Needle.  It approved a 12.75%  return on equity for the
project  and  stated  that the debt component of the  rate  structure will be
determined after permanent financing is obtained.  The NCUC filed an application
for  rehearing of this order, which FERC denied on November 27, 1996,  and the
NCUC then  filed a  petition for review of FERC's  November 27 order with the
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; PSNC cannot
predict the outcome of this appeal.  On March 5, 1997, the FERC issued an order
denying the  requests for rehearing of a landowner and the NC  Department  of
Environment,  Health, and Natural Resources;  this order was not appealed by the
parties and is final.

      On November 14, 1996,  PSNC filed an application with the NCUC requesting
deferred  accounting for the costs of a project to ensure that PSNC's computer
operating  systems function properly in the year 2000.  Similar costs will be
incurred  by businesses worldwide and the Emerging Issues Task Force of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board has determined that these costs should be
expensed as incurred. PSNC requested that approximately  $3,000,000 of estimated
contractor labor be deferred for subsequent recovery in a future rate case. On
April 29, 1997, the NCUC issued an order authorizing the deferral of each year's
costs and requiring a three-year amortization of these costs  beginning in the
year incurred.  PSNC will seek to recover any unamortized costs at the time of
its next general rate case.

Forward-looking Statements

     Statements contained in this document and the notes to the financial
statements which are not historical in nature are forward-looking  statements
within the meaning of the  Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause
future results to differ materially from those set forth in such forward-looking
statements. PSNC is under no obligation to update such statements.

                                                            14

<PAGE>


<TABLE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 11

                    PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED
                                 COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                              (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>

                                                              Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended         Twelve Months Ended
                                                                    June 30               June 30                    June 30
                                                              ------------------    ------------------        -------------------
                                                                1997      1996        1997        1996          1997         1996
                                                              --------  --------    --------    --------      --------     --------
Net income                                                    $  1,285  $  1,441    $ 31,577    $ 29,148      $ 26,327     $ 24,798
                                                              --------  --------    --------    --------      --------     --------


Average common shares outstanding                               19,639    19,066      19,482      18,932        19,408       18,869

Additional dilutive effect of
 outstanding options (as determined
 by the application of the treasury
 stock method)                                                      99        73          99          82            93           76
                                                              --------  --------    --------    --------      --------     --------

Average common shares outstanding
 as adjusted                                                    19,738    19,139      19,581      19,014        19,501       18,945
                                                              --------  --------    --------    --------      --------     --------

Earnings per share, as adjusted                                  $ .07     $ .08       $1.61       $1.53         $1.35        $1.31
                                                                 =====     =====       =====       =====         =====        =====


        This  calculation  is submitted in accordance  with  Regulation S-K item
601(b)(11)  although  not  required by footnote 2 to paragraph 14 of APB Opinion
No. 15 because it results in dilution of less than 3%.
</TABLE>

                                                          15

<PAGE>


                             PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


 Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

         As more fully disclosed in Part I under "Environmental  Matters" and in
Part II in Note 7 to the financial  statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the period  ending  September 30, 1996,  PSNC owns or has owned  portions of
sites at which manufactured gas plants were formerly operated and is cooperating
with the North Carolina Department of Environment,  Health and Natural Resources
to investigate these sites.


Item 2.  Changes in Securities

         None.


Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

         None.


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         None.


Item 5.  Other Information

         None.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)  Part I Exhibits:

               10-A-33      Amended and Restated Natural Gas Sales Agreement 
                            between PSNC and Transco Energy Marketing Company
                            dated November 1, 1990.

               10-A-33.1    Amendment to Amended and Restated Natural Gas Sales
                            Agreement between PSNC and Transco Energy Marketing
                            Company dated November 1, 1990.

               10-A-34      Firm Transportation  Service Agreement under
                            Rate Schedule FT, dated August 1, 1991,
                            between PSNC and Transcontinental Gas Pipe
                            Line Corporation.

               10-A-35      Firm Storage Service Agreement under Rate
                            Schedule  FSS, dated November 7, 1995,
                            between PSNC and Columbia Gas Transmission
                            Corporation.

               10-A-36      Storage Service Transportation Agreement
                            under Rate Schedule SST, dated November 7,
                            1995, between PSNC and Columbia Gas Transmission
                            Corporation.


                                                              16

<PAGE>



               10-A-37      Interruptible Transportation Service Agreement
                            under Rate Schedule  TS, dated March 31, 1997,
                            between PSNC and Columbia Gas Transmission
                            Corporation.

               10-A-38      Gas Sales Agreement (Southern Expansion) dated
                            November 1, 1990 between PSNC and Transco
                            Energy Marketing Company.

               10-F  -      Form of Severance Agreement between the Company and
                            its Executive Officers.

               11       -   Statement re: computation of per share earnings.

               27       -   Financial Data Schedule.

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:
 
                           The Company filed on April 10 a Current Report on
                  Form 8-K dated April 9, 1997, describing the Stockholders
                  Rights Plan adopted by the Board of Directors.

                           The Company filed on April 14 a Current Report on
                  Form 8-K/A dated April 10, 1997, describing the Stockholders
                  Rights Plan adopted by the Board of Directors.

                                                              17

<PAGE>




                                       SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                       PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                                       OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED
                                       -------------------------------
                                                 (Registrant)





Date  8-11-97                               /s/Charles E. Zeigler, Jr
      -------                               -------------------------- 
                                            Charles E. Zeigler, Jr.
                                            Chairman, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer




Date  8-11-97                               /s/Jack G. Mason
      -------                               --------------------------
                                            Jack G. Mason
                                            Vice President - Treasurer
                                            and Chief Financial Officer


                                                              18

<PAGE>



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     UT
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-1997   
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1997
<BOOK-VALUE>                                   PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                      468,189
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                        654
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                          87,185
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                        14,258
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 570,286
<COMMON>                                        19,662
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                      121,486
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                             73,900
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                 215,048
                                0
                                          0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                           183,350
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                              23,000
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                            0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                       0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                    9,300
                            0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                          0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                     0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                  139,588
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                   570,286
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                       303,906
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                             19,509
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                       77,158
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                       96,667
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                          41,345
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                2,878
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                   44,223
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         12,646
<NET-INCOME>                                     31,577
                           0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                    31,577
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                         12,782
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                             0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                           39,282
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      1.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      1.61
        


</TABLE>

Exhibit 10-A-33

                                         





                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                         
                               GAS SALES AGREEMENT
                                          
                                      BETWEEN
                                   
                         TRANSCO ENERGY MARKETING COMPANY
                                   
                                    AS SELLER
                                   
                                       AND
                     
              PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED
                         
                                    AS BUYER
























                                               CONFIDENTIAL



<PAGE>




                                      INDEX


                                                                      PAGE
         I.       DEFINITIONS                                            1
         II.      GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS                            3
         III.     RESERVATIONS OF SELLER                                 4
         IV.      QUANTITY OF GAS                                        4
         V.       DELIVERY PRESSURE                                     10
         Vl.      POINTS OF DELIVERY AND OWNERSHIP                      10
         VII.     TERM OF AGREEMENT                                     10
         VIII.    PRICE                                                 10
         IX.      QUALITY OF GAS                                        14
         X.       METERING AND MEASUREMENT                              14
         XI.      BILLING AND PAYMENT                                   15
         XII.     TRANSPORTATION                                        16
         XIII.    GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS                              18
         XIV.     FORCE MAJEURE                                         20
         XV.      WARRANTY OF TITLE                                     21
         XVI.     RESPONSIBILITY                                        22
         XVII.    GENERAL PROVISIONS                                    22



<PAGE>




                               AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                GAS SALES AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  effective  the 1st day of November, 1990, between
TRANSCO ENERGY MARKETING COMPANY, as "Seller", and PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED, as "Buyer", W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS,  Buyer is a local distribution  company; and
         WHEREAS,  Seller purchases  supplies  of natural gas for resale; and
         WHEREAS,  Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller desires to
sell to Buyer natural gas in the quantities and upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and
         WHEREAS, this agreement shall supersede and replace that certain
Gas Sales Agreement between Buyer and Seller dated January 1, 1989.
         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.01     The following words and terms, wherever used in this agree-
ment, shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)      "Annual Contract Maximum" shall be equal to the DCM multiplied by the
         number of days in the Contract Year.
(b)      "BTU" shall mean British Thermal Unit.
(c)      "Buyer's   allocated  DCM  capacity" shall  mean  a  volume  of  firm
         transportation  capacity  available to Buyer at a TGPL  receipt  point
         which is equal to the DCM  multiplied by the  percentage of capacity
         allocated  to such receipt point under TGPL's then  current FERC Gas
         Tariff.
(d)      "Buyer's city gate" shall mean the interconnection of the facilities
         of buyer and TGPL.
(e)      "Buyer's FT Agreement" shall mean Buyer's agreement(s) with TGPL, as
         may be in effect from time to time, for firm transportation of gas from
         the TGPL receipt points to Buyer's city gate.
(f)      "Contract Year" shall mean a period of twelve (12) consecutive months
         beginning at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on November 1 and extending until 7:00
         a.m. (C.S.T.) on the next November 1.
(g)      "Daily Contract Maximum" or "DCM" shall be equal to the sum of 20,000
         dt of gas per day


<PAGE> 


         plus the quantity of gas retained by TGPL for compressor fuel and line
         loss makeup, as such quantity may change from time to time during the
         term of this agreement.
(h)      "Day" shall mean a period beginning at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on a calendar
         day and ending at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on the next calendar day.
(i)      "Dekatherm" or "dt" shall mean the quantity of heat energy which is one
         (1) MMBtu.
(j)      "FERC" shall mean the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(k)      "Gas" or "natural gas" shall include casinghead gas produced with crude
         oil, natural gas from gas wells, coalbed methane gas, synthetic gas, 
         coal gasification gas and residue gas resulting from processing any of
         the foregoing.
(1)      "Load Factor" for the Contract Year shall mean the percentage which is
         obtained by dividing the aggregate of the daily quantities purchased by
         Buyer hereunder during a Contract Year by the Annual Contract Maximum.
         "Load Factor" for the Summer Period shall mean the percentage which is
         obtained by dividing the aggregate of the daily quantities purchased by
         Buyer hereunder during the Summer Period by a number equal to the DCM
         multiplied  by  the  number  of  days  in  the  Summer  Period.  Makeup
         quantities  taken  pursuant to Section 4.05 shall not be included for
         purposes of calculating Load Factor.
(m)      "Mcf"  shall mean one  thousand  (1,000)  cubic feet of natural gas and
         "MMcf" shall mean one million (1,000,000) cubic feet of natural gas.
(n)      "MMBTU" shall mean one million (1,000,000) British Thermal Units.
(o)      "Month" shall mean a period beginning at 7:00 a.m.(C.S.T.) on the
         first day of a calendar month and ending at 7:00 a.m.(C.S.T.) on the
         first day of the next calendar month.
(p)      "Pricing Point" shall mean Buyer's city gate or such other point as may
         be agreed upon by the parties.
(q)      "Redetermination Date" shall mean November 1, 1992 and November 1 of 
         second year thereafter during the term hereof.
(r)      "Summer Period" shall mean the period commencing at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.)
         on April 1 and ending at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on November 1 of each
         Contract Year.
(s)      "TGPL" shall mean Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation.
(t)      "TGPL receipt points" shall mean TGPL  Compressor  Stations 30, 45, 50,
         and 62, or other established TGPL mainline pooling points.
(u)      "Third party seller(s)" shall mean the party or parties from whom 
         Seller purchases gas.
(v)      "Transporter" shall mean any pipeline company which provides any
         portion of the transportation of the gas purchased  hereunder from the
         points of delivery stated in Article Vl to Buyer's city gate.


<PAGE>



(w)      "Transporter's Tariff" shall mean the currently effective tariff of
         Transporter filed with the FERC.
(x)      "Year" shall  mean a  period  of  three hundred sixty-five (365)
         consecutive days with a one day adjustment for leap years.
 
                                   ARTICLE II
                          GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS
         2.01 Each of the parties hereto agrees to proceed with diligence in a
good faith effort to obtain, cause to be obtained or to assist the other party
in obtaining all such governmental authorizations as may be necessary to enable
each party to perform or cause to be performed its obligations under this
agreement.
                                                    
                                  ARTICLE III
                            RESERVATIONS OF SELLER
         3.01  Subject to the other terms and provisions of this agreement,
Seller expressly reserves unto itself the right, at its sole cost and expense,
to separate and extract liquid and liquefiable hydrocarbons, other than methane,
from the gas upstream of TGPL Compressor Station 65 located in St. Helena
Parish, Louisiana, together with such methane as cannot be separated from the
ethane and heavier  hydrocarbons  separated or extracted from the gas, provided
that such extraction (i) shall not reduce the total heating value per cubic foot
below a level acceptable to Transporter; (ii) shall not render the gas incapable
of meeting the quality  specifications  described in Article IX; and (iii) shall
not cause the total number of dekatherms received by Buyer at its city gate to
be less than the number of dekatherms purchased at the point of delivery
(excluding gas retained  by TGPL for fuel and line loss).  All liquid and
liquefiable hydrocarbons so recovered shall belong to Seller.  Notwithstanding
Article XVI hereof, Seller agrees to indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from all
claims, liability, damages, and  expenses which may occur or be asserted by
reason of Seller's processing of gas hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                QUANTITY OF GAS
         4.01  Subject to the other terms and provisions of this agreement,
beginning on the date deliveries commence hereunder, and daily throughout the
term  hereof, Seller agrees to make available to Buyer at the point(s) of
delivery a quantity of gas equal to the Daily Contract Maximum ("DCM") or such
lesser quantity as Buyer may nominate and schedule hereunder.  Anything to the
contrary notwithstanding, Seller shall not be obligated to make available to
Buyer during any Contract Year any quantities in excess of the Annual Contract
Maximum.
         4.02     On or before the day before the date nominations are due under
 the terms of


<PAGE>

Transporter's Tariff ("Nomination Due Date"), Buyer shall nominate to Seller the
maximum daily  quantity of gas (up to the DCM) which Buyer  anticipates  it will
purchase in the ensuing month ("Nominated Quantity"). If Buyer fails to nominate
any quantity of gas on or before the Nomination Due Date,  Buyer shall be deemed
to have nominated a quantity equal to the DCM for such month.
         4.03 (a) If in any Summer Period Buyer fails to purchase a quantity of
gas (the "Summer Period Minimum Quantity") equal to at least forty percent (40%)
of the DCM  multiplied by the number of days in the Summer Period, Buyer shall
pay  Seller in  accordance with (i) or (ii) below, which  choice shall be at
Buyer's sole discretion:
                  (i)      a Deficiency Charge ("DC") calculated as follows:
                           DC = (SMQ - SQ) (SWACP)(.10)
         or       (ii)     a Prepayment Charge ("PC") calculated as follows:
                           PC = (SMQ - SQ) (SWACP)
         where:            SMQ              = Summer Period Minimum Quantity,
                           SQ               = total quantities purchased here-
                                              under during the Summer
                                              Period, and
                           SWACP            = Summer Weighted Average Commodity
                                            Price, the weighted average of all
                                            Commodity  Prices, as defined in
                                            Article VIII, in effect during the
                                            Summer Period (weighted by the
                                            number of days each such  price was
                                            in effect).
        (b) If in any Contract Year Buyer fails to purchase a quantity of gas
(the "Contract Year Minimum Quantity") equal to at least sixty percent (60%) of
the DCM multiplied by the number of days in the Contract Year,  Buyer shall pay
Seller either:
                  (i)      a Deficiency Charge calculated as follows:
                           DC = (CYMQ - CYQ) (CYWACP)(.20)
         or       (ii)     a Prepayment Charge calculated as follows:
                           PC = (CYMQ - CYQ) (CYWACP)
         where:            CYMQ             = Contract Year Minimum Quantity.
                           CYQ              =   total quantities purchased
                                            hereunder during the Contract Year.


<PAGE>



                           CYWACP           =  Contract Year Weighted Average
                                            Commodity Price, the weighted
                                            average of all Buyer's monthly
                                            Commodity Prices, as defined in
                                            Article VIII, in effect during the
                                            Contract Year (weighted by the
                                            number of days each such price was
                                            in effect).

         (c) If Buyer fails to purchase the Summer Period Minimum Quantity and
the Contract Year Minimum Quantity in the same Contract Year, Buyer shall be
required to pay Deficiency or Prepayment Charges for both the Summer Period and
the Contract Year in accordance with Sections 4.03(a) and (b), provided,
however, for purposes of determining the total quantities purchased hereunder
for the Contract Year, Buyer shall be deemed to have purchased the Summer Period
Minimum Quantity during such Summer Period.
         (d) Payment by Buyer of a  Deficiency Charge for a Summer Period or a
Contract Year pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or (b) shall fully satisfy the
obligation of Buyer to purchase the applicable minimum quantity and the
obligation of Seller to deliver such quantity, and neither party shall have any
remaining quantity obligation or rights as to such Summer Period or Contract
Year.
         4.04 If Buyer fails, for reasons other than Force Majeure or adverse
governmental action as defined below, to purchase the Contract Year Minimum
Quantity for two consecutive Contract Years, Seller shall be entitled, at its
sole option, to reduce the Annual Contract Maximum by up to the average
percentage by which Buyer's purchases were deficient during such two year
period.  Such deficiency percentage shall be calculated by subtracting the
average actual Load Factor over such two (2) year period from sixty percent
(60%). Buyer's adjusted Annual Contract Maximum shall be calculated as set forth
on Attachment "A" hereto.
         4.05 If Buyer shall have failed to purchase  the Summer Period and/or
Contract Year Minimum Quantities specified in Section 4.03 and has paid a
Prepayment Charge for such gas


<PAGE>



pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(ii) or 4.03(b)(ii)("Prepaid Gas"), Buyer shall have
the right, during the remaining term of this agreement, to receive makeup gas
equal to the quantity for which Buyer prepaid, subject to the provisions of this
section.  Subject to the nomination requirements of Section 4.02, Buyer may
receive such makeup gas at any time after that point in the Contract Year at
which  Buyer has  purchased the Summer Period and Contract Year Minimum
Quantities, or on any day during the Contract Year after Buyer has purchased the
DCM on such day (provided  Seller elects to make  available gas in excess of the
DCM). Seller or Buyer, as applicable,  shall account for any difference in price
between that at which a Prepayment  Charge was paid and that  applicable  at the
time makeup gas is taken. Gas shall be deemed made up on a "first in, first out"
basis.  The gas so made up during  any  subsequent  Contract  Year  shall not be
considered  purchased in such Contract Year for purposes of determining  whether
Buyer has purchased the Summer Period or Contract Year Minimum Quantity.  In the
event Buyer chooses to prepay and make up deficiency quantities,  any quantities
of gas  purchased  by Buyer in  subsequent  periods  that are in  excess  of the
applicable Minimum Quantities and any quantities which are purchased by Buyer in
excess of the DCM on any day shall be  considered  makeup  quantities  until all
quantities  of Prepaid Gas are made up. The foregoing  notwithstanding,  Buyer's
rights to make up Prepaid Gas shall not obligate Seller to deliver gas in excess
of the DCM on any day or in excess of the ACM in any Contract  Year, or serve to
extend the term of this agreement,  and all of Buyer's rights to make up Prepaid
Gas shall cease upon the termination of this agreement.  If upon  termination of
this  agreement,  Buyer has not made up all Prepaid Gas,  Seller  shall,  within
thirty (30) days after receipt of Buyer's invoice,  pay to Buyer an amount equal
to all Prepayment Charges paid by Buyer for the Prepaid Gas not made up, less an
amount  equal to the  Deficiency  Charges  that would have been  payable on such
quantities  based on the Commodity Price  applicable at the time such gas should
have been taken.
         4.06     (a)      If on any day Seller fails to deliver any portion of
the gas nominated and


<PAGE>



scheduled by Buyer for delivery in accordance  with this Article IV, Buyer shall
use reasonable efforts to replace such gas from other sources at the lowest cost
reasonably  available to Buyer.  If Buyer is able to replace such gas from other
sources,  then Seller shall pay to Buyer,  as Buyer's sole and exclusive  remedy
for such failure to deliver (in addition to the adjustments specified in Section
8.03), liquidated damages in an amount equal to:
                  (i)      the excess, if any, of
                           (a)      the price per dekatherm reasonably paid by
                                    Buyer for such replacement gas, such price
                                    to be adjusted if necessary for pricing
                                    point comparability,
                  over     (b)      the effective price per dekatherm (including
                                    commodity charges and excluding reservation
                                    charges) that would have been applicable to
                                    such gas hereunder,
multiplied by
                  (ii)     the difference between
                           (a)      the quantity of gas so nominated and
                                    scheduled by Buyer, and (b) the quantity of
                                    gas actually delivered hereunder.
                           (b)      the quantity of gas actually delivered
                                    hereunder.
If the price paid by Buyer for such  replacement  gas (as  described  in Section
4.06(a)(i)(a))  does not exceed the  effective  contract  price (as described in
Section 4.06(a)(i)(b)),  Buyer shall not be entitled to receive any damages from
Seller. If Buyer, in its reasonable  discretion,  replaces such gas from its own
supplies of gas in storage,  Buyer shall so advise  Seller and Seller may elect,
in lieu of paying the liquidated damages specified in this paragraph, to replace
such gas within Buyer's  storage  rights at a time  specified by Buyer.  At such
time Seller shall also reimburse Buyer for any injection and withdrawal  charges
or costs paid or incurred by Buyer in connection with the withdrawal and use of


<PAGE>



Buyer's storage gas and the injection of replacement gas supplied by Seller.  In
such case, Seller's  replacement of such gas and reimbursement of such injection
and  withdrawal  charges or costs (in addition to the  adjustments  specified in
Section 8.03) shall  constitute  Buyer's sole and exclusive  remedy for Seller's
failure to deliver gas hereunder.
        (b) If on any  day  Seller  fails  to  deliver  any  portion  of the gas
nominated and  scheduled by Buyer for delivery in  accordance  with this Article
IV, and if Buyer is unable to replace such gas from other  sources,  then Seller
shall pay to Buyer,  as Buyer's  sole and  exclusive  remedy for such failure to
deliver (in addition to the adjustments  specified in Section 8.03),  liquidated
damages in an amount  equal to the  applicable  Commodity  Price (as  defined in
Article  VIII)  multiplied  by the  difference  between  the  quantity of gas so
nominated and scheduled by Buyer and the quantity of gas actually delivered.
        (c) Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of Sections
4.06(a) and (b) and Section 8.03 shall not apply if Seller's  failure to deliver
is due to a force majeure condition or an adverse  governmental  action, as such
terms  are  defined  below,  or the  failure  of  Buyer  to  provide  sufficient
transportation capacity pursuant to Section 12.02(a).
         4.07 Buyer shall timely provide to Seller all nomination and scheduling
information  required by  Transporter  in connection  with the quantities of gas
Buyer desires to purchase  hereunder.  Buyer shall notify Seller by telephone of
all changes in its daily  scheduled  quantities  sufficiently in advance so that
Seller may comply with Transporter's  advance notice  requirements.  Buyer shall
take gas as nearly as  practicable  at uniform  hourly rates of flow, at uniform
daily deliveries and in conformance with any requirements of Transporter subject
to Article XII.
                                   
                                      ARTICLE V
                                  DELIVERY PRESSURE
5.01 Seller shall deliver natural gas to Buyer at Transporter's line pressure at
the point(s) of delivery


<PAGE>



designated in Article VI hereof.
                                
                                     ARTICLE VI
                           POINTS OF DELIVERY AND OWNERSHIP
         6.01 The  point(s) of delivery  for gas  purchased  and sold  hereunder
shall  be at the  interconnection  of the  facilities  of  Transporter  with the
facilities of third party sellers at Seller's  sources of gas.  Title shall pass
to Buyer at such point(s) of delivery.
                           
                                     ARTICLE VII
                                  TERM OF AGREEMENT
         7.01 Subject to the other  provisions  hereof,  this agreement shall be
effective  on November  1, 1990 and shall  remain in full force and effect for a
primary term ending  November 1, 2000.  Beyond the primary term,  this agreement
shall  extend on a year to year  basis,  unless  terminated  upon six (6) months
prior written notice by either party.
                                  
                                     ARTICLE VIII
                                        PRICE
         8.01 Subject to the other  provisions  of this  agreement,  for all gas
purchased  hereunder in a month, the Base Contract Price at the Pricing Point(s)
shall be equal to the sum of:
         (a)      eighteen cents ($.18) plus the arithmetic average of the
                  following:
                  (i)      the weighted average of the average prices for gas
                           delivered into TGPL for the week of publication, at
                           Wharton County, Texas - Station 30
         8.04     The Commodity Bill for each month shall be equal to the 
Commodity Price multiplied by the total quantity of gas purchased by Buyer
hereunder during such month. The Commodity  Price for a month shall be equal to
eighty  percent (80%) of the Base Contract Price for such month.  An example of
the  calculation of the Demand and Commodity Bills and adjustments thereto is
outlined in Attachment "B" hereto.


<PAGE>



         8.05 (a)  Either  party  may  initiate  a  redetermination  of the Base
Contract Price and/or the rate design (the "applicable  price  component(s)") by
delivering written notice to the other party on or before the 60th day prior to
the next  Redetermination  Date  ("Redetermination  Notice").  If neither  party
receives a  Redetermination  Notice on or before such 60th day,  the  applicable
price  component(s)  then in effect  shall remain in effect for the next two (2)
year period commencing on the Redetermination Date.
                  (b) If either party  receives a  Redetermination  Notice on or
before  such 60th day,  the parties  shall  commence  negotiating  in good faith
within  five  (5)  days of such  notice  to  redetermine  the  applicable  price
component(s).  If the parties fail to reach agreement within twenty (20) days of
such notice,  any remaining disputed matters shall be referred to the respective
chief  executive  officers  of Seller and Buyer for  resolution.  lf the parties
reach  agreement,  the  redetermined  applicable  price  components shall become
effective on the Redetermination  Date. If said chief executive officers fail to
reach   agreement  on  or  before  the   thirtieth   (30th)  day  prior  to  the
Redetermination  Date,  either  party may  terminate  this  agreement  by giving
written notice to the other party. In such event, this agreement shall terminate
on the one hundred-fiftieth (150th) day from the date such notice of termination
is  received,  and the  applicable  price  components  in  effect  prior  to the
Redetermination Date shall remain in effect until such termination.
         8.06 On any day in which the Commodity  Price is not  competitive  with
the applicable  residual fuel oil price, Buyer shall be deemed to have purchased
the DCM for purposes of  determining  whether Buyer  purchased the Summer Period
and Contract Year Minimum Quantities, regardless of the quantity of gas actually
purchased  by buyer on such day.  For purposes of this  section,  the  Commodity
Price ("CP"),  shall be considered  competitive with the residual fuel oil price
unless:
                  (CP + GRFT) x.95 exceeds{RFR} OVER {6.287}
where:


<PAGE>



                  GRFT              = applicable gross receipt and franchise and
                                    sales taxes
                  RFR               = a residual fuel oil reference price which
                                    shall be the low quote for estimated
                                    Wilmington, North Carolina spot cargo prices
                                    for No. 6 - 2.9%  sulphur high pour residual
                                    fuel oil published in the most recent
                                    Platt's Oilgram Price Report.

                                   
                                    ARTICLE IX
                                  QUALITY OF GAS
         9.01 (a) The gas delivered  hereunder shall be  merchantable  gas which
shall  comply  with the  quality  requirements  stated in the  tariff(s)  of the
Transporter(s) transporting the gas purchased and sold hereunder.
              (b)  SELLER  HAS NO  KNOWLEDGE  OF ANY  PARTICULAR  OR SPECIAL
PURPOSE OF BUYER FOR THE GAS TO BE SOLD  HEREUNDER  AND MAKES NO  WARRANTY  WITH
RESPECT TO THE FITNESS OF THE GAS FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE.
                                  
                                    ARTICLE X
                            METERING AND MEASUREMENT
         10.01 The unit of measurement of the gas shall be one dekatherm of gas.
The gas  delivered  hereunder  shall be  measured  and  metered  by the  initial
Transporter  at  Seller's  sources  of gas in  accordance  with the  provisions,
specifications and standards set forth in said Transporter's  tariff. Each party
shall preserve or cause to be preserved for at least one (1) year all test data,
charts,  allocation statements and other similar records available to it, unless
a longer period is prescribed by applicable regulation.
                            
                                    ARTICLE XI
                                BILLING AND PAYMENT
         11.01  On the  first  day of the  month  following  the  month in which
deliveries  commence  hereunder  and on the first day of each month  thereafter,
Seller shall render to Buyer a statement of the Reservation Charge for the prior
month. Such statement shall include adjustments, if any, which may be calculated
pursuant to Article VIII. Buyer shall pay Seller the Reservation  Charge by wire
transfer to Seller's  account at Citibank,  N.A.  (account  number  specified on
invoices)  on or before the tenth  (10th) day of each month or the tenth  (10th)
day following Buyer's receipt of the Reservation Charge statement,  whichever is
later.
         11.02    On or before the tenth (10th) day of each month, Seller shall
render to Buyer a


<PAGE>



statement showing the quantities of gas delivered by Seller during the preceding
month and the Commodity Charge  therefor,  as well as the amount and description
of any deficiency  charges owed by or liquidated damages owed to Buyer hereunder
for the preceding month.  Buyer shall pay Seller the amount of such statement by
wire transfer to Seller's account at Citibank, N.A. (account number specified on
invoices)  on or before  the  twentieth  (20th)  day of each  month or the tenth
(10th) day following the date of Buyer's receipt of such statement, whichever is
later;  provided,  however,  if any payment date is a Saturday,  Sunday or legal
holiday,  such payment  shall be due on the business day  immediately  following
such payment date.
         11.03  Liquidated  damages owed by Seller pursuant to the terms of this
agreement  for any month  shall be credited  against  Buyer's  Commodity  Charge
statement in the next month and against  Reservation Charge and Commodity Charge
statements in subsequent month(s) as necessary.
         11.04 If Buyer fails to pay any statement in whole or in part when due,
in addition to any other rights or remedies  available to Seller,  interest at a
rate equal to the prime rate of Citibank,  N.A. or its  successor  plus 2% shall
accrue  on  unpaid  amounts,  including  on unpaid  interest  compounded  daily,
beginning  on the payment due date of  Seller's  statement  and ending when such
statement is paid. The preceding  provisions of this Article XI notwithstanding,
if a legitimate good faith dispute arises between Buyer and Seller  concerning a
statement,  Buyer shall pay that portion of the  statement  not in dispute on or
before such due date,  and,  upon the  ultimate  determination  of the  disputed
portion of the statement,  Buyer shall pay Seller the remaining amount owed plus
the interest accrued thereon.  All disputes  regarding  quantities  delivered to
Buyer's city gate shall be resolved by reference to the  measurement  charts and
records of TGPL at Buyer's city gate.
         11.05 Upon  request,  either  party  shall mail or deliver to the other
party for  verification  and calculation all charts,  allocation  statements and
other  documents  used in the  measurement  of gas  delivered  hereunder (to the
extent such charts are available to the party receiving such request) within ten
(10) days after the last  charge for each  billing  period is received by Buyer.
Such  charts,  statements  or documents  shall be returned to the sender  within
thirty (30) days.

                                    ARTICLE XII
                                   TRANSPORTATION
         12.01    Seller shall arrange for the transportation of the gas sold
hereunder from the point(s) of delivery to the TGPL receipt points. Any
provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, as part


<PAGE>



of Seller's  obligation to arrange such  transportation,  Seller shall indemnify
and hold Buyer  harmless  from all  injuries,  claims,  liabilities  and damages
irrespective  of the cause thereof (other than Buyer's  negligence)  which arise
out of or in  connection  with  the  gas or the  handling  thereof  during  such
transportation.
         12.02 (a) The gas will be  transported  from the TGPL receipt points to
the  Pricing  Point  under  Buyer's FT  Agreement.  Buyer  shall  maintain  firm
transportation  capacity  with TGPL from the TGPL receipt  points to the Pricing
Point in an amount at least equivalent to the DCM plus applicable fuel and shall
make such capacity available for the transportation of all quantities  scheduled
hereunder.  Specifically,  at each TGPL receipt point Buyer shall make available
firm capacity equal to Buyer's  allocated DCM capacity at such point, and Seller
shall  deliver a  quantity  of gas equal to the  quantity  Buyer  nominates  and
schedules to be delivered at such point;  provided,  however,  that from time to
time Buyer and Seller may agree that the portion of the Nominated Quantity to be
delivered  hereunder  in the  ensuing  month at one or more of the TGPL  receipt
point(s)  shall be greater than Buyer's  allocated DCM capacity at such point(s)
if such additional firm capacity is available to Buyer,  and that the portion to
be delivered to other TGPL receipt point(s) in such month shall be less. If such
modified  allocation  is agreed to, it shall be used to  determine  the weighted
averages  described in Section  8.01.  If Buyer and Seller fail to agree to such
modified allocation on or before the seventh (7th) day prior to the first day of
the ensuing  month,  the gas scheduled by Buyer in such month shall be delivered
to the TGPL  receipt  points on a  pro-rata  basis in  accordance  with  Buyer's
allocated DCM capacity at each such point. Any other provision in this agreement
notwithstanding,  if Seller has made the  quantities  of gas  scheduled by Buyer
available  for delivery at the TGPL receipt  points in  accordance  with Buyer's
allocated  DCM  capacity  or such  modified  allocation  as the parties may have
agreed to, then to the extent Buyer fails to make  sufficient  firm  capacity on
the TGPL system  available to receive and transport  such  quantities,  Seller's
obligation  to  deliver  any  quantities  in  excess of the firm  capacity  made
available to Seller by Buyer shall be subject to and limited by the availability
of interruptible  transportation on the TGPL system,  if firm  transportation is
not otherwise available.
         (b)  Seller  shall  reimburse  or credit  Buyer for all TGPL  commodity
charges  which  are  incurred  by  Buyer  under  Buyer's  FT  Agreement  for the
transportation of gas purchased hereunder to the Pricing Point.
         12.04    Buyer and Seller shall cooperate to adjust any discrepancy
among (a) the quantity


<PAGE>



allocated at Seller's  sources of gas,  (b) the quantity  scheduled by Buyer and
(c) the  quantity  allocated  as Seller's  gas at Buyer's city gate by the final
Transporter.
         12.05 Without waiver of any other  remedies,  in the event any charges,
penalties,  costs or expenses are incurred or payable to Transporter as a result
of Seller's  failure to give Buyer timely  notice of any increase or decrease in
daily  quantities to be delivered at any point of delivery or TGPL receipt point
from the quantities  nominated and scheduled by-Buyer in accordance with Article
IV, Seller shall be responsible for such charges, penalties, costs or expenses.
         12.06 Without waiver of any other  remedies,  in the event any charges,
penalties,  costs or expenses are incurred or payable to Transporter as a result
of Buyer's  failure to give Seller  timely notice of any increase or decrease in
daily  quantities to be accepted at any TGPL receipt point or Pricing Point from
the quantities  nominated and scheduled by Buyer in accordance  with Article IV,
Buyer shall be responsible for such charges,, penalties, costs or expenses.
         12.07 For the  purpose  of  Sections  12.05 and 12.06,  notice  will be
deemed  timely  if,  under the  circumstances,  it should  have  given the party
receiving such notice reasonably  sufficient time to notify  Transporter of such
changes in  quantities  by the time  required  under the terms of  Transporter's
tariff to avoid imposition of a penalty or charge.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                             GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
         13.01 This agreement  shall be subject to all valid  applicable  state,
federal and local  laws,  rules and  regulations;  provided,  that either  party
hereto shall be entitled to regard all laws, rules and regulations issued by any
federal or state  regulatory  body as valid and may act in accordance  therewith
until such time as the same may be held invalid by final  judgment in a court of
competent  jurisdiction.  Nothing  herein  shall be taken to  preclude  Buyer or
Seller or both from  contesting  the  validity  of any such  law(s),  rule(s) or
regulation(s).
         13.02 In the event that the FERC,  Congress  or any other  governmental
body  asserting  jurisdiction   ("governmental  authority")  (i)  imposes  price
controls  on natural gas (ii)  prohibits  or  prevents  any of the  transactions
described in (a) this  agreement,  (b) any agency  agreement  between  Buyer and
Seller or (c) any  transportation  agreement  between  Transporter  and Buyer or
Seller  covering  the  transportation  of the  gas  delivered  hereunder;  (iii)
directly or indirectly  materially and adversely conditions such transactions in
a form that is unacceptable in the sole judgment of the party


<PAGE>



affected thereby,  or (iv) adopts any law, action,  rule or order which directly
or indirectly,  materially and adversely affects a party's rights or obligations
hereunder,  (each of the events  described  above being referred to herein as an
"adverse governmental  action"),  then the party hereto affected by such adverse
governmental   action  (the  "affected  party")  may  terminate  this  agreement
effective as of the effective date of such adverse governmental action by giving
written  notice of  termination  to the other  party.  However,  if such adverse
governmental  action becomes  effective in any month from October  through April
inclusive,  upon Buyer's request, Seller shall continue to deliver gas hereunder
until the following May 1,  provided  that:  (A) Buyer or Seller can arrange the
necessary transportation;  (B) Buyer shall agree in writing to keep Seller whole
on a monthly  basis with respect to all  increased  costs Seller may incur by so
continuing  to  perform  this  agreement;  (C) so  continuing  to  perform  this
agreement  will not result in Seller being  subject to the  jurisdiction  of the
FERC or any successor  governmental  authority beyond that in effect on the date
of this agreement,  and (D) Seller is able to obtain sufficient  supplies of gas
to satisfy Buyer's requirements  hereunder without affecting Seller's ability to
fulfill Seller's other firm sales contract obligations that are not suspended by
such  adverse  governmental  action.  If  conditions  (A),  (B)  and (C) of this
paragraph are satisfied but, due to such adverse governmental action,  Seller is
unable to obtain sufficient supplies of gas to satisfy Buyer's  requirements and
meet all of Seller's other firm sales obligations,  then Buyer shall be entitled
to receive,  until the  following  May 1, such  proportion  of the total reduced
quantity Seller is able to make available at each TGPL receipt point, if any, as
Buyer's nominated  quantity for each such receipt point bears to the sum of such
nominated  quantity  under this  agreement  and the nominated  quantities  under
Seller's other firm contracts for such TGPL receipt point.  Any provision herein
to  the  contrary   notwithstanding,   the  affected  party  may  terminate  its
performance of this  agreement  effective  immediately if continued  performance
hereof would cause such party to be in violation of any enforceable law, action,
rule, order or regulation under this article.
                             
                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                 FORCE MAJEURE
         14.01 No failure or delay in performance,  whether in whole or in part,
by either  Seller  or Buyer  shall be  deemed  to be a breach  hereof  when such
failure or delay is occasioned by or due to any acts of God, strikes,  lockouts,
or other  industrial  disturbances,  acts of the public enemy,  sabotage,  wars,
blockades,  insurrections, riots, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes,
floods, storms,


<PAGE>



fires,   washouts,   arrests  and  restraints  of  rulers  and  peoples,   civil
disturbances,  explosions,  breakage or accident to  machinery or lines of pipe,
hydrate  obstructions  of lines  of pipe,  lack of  pipeline  capacity  due to a
declared  force  majeure event  experienced  by  Transporter  affecting the firm
transportation of gas hereunder, repairs, maintenance,  improvement, replacement
or  alterations  to  plants,  lines of pipe or  related  facilities,  partial or
complete  failure to perform by persons  transporting  or storing  gas on a firm
basis for  Buyer or  Seller,  inability  of  either  party to  obtain  necessary
machinery,  materials  or  permits  or to  obtain  easements  or  rights of way,
freezing of a well or delivery facility, well blowouts, the act of any court or
governmental  authority,  or  any  other  cause,  whether  of  the  kind  herein
enumerated or otherwise, not reasonably within the control of the party claiming
suspension and which, by the exercise of due diligence,  such party is unable to
prevent  or  overcome;  provided,  however,  that the  settlement  of strikes or
lockouts  shall be  entirely  within  the  discretion  of the party  having  the
difficulty,  and the  requirement  that any force majeure shall be remedied with
the  exercise  of  diligence  shall not  require  the  settlement  of strikes or
lockouts by acceding  to the  demands of  opposing  parties  when such course is
inadvisable in the discretion of the party having difficulty.
         14.02 Such causes or  contingencies  affecting the  performance of this
agreement  by any  party  hereto,  however,  shall  not  relieve  such  party of
liability  in the  event of its  negligence  or in the event of its  failure  to
remedy the  situation  and remove the cause in an  adequate  manner and with all
reasonable  dispatch.  Nor shall  such  causes or  contingencies  affecting  the
performance  of this  agreement  relieve any party from its  obligations to make
payments of amounts when due. Nor shall such causes or contingencies relieve any
party of liability,  unless such party shall give notice and full particulars of
the same in writing or by telegraph to the other party as soon as possible after
the  occurrence  relied on, and like notice shall be given upon  termination  of
such force majeure conditions.
         14.03 If, due to force  majeure,  the gas  available  for  delivery  by
Seller is insufficient to meet all of Seller's firm, long-term sales obligations
(those with terms of one (1) year or longer),  Buyer shall not be  disadvantaged
relative to Seller's  other firm,  long term sales  commitments  with respect to
allocation  of supplies  of gas which could  reasonably  be  delivered  to Buyer
during the continuance of the force majeure.



<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE XV
                                WARRANTY OF TITLE
         15.01 Seller warrants title to all gas delivered by it, that it has the
right to sell or  deliver  the same,  and that  such gas is free from  liens and
adverse claims of every kind. Seller shall pay or cause to be paid all taxes and
other sums due on the  gathering  and  handling of the gas  delivered by Seller.
Seller  shall  indemnify  and save Buyer  harmless  from and  against all suits,
actions,  damages,  costs and expenses arising from or out of any breach of this
provision.
                                
                                    ARTICLE XVI
                                  RESPONSIBILITY
         16.01 As between the parties  hereto,  Seller  shall be deemed to be in
exclusive  control and possession of the gas sold  hereunder  until such gas has
been  delivered to the  point(s) of  delivery,  after which point Buyer shall be
deemed to be in exclusive control and possession of such gas.
         16.02 The party deemed to be in control and  possession of the gas sold
hereunder  shall be  responsible  for and shall  indemnify  the other party with
respect to any claims, liabilities or damages arising therefrom when such gas is
in that party's control and possession.
                                  
                                    ARTICLE XVII
                                 GENERAL PROVISIONS
         17.01 Copies of any filing  submitted  to the FERC,  or to any state or
federal regulatory agency having jurisdiction,  and any notice, request, demand,
payment or  statement  provided  for in this  agreement  shall be in writing and
shall be directed to the address of the parties hereto as follows:

BUYER:
For Notices, Payment and Billing:
Public Service Company of North Carolina, Inc.
800 Cox Road
Gastonia, North Carolina 28053
Attention: Vice President - Gas Supply and Transportation

SELLER:
For Notices:
Transco Energy Marketing Company
P. O. Box 1396
Houston, Texas 77251
or


<PAGE>



2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77056
Attention: Vice President - Gas Marketing & Operations
For Payment and Billings:
Transco Energy Marketing Company
P. O. Box 1396
Houston, Texas 77251
Attention: TEMCO Accounting

or at such other  address as either  party shall from time to time  designate by
correspondence to the other party.
         17.02 This  agreement  shall not be assignable by either party in whole
or in part,  except  with the  consent of the other  party,  which  shall not be
unreasonably  withheld.  This  agreement  shall  inure to the  benefit of and be
binding upon permitted successors and assigns.
         17.03  This  agreement  is for the sole and  exclusive  benefit  of the
parties hereto.  Except as otherwise provided in the Guaranty Agreement attached
hereto between Buyer and Transco Energy  Company,  nothing  expressed or implied
herein is intended to benefit any other person,  firm or corporation not a party
hereto and none of such other persons  shall have any legal or equitable  right,
remedy or claim under this agreement or under any provision hereof.
         17.04 This  agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement  between  the
parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof; supersedes all prior agreements
and  understandings,  whether  oral or  written,  which the  parties may have in
connection herewith;  and may not be modified except by written agreement of the
parties.  The parties and their legal counsel have cooperated in the drafting of
this  agreement  and it shall  therefore  be deemed their joint work product and
shall not be construed against either party by reason of its preparation.
         17.05    THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
TEXAS.
         17.06 The parties acknowledge that this agreement contains commercially
sensitive  information  and each  party  agrees  that it will not,  without  the
written consent of the other,  disclose to any third party except Transco Energy
Company and Transco  Energy  Services  Company,  this  agreement or the terms or
provisions thereof except to the extent, and only to the extent, that disclosure
is  required  (a)  by  law  or  by  a  court  or  administrative  agency  having
jurisdiction over the


<PAGE>


disclosing  party;  (b) to obtain  transportation  of the gas purchased and sold
hereunder; or (c) in the course of an audit of the disclosing party, and further
provided that upon learning that  disclosure is required by law or by a court or
administrative  agency,  the  party  required  to  make  such  disclosure  shall
immediately notify the other party and shall take all reasonable steps requested
by such other party to limit the extent of such disclosure.
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this instrument is executed as of the day and year
first above written.
                                       TRANSCO ENERGY MARKETING
                                                COMPANY


                                       By  /s/ W. Colin Harper
                                           Vice President -
                                           Gas Marketing and Operations


                                       PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
                                       NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED



                                       By  /s/ Franklin H. Yoho
                                           Vice President -
                                           Gas Supply and Transportation
<PAGE>


Exhibit 10-A-33.1


Transco
Gas Marketing Company




September 13, 1993



Public Service Company of North Carolina, Inc.
800 Cox Road
Gastonia, North Carolina 28053

Attention: Vice President, Gas Supply and Transportation

Re:  Amendment to that certain "AMENDED AND RESTATED GAS SALES AGREEMENT" by and
between Transco Energy Marketing Company,  as Seller, and Public Service Company
of North Carolina, Incorporated, as Buyer, dated November 1, 1990

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to our previous discussions,  please accept this letter as amending the
above-named agreement as follows:

1.    Effective  November 1, 1993 - Article I, Section  l.Ol(g) shall be amended
      to reduce the Daily Contract  Maximum from twenty thousand  (20,000) dt of
      gas per day to ten thousand (10,000) dt of gas per day; and,

2.    Effective November 1, 1992, Article VIII, Section 8.01(a) shall be amended
      to reduce the eighteen cents ($.18) reference therein to ten cents ($.10).

All other terms and conditions of the above-named agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.



<PAGE>


Public Service Company of North Carolina, Inc.
September 13, 1993
Page Two

If the foregoing  represents your understanding of the transaction  contemplated
by the  parties  hereto,  please so indicate  by  executing  both copies of this
letter and returning one (1) to the undersigned.

Sincerely,

TRANSCO ENERGY MARKETING COMPANY

/s/H. Dean Jones II

H. Dean Jones II
Senior Vice President

HDJ/MJS/dms/9300 1

Agreed to and Accepted this the 20 day of Sept., 1993.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED

By:       /s/Franklin H. Yoho

Title:    Franklin H. Yoho
          Vice President
          Corporate Development & Gas Supply


<PAGE>


Exhibit l0-A-34

System Contract #.4996














                              SERVICE AGREEMENT

                                   between

                   TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE CORPORATION

                                     and

                    PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA


















                                     DATED

                                 August 1, 1991


<PAGE>


                          FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
                   (For Use Under Seller's Rate Schedule FT)
                                 

THIS AGREEMENT  entered into this ____ day of __________ , 1991, by and
between  TRANSCONTINENTAL  GAS PIPE LINE  CORPORATION,  a Delaware  corporation,
hereinafter referred to as "Seller",  first party, and PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
NORTH CAROLINA, hereinafter referred to as "Buyer," second party,


                                 W I T N E S S E T H


         WHEREAS,  Seller and Buyer have  agreed to  convert  Buyers  firm sales
service under Seller's PS Rate Schedule to firm transportation; and

         WHEREAS,  Seller and Buyer have agreed to terminate and abandon Buyer's
existing PS firm sales service to permit such conversion; and

         WHEREAS,  Seller is agreeable as part of such  conversion to receiving,
transporting and redelivering or causing the redelivery of such gas as requested
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,

         NOW, THEREFORE, Seller and Buyer agree as follows:

                                     ARTICLE I
                            GAS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

         1.  Subject  to the  terms  and  provisions  of this  agreement  and of
Seller's  Rate  Schedule FT, Buyer agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered to
Seller  gas for  transportation  and Seller  agrees to  receive,  transport  and
redeliver  natural gas to Buyer or for the account of Buyer, on a firm basis, up
to the dekatherm  equivalent of a  Transportation  Contract  Quantity ("TCQ") of
4,200 Mcf per day.

         2.  Transportation  service rendered  hereunder shall not be subject to
curtailment  or  interruption  except as  provided  in Section 11 of the General
Terms and Conditions of Seller's FERC Gas Tariff.








                                                         

<PAGE>


                         FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
                   (For Use Under Seller's Rate Schedule FT)
                                 (Continued)



                                  ARTICLE II
                             POINT(S) OF RECEIPT

         Buyer shall  deliver or cause to be  delivered  gas at the  Point(s) of
receipt  hereunder at a pressure  sufficient to allow the gas to enter  Seller's
pipeline system at the varying pressures that may exist in such system from time
to time; provided, however, that such pressure of the gas delivered or caused to
be  delivered  by Buyer  shall not  exceed  the  maximum  operating  pressure(s)
specified  below.  In the event the maximum  operating  pressure(s)  of Seller's
pipeline  system,  at the  Point(s) of receipt  hereunder,  is from time to time
increased  or  decreased,  then the  maximum  allowable  pressure(s)  of the gas
delivered  or caused to be  delivered  by Buyer to  Seller  at the  point(s)  of
receipt   shall  be   correspondingly   increased  or  decreased   upon  written
notification  of Seller to Buyer.  The  point(s)  of  receipt  for  natural  gas
received for transportation pursuant to this agreement shall be:

SEE Exhibit A, attached hereto, for points of receipt.

                                  ARTICLE III
                              POINT(S) OF DELIVERY

         Seller  shall  redeliver  to Buyer or for the  account of Buyer the gas
transported hereunder at the following point(s) of delivery and at a pressure(s)
of:

SEE Exhibit B, attached hereto for points of delivery.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                               TERM OF AGREEMENT

         This agreement shall be effective as of August 1, 1991 and shall remain
in force and effect  until 8:00 a.m.  Eastern  Standard  Time July 31,  2011 and
thereafter  until  terminated  by Seller or Buyer upon at least  three (3) years
written notice;  provided,  however,  this agreement shall terminate immediately
and,  subject to the receipt of  necessary  authorizations,  if any,  Seller may
discontinue  service  hereunder if (a) Buyer,  in Seller's  reasonable  judgment
fails to demonstrate credit worthiness,  and (b) Buyer fails to provide adequate
security in  accordance  with Section 8.3 of Seller's  Rate  Schedule FT. As set
forth in Section 8 of Article II of Seller's August 7, 1989 revised  Stipulation
and Agreement in Docket Nos. RP88-68 et. al., (a) pregranted  abandonment  under
Section 284.221 (d) of the Commission's  Regulations shall not apply to any long
term  conversions  from firm  sales  service  to  transportation  service  under
Seller's  Rate  Schedule  FT and (b)  Seller  shall  not  exercise  its right to
terminate  this  service  agreement  as it  applies  to  transportation  service
resulting from  conversions  from firm sales service so long as Buyer is willing
to pay rates no less  favorable  than Seller is  otherwise  able to collect from
third parties for such service.




                                                         

<PAGE>


                            FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
                    (For Use Under Seller's Rate Schedule FT)
                                   (Continued)

                                    ARTICLE V

                             RATE SCHEDULE AND PRICE

         1. Buyer shall pay Seller for natural gas delivered to Buyer  hereunder
in accordance  with Seller's Rate Schedule FT and the  applicable  provisions of
the General  Terms and  Conditions of Seller's FERC Gas Tariff as filed with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,  and as the same may be legally amended or
superseded  from  time to  time.  Such  Rate  Schedule  and  General  Terms  and
Conditions are by this reference made a part hereof.

         2. Seller and Buyer agree that the quantity of gas that Buyer  delivers
or causes to be delivered  to Seller shall  include the quantity of gas retained
by Seller for applicable  compressor fuel, line loss make-up (and injection fuel
under Seller's Rate Schedule GSS, if applicable) in providing the transportation
service  hereunder,  which  quantity  may be changed from time to time and which
will be specified  in the  currently  effective  Sheet No. 44 of Volume No. 1 of
this  Tariff  which  relates  to  service  under  this  agreement  and  which is
incorporated herein.

         3. In  addition  to the  applicable  charges  for  firm  transportation
service  pursuant  to  Section 3 of  Seller's  Rate  Schedule  FT,  Buyer  shall
reimburse  Seller for any and all filing  fees  incurred  as a result of Buyer's
request for service under Seller's Rate Schedule FT, to the extent such fees are
imposed upon Seller by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any successor
governmental authority having jurisdiction.

                                    ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         1. This Agreement supersedes and cancels as of the effective date
hereof the following contract(s) between the parties hereto:

            PS Service  Agreement  between Buyer and Seller dated November 16,
1970.

         2. No waiver by either  party of any one or more  defaults by the other
in the  performance  of any  provisions  of this  agreement  shall operate or be
construed as a waiver of any future  default or  defaults,  whether of a like or
different character.

         3. The  interpretation  and  performance of this agreement  shall be in
accordance  with the laws of the State of  Texas,  without  recourse  to the law
governing conflict of laws and to all present and future valid laws with respect
to  the  subject  matter,   including  present  and  future  orders,  rules  and
regulations of duly constituted authorities.

         4. This agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         5. Notices to either party shall be in writing and shall be considered
as duly delivered when mailed to the other party at the following address:





                                                         

<PAGE>


                             FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
                     (For Use Under Seller's Rate Schedule FT)
                                     Continued)

                  (a)      If to Seller:

                           Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation
                           P. O. Box 1396
                           Houston, Texas 77251
                           Attention: Customer Services

                  (b)      If to Buyer:
                           Public Service Company of North Carolina
                           P. O. Box 1398
                           Gastonia, North Carolina 28053-1398
                           Attention: Mr. Marshall Dickey

Such  address  may be changed  from time to time by mailing  appropriate  notice
thereof to the other party by certified or registered mail.




                                                         

<PAGE>



IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be signed
by their respective officers or representatives thereunto duly authorized.

                                       TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE
                                                  CORPORATION
                                                   (Seller)


                                       By:
                                            Thomas E. Skains
                                            Senior Vice President
                                            Transportation and Customer
                                              Services

                                       PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH
                                         CAROLINA
                                                    (Buyer)


                                       By:   /s/Franklin H. Yoho

                                       Title: Vice President, Gas Suppy and
                                              Transportation




























                                                         

<PAGE>



                             EXHIBIT "A"  

                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                             (Mcf/d)*           Quantity****

1.    Suction Side of Seller's Compressor             714            340
       Station 30 at the Existing Point of
       Interconnection between Seller's
       Central Texas Lateral and Seller's
       Mainline at Wharton County, Texas.
       (Station 30 TP#7133)

2.    Existing Point of Interconnection               714
       between Seller and Valero Transmission
       Company (Seller Meter No. 3396) at
       Wharton County, Texas.  (Wharton Valero
       TP#6690)

3.    Existing Point of Interconnection               714
       between Seller and Meter named
       Spanish Camp (Seller Meter
       No. 3365) Wharton County, Texas.
       (Spanish Camp-Delhi TP #6895)

4.    Existing Point of Interconnection               714
       between Seller and Meter named Denton
       Cooley #1 (Seller Meter No. 3331), in Fort
       Bend County, Texas (Denton Cooley #1
       -TP#1106)

5.    Existing Point of Interconnection between       714
       Seller and Meter named Randon East (Fulshear)
       (Seller Meter No. 1427), in Fort Bend County,
       Texas.  (Randon East (Fulshear) TP#299)

6.    Existing Point of Interconnection               714
       between Seller and Houston Pipeline
       Company (Seller Meter No. 3364)
       At Fulshear, Fort Bend County, Texas.
       (Fulshear-HPL TP#6097)

7.    Existing Point of Interconnection between       714
       Seller and Meter named White Oak Bayou-
       Exxon Gas System, Inc. (Seller Meter No.
       3545), in Harris County, Texas.  (White
       Oak Bayou-EGSI-TP#1036)


                                                        

<PAGE>



                                             Buyer's Cumulative 
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

8.    Existing Point of Interconnection               714
       between Seller and Houston Pipeline
       Company (Seller Meter No. 4359) at
       Bammel, Harris County, Texas.
       (Bammel-HPL TP #6014)

9.    Existing Point of Interconnection               714
       between Seller and Delhi Pipeline
       Company (Seller Meter No. 3346) at
       Hardin County, Texas.  (Hardin-Delhi
       TP#6696)

10.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named Vidor Field Junction
       (Seller Meter No. 3554), in Jasper County,
       Texas.  (Vidor Field Junction-TP#2337)

11.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named Starks McConathy
       (Seller Meter No. 3535), in Calcasieu Parish,
       Lousiana.  (Starks McConathy-TP#7346)

12.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named DeQuincy Intercon
       (Seller Meter No. 2698) in Calcasieu Parish,
       Lousiana.  (DeQuicy Intercon-TP#7035)

13.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named DeQuincy Great Scott
       (Seller Meter No. 3357), in Calcasieu Parish,
       Louisiana.  (DeQuincy Great Scott-TP #6809)

14.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named Perkins-Phillips
       (Seller Meter No. 3532), in Calcasieu
       Parish, Louisiana.  (Perkins-Phillips-TP#7508)

15.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named Perkins (Intercon)
      (Seller Meter No. 3395), in Calcasieu
      Parish, Louisiana.  (Perkins (Intercon)
      -TP#7036)

16.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        714
       Seller and Meter named Perkins East (Seller
       Meter No. 2369), in Beauregard Parish,
       Louisiana.  (Perkins East-TP#139)

                                                     
<PAGE>

                                             Buyer's Cumulative 
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

17.  Discharge Side of Seller's Compressor            1764           500
       Station 45 at the Existing point of
       Interconnection between Seller's
       Southwest Louisiana Lateral and
       Seller's Mainline Beauregard Parish,
       Louisiana.  (Station 45 TP#7101)

18.  Existing Point of Interconnection                1764
       between Seller and Texas Eastern
       Transmission Corporation, (Seller
       Meter No. 4198) at Ragley, Beauregard
       Parish, Louisiana.  (Ragley-TET
       TP#6217)

19.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1764
       Seller and Trunkline Gas Company  (Seller
       Meter No. 4215) at Ragley, Beauregard
       Parish, Louisiana.  (Ragley-Truckline
       TP#6218)

20.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1764
       Seller and Tennessee Gas Transmission
       Company (Seller Meter No. 3371)
       at Kinder, Allen Parrish, Louisiana.
       (Kinder TGT-TP#6149)**

21.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1764
       Seller and Texas Gas Transmission
       Corporation (Seller Meter Nos. 3227,
       4314, 4457) at Eunice, Evangeline Parish,
       Louisiana.  (Eunice Mamou Tx. Gas TP#6923)

22.  Suction Side of Seller's Compressor              2562           380
       Station 50 at the Existing Point of
       Interconnection between Seller's Central
       Louisiana Lateral and Seller's Mainline
       Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.  (Station 50
       TP#6948)                                        

23.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        2562
       Seller and Columbia Gulf Transmission
       Corporation (Seller Meter No. 3142) at
       Eunice, Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.
       (Eunice Evangeline Col. Gulf TP#6414)


<PAGE>




                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
 Point(s) of Receipt                         (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

24.  Discharge Side of Seller's Compressor            2562
       Station 54 at Seller's Washington Storage
       Field, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
       (Station 54 TP#6768)*****

25.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        2562
       Seller and Acadian Pipeline (Seller Meter
       No. 3506) in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.
       (Morganza-Acadian Pipeline TP#7060)

26.  Existing Point of Interconnection                2562
       (Seller Meter No. 3272) at M.P. 566.92,
       Morganza Field, Pointe Coupee Parish,
       Louisiana.  (Morganza Field - TP#576)

27.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        2562
       Seller and Meter named West Feliciana
       Parish-Creole (Seller Meter No. 4464),
       in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
       (West Feliciana Parish-Creole TP#7165)

28.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        2562
       Seller and Mid-Louisiana Gas Company
       (Seller Meter Nos. 4137, 4184, 3229)
       at Ethel, East Feliciana Parish,
       Louisiana.  (Ethel-Mid LA TP#6083)

29.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        2562
       Seller and Meter named Liverpool Northwest
       (Seller Meter No. 3390), in St. Helena
       Parish, Louisiana.  (Liverpool Northwest-
       TP#6757)

30.  Suction Side of Seller's Compressor              1638           781
       Station 62 on Seller's Southeast
       Louisiana Lateral in Terrebonne Parish
       Louisiana.  (Station 62 TP#7141)
                                         
31.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Meter named Texas Gas - TLIPCO-
       Thibodeaux (Seller Meter No. 3533), in
       LaFourche Parish, Louisiana (TXGT-TLIPCO)
       -Thibodeaux-TP#7206)

<PAGE>


                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

32.  Existing Point of Interconnection                1638
       Seller and Meter named Romeville-Monterey
       Pipeline (Seller Meter No. 4410), in
       St. James Parish, Louisiana.  (Romeville-
       Monterey Pipeline-TP#580)

33.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Meter named St. James CCIPC
       (Seller Meter No. 4462), in St. James
       Parish, Louisiana.  (St. James CCIPC-
       TP#7164)**

34.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Meter names St. James Faustina
       (St. Amelia) (Seller Meter No. 3328), in
       St. James Parish, Louisiana.  (St. James
       Faustina (St. Amelia) TP#6268)**

35.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Meter named St. James Acadian
       (Seller Meter No. 4366), in St. James
       Parish, Louisiana.  (St. James Acadian-
       TP#6677)**

36.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Meter named Livingston-Flare
       (Seller Meter No. 3540), in Livingston
       Parish, Louisiana.  (Livingston-Flare-
       TP#8739)

37.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Florida Gas Transmission
       Company (Seller Meter No. 3217), at
       St. Helena, St. Helena Parish,
       Louisiana.  (St. Helena FGT-TP#6267)

38.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        1638
       Seller and Meter named Beaver Dam Creek
       (Seller Meter No. 3536), in St. Helena
       Parish, Louisiana.  (Beaver Dam Creek-
       TP#8218)

39.  Suction Side of Seller's Compressor              4200
       Station 65 at the Existing Point of
       Interconnection between Seller's
       Southeast Louisiana Lateral and Seller's
       Mainline St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.
       (Station 65 TP#6685)
 
<PAGE>


                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

40.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named Amite County/Koch
       (Seller Meter No. 3332), in Amite County,
       Mississippi (Amite County/Koch-TP#6701)

41.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named McComb (Seller Meter
       No. 3461), in Pike County, Mississippi.
       (McComb-TP#6446)

42.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and United Gas Pipe
       Line Company at Holmesville (Seller
       Meter No. 3150), Pike County,
       Mississippi.  (Holmesville-United TP#6128)

43.  Discharge Side of Seller's Compressor            4200
       Station 70 at M.P. 661.77 in Walthall
       County, Mississippi.  (M.P. 661.77-
       Station 70 Discharge-TP#7142)

44.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and United Gas Pipe
       Line Company at Walthall (Seller Meter
       No. 3095), Walthall County, Mississippi.
       (Walthall-UGPL TP#6310)***

45.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Meter named Darbun-
       Pruett 34-10 (Seller Meter No. 3446)
       at M.P. 668.46 on Seller's Main
       Transmission Line, Darbun Field,
       Walthall County, Mississippi.  (Darbun
       Pruett TP#6750)

46.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter Named Ivy Newsome (Seller
       Meter No. 3413) in Marion County,
       Mississippi.  (Ivy Newsome-TP#6179)

47.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and West Oakvale Field at M.P.
       680.47-Marion County, Mississippi.
       (M.P. 680.47-West Oakvale Field-TP#7144)


<PAGE>

                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

48.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and East Morgantown Field at M.P.
       680.47 in Marion County, Mississippi.
       (M.P. 680.47-E. Morgantown Field-TP#7145)

49.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Greens Creek Field,
       at M.P. 681.84 Marion County, Mississippi.
       (M.P. 681.84 Greens Creek Field TP#7146)

50.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named M.P. 685.00-Oakville
       Unit 6-6 in Jefferson Davis County,
       Mississippi. (M.P. 685.00-Oakville Unit 6-6 TP#1376)

51.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named M.P. 687-23-Oakvale
       Field in Marion County, Mississippi.
       (M.P. 687.23-Oakvale Field-TP#7147)

52.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Bassfield at named M.P. 696.40
       in Marion County, Mississippi.  (M.P. 696.40
       Bassfield-TP#9439)

53.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named Lithium/Holiday Creek
      -Frm (Seller Meter No. 3418), in Jefferson
       Davis County, Mississippi.  (Lithium/Holiday
       Creek-Frm-TP#7041)

54.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and S.W. Sumrall Field and Holiday
       Creek at M.P. 692.05-Holiday Creek in
       Jefferson Davis, Mississippi.  (M.P. 692.05
       -Holiday Creek-TP#7159)

55.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and ANR Pipe Line
       Company at Holiday Creek (Seller
       Meter No. 3241), Jefferson David
       County, Mississippi.  (Holiday
       Creek-ANR TP#398)


<PAGE>


                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

56.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Mississippi Fuel
       Company at Jeff Davis (Seller Meter
       No. 3252), Jefferson Davis County,
       Mississippi.  (Jefferson Davis
       County-Miss Fuels TP#6579)***

57.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named Jefferson Davis-Frm
       (Seller Meter No. 4420), in Jefferson Davis
       County, Mississippi.  (Jefferson Davis-Frm-
       TP#7033)

58.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Carson Dome Field M.P. 696.41,
       in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi.
       (M.P. 696.41-Carson Dome Field-TP#7148)

59.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Meter Station named
       Bassfield-ANR Company at M.P. 703.17
       on Seller's Main Transmission Line
       (Seller Meter No. 3238), Covington
       County, Mississippi.  (Bassfield-ANR
       TP#7029)

60.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named Patti Bihm #1
       (Seller Meter No. 3468), in Covington County,
       Mississippi.  (Patti Bihm #1-TP#7629)

61.  Discharge Side of Seller's Compressor            4200
       at Seller's Eminence Storage Field (Seller
       Meter No. 4166 and 3160) Covington County,
       Mississippi.  (Eminence Storage TP#5561)

62.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Dont Dome Field at M.P. 713.39
       in Covington, County, Mississippi.
       (M.P. 713.39-Dont Dome-TP#1396)

63.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Endevco in Covington
       County, Mississippi.  (Hattiesburg-
       Interconnect storage TP#1686)


<PAGE>

                                             Buyer's Cumulative
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

64.  Existing Point at M.P. 719.58 on                 4200
       Seller's Main Transmission Line
       (Seller Meter No. 3544), Centerville
       Dome Field, Jones County, Mississippi.
       (Centerville Dome Field-TP#1532)

65.  Existing Point at M.P. 727.78 on                 4200
       Seller's Main Transmission Line,
       Jones County, Mississippi.  (Jones
       County-Gitano TP-7166)

66.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and a Meter named
       Koch Reedy Creek (Seller Meter No. 3333),         
       Jones County, Mississippi. (Reedy Creek-
       Koch TP#670)

67.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Meter named Sharon Field
       (Seller Meter No. 3000), in Jones County,
       Mississippi.  (Sharon Field-TP#419)

68.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Tennessee Gas
       Transmission Company at Heidelberg
       (Seller Meter No. 3109), Jasper
       County, Mississippi.  (Heidelberg-
       Tennessee TP#6120)***

69.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Mississippi Fuel
       Company at Clarke (Seller Meter No. 3254),
       Clarke County, Mississippi.  (Clarke
       County-Miss Fuels TP#6047)***

70.  Existing Point of Interconnection                4200
       between Seller and Meter named Clarke
       County-Koch at M.P. 757.29 in Clarke
       County, Mississippi.  (Clarke County-
       Koch-TP#5566)

71.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller's mainline and Mobile Bay Lateral at
       Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama (Butler-
       TP#6034)


<PAGE>

                                             Buyer's Cumulative 
                                             Mainline Capacity     Billing
                                             Entitlement           Determinent
Point(s) of Receipt                          (Mcf/d)*              Quantity****

72.  Existing Point of Interconnection between        4200
       Seller and Southern Natural Gas Company,
       (Seller Meter No. 4087) at Jonesboro,
       Clayton County, Georgia.  (Jonesboro-SNG-
       TP#6141)

Buyer shall not tender,  without the prior consent of Seller, at any point(s) of
receipt on any day, a quantity in excess of the  applicable  Buyer's  Cumulative
Mainline Capacity Entitlement for such point(s) of receipt.

                                                        

<PAGE>


*                     These   quantities  do  not  include  the  additional
                      quantities  of gas retained by Seller for  applicable
                      compressor fuel and line loss make-up provided for in
                      Article  V, 2 of this  Service  Agreement,  which are
                      subject  to change as  provided  for in  Article  V,2
                      hereof.

**                    Receipt of gas by displacement only.

***                   Receipt of gas limited to physical capacity of 
                      Seller's lateral line facilities.

****                  In order to effectuate  the cost  allocation and rate
                      design  allocation  approved  in  the  Settlement  in
                      docket  Nos.  RP87-7 et. al.,  the parties  recognize
                      that  the  quantities   reflected   herein  shall  be
                      considered  Buyer's applicable TCQ Quantities for the
                      purpose of billing the rates and  charges  hereunder,
                      and such billing  determinants  are subject to change
                      through rate filings of Seller  pursuant to the terms
                      and conditions of Article V hereof.

*****             Buyer's Cumulative Mainline Capacity Entitlement at Compressor
                  Station 54 shall not supersede or otherwise affect any rights,
                  obligations  or  limitations  which are stated in Seller's WSS
                  Rate Schedule.

                                                        

<PAGE>



Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation

Exhibit B

Point(s) of Delivery                              Pressure

1. Station 54*                                    Not applicable.
  
2. Asheville Meter Station,                       Not less than fifty (50)
   located at milepost 1249.35                    pounds per square inch
   on Seller's main trans-                        gauge or such other
   mission line near Kings                        pressures as may be
   Mountain, North Carolina.                      agreed upon in the day-
                                                  to-day operations of Buyer
                                                  and Seller.

3. Davidson Meter Station,                        Not less than fifty (50)
   located at milepost 1287.10                    pounds per square inch
   on Seller's main trans-                        gauge or such other
   mission line in Iredell                        pressures as may be
   County, North Carolina,                        agreed upon in the day-
   at Compressor Station No.                      to-day operations of Buyer
   150, approximately two (2)                     and Seller.
   miles northwesterly from
   Davidson, North Carolina.

4. Foote Mineral Meter Station,                   Not less than fifty (50)
   located at milepost 1251.55                    pounds per square inch
   on Seller's main trans-                        gauge or such other
   mission line in Cleveland                      pressures as may be
   County, North Carolina.                        agreed upon in the day-
                                                  to-day operations of Buyer
                                                  and Seller.

* Delivery to Seller's Washington Storage Field for injection into storage
  is subject to the terms,  conditions and  limitations of Seller's WSS Rate
  Schedule.

                                                             

<PAGE>



Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation

Exhibit B (Continued)

Point(s) of Delivery                              Pressure

5. Gastonia Meter Station,                        Not less than fifty (50)
   located at milepost 1260.83                    pounds per square inch
   on Seller's main trans-                        gauge or such other
   mission line in Gaston                         pressures as may be
   County, North Carolina,                        agreed upon in the day-
   approximately three (3)                        to-day operations of Buyer
   miles northwesterly from                       and Seller.
   Gastonia, North Carolina,
   near West Gastonia, North
   Carolina.

6. Mooresville Meter Station,                     Not less than fifty (50)
   located at milepost 1292.90                    pounds per square inch
   on Seller's main trans-                        gauge or such other
   mission line in Iredell                        pressures as may be
   County, North Carolina,                        agreed upon in the day-
   approximately two (2) miles                    to-day operations of Buyer
   easterly from Mooresville,                     and Seller.
   North Carolina.

7. Stanley Meter Station,                         Not less than fifty (50)
   located at milepost 1269.23                    pounds per square inch
   on Seller's main trans-                        gauge or such other
   mission line near Stanley,                     pressures as may be
   North Carolina.                                agreed upon in the day-
                                                  to-day operations of Buyer
                                                  and Seller.

 8. Greensboro Meter Station,                     Not less than fifty (50)
    located at milepost 1355.06                   pounds per square inch
    on Seller's main trans-                       gauge or such other
    mission line in Guilford                      pressures as may be
    County, North Carolina,                       agreed upon in the day-
    where the facilities of                       to-day operations of Buyer
    Piedmont Natural Gas Company                  and Seller.
    connect with those of Seller.

                                                            

<PAGE>



Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation

Exhibit B (Continued)

Point(s) of Delivery                              Pressure

9.  Dan River Meter Station,                      Not less than fifty (50)
    located at milepost 1382.53                   pounds per square inch
    on Seller's main trans-                       gauge or such other
    mission line approximately                    pressures as may be
    0.5 mile south of Dan                         agreed upon in the day-
    River, North Carolina.                        to-day operations of Buyer
                                                  and Seller.

10.  Statesville Meter Station,                   Not less than fifty (50)
     located on Seller's main                     pounds per square inch
     transmission line approxi-                   gauge or such other
     mately 125 feet downstream                   pressures as may be
     From milepost 1305.80 in                     agreed upon in the day-
     Rowan County, North                          to-day operations of Buyer
     Carolina.                                    and Seller.

11.  Lithium Corporation                          Not less than fifty (50)
     Industrial Meter Station,                    pounds per square inch
     located at milepost 1255.86                  gauge or such other
     on Seller's main transmis-                   pressures as may be
     sion line in Gaston County,                  agreed upon in the day-
     near Bessemer City, North                    to-day operations of Buyer
     Carolina, where U. S.                        and Seller.
     Highway 29 intersects 
     Seller's main line.

12.  Tryon Meter Station,                         Not less than fifty (50)
     located on Seller's Mill                     pounds per square inch
     Spring extension, at                         gauge or such other
     approximately milepost                       pressures as may be
     28.06, one (1) mile south-                   agreed upon in the day-
     east of Tryon in Polk                        to-day operations of Buyer
     County, North Carolina.                      and Seller.


                                                             

<PAGE>


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation

Exhibit B (Continued)

Point(s) of Delivery                              Pressure

13.  Columbus Meter Station,                      Not less than fifty (50)
     located at milepost 31.41                    pounds per square inch
     on Seller's Mill Spring                      gauge or such other
     extension approximately                      pressures as may be
     1/2 mile east of Columbus                    agreed upon in the day-
     in Polk County, North                        to-day operations of Buyer
     Carolina.                                    and Seller.

14.  Mill Spring Meter Station,                   Not less than fifty (50)
     located at the terminus of                   pounds per square inch
     Seller's Mill Spring                         gauge or such other
     extension, in Polk County,                   pressures as may be
     North Carolina.                              agreed upon in the day-
                                                  to-day operations of Buyer
                                                  and Seller.

15.  Wise Meter Station,                          Not less than fifty (50)
     located at the terminus of                   pounds per square inch
     Seller's Wise extension,                     gauge or such other
     1/4 mile west of the                         pressures as may be
     intersection of Virginia                     agreed upon in the day-
     State Highway No. 713 and                    to-day operations of Buyer
     U. S. Highway No. 1, Warren                  and Seller.
     County, North Carolina.

16.  Seller's Eminence Storage                    Prevailing pressure in
     Field, Covington County,                     Seller's pipeline system
     Mississippi.                                 not to exceed maximum
                                                  allowable operating
                                                  pressure.
<PAGE> 




EXHIBIT 10-A-35

SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 49529
CONTROL NO. 1995-04-30 - 0027


                                  FSS SERVICE AGREEMENT


THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into this 7th day of November,  1995,  by and
between:

           COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION ("SELLER")
           AND
           PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED ("BUYER")

WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:


Section 1. Service to be Rendered.  Seller shall perform and Buyer shall receive
the service in accordance with the provisions of the effective FSS Rate Schedule
and applicable General Terms and Conditions of Seller's FERC Gas Tariff,  Second
Revised  Volume  No. 1  (Tariff),  on file with the  Federal  Energy  Regulatory
Commission (Commission),  as the same may be amended or superseded in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Commission.  Seller shall store quantities
of gas for Buyer up to but not exceeding  Buyer's Storage  Contract  Quantity as
specified  in  Appendix  A, as the  same  may be  amended  from  time to time by
agreement  between  Buyer  and  Seller,  or in  accordance  with the  rules  and
regulations of the Commission.  Service  hereunder shall be provided  subject to
the  provisions  of Part 284.223 of Subpart G of the  Commission's  regulations.
Buyer warrants that service hereunder is being provided on behalf of BUYER.

Section 2. Term.  Service under this  Agreement  shall  commence as of APRIL 01,
1997 , or upon  completion  of facilities  and shall  continue in full force and
effect  until  OCTOBER  31,  2012  , and  from  YEAR-to-YEAR  thereafter  unless
terminated  by either party upon 2 YEARS ' written  notice to the other prior to
the  end  of the  initial  term  granted  or any  anniversary  date  thereafter.
Pre-granted abandonment shall apply upon termination of this Agreement,  subject
to any right of first refusal Buyer may have under the Commission's  regulations
and Seller's Tariff.

Section  3.  Rates.  Buyer  shall pay the  charges  and  furnish  the  Retainage
percentage  set forth in the  above-referenced  Rate  Schedule and  specified in
Seller's currently  effective Tariff,  unless otherwise agreed to by the parties
in writing and specified as an amendment to this Service Agreement.

Section 4. Notices. Notices to Seller under this Agreement shall be addressed to
it at Post Office Box 1273,  Charleston,  West Virginia  25325-1273,  Attention:
Manager - Agreements  Administration  and notices to Buyer shall be addressed to
it at:

           PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED
           P O BOX 1398
           400 COX ROAD
           GASTONIA,  NC    28053-1398

           ATTN: DANNY SMITH; until changed by either party by written notice.



<PAGE>



SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 49529
CONTROL NO.  1995-04-30-0027


                               FSS SERVICE AGREEMENT



Section 5. Superseded Agreements. This Service Agreement supersedes and cancels,
as of the effective date hereof, the following Service Agreements: N/A .


PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED


By:      Franklin H. Yoho

Name:    /s/ Franklin H. Yoho

Title:   Senior Vice President - Marketing & Gas Supply

Date:    10/31/95



COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

By:       /s/ Stephen M. Warnick

Name:     Stephen M Warnick

Title:    Vice President

Date:     November 7, 1995



<PAGE>



Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-80 - 0027



Appendix A to Service Agreement No.  49529
Under Rate Schedule F S S

 Between (Seller) COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION
     and (Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED




GFNT / THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS ARE SUBJECT TO PRECEDENT
AGREEMENT NO. 47810 BETWEEN BUYER AND SELLER DATED JUNE 27, 1995.

































<PAGE>


Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-30 - 0027

Appendix A to Service Agreement No. 49529
Under Rate Schedule FSS
Between (Seller) COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION
 and (Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

                       Storage Contract Quantity            1,060,020 Dth

                       Maximum Daily Storage Quantity      11,778 Dth per day




CANCELLATION OF PREVIOUS APPENDIX A


Service changes  pursuant to this Appendix A shall become  effective as of April
01, 1997.  This Appendix A shall cancel and  supersede  the previous  Appendix A
effective  as of N/A , to the  Service  Agreement  referenced  above.  With  the
exeception  of this  Appendix A, all other terms and  conditions of said Service
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.



       PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

By:        Franklin H. Yoho

Name:      /s/ Franklin H. Yoho

Title:     Senior Vice President - Marketing & Gas Supply

Date:      10/31/95


       COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

By:        /s/ Stephen M. Warnick

Name:      Stephen M. Warnick

Title:     Vice President

Date:      November 7, 1995
<PAGE>




EXHIBIT 10-A-36

SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 49530

CONTROL NO. 1995-04-30 - 0026

SST SERVICE AGREEMENT

THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into this 7th day of November,  1995,  by and
between:

COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION ("SELLER")
    AND
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED
("BUYER")

WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Service to be Rendered.  Seller shall perform and Buyer shall receive
service in accordance with the provisions of the effective SST Rate Schedule and
applicable  General Terms and  Conditions  of Seller's  FERC Gas Tariff,  Second
Revised  Volume  No. 1  (Tariff),  on file with the  Federal  Energy  Regulatory
Commission (Commission),  as the same may be amended or superseded in accordance
with the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission.  The maximum  obligation of
Seller to deliver gas hereunder to or for Buyer,  the  designation of the points
of delivery at which Seller shall deliver or cause gas to be delivered to or for
Buyer, and the points of receipt at which Buyer shall deliver or cause gas to be
delivered,  are specified in Appendix A, as the same may be amended from time to
time by agreement  between Buyer and Seller, or in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission.  Service  hereunder shall be provided  subject to
the  provisions of Part 284. 223 of Subpart G of the  Commission's  regulations.
Buyer warrants that service hereunder is being provided on behalf of BUYER .

Section 2. Term.  Service under this Agreement shall commence as of NOVEMBER 01,
1997 , or upon  completion  of facilities  and shall  continue in full force and
effect  until  OCTOBER  31,  2012,  and from  YEAR  -to-YEAR  thereafter  unless
terminated  by either party upon 2 YEARS ' written  notice to the other prior to
the  end  of the  initial  term  granted  or any  anniversary  date  thereafter.
Pre-granted abandonment shall apply upon termination of this Agreement,  subject
to any right of first refusal Buyer may have under the Commission's  regulations
and Seller's Tariff.

Section 3. Rates.  Buyer shall pay Seller the charges and furnish  Retainage  as
described in the above-referenced  Rate Schedule,  unless otherwise agreed to by
the parties in writing and specified as an amendment to this Service Agreement.

Section 4. Notices. Notices to Seller under this Agreement shall be addressed to
it at Post Office Box 1273,  Charleston,  West Virginia  25325-1273,  Attention:
Manager - Agreements  Administration  and notices to Buyer shall be addressed to
it at:

 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED
 P O BOX 1398
 400 COX ROAD
 GASTONIA,  NC   28053-1398

ATTN: DANNY SMITH;
until changed by either party by written notice.


<PAGE>



SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 49530
CONTROL NO. 1995-O4-30 - 0026

SST SERVICE AGREEMENT

Section 5. Superseded Agreements. This Service Agreement supersedes and cancels,
as of the effective date hereof, the following Service Agreements: N/A.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

By:     Franklin H. Yoho

Name:   /s/ Franklin H. Yoho

Title:  Senior Vice President - Marketing & Gas Supply

Date:   10/31/95

COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

By:      /s/Stephen M. Warnick

Name:    Stephen M. Warnick

Title:   Vice President

Date:    November 7, 1995



<PAGE>



Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-30 - 0026

Appendix A to Service Agreement No. 49530
   Under Rate Schedule SST
Between (Seller) COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION
and (Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA
INCORPORATED

October through March Transportation Demand      11,778 Dth/day

April through September Transportation Demand      5,889 Dth/day


                                  Primary Receipt Points


Scheduling            Scheduling                        Maximum Daily
Point No.             Point Name                        Quantity (Dth/Day)
STOW                  STORAGE WITHDRAWALS                    11,778


<PAGE>



Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-30 - 0026

Appendix A to Service Agreement No. 49530
   Under Rate Schedule SST

Between (Seller) COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION
and (Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA
INCORPORATED



                                  Primary Delivery Points


Scheduling      Scheduling           Measuring       Measuring
Point No.       Point Name           Point No.       Point Name
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
833097       TRC BOSWELLS TAVERN      833097         TRC BOSWELLS TAVERN


                                    Maximum     S1/
                                    Delivery
Maximum Daily                       Pressure
Delivery Obligation                 Obligation
   (Dth/Day)                        (PSIG)
11,778                                750


<PAGE>



Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-30 - 0026

Appendix A to Service Agreement No. 49530
   Under Rate Schedule SST
Between (Seller) COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION  and
(Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA
INCORPORATED

S1             /    IF A MAXIMUM PRESSURE IS NOT SPECIFICALLY STATED,
                    THEN SELLER'S OBLIGATION SHALL BE AS STATED IN
                    SECTION 13 (DELIVERY PRESSURE) OF THE GENERAL
                    TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

GFNT           /    THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS ARE
                    SUBJECT TO PRECEDENT AGREEMENT NO. 47810
                    BETWEEN BUYER AND SELLER DATED JUNE 27, 1995.

                    UNLESS STATION  SPECIFIC  MDDOS ARE SPECIFIED IN A SEPARATE
                    FIRM SERVICE  AGREEMENT BETWEEN SELLER AND BUYER,  SELLER'S
                    AGGREGATE MAXIMUM  DAILY  DELIVERY  OBLIGATION, UNDER  THIS
                    AND ANY  OTHER SERVICE  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN SELLER AND BUYER,
                    AT THE STATION(S) LISTED ABOVE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE MDDO
                    QUANTITIES SET FORTH ABOVE FOR EACH STATION.  ANY STATION
                    SPECIFIC MDDOS IN A SEPARATE FIRM SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
                    SELLER AND BUYER SHALL BE ADDITIVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL STATION
                    MDDOS SET FORTH ABOVE.


<PAGE>


Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-30 - 0026

Appendix A to Service Agreement No. 49530
   Under Rate Schedule SST
Between (Seller) COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION  and
(Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA
INCORPORATED

The Master  List of  Interconnects  (MLI) as defined in Section 1 of the General
Terms and Conditions of Seller's Tariff is incorporated  herein by reference for
the purposes of listing valid secondary receipt and delivery points.

Service  changes  pursuant  to this Appendix  A shall  become  effective  as of
November 1, 1997, or upon completion of facilities. This Appendix A shall cancel
and  supersede  the  previous  Appendix A  effective  as of N/A,  to the Service
Agreement  referenced  above.  With the  exception of this Appendix A, all other
terms and  conditions of said Service  Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

By:           Franklin H. Yoho

Name:         /s/ Franklin H. Yoho

Title:        Senior Vice President - Marketing & Gas Supply

Date:         10/31/95


COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

By:         /s/Stephen M. Warnick

Name:       Stephen M. Warnick

Title:      Vice President

Date:       November 7, 1995

<PAGE>




EXHIBIT 10-A-37

SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 55293
CONTROL NO. 1995-04-30 - 0028

ITS SERVICE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 31 day of March 1997, by and between:

      COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION ("SELLER")
               AND
      PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED
     ("BUYER")

WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Service to be Rendered.  Seller shall perform and Buyer shall receive
service in accordance with the provisions of the effective ITS Rate Schedule and
applicable  General Terms and  Conditions  of Seller's  FERC Gas Tariff,  Second
Revised  Volume  No. 1  (Tariff),  on file with the  Federal  Energy  Regulatory
Commission (Commission),  as the same may be amended or superseded in accordance
with the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission.  The maximum  obligation of
Seller to deliver gas hereunder to or for Buyer,  the  designation of the points
of delivery at which Seller shall deliver or cause gas to be delivered to or for
Buyer, and the points of receipt at which Buyer shall deliver or cause gas to be
delivered,  are specified in Appendix A, as the same may be amended from time to
time by agreement  between Buyer and Seller, or in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission.  Service  hereunder shall be provided  subject to
the  provisions of Part 284. 223 of Subpart G of the  Commission's  regulations.
Buyer warrants that service hereunder is being provided on behalf of BUYER.

Section 2. Term.  Service under this  Agreement  shall  commence as of APRIL 01,
1997, and shall continue in full force and effect from month-to-month thereafter
unless  terminated  by either party upon thirty (30) days written  notice to the
other  prior to the end of the  initial  term  granted or any  anniversary  date
thereafter.  Pre-granted  abandonment  shall  apply  upon  termination  of  this
Agreement,  subject  to any  right of first  refusal  Buyer  may have  under the
Commission's regulations and Seller's Tariff.

Section 3. Rates.  Buyer shall pay Seller the charges and furnish  Retainage  as
described in the above-referenced  Rate Schedule,  unless otherwise agreed to by
the parties in writing and specified as an amendment to this Service Agreement.

Section 4. Notices. Notices to Seller under this Agreement shall be addressed to
it at Post Office Box 1273,  Charleston,  West Virginia  25325-1273,  Attention:
Manager - Agreements  Administration  and notices to Buyer shall be addressed to
it at:

 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED
 P O BOX 1398
 400 COX ROAD
 GASTONIA, NC    28053-1398

ATTN: DANNY SMITH; until changed by either party by written notice.



<PAGE>



SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 55293
CONTROL NO. 1995-04-30 - 0028

ITS SERVICE AGREEMENT

Section 5. Superseded Agreements. This Service Agreement supersedes and cancels,
as of the effective date hereof, the following Service Agreements: N/A .

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

By:     /s/ Franklin H. Yoho

Name:   Franklin H. Yoho

Title:  Senior Vice President - Marketing & Gas Supply

Date:   3/25/97

COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

By:      /s/ Evie M. Jones

Name:    Evie M. Jones

Title:   Aqreements Administration Representative

Date:    March 31, 1997



<PAGE>


Revision No.
Control No. 1995-04-30 - 0028

Appendix A to Service Agreement No.55293 Under Rate Schedule ITS Between(Seller)
COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION and (Buyer) PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF 
NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

Transportation Quantity      50,000 Dth/day

The Master  List of  Interconnects  (MLI) as defined in Section 1 of the General
Terms and Conditions is incorporated herein by reference for purposes of listing
valid interruptible receipt points and delivery points.

Service changes  pursuant to this Appendix A shall become  effective as of APRIL
01, 1997.  This Appendix A shall cancel and  supersede  the previous  Appendix A
effective  as of N/A,  to the  Service  Agreement  referenced  above.  With  the
exception  of this  Appendix A, all other terms and  conditions  of said Service
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA INCORPORATED

By:     /s/ Franklin H. Yoho

Name:   Franklin H. Yoho

Title:  Senior Vice President - Marketing & Gas Supply

Date:   3/25/97


COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

By:      /s/ Evie M. Jones

Name:    Evie M. Jones

Title:   Aqreements Administration Representative

Date:    March 31, 1997
<PAGE>



EXHIBIT 10-A-38





                                         





                               GAS SALES AGREEMENT
                                
                                     BETWEEN
                        
                         TRANSCO ENERGY MARKETING COMPANY
                                
                                   AS SELLER
                               
                                      AND
              
             PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED
             
                                   AS BUYER
                               
                             (SOUTHERN EXPANSION)













                                                         CONFIDENTIAL



<PAGE>




                                                       INDEX

                                                                        Page
I.       DEFINITIONS                                                      1
II.      GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS                                      3
III.     RESERVATIONS OF SELLER                                           3
IV.      QUANTITY OF GAS                                                  4
V.       DELIVERY PRESSURE                                                7
VI.      POINTS OF DELIVERY AND OWNERSHIP                                 7
VII.     TERM OF AGREEMENT                                                7
VIII.    PRICE                                                            7
IX.      QUALITY OF GAS                                                  11
X.       METERING AND MEASUREMENT                                        12
Xl.      BILLING AND PAYMENT                                             12
Xll.     TRANSPORTATION                                                  14
XIII.    GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS                                        15
XIV.     FORCE MAJEURE                                                   16
XV.      WARRANTY OF TITLE                                               18
XVI.     RESPONSIBILITY                                                  18
XVII.    GENERAL PROVISIONS                                              18




<PAGE>




                                 GAS SALES AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  effective  the 1st  day of  November,  1990,  between
TRANSCO ENERGY  MARKETING  COMPANY,  as "Seller",  and PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED, as "Buyer",

                                    WITNESSETH:
         WHEREAS,  Buyer is a local distribution  company;  and WHEREAS,  Seller
         purchases  supplies  of natural  gas for  resale;  and  WHEREAS,  Buyer
         desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller desires to sell to
         Buyer natural  gas in the  quantities  and  upon  the  terms  and
         conditions hereinafter set forth; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
         the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, Buyer and Seller
         agree as follows:

                                     ARTICLE I.
                                    DEFINITIONS

1.01 The following words and terms, wherever used in this agreement,  shall have
the meanings set forth below:
(a)      "BTU" shall mean British Thermal Unit.
(b)      "Buyer's city gate" shall mean the interconnection(s) between the 
         facilities of Buyer and TGPL.
(c)      "Buyer's FT Agreement"  shall mean Buyer's  agreement(s)  with TGPL, as
         may be in effect from time to time, for firm transportation of gas from
         the  Pricing  Point(s) to Buyer's  city gate,  including  that  certain
         transportation  agreement  authorized by the Federal Energy  Regulatory
         Commission's  Order  issued  May 14,  1990 in Docket  No.  CP88-760-000
         ("TGPL Southern Expansion Order").
(d)      "Contract Year" shall mean a period beginning at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on
         November 1, and extending until 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on April 1 of each
         year during the term hereof.
(e)      "Daily Contract Maximum" or "DCM" shall be equal to 23,000 dt of gas
         per day at the Pricing Point.
(f)      "Day" shall mean a period beginning at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on a calendar
         day and ending at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on the next calendar day.


<PAGE>


(g)      "Dekatherm" or "dt" shall mean the quantity of heat energy which is one
         (1) MMBtu.
(h)      "Gas" or "natural gas" shall include casinghead gas produced with crude
         oil, natural gas from gas wells,  coalbed methane gas,  synthetic gas,
         coal  gasification gas and residue gas resulting from processing any of
         the foregoing.
(i)      "Mcf"  shall mean one  thousand  (1,000)  cubic feet of natural gas and
         "MMcf" shall mean one million (1,000,000) cubic feet of natural gas.
(j)      "MMBTU" shall mean one million (1,000,000) British Thermal Units.
(k)      "Month" shall mean a period beginning at 7:00 a.m.(C.S.T.)on the first
         day of a calendar month and ending at 7:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) on the first
         day of the next calendar month.
(l)      "Pricing Point(s)" shall mean receipt points on the TGPL mainline which
         are mutually acceptable to Buyer and Seller,  including certain receipt
         points which are  permissible  receipt points for gas to be transported
         by TGPL pursuant to the TGPL Southern Expansion Order.
(m)      "Redetermination Date" shall mean July 1, 1995 and July 1 of every
         fifth (5th) Contract Year thereafter.
(n)      "Seller's WASP" shall mean Seller's  weighted average sales price for a
         month,  which  shall be  determined  by  dividing  (a)  Seller's  total
         revenues for such month from sales of gas less costs of  transportation
         and/or  storage for  deliveries  to the point of sale  (including  fuel
         retention and any other  transportation  surcharges),  by (b) the total
         quantities of gas sold by Seller during such month.
(o)      "TGPL" shall mean Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation.
(p)      "Third party seller(s)" shall mean the party or parties from whom
         Seller purchases gas.
(q)      "Transporter" shall mean any pipeline company which provides any 
         portion of the transportation  of the gas  purchased  hereunder  from
         the  points  of delivery stated in Article Vl to Buyer's city gate.
(r)      "Year"  shall  mean  a  period  of  three  hundred   sixty-five   (365)
         consecutive days with a one day adjustment for leap years.
                         
                                   ARTICLE II.
                           GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS
2.01     Each of the parties hereto agrees to proceed with diligence in a good
         faith


<PAGE>



effort to obtain, cause to be obtained or to assist the other party in obtaining
all such governmental authorizations as may be necessary to enable each party to
perform or cause to be performed its obligations under this agreement.

                                   ARTICLE III.
                             RESERVATIONS OF SELLER
3.01  Subject  to the  other  terms and  provisions  of this  agreement,  Seller
expressly  reserves  unto  itself the right,  at its sole cost and  expense,  to
separate and extract liquid and  liquefiable  hydrocarbons,  other than methane,
from the gas upstream of the Pricing Point, together with such methane as cannot
be  separated  from the ethane and heavier  hydrocarbons  separated or extracted
from the gas,  provided  that such  extraction  (i) shall not  reduce  the total
heating value per cubic foot below a level acceptable to Transporter; (ii) shall
not render the gas incapable of meeting the quality specifications  described in
Article IX; and (iii) shall not cause the total number of dekatherms received by
Buyer at the Pricing Point to be less than the number of dekatherms scheduled by
Buyer in accordance with Article IV. All liquid and liquefiable  hydrocarbons so
recovered  shall belong to Seller.  Article XVI hereof  notwithstanding,  Seller
agrees to indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from all claims, liability, damages,
and expenses which may occur or be asserted by reason of Seller's  processing of
gas hereunder.
                                    ARTICLE IV.
                                 QUANTITY OF GAS
4.01  Subject to the other terms and  provisions  of this  agreement,  beginning
November 1, 1990 and daily thereafter  during each Contract Year,  Seller agrees
to make  available  to Buyer at the Pricing  Point(s) a maximum  quantity of gas
equal to the Daily Contract Maximum ("DCM") or such lesser quantity as Buyer may
schedule  from time to time  hereunder.  
4.02  Buyer shall have no  obligation to purchase any minimum quantity of gas
hereunder.
4.03  Buyer shall timely provide to Seller all nomination and scheduling
information required by Transporter in connection with the quantities of gas
Buyer desires to purchase hereunder. Buyer shall notify  Seller  by  telephone
of all changes in its daily scheduled quantities sufficiently in advance so
that Seller may comply with Transporter's advance notice requirements.  Buyer
shall take gas as nearly as practicable at uniform hourly rates of flow, at
uniform daily deliveries and in  conformance with any requirements of
Transporter, subject to Article XII.


<PAGE>



4.04 (a) If on any day  during a  Contract  Year  Seller  fails to  deliver  any
portion of the gas  scheduled  by Buyer for  delivery on such day in  accordance
with this Article IV, Buyer shall use reasonable  efforts to replace such gas at
the lowest cost reasonably  available to Buyer. If Buyer is able to replace such
gas from other  sources,  then Seller  shall pay to Buyer,  as Buyer's  sole and
exclusive  remedy for such  failure to deliver (in  addition to the  adjustments
specified in Section 8.03), liquidated damages in an amount equal to:
         (i)  the excess of
              (a)  the price  per  dekatherm  reasonably  paid by Buyer for such
                   replacement  gas,  such price to be adjusted if necessary for
                   pricing point comparability,
over     (b)  the effective price per Dekatherm (including demand and commodity
              charges) that would have been applicable to such gas hereunder,
multiplied by
         (ii) the difference between
         (a)  the quantity of gas so scheduled by Buyer hereunder and
         (b)  the quantity of gas actually delivered hereunder.
If the price paid by Buyer for such  replacement  gas (as  described  in Section
4.04(a)(i)(a))  does not exceed the  effective  contract  price (as described in
Section  4.04(a)(i)(b)),  Buyer shall not receive any  damages.  If Buyer in its
reasonable  discretion,  replaces  such  gas  from  its own  supplies  of gas in
underground storage,  Buyer shall so advise Seller and Seller may elect, in lieu
of paying the liquidated  damages  specified in this paragraph,  to replace such
gas within Buyer's  storage  rights at a time  specified by Buyer.  At such time
Seller shall also reimburse Buyer for any injection and withdrawal  charges paid
or  incurred  by Buyer in  connection  with the  withdrawal  and use of  Buyer's
storage gas and the injection of replacement  quantities  supplied by Seller. In
such case, Seller's  replacement of such gas and reimbursement of such injection
and  withdrawal  charges (in  addition to the  adjustments  specified in Section
8.03) shall constitute Buyer's sole and exclusive remedy for Seller's failure to
deliver gas hereunder.  (b) If on any day during a Contract Year Seller fails to
deliver any portion of the gas  nominated and scheduled by Buyer for delivery on
such day in  accordance  with this Article IV, and if Buyer is unable to replace
such gas from other sources, or if Seller fails to redeliver such gas to storage
as requested by Buyer pursuant to Section 4.04(a), Seller shall pay to Buyer, as
Buyer's  sole and  exclusive  remedy for such failure to deliver (in addition to
the adjustments specified in Section 8.03),


<PAGE>



liquidated  damages in an amount  equal to the  applicable  Commodity  Price (as
defined in Section 8.04)  multiplied by the  difference  between the quantity of
gas so  nominated  and  scheduled  by Buyer  hereunder  and the  quantity of gas
actually delivered.
         (c) If Seller fails to deliver the  quantity of gas  scheduled by Buyer
hereunder for sixty (60) consecutive days, (i) Seller (a) may, by giving written
notice to Buyer,  reduce the DCM to the average daily  quantity which Seller was
able to deliver  during such sixty (60) day period;  and (b) may terminate  this
agreement  by giving  written  notice to Buyer prior to the end of the  Contract
Year in which the DCM was so reduced,  provided that such  termination by Seller
shall be effective upon the expiration of the following  Contract Year; and (ii)
Buyer may terminate  this  agreement by giving  written  notice to Seller within
sixty (60) days of the expiration of such sixty 60 day failure period,  and such
termination by Buyer shall be effective upon Seller's receipt of Buyer's notice.
Upon  termination of this agreement by either party pursuant to this  paragraph,
neither party shall incur any further liability hereunder.
         (d)  Anything  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  the  provisions  of
Sections  4.04(a),  (b) and (c) and  Section  8.03  shall not apply if  Seller's
failure  to  deliver  is  due  to  a  force  majeure  condition  or  an  adverse
governmental,  action,  as such terms are defined below, or the failure of Buyer
to provide sufficient transportation capacity pursuant to Section 12.02.
                                  
                                  ARTICLE V.
                              DELIVERY PRESSURE
5.01 Seller shall deliver natural gas to Buyer at Transporter's line pressure at
the point(s) of delivery designated in Article VI hereof.
                                  
                                  ARTICLE VI.
                       POINTS OF DELIVERY AND OWNERSHIP
6.01 The point(s) of delivery for gas purchased and sold hereunder shall be
at the interconnection of the facilities of Transporter with the facilities of
third party sellers at Seller's sources of gas. Title shall pass to Buyer at
such point(s) of delivery.

                                  ARTICLE VII.
                               TERM OF AGREEMENT
7.01 Subject to the other provisions  hereof,  this agreement shall be effective
on the date first above  written and shall remain in full force and effect for a
primary term ending  March 31, 2006.  Beyond the primary  term,  this  agreement
shall extend on a year to year basis, unless terminated upon six (6)


<PAGE>



months prior written notice by either party.
                               
                                  ARTICLE VIII.
                                     PRICE
8.01  (a)  Subject  to the  other  provisions  of  this  agreement,  for all gas
purchased  hereunder in a month, the Base Contract Price at the Pricing Point(s)
shall be equal to the sum of:
              (i)  one hundred and twenty-one percent (121%) of the arithmetic
                   average of the following:
                   (A)   the arithmetic average of the spot prices for gas
                         delivered to pipelines in the Louisiana Gulf Coast,
                         Onshore and Offshore, published in Natural Gas Week's
                         "Gas Price Report" in the first issue of such month;
                   (B)   the  arithmetic  average of the midpoints of the ranges
                         of  prices  of spot  gas  delivered  to  Tennessee  Gas
                         Pipeline Company in Louisiana and Offshore  (mainline),
                         published in Inside F.E.R.C.'s Gas Market Report in the
                         first issue of such month; and
                   (C)   the regional  average  spot price for gas  delivered to
                         Tennessee  Gas  Pipeline  Company  in South  Louisiana,
                         mainline  in  such  month   published  in  Natural  Gas
                         Intelligence Gas Price Index in the first issue of such
                         month;
         plus        (ii) the actual cost of  transportation  incurred by Seller
                     upstream  of the  Pricing  Point  including  fuel  and  all
                     applicable   surcharges  but  excluding  backhaul  fees  on
                     Transco, not to exceed thirty cents (30) per dekatherm.
         (b) Notwithstanding  Section 8.01(a),  if the  interconnection  between
United Gas Pipeline Company and TGPL at Holmesville,  Mississippi is used as the
Pricing Point for a month, the Base Contract Price shall be equal to one hundred
and twenty-one percent (121%) of the arithmetic average of the following:
                (i)  the average spot price for the week of publication  for gas
                     delivered  to TGPL in  Holmesville,  Mississippi  (Zone 4),
                     published  in Natural  Gas Week in the first  issue of such
                     month in the table  reporting  spot prices of gas delivered
                     to interstate pipelines; and
                (ii) the  midpoint of the range of prices of spot gas  delivered
                     to TGPL in  Mississippi  and  Alabama,  published in Inside
                     F.E.R.C.'s  Gas  Market  Report in the first  issue of such
                     month.


<PAGE>



         (c) If any of the indices  described  in Section  8.01(a) or (b) or any
replacement  index  selected by the parties  ceases to be  published,  Buyer and
Seller shall immediately  negotiate a similar,  mutually acceptable  replacement
index or indices.  Until such  replacement  index or indices are  selected,  the
average  determined in accordance with paragraph  8.01(a)(i) or 8.01(b) shall be
based upon the  subparagraphs  of paragraph  8.01(a)(i) or 8.01(b) for which the
necessary indices remain  available.  In the event that none of the average spot
prices described in subparagraphs 8.01(a)(i)(A), (B) and (C) or in subparagraphs
8.01(b)(i) or (ii) can be determined  for a month because the necessary  indices
have  ceased  to be  published  and  the  parties  have  failed  to  agree  upon
replacement  indices,  then either party may refer the matter to the  respective
chief executive  officers of Buyer and Seller for resolution by giving the other
party written notice thereof ("CEO Notice"). The replacement indices selected by
said chief executive officers shall be effective  commencing the month following
the last month for which the Base Contract Price was determined from a published
index or indices,  (the "Index Replacement  Month"), and Seller's statements and
Buyer's payments shall be adjusted accordingly. If said chief executive officers
fail to reach  agreement on or before the  fourteenth  (14th) day  following the
date of the CEO Notice,  either  party may  terminate  this  agreement by giving
written  notice  of  termination  to the other  party,  such  termination  to be
effective upon the expiration of the current  Contract Year. In such event,  the
Base Contract Price for the Index  Replacement  Month and each succeeding  month
for the  remainder of the term shall be  determined  according to the  following
formula:
         Base   Contract Price for the current month = 1.21 x [(A-B) + C] where:
                A = Seller's WASP for the current  month;  B = Seller's WASP for
                the month  immediately  preceding the current month; and C = the
                Base  Contract  Price for the month  immediately  preceding  the
                current month.
8.02 The Base  Contract  Price  shall be billed  each month  based on a two part
(demand/commodity)  rate  design:  twenty-five  percent  (25%)  demand  rate and
seventy-five percent (75%) commodity rate.
              The Demand Bill shall be calculated on a monthly basis as follows:
                (A)(.25)(B) = Demand Bill
         where:
                A = Base Contract Price; and B = DCM multiplied by 30.20.
8.03 The Demand Bill for a month shall be reduced if Seller failed to
     deliver any


<PAGE>



quantities of gas  requested by Buyer in  accordance  with Article IV on any day
during the preceding month. Such reduction shall be calculated as follows:
                (A)(.25)(C) =         Amount to be subtracted from the Demand
                                      Bill as otherwise calculated

                where:

                A =   Base Contract Price for the preceding month; and
                C =   Quantities  of gas  requested by Buyer but not delivered
                      by Seller during such month.
8.04  The  Commodity  Bill for a month shall be equal to the  Commodity  Price
multiplied by the total quantity of gas purchased by Buyer hereunder during such
month.  The Commodity Price for a month shall be equal to  seventy-five  percent
(75%) of the Base Contract price for such month.
         An example of the  calculation of the Demand and Commodity  Bills and
adjustments  thereto is outlined in Attachment "A" hereto.
8.05 (a) Either party may initiate a redetermination of the Base Contract Price
and/or the rate design (the "applicable price component(s)") by delivering 
written notice to the other party  on or  before  the  60th  day  prior to the
next Redetermination  Date ("Redetermination  Notice"). If neither party 
receives a Redetermination  Notice on or before such 60th day, the  applicable
price  component(s)  then in effect shall remain in  effect  for the next five
(5) year  period  commencing  on the Redetermination Date.
     (b) If either party receives a Redetermination Notice on or before such
60th day, the parties shall  commence  negotiating in good faith within five (5)
days of such notice to redetermine  the applicable  price  component(s).  If the
parties fail to reach  agreement  within  twenty (20) days of such  notice,  any
remaining  disputed  matters shall be referred to the respective chief executive
officers of Seller and Buyer for resolution.  If said chief  executive  officers
fail to reach  agreement  on or before  the  thirtieth  (30th)  day prior to the
Redetermination Date, either party may terminate this agreement effective on the
Redetermination Date by giving twenty-five (25) days written notice to the other
party.
                                   
                                     ARTICLE IX.
                                   QUALITY OF GAS


<PAGE>



9.01 (a) The gas  delivered  hereunder  shall be  merchantable  gas which  shall
comply  with  the  quality   requirements   stated  in  the   tariff(s)  of  the
Transporter(s) transporting the gas purchased and sold hereunder.
     (b) SELLER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE  OF ANY  PARTICULAR  OR SPECIAL  PURPOSE OF
BUYER FOR THE GAS TO BE SOLD HEREUNDER AND MAKES NO WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE
FITNESS OF THE GAS FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE.

                                     ARTICLE X.
                              METERING AND MEASUREMENT
10.01 The unit of  measurement of the gas shall be one dekatherm of gas. The gas
delivered  hereunder shall be measured and metered by the initial Transporter at
Seller's  sources of gas in accordance with the provisions,  specifications  and
standards set forth in said Transporter's  tariff.  Each party shall preserve or
cause  to be  preserved  for at  least  one (1)  year  all  test  data,  charts,
allocation statements and other similar records available to it, unless a longer
period is prescribed by applicable regulation.

                                    ARTICLE XI.
                                BILLING AND PAYMENT
11.01 On the  first  day of the month  following  the month in which  deliveries
commence  hereunder and on the first day of each month thereafter,  Seller shall
render  to Buyer a  statement  of the  Demand  Bill for the  prior  month.  Such
statement shall include adjustments, if any, which may be calculated pursuant to
Section 8.03.  Buyer shall pay Seller the amount of the Demand Bill statement by
wire transfer to Seller's account at Citibank, N.A. (account number specified on
invoices) on or before the tenth  (lOth) day of each month,  or the tenth (lOth)
day following Buyer's receipt of such statement,  whichever is later;  provided,
however,  if any  payment  date is a  Saturday,  Sunday or legal  holiday,  such
payment  shall be due on the business  day  immediately  following  such payment
date.
11.02 On or before the tenth (lOth) day of each month, Seller shall render
to Buyer a statement  showing the  quantities  of gas delivered by Seller during
the preceding  month and the Commodity Bill therefor,  as well as the amount and
description of any  liquidated  damages owed to Buyer pursuant to Article IV for
the preceding  month.  Buyer shall pay Seller the amount of the  Commodity  Bill
statement by wire transfer to Seller's account at Citibank, N.A. (account number
specified on invoices) on or before the twentieth  (20th) day of each month,  or
the tenth (lOth) day following  Buyer's receipt of such statement,  whichever is
later; provided, however, if any payment date is a


<PAGE>



Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, such payment shall be due on the business day
immediately following such payment date.
11.03 Liquidated damages owed by Sellerfor any month shall be credited against
Buyer's Commodity Bill in the next month and against  Buyer's  Demand Bill and
Commodity  Bill in subsequent  month(s) as necessary.
11.04 If Buyer fails to pay any statement  in whole or in part when due, in 
addition to any other rights and remedies available to Seller, interest at a
rate equal to the prime rate of  Citibank,  N.A. or its  successor  plus 2%
shall accrue on unpaid amounts,  including on unpaid interest  compounded daily,
beginning  on the payment due date of  Seller's  statement  and ending when such
statement is paid. The foregoing  provisions of this Article XI notwithstanding,
if a legitimate, good faith dispute arises between Buyer and Seller concerning a
statement,  Buyer shall pay that portion of the  statement  not in dispute on or
before such due date,  and,  upon the  ultimate  determination  of the  disputed
portion of the statement,  Buyer shall pay Seller the remaining amount owed plus
interest accrued thereon. All disputes regarding quantities delivered to Buyer's
city gate shall be resolved by reference to the  measurement  charts and records
of TGPL at Buyer's  city gate.
11.05 Upon  request,  either party shall mail or deliver  to the  other  party 
for  verification  and  calculation  all  charts, allocation  statements  and 
other documents  used  in the  measurement  of gas delivered  hereunder (to the
extent  such  charts are  available  to the party receiving  such  request)
within ten (10) days after the last  charge for each billing period is received
by Buyer. Such charts,  statements or documents shall be returned to the sender
within thirty (30) days.

                                      ARTICLE XII.
                                     TRANSPORTATION
12.01 Seller will arrange for the  transportation of the gas sold hereunder from
the point(s) of delivery to the Pricing  Point(s) agreed on by Buyer and Seller.
Any  provision in this  agreement to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  as part of
Seller's obligation to arrange such  transportation,  Seller shall indemnify and
hold  Buyer  harmless  from  all  injuries,  claims,  liabilities,  and  damages
irrespective  of the cause thereof (other than Buyer's  negligence)  which arise
out of or in  connection  with  the  gas or the  handling  thereof  during  such
transportation.  
12.02  The gas will be transported  on TGPL from the Pricing Point(s) to Buyer's
city gate under Buyer's FT Agreement.  Buyer shall maintain firm transportation
capacity on TGPL in an amount equivalent to the DCM. To the extent that Buyer
fails to make sufficient firm transportation capacity


<PAGE>



on TGPL  available  for the  transportation  of the gas  scheduled  for delivery
hereunder,  and  firm  transportation  is  not  otherwise  available,   Seller's
obligation  to  deliver  such  gas  shall  be  subject  to the  availability  of
interruptible  transportation on TGPL. 
12.03 Buyer and Seller shall cooperate to adjust any discrepancy  among (a) the
quantity  allocated at Seller's sources of gas,  (b) the  quantity  scheduled
by Buyer and (c) the  quantity  allocated as Seller's gas at Buyer's city gate
by the final Transporter.
12.04 Without waiver of any other remedies,  in the event any charges, 
penalties, costs or expenses are incurred or payable to Transporter as a result
of Seller's  failure to give Buyer  timely notice of any  increase or decrease
in daily quantities to be delivered at any point of delivery or  Pricing  Point
from  the quantities nominated and scheduled by Buyer pursuant to Article  IV, 
Seller shall be responsible for such charges, penalties, costs or expenses.
12.05 Without waiver of any other remedies, in the event any charges, penalties,
costs or expenses are incurred or payable to Transporter as a result of Buyer's
failure to give Seller  timely  notice of any  increase or decrease  in daily
quantities to be accepted at any Pricing  Point or at  Buyer's  city gate  from
the quantities nominated and scheduled by Buyer pursuant to Article  IV,  Buyer
shall be responsible  for such  charges,  penalties,  costs or  expenses.
12.06  For the purpose of Sections 12.04 and 12.05, notice will be deemed
timely if, under the circumstances, it should have given the party receiving
such notice reasonably sufficient time to notify  Transporter of such changes
in quantities by the time required  under  the terms of  Transporter's  tariff
to avoid  imposition of a penalty or charge.

                                     ARTICLE XIII.
                               GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
13.01 This agreement shall be subject to all valid applicable state, federal and
local laws,  rules and  regulations;  provided that either party hereto shall be
entitled  to regard all laws,  rules and  regulations  issued by any  federal or
state  regulatory  body as valid and may act in accordance  therewith until such
time as the same may be held  invalid by final  judgment in a court of competent
jurisdiction.  Nothing herein shall be taken to preclude Buyer or Seller or both
from contesting the validity of any such law(s), rule(s) or regulation(s). 
13.02 In the event that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") or 
any other regulatory  or  governmental  body  asserting  jurisdiction  (i) 
imposes  price controls on natural gas;  (ii)  prohibits  or prevents  any of 
the transactions described in (a) this agreement, (b) any agency


<PAGE>



agreement between Buyer and Seller or (c) any  transportation  agreement between
Transporter and Buyer or Seller covering the transportation of the gas delivered
hereunder;  (iii)  otherwise  conditions  such  transactions  in a form  that is
unacceptable in the sole judgment of the party affected thereby;  or (iv) adopts
any action, rule or order which directly or indirectly, materially and adversely
affects the rights or obligations of either party  hereunder (each of the events
described  in (i),  (ii),  (iii) and (iv) being  referred  to herein as "adverse
governmental   action"),   then  the  party  hereto  affected  by  such  adverse
governmental  action may terminate this agreement  effective as of the effective
date of such adverse  governmental  action by giving written notice to the other
and each party shall be held harmless as a result of such termination.

                                    ARTICLE XIV.
                                   FORCE MAJEURE
14.01 No failure or delay in performance, whether in whole or in part, by either
Seller or Buyer shall be deemed to be a breach hereof when such failure or delay
is  occasioned  by or due to any  acts  of  God,  strikes,  lockouts,  or  other
industrial  disturbances,  acts of the public enemy, sabotage,  wars, blockades,
insurrections,  riots, epidemics,  landslides,  lightning,  earthquakes, floods,
storms,  fires,  washouts,  arrests and restraints of rulers and peoples,  civil
disturbances,  explosions,  breakage or accident to  machinery or lines of pipe,
hydrate  obstructions  of lines  of pipe,  lack of  pipeline  capacity  due to a
declared force majeure event experienced by Transporter,  repairs,  maintenance,
improvement,  replacement  or  alterations  to plants,  lines of pipe or related
facilities,  partial or complete  failure to perform by persons  storing gas for
Buyer or  Seller,  inability  of  either  party to obtain  necessary  machinery,
materials or permits or to obtain easements or rights of way, freezing of a well
or delivery  facility,  well  blowouts,  craterings  and the act of any court or
governmental  authority,  or  any  other  cause,  whether  of  the  kind  herein
enumerated or otherwise, not within the control of the party claiming suspension
which,  by the  exercise  of due  diligence,  such party is unable to prevent or
overcome; provided, however, that the settlement of strikes or lockouts shall be
entirely  within the  discretion  of the party  having the  difficulty,  and the
requirement  that any force  majeure  shall be  remedied  with the  exercise  of
diligence  shall not require  the  settlement  of strikes or lockouts  when such
course is  inadvisable  in the  discretion of the party having  difficulty.  Any
proration  or  curtailment  of capacity  under an  interruptible  transportation
agreement shall not constitute a force majeure condition  hereunder.
14.02 Such causes or contingencies affecting the performance of this agreement
by any party hereto, 
<PAGE>



however,  shall not relieve  such party of liability in the event of its failure
to use due  diligence  to prevent or overcome  such cause or  contingency  in an
adequate  manner and with all  reasonable  dispatch.  Nor shall  such  causes or
contingencies affecting the performance of this agreement relieve any party from
its  obligations  to make payments of amounts when due. Nor shall such causes or
contingencies  relieve  any party of  liability,  unless  such party  shall give
notice and full  particulars of the same in writing or by telegraph to the other
party as soon as possible after the occurrence  relied on, and like notice shall
be given upon  termination  of such force majeure  conditions.
14.03 If, due to force  majeure,  the  quantities of gas available for delivery
on any day at a Pricing Point are insufficient to meet all of Seller's firm
sales obligations at such point, then Buyer shall be entitled to receive such
proportion of the total deliveries  which  Seller  is  able  to effect  at such
point (including any quantities  of gas  deliverable  by Seller to such point
pursuant to Seller's interruptible  transportation from TGPL Zones 1, 2 and 3)
as Buyer's  Nominated Quantity for such point bears to the sum of the nominated
quantities under this agreement and Seller's other firm sales contracts for such
point. In such event, deliveries to Buyer hereunder of its full Nominated
Quantity shall have priority over all sales of gas by Seller under interruptible
sales contracts at such point.

                                   ARTICLE XV.
                                WARRANTY OF TITLE
15.01 Seller warrants title to all gas delivered by it, that it has the right to
sell or  deliver  the same,  and that such gas is free  from  liens and  adverse
claims of every kind.  Seller  shall pay or cause to be paid all taxes and other
sums due on the gathering  and handling of the gas  delivered by Seller.  Seller
shall  indemnify and save Buyer  harmless  from and against all suits,  actions,
damages, costs and expenses arising from or out of any breach of this provision.

                                   ARTICLE XVI.
                                 RESPONSIBILITY
16.01 As between the parties  hereto,  Seller shall be deemed to be in exclusive
control  and  possession  of the gas  sold  hereunder  until  such  gas has been
delivered to the  point(s) of delivery,  after which point Buyer shall be deemed
to be in exclusive control and possession of such gas.
16.02 The party deemed to be in control and possession of the gas sold hereunder
shall be responsible for and shall indemnify the other party with respect to any
claims,  liabilities or damages  arising  therefrom  when  such  gas  is in 
that party's control and possession.



<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE XVII.
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
17.01  Copies of any filing  submitted  to the FERC,  or to any state or federal
regulatory agency having jurisdiction,  and any notice, request, demand, payment
or  statement  provided for in this  agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
directed to the address of the parties hereto as follows:

BUYER:
Notices, Payment and Billing:
Public Service Company of North Carolina, Inc.
400 Cox Road
Gastonia, North Carolina 28053-1398
Attention: Manager - Gas Supply and Transportation

SELLER:

For Notices:

Transco Energy Marketing Company
P. O. Box 1396
Houston, Texas 77251
or
2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77056
Attention: Vice President - Gas Marketing and Operations

For Payment and Billings:

Transco Energy Marketing Company
P. O. Box 1396
Houston, Texas 77251
Attention: TEMCO Accounting

or at such other  address as either  party shall from time to time  designate by
correspondence to the other party.
17.02 This agreement shall not be assignable by either party in whole or in 
part, except with the consent of the other party, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld. This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon  permitted successors and assigns.
17.03 This agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties
hereto. Except as otherwise provided in the Guaranty  Agreement attached hereto
between Buyer and Transco Energy Company, nothing expressed or implied herein 
is intended to benefit any other  person, firm or corporation not a party hereto
and none of such other persons shall have any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim


<PAGE>



under this agreement or under any provision hereof.
17.04 This  agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement  between  the  parties
pertaining to the subject  matter hereof;  supersedes  all prior  agreements and
understandings,  whether  oral  or  written,  which  the  parties  may  have  in
connection herewith;  and may not be modified except by written agreement of the
parties.  The parties and their legal counsel have cooperated in the drafting of
this  agreement  and it shall  therefore  be deemed their joint work product and
shall not be construed against either party by reason of its preparation.
17.05 THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
17.06 The parties acknowledge that this agreement contains commercially 
sensitive information and each party agrees that it will not, without the
written  consent of the other, disclose to any third party except Transco Energy
Company and Transco Energy Services Company this agreement or the terms or
provisions thereof except to the extent, and only to the extent, that disclosure
is required (a) by law or by a court or administrative agency having 
jurisdiction over the disclosing party; (b) to obtain transportation of the gas
purchased and sold hereunder;  or (c) in the course of an audit of the
disclosing  party,  and further provided that upon learning that disclosure is
required  by law or by a court or  administrative agency,  the party required to
make such disclosure shall immediately notify the other party and shall take all
reasonable steps requested by such other party to limit the extent of such 
disclosure.



<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this instrument is executed as of the day and year
first above written.
                                       TRANSCO ENERGY MARKETING
                                               COMPANY


                                       By:  /s/W. Colin Harper
                                            Vice President
                                            Gas Marketing and Operations


                                       PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
                                       NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED


                                       By:  /s/ Franklin H. Yoho
                                            Vice President -
                                            Gas Supply and Transportation




<PAGE>



                                GUARANTY AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  effective  November 1, 1990,  by and between  TRANSCO
ENERGY COMPANY (hereinafter referred to as "Transco") and Public Service Company
of North Carolina (hereinafter referred to as "Public Service")

                                    WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,   Public  Service  and  Transco  Energy   Marketing   Company,
(hereinafter  referred to as  "TEMCO"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Transco
Energy Services Company, which is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Transco,  desire
to enter  into a Gas Sales  Agreement  (Southern  Expansion  version)  effective
November  1, 1990,  (hereinafter  referred to as the  "Agreement"),  pursuant to
which Public  Service will purchase from TEMCO natural gas in the quantities and
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement; and
         WHEREAS,  Public  Service  desires  assurances  that  Transco  will  be
responsible for the obligations of TEMCO set forth in the Agreement in the event
TEMCO does not satisfy such obligations; and
         WHEREAS, Transco desires that the Agreement be executed and desires to
give such assurances;
         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained and other valuable  consideration,  the adequacy and receipt of
which is  hereby  acknowledged,  Transco  and  Public  Service  hereby  agree as
follows:
         1. Transco  hereby  guarantees the  performance  of the  obligations of
TEMCO set forth in and subject to the terms of the Agreement.  If TEMCO fails to
perform  its  obligations  under the  Agreement,  Transco  shall  cause TEMCO or
another of its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  to  perform  said  obligations  in
accordance  with the terms of the  Agreement,  subject  to the  receipt  of such
regulatory approvals as may be required.



<PAGE>



Guaranty Agreement
Public Service Company of North Carolina
(Southern Expansion)
PSOvlpl72
Page 2

         2. This Guaranty Agreement shall not be assignable in whole or in part,
except with the  consent of the other  party,  which  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld.  This  agreement  shall be binding  upon the parties  hereto and their
permitted successors and assigns.

         3. This Guaranty Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
parties hereto.  Nothing  expressed or implied herein is intended to benefit any
other person, firm or corporation not a party hereto. None of such other persons
shall have any legal or  equitable  right,  remedy or claim under this  Guaranty
Agreement or under any provisions hereof.  Notwithstanding anything contained in
this  paragraph  3, if any claim or demand is made against  Transco  pursuant to
this Guaranty  Agreement,  Transco shall be subrogated to all rights,  set-offs,
counterclaims  and defenses to which TEMCO may be entitled,  except for defenses
arising out of bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or dissolution of TEMCO.

         4. This guaranty shall extend until the termination of all obligations
under the Agreement or March 31, 2006 whichever is earlier.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this instrument is executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                                       TRANSCO ENERGY COMPANY


                                       By:  /s/ W.J. Bowen


                                       PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
                                       NORTH CAROLINA, INCORPORATED

                                       By:  /s/ Franklin H. Yoho
                                       Its: Vice President-
                                            Gas Supply and Transportation
<PAGE>





EXHIBIT 10-F


                                                                   
                 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

                           FORM OF SEVERANCE AGREEMENT






         On April 9, 1997, the Company  entered into a severance  agreement (the
"Severance  Agreement") with each of its executive  officers listed below, which
provides for the Company to make severance payments, under certain circumstances
set forth in the  Severance  Agreement,  in an amount equal to a multiple of the
sum of the executive's  base salary and annual bonus, as calculated  pursuant to
the terms of the Severance Agreement,  and to provide certain insurance benefits
for the time period listed below:


         Executive Officer              Multiple                  Time Period

1.       Charles E. Zeigler, Jr.           3.0                    36 months

2.       John D. Grawe                     2.5                    30 months

3.       Robert D. Voigt                   2.5                    30 months

4.       Franklin H. Yoho                  2.5                    30 months

5.       Herbert B. Cox                    2.0                    24 months

6.       Jack G. Mason                     2.0                    24 months

7.       Boyce C. Morrow, Jr.              2.0                    24 months

8.       Jerry W. Richardson               2.0                    24 months

9.       Fred L. Schmidt                   2.0                    24 months

         The foregoing  description  of the Severance  Agreement is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Severance Agreement.


                                                      
                                                        

<PAGE>



         THIS AGREEMENT,  dated _________________,  1997, is made by and between
PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMPANY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  INCORPORATED,  a North  Carolina
corporation (the "Company"), and _____________________ (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company  considers it essential to the best  interests of
its shareholders to foster the continued employment of key management personnel;
and

         WHEREAS,  the Board of the Company recognizes that, as is the case with
many publicly held  corporations,  the possibility of a Change in Control exists
and that such possibility,  and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise
among  management,  may result in the  departure or  distraction  of  management
personnel to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders; and

         WHEREAS,  the Board has  determined  that  appropriate  steps should be
taken to reinforce  and encourage  the  continued  attention  and  dedication of
members of the Company's management,  including the Executive, to their assigned
duties without distraction in the face of potentially  disturbing  circumstances
arising from the possibility of a Change in Control;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the  mutual
covenants  herein  contained,  the Company  and the  Executive  hereby  agree as
follows:


         1. Defined Terms.  The definitions of capitalized terms used in this
Agreement are provided in the last Section hereof.

         2. Term of Agreement.  The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the
date hereof and shall  continue in effect through  December 31, 2000;  provided,
however,  that commencing on January 1, 2001 and each January 1 thereafter,  the
Term shall  automatically be extended for one additional year unless,  not later
than fifteen (15) months prior to the  applicable  January 1, the Company or the
Executive shall have given notice not to extend the Term; and further  provided,
however,  that if a Change in Control shall have occurred  during the Term,  the
Term shall expire at the end of the  twenty-fourth  (24th)  calendar month after
the calendar month in which such Change in Control occurred.  For example,  if a
Change in  Control  were to occur on July 1,  1997,  the Term of this  Agreement
would expire on June 30, 1999,  and if a Change in Control were to occur on July
1, 2000, the Term of this Agreement would expire on June 30, 2002 (regardless of
whether on or before  September  30, 1999 either  party had given  notice to the
other party not to extend the Term as provided above).


                                                                            
                                                        

<PAGE>



         3. Company's Covenants Summarized.  In order to induce the Executive to
remain in the employ of the  Company  and in  consideration  of the  Executive's
covenants  set  forth in  Section  4  hereof,  the  Company  agrees,  under  the
conditions described herein, to pay the Executive the Severance Payments and the
other payments and benefits described herein.  Except as provided in Section 9.1
hereof, no Severance Payments shall be payable under this Agreement unless there
shall have been (or,  under the terms of the  second  sentence  of  Section  6.1
hereof,  there shall be deemed to have been) a  termination  of the  Executive's
employment  with the Company  following a Change in Control and during the Term.
This Agreement shall not be construed as creating an express or implied contract
of employment and,  except as otherwise  agreed in writing between the Executive
and the Company,  the  Executive  shall not have any right to be retained in the
employ of the Company.

         4. The Executive's Covenants. The Executive agrees that, subject to the
terms and conditions of this  Agreement,  in the event of a Potential  Change in
Control  during the Term, the Executive will remain in the employ of the Company
until the  earliest  of (i) a date which is twelve  (12) months from the date of
such Potential  Change of Control,  (ii) the date of a Change in Control,  (iii)
the date of termination by the Executive of the Executive's  employment for Good
Reason or by reason of death, Disability or Retirement,  or (iv) the termination
by the Company of the Executive's employment for any reason.

         5. Compensation Other Than Severance Payments.

         5.1  Following  a Change in Control  and  during  the Term,  during any
period that the Executive fails to perform the Executive's full-time duties with
the Company as a result of  incapacity  due to physical or mental  illness,  the
Company  shall pay the  Executive's  full salary to the Executive at the rate in
effect at the  commencement of any such period,  together with all  compensation
and benefits  payable to the Executive  under the terms of any  compensation  or
benefit  plan,  program or  arrangement  maintained  by the Company  during such
period,  until the  Executive's  employment  is  terminated  by the  Company for
Disability.

         5.2 If the  Executive's  employment  shall be terminated for any reason
following  a Change in Control and during the Term,  the  Company  shall pay the
Executive's full salary to the Executive  through the Date of Termination at the
rate in effect  immediately prior to the Date of Termination or, if higher,  the
rate in  effect  immediately  prior  to the  first  occurrence  of an  event  or
circumstance  constituting  Good  Reason,  together  with all  compensation  and
benefits  payable to the  Executive  through the Date of  Termination  under the
terms of the Company's  compensation and benefit plans, programs or arrangements
as in effect

                                                                               
                                                        

<PAGE>



immediately  prior to the  Date of  Termination  or,  if more  favorable  to the
Executive, as in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or
circumstance constituting Good Reason.

         5.3 If the  Executive's  employment  shall be terminated for any reason
following a Change in Control and during the Term,  the Company shall pay to the
Executive the Executive's normal  post-termination  compensation and benefits as
such payments become due. Such post-termination  compensation and benefits shall
be determined  under,  and paid in accordance  with,  the Company's  retirement,
insurance and other compensation or benefit plans,  programs and arrangements as
in effect  immediately prior to the Date of Termination or, if more favorable to
the  Executive,  as in effect  immediately  prior to the occurrence of the first
event or circumstance constituting Good Reason.

         6. Severance Payments.

         6.1 Subject to Section 6.2 hereof,  if the  Executive's  employment  is
terminated  following a Change in Control and during the Term, other than (A) by
the  Company  for  Cause,  (B) by reason of death or  Disability,  or (C) by the
Executive without Good Reason (including Retirement by the Executive),  then the
Company  shall pay the  Executive  the amounts,  and provide the  Executive  the
benefits,  described in this Section 6.1 ("Severance Payments"),  in addition to
any  payments and benefits to which the  Executive is entitled  under  Section 5
hereof.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  the Executive's  employment  shall be
deemed to have been  terminated  following  a Change in Control  by the  Company
without  Cause or by the  Executive  with Good  Reason,  if (i) the  Executive's
employment  is  terminated  by the  Company  without  Cause prior to a Change in
Control  (whether or not a Change in Control ever  occurs) and such  termination
was at the request or  direction  of a Person who has entered  into an agreement
with the Company the consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control,
(ii) the Executive  terminates  his employment for Good Reason prior to a Change
in Control (whether or not a Change in Control ever occurs) and the circumstance
or event which  constitutes  Good Reason  occurs at the request or  direction of
such Person,  or (iii) the  Executive's  employment is terminated by the Company
without Cause or by the Executive  for Good Reason and such  termination  or the
circumstance or event which  constitutes  Good Reason is otherwise in connection
with or in  anticipation  of a Change  in  Control  (whether  or not a Change in
Control  ever  occurs).   For  purposes  of  any  determination   regarding  the
applicability of the immediately  preceding sentence,  any position taken by the
Executive shall be presumed to be correct unless the Company  establishes to the
Board by clear and convincing evidence that such position is not correct.


                                                                               
                                                        

<PAGE>



                           (A) In lieu of any  further  salary  payments  to the
         Executive for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination and in lieu
         of any  severance  benefit  otherwise  payable  to the  Executive,  the
         Company  shall pay to the Executive a lump sum  severance  payment,  in
         cash,  equal to _____ times the sum of (i) the Executive's  base salary
         as in  effect  immediately  prior to the  Date of  Termination  or,  if
         higher, in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event
         or circumstance  constituting Good Reason,  and (ii) the average annual
         bonus earned by the Executive pursuant to any annual bonus or incentive
         plan  maintained  by the Company in respect of the three  fiscal  years
         ending immediately prior to the fiscal year in which occurs the Date of
         Termination  or, if higher,  immediately  prior to the  fiscal  year in
         which occurs the first event or circumstance constituting Good Reason.

                           (B)  For the  ___________  month  period  immediately
         following the Date of Termination, the Company shall arrange to provide
         the Executive and his dependents life, disability,  accident and health
         insurance  benefits  substantially  similar  to those  provided  to the
         Executive  and  his  dependents   immediately  prior  to  the  Date  of
         Termination  or, if more favorable to the Executive,  those provided to
         the  Executive  and  his  dependents  immediately  prior  to the  first
         occurrence of an event or circumstance  constituting Good Reason, at no
         greater  cost  to  the  Executive   than  the  cost  to  the  Executive
         immediately prior to such date or occurrence;  provided, however, that,
         unless the Executive  consents to a different method (after taking into
         account  the effect of such  method on the  calculation  of  "parachute
         payments"  pursuant  to Section  6.2  hereof),  such  health  insurance
         benefits  shall be provided  through a  third-party  insurer.  Benefits
         otherwise  receivable by the Executive  pursuant to this Section 6.1(B)
         shall be reduced to the extent  benefits of the same type are  received
         by or made available to the Executive during the _________ month period
         following  the  Executive's  termination  of  employment  (and any such
         benefits  received  by or made  available  to the  Executive  shall  be
         reported to the Company by the Executive);  provided, however, that the
         Company shall  reimburse  the Executive for the excess,  if any, of the
         cost of such benefits to the Executive over such cost immediately prior
         to the Date of Termination or, if more favorable to the Executive,  the
         first occurrence of an event or circumstance  constituting Good Reason.
         If the Severance  Payments  shall be decreased  pursuant to Section 6.2
         hereof,  and the Section 6.1(B) benefits which remain payable after the
         application  of Section 6.2 hereof are thereafter  reduced  pursuant to
         the immediately  preceding  sentence,  the Company shall, no later than
         five (5) business days following such  reduction,  pay to the Executive
         the  least of (a) the  amount  of the  decrease  made in the  Severance
         Payments pursuant to Section 6.2

                                                                                
                                                        

<PAGE>



         hereof,  (b) the amount of the  subsequent  reduction in these  Section
         6.1(B)  benefits,  or (c) the maximum  amount  which can be paid to the
         Executive   without  being,   or  causing  any  other  payment  to  be,
         nondeductible by reason of section 280G of the Code.

         6.2 (A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement,  in the
event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive in
connection  with a Change  in  Control  or the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment  (whether  pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company,  any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits,  including the Severance Payments, being hereinafter
called  "Total  Payments")  would not be deductible  (in whole or part),  by the
Company, an affiliate or Person making such payment or providing such benefit as
a result of section 280G of the Code, then, to the extent necessary to make such
portion of the Total  Payments  deductible  (and after  taking into  account any
reduction in the Total  Payments  provided by reason of section 280G of the Code
in such other plan, arrangement or agreement), the cash Severance Payments shall
first be reduced (if necessary, to zero), and all other Severance Payments shall
thereafter  be reduced (if  necessary,  to zero);  provided,  however,  that the
Executive  may  elect  to  have  the  noncash  Severance  Payments  reduced  (or
eliminated) prior to any reduction of the cash Severance Payments.

             (B) For  purposes  of this  limitation,  (i) no portion of the
Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived
at such time and in such  manner as not to  constitute  a  "payment"  within the
meaning of section  280G(b)  of the Code  shall be taken into  account,  (ii) no
portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which,  in the opinion
of tax counsel  ("Tax  Counsel")  reasonably  acceptable  to the  Executive  and
selected by the accounting  firm which was,  immediately  prior to the Change in
Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"),  does not constitute
a  "parachute  payment"  within the meaning of section  280G(b)(2)  of the Code,
including by reason of section  280G(b)(4)(A)  of the Code,  (iii) the Severance
Payments  shall be  reduced  only to the  extent  necessary  so that  the  Total
Payments (other than those referred to in clauses (i) or (ii)) in their entirety
constitute  reasonable  compensation for services  actually  rendered within the
meaning of section  280G(b)(4)(B)  of the Code or are  otherwise  not subject to
disallowance as deductions by reason of section 280G of the Code, in the opinion
of Tax  Counsel,  and (iv) the  value of any  noncash  benefit  or any  deferred
payment or benefit  included in the Total  Payments  shall be  determined by the
Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections  280G(d)(3) and (4) of the
Code.

                                                                               
                                                       

<PAGE>



             (C) If it is established  pursuant to a final determination of
a court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that, notwithstanding the good
faith of the  Executive  and the Company in applying  the terms of this  Section
6.2, the Total Payments paid to or for the Executive's  benefit are in an amount
that would  result in any portion of such Total  Payments  being  subject to the
Excise  Tax,  then,  if such  repayment  would  result in (i) no  portion of the
remaining   Total   Payments  being  subject  to  the  Excise  Tax  and  (ii)  a
dollar-for-dollar  reduction  in the  Executive's  taxable  income and wages for
purposes of federal,  state and local income and employment taxes, the Executive
shall have an  obligation  to pay the Company upon demand an amount equal to the
sum of (i) the  excess  of the  Total  Payments  paid to or for the  Executive's
benefit  over  the  Total  Payments  that  could  have  been  paid to or for the
Executive's  benefit without any portion of such Total Payments being subject to
the Excise Tax; and (ii)  interest on the amount set forth in clause (i) of this
sentence at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code from the date
of the Executive's receipt of such excess until the date of such payment.

         6.3 The payments provided in subsection (A) of Section 6.1 hereof shall
be made not  later  than  the  fifth  day  following  the  Date of  Termination;
provided,  however, that if the amounts of such payments,  and the limitation on
such payments set forth in Section 6.2 hereof,  cannot be finally  determined on
or before  such day,  the  Company  shall  pay to the  Executive  on such day an
estimate,  as determined  in good faith by the Company of the minimum  amount of
such  payments  to which the  Executive  is clearly  entitled  and shall pay the
remainder of such payments  (together with interest on the unpaid  remainder (or
on all such  payments to the extent the Company fails to make such payments when
due) at 120% of the rate provided in section  1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as soon
as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the thirtieth
(30th)  day after the Date of  Termination.  In the event that the amount of the
estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently  determined to have been due,
such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,  payable on
the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together with interest
at 120% of the rate provided in section  1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the time
that  payments  are made under this  Agreement,  the Company  shall  provide the
Executive  with a  written  statement  setting  forth the  manner in which  such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including,  without
limitation,  any  opinions or other  advice the Company  has  received  from Tax
Counsel,  the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in writing shall be attached to the statement).

         6.4 The  Company  also  shall pay to the  Executive  all legal fees and
expenses  incurred  by the  Executive  in  disputing  in good  faith  any  issue
hereunder relating to the termination of the

                                                                               
                                                        

<PAGE>



Executive's  employment,  in  seeking  in good  faith to obtain or  enforce  any
benefit or right provided by this Agreement or in connection  with any tax audit
or proceeding to the extent  attributable  to the application of section 4999 of
the Code to any payment or benefit  provided  hereunder.  Such payments shall be
made within five (5) business  days after  delivery of the  Executive's  written
requests  for  payment  accompanied  with  such  evidence  of fees and  expenses
incurred as the Company reasonably may require.

         7. Termination Procedures and Compensation During Dispute.

         7.1 Notice of  Termination.  After a Change in  Control  and during the
Term, any purported  termination of the  Executive's  employment  (other than by
reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one
party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 10 hereof. For
purposes of this Agreement,  a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice which
shall indicate the specific termination  provision in this Agreement relied upon
and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances  claimed to
provide  a  basis  for  termination  of the  Executive's  employment  under  the
provision so indicated.  Further,  a Notice of Termination for Cause is required
to include a copy of a resolution  duly adopted by the  affirmative  vote of not
less  than  three-quarters  (3/4) of the  entire  membership  of the  Board at a
meeting of the Board  which was called and held for the  purpose of  considering
such termination  (after  reasonable  notice to the Executive and an opportunity
for the Executive, together with the Executive's counsel, to be heard before the
Board)  finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board,  the Executive was
guilty of  conduct  set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the  definition  of Cause
herein, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

         7.2 Date of  Termination.  "Date of  Termination,"  with respect to any
purported  termination of the Executive's  employment  after a Change in Control
and during the Term, shall mean (i) if the Executive's  employment is terminated
for Disability,  thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided
that the Executive  shall not have returned to the full-time  performance of the
Executive's  duties  during  such  thirty  (30)  day  period),  and  (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in
the Notice of Termination  (which,  in the case of a termination by the Company,
shall not be less than thirty (30) days (except in the case of a termination for
Cause) and, in the case of a  termination  by the  Executive,  shall not be less
than  fifteen  (15) days nor more than sixty (60) days,  respectively,  from the
date such Notice of Termination is given).

         7.3 Dispute Concerning Termination.  If within fifteen (15)
days after any Notice of Termination is given, or, if later,

                                                                                
                                                         

<PAGE>



prior to the Date of Termination  (as determined  without regard to this Section
7.3), the party  receiving  such Notice of Termination  notifies the other party
that a dispute exists concerning the termination,  the Date of Termination shall
be extended until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Term ends or (ii) the
date on which  the  dispute  is  finally  resolved,  either  by  mutual  written
agreement  of  the  parties  or by a  final  judgment,  order  or  decree  of an
arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with
respect to which the time for appeal  therefrom  has  expired  and no appeal has
been  perfected);  provided,  however,  that  the Date of  Termination  shall be
extended by a notice of dispute  given by the  Executive  only if such notice is
given in good faith and the  Executive  pursues the  resolution  of such dispute
with reasonable diligence.

         7.4 Compensation  During Dispute.  If a purported  termination  occurs
following a Change in Control and during the Term and the Date of Termination is
extended in accordance  with Section 7.3 hereof,  the Company shall  continue to
pay the Executive the full compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to
the dispute was given  (including,  but not limited to, salary) and continue the
Executive as a participant in all  compensation,  benefit and insurance plans in
which the Executive was participating when the notice giving rise to the dispute
was given,  until the Date of  Termination,  as determined  in  accordance  with
Section 7.3 hereof.  Amounts  paid under this Section 7.4 are in addition to all
other amounts due under this  Agreement  (other than those due under Section 5.2
hereof)  and shall not be offset  against or reduce any other  amounts due under
this Agreement.

         8.  No  Mitigation.   The  Company  agrees  that,  if  the  Executive's
employment  with the Company  terminates  during the Term,  the Executive is not
required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts
payable to the Executive by the Company  pursuant to Section 6 hereof or Section
7.4 hereof.  Further,  the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this
Agreement  (other  than  Section  6.1(B)  hereof)  shall not be  reduced  by any
compensation  earned by the  Executive  as the result of  employment  by another
employer,  by retirement  benefits,  by offset  against any amount claimed to be
owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.

         9.  Successors; Binding Agreement.

         9.1 In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to
the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger,  consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the  business  and/or  assets of the  Company to  expressly  assume and agree to
perform  this  Agreement  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such  succession  had taken place.
Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption

                                                                                
                                                         

<PAGE>



and  agreement  prior to the  effectiveness  of any such  succession  shall be a
breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to  compensation  from
the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the  Executive  would be
entitled  to  hereunder  if the  Executive  were to  terminate  the  Executive's
employment for Good Reason after a Change in Control,  except that, for purposes
of implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such  succession  becomes
effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination.

         9.2 This Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the Executive's personal or legal  representatives,  executors,  administrators,
successors,  heirs, distributees,  devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall
die while any amount would still be payable to the  Executive  hereunder  (other
than amounts which,  by their terms,  terminate upon the death of the Executive)
if the  Executive  had continued to live,  all such  amounts,  unless  otherwise
provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to
the executors,  personal  representatives  or  administrators of the Executive's
estate.

         10. Notices.  For the purpose of this Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed  to have been  duly  given  when  delivered  or  mailed by United  States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, if to the
Executive,  to the address inserted below the Executive's signature on the final
page hereof and, if to the Company,  to the address set forth below,  or to such
other  address  as either  party may have  furnished  to the other in writing in
accordance herewith,  except that notice of change of address shall be effective
only upon actual receipt:

                                            To the Company:

                                            Public Service Company of North
                                                     Carolina, Inc.
                                            P. O. Box 1398
                                            Gastonia, North Carolina 28053-1398
                                            Attention: _____________________

         11. Miscellaneous.  No  provision of this  Agreement  may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver,  modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing and signed by the Executive  and such officer as may be  specifically
designated  by the Board.  No waiver by either  party  hereto at any time of any
breach by the other  party  hereto of, or of any lack of  compliance  with,  any
condition  or  provision  of this  Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or  dissimilar  provisions  or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement supersedes any other
agreements

                                                                               
                                                        

<PAGE>



or representations,  oral or otherwise,  express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof which have been made by either party;  provided,  however,
that this Agreement  shall  supersede any agreement  setting forth the terms and
conditions of the Executive's employment with the Company only in the event that
the  Executive's  employment  with the Company is  terminated  on or following a
Change in Control, by the Company other than for Cause or by the Executive other
than for Good Reason. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance
of this Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
All  references to sections of the Exchange Act or the Code shall be deemed also
to refer to any successor provisions to such sections. Any payments provided for
hereunder  shall  be  paid  net of any  applicable  withholding  required  under
federal,  state  or  local  law and any  additional  withholding  to  which  the
Executive has agreed.  The  obligations  of the Company and the Executive  under
this  Agreement  which by their  nature  may  require  either  partial  or total
performance  after the expiration of the Term  (including,  without  limitation,
those under Sections 6 and 7 hereof) shall survive such expiration.

         12. Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which
shall remain in full force and effect.

         13. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original but all of which together will constitute one and the
same instrument.

         14. Settlement of Disputes; Arbitration.

         14.1 All claims by the  Executive  for  benefits  under this  Agreement
shall be directed to and  determined  by the Board and shall be in writing.  Any
denial  by the Board of a claim  for  benefits  under  this  Agreement  shall be
delivered to the  Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific  reasons
for the denial and the specific  provisions of this  Agreement  relied upon. The
Board shall afford a reasonable opportunity to the Executive for a review of the
decision  denying a claim and shall further allow the Executive to appeal to the
Board a decision of the Board within sixty (60) days after  notification  by the
Board that the Executive's claim has been denied.

         14.2 Any further dispute or controversy  arising under or in connection
with this  Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration in Charlotte,
North  Carolina  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of the  American  Arbitration
Association then in effect;  provided,  however,  that the evidentiary standards
set  forth  in this  Agreement  shall  apply.  Judgment  may be  entered  on the
arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction.

                                                                                
                                                        

<PAGE>



Notwithstanding  any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,  the Executive
shall be entitled to seek specific  performance of the  Executive's  right to be
paid  until the Date of  Termination  during  the  pendency  of any  dispute  or
controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

         15. Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

                  (A) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

                  (B) "Auditor"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2
hereof.

                  (C) "Base  Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in section
280G(b)(3) of the Code.

                  (D)  "Beneficial  Owner"  shall have the  meaning set forth in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

                  (E) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  (F) "Cause" for  termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment shall mean (i) the willful and continued  failure by the Executive to
substantially  perform the  Executive's  duties with the Company (other than any
such failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental
illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after the issuance of a Notice
of Termination for Good Reason by the Executive  pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof)
after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive
by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
believes  that the  Executive has not  substantially  performed the  Executive's
duties,  or (ii) the  willful  engaging  by the  Executive  in conduct  which is
demonstrably  and  materially  injurious  to the  Company  or its  subsidiaries,
monetarily  or  otherwise.  For  purposes  of  clauses  (i)  and  (ii)  of  this
definition,  (x) no act,  or failure to act,  on the  Executive's  part shall be
deemed  "willful"  unless done,  or omitted to be done,  by the Executive not in
good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive's act, or failure to
act,  was in the best  interest of the Company and (y) in the event of a dispute
concerning the application of this provision, no claim by the Company that Cause
exists  shall be given  effect  unless the Company  establishes  to the Board by
clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists.

                  (G) A "Change in Control"  shall be deemed to have occurred if
the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:


                                                                                
                                                        

<PAGE>



                                 (I) any  Person is or  becomes  the  Beneficial
                  Owner,  directly or  indirectly,  of securities of the Company
                  (not  including in the securities  beneficially  owned by such
                  Person any  securities  acquired  directly from the Company or
                  its  affiliates)  representing  20% or  more  of the  combined
                  voting power of the  Company's  then  outstanding  securities,
                  excluding  any Person who becomes such a  Beneficial  Owner in
                  connection  with a  transaction  described  in  clause  (i) of
                  paragraph (III) below; or

                                (II) the  following  individuals  cease  for any
                  reason to  constitute  a majority  of the number of  directors
                  then serving:  individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute
                  the Board and any new  director  (other than a director  whose
                  initial  assumption of office is in connection  with an actual
                  or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a
                  consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of
                  the  Company)  whose  appointment  or election by the Board or
                  nomination  for  election by the  Company's  shareholders  was
                  approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3)
                  of  the  directors  then  still  in  office  who  either  were
                  directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or
                  nomination   for  election  was   previously  so  approved  or
                  recommended; or

                               (III)   there  is   consummated   a   merger   or
                  consolidation  of  the  Company  or  any  direct  or  indirect
                  subsidiary  of the Company with any other  corporation,  other
                  than (i) a merger or  consolidation  which would result in the
                  voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
                  to  such  merger  or  consolidation  continuing  to  represent
                  (either by remaining  outstanding  or by being  converted into
                  voting  securities  of the  surviving  entity  or  any  parent
                  thereof),  in combination with the ownership of any trustee or
                  other fiduciary  holding  securities under an employee benefit
                  plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least
                  50% of the  combined  voting  power of the  securities  of the
                  Company  or  such  surviving  entity  or  any  parent  thereof
                  outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or
                  (ii)  a  merger  or  consolidation  effected  to  implement  a
                  recapitalization  of the Company (or similar  transaction)  in
                  which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial  Owner,  directly
                  or indirectly,  of securities of the Company (not including in
                  the   securities   Beneficially   owned  by  such  Person  any
                  securities   acquired   directly   from  the  Company  or  its
                  Affiliates  other than in connection  with the  acquisition by
                  the Company or its Affiliates of a business) representing

                                                                                
                                                       
<PAGE>



                  20% or more of the combined voting power of the
                  Company's then outstanding securities; or

                                (IV) the  shareholders  of the Company approve a
                  plan of complete  liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
                  there is  consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition
                  by the Company of all or  substantially  all of the  Company's
                  assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all
                  or substantially  all of the Company's assets to an entity, at
                  least  50%  of  the  combined   voting  power  of  the  voting
                  securities of which are owned by  shareholders  of the Company
                  in  substantially  the same  proportions as their ownership of
                  the Company immediately prior to such sale.

                  (H) "Code"  shall mean the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended from time to time.

                  (I)  "Company"  shall  mean  Public  Service  Company of North
Carolina,  Incorporated  and,  except in determining  under Section 15(G) hereof
whether or not any Change in Control of the Company has occurred,  shall include
any successor to its business  and/or assets which assumes and agrees to perform
this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

                  (J) "Date of Termination"  shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.2 hereof.

                  (K) "Disability"   shall  be  deemed   the  reason  for  the
termination by the Company of the Executive's employment, if, as a result of the
Executive's  incapacity due to physical or mental  illness,  the Executive shall
have been absent from the full-time  performance of the Executive's  duties with
the Company for a period of six (6) consecutive  months,  the Company shall have
given the Executive a Notice of Termination for  Disability,  and, within thirty
(30) days after such Notice of  Termination  is given,  the Executive  shall not
have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive's duties.

                  (L) "Exchange Act" shall mean the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time.

                  (M) "Executive"  shall mean the individual  named in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.

                  (N) "Good  Reason" for  termination  by the  Executive  of the
Executive's  employment  shall  mean the  occurrence  (without  the  Executive's
express  written  consent) after any Change in Control,  or prior to a Change in
Control  under the  circumstances  described  in  clauses  (ii) and (iii) of the
second sentence of Section 6.1 hereof (treating all references in paragraphs (I)
through (VII)

                                                                               
                                                       
<PAGE>



below  to a  "Change  in  Control"  as  references  to a  "Potential  Change  in
Control"),  of any one of the following acts by the Company,  or failures by the
Company to act,  unless,  in the case of any act or failure to act  described in
paragraph (I), (V), (VI) or (VII) below, such act or failure to act is corrected
prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination given in
respect thereof:

                                 (I)  the  assignment  to the  Executive  of any
                  duties  inconsistent  with the Executive's  status as a senior
                  executive  officer  of the  Company or a  substantial  adverse
                  alteration  in  the  nature  or  status  of  the   Executive's
                  responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the
                  Change in Control  [other than any such  alteration  primarily
                  attributable  to the fact that the  Company may no longer be a
                  public company];

                                (II)  a   reduction   by  the   Company  in  the
                  Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date hereof
                  or as the same may be increased  from time to time [except for
                  across-the-board  salary  reductions  similarly  affecting all
                  senior  executives of the Company and all senior executives of
                  any Person in control of the Company];

                               (III) the relocation of the Executive's principal
                  place of  employment to a location more than 35 miles from the
                  Executive's principal place of employment immediately prior to
                  the Change in Control or the Company's requiring the Executive
                  to be  based  anywhere  other  than  such  principal  place of
                  employment  (or  permitted   relocation  thereof)  except  for
                  required  travel  on  the  Company's  business  to  an  extent
                  substantially consistent with the Executive's present business
                  travel obligations;

                                (IV) the  failure  by the  Company to pay to the
                  Executive any portion of the Executive's current  compensation
                  [except pursuant to an across-the-board  compensation deferral
                  similarly  affecting all senior  executives of the Company and
                  all  senior  executives  of  any  Person  in  control  of  the
                  Company],  or to  pay  to  the  Executive  any  portion  of an
                  installment  of  deferred   compensation  under  any  deferred
                  compensation program of the Company,  within seven (7) days of
                  the date such compensation is due;

                                 (V) the  failure by the  Company to continue in
                  effect   any   compensation   plan  in  which  the   Executive
                  participates  immediately prior to the Change in Control which
                  is material to the Executive's total

                                                                               
                                                        

<PAGE>



                  compensation, including but not limited to the Company's stock
                  option,  stock  purchase  and  annual  incentive  plans or any
                  substitute  plans  adopted  prior to the  Change  in  Control,
                  unless  an  equitable  arrangement  (embodied  in  an  ongoing
                  substitute or alternative  plan) has been made with respect to
                  such plan,  or the  failure by the  Company  to  continue  the
                  Executive's  participation  therein (or in such  substitute or
                  alternative  plan) on a basis not materially  less  favorable,
                  both in terms of the amount or timing of  payment of  benefits
                  provided  and  the  level  of  the  Executive's  participation
                  relative to other  participants,  as existed immediately prior
                  to the Change in Control;

                                (VI) the  failure by the  Company to continue to
                  provide the Executive with benefits  substantially  similar to
                  those  enjoyed  by the  Executive  under any of the  Company's
                  pension,   savings,  life  insurance,   medical,   health  and
                  accident,  or  disability  plans in which  the  Executive  was
                  participating  immediately  prior  to the  Change  in  Control
                  (except for  across-the-board  changes similarly affecting all
                  senior  executives of the Company and all senior executives of
                  any Person in control of the Company), the taking of any other
                  action by the  Company  which  would  directly  or  indirectly
                  materially   reduce  any  of  such  benefits  or  deprive  the
                  Executive  of  any  material  fringe  benefit  enjoyed  by the
                  Executive at the time of the Change in Control, or the failure
                  by the  Company to provide  the  Executive  with the number of
                  paid  vacation  days to which the Executive is entitled on the
                  basis of years of service with the Company in accordance  with
                  the Company's  normal vacation policy in effect at the time of
                  the Change in Control; or

                               (VII)   any   purported    termination   of   the
                  Executive's  employment  which is not  effected  pursuant to a
                  Notice of Termination  satisfying the  requirements of Section
                  7.1 hereof; for purposes of this Agreement,  no such purported
                  termination shall be effective.

                  The Executive's right to terminate the Executive's  employment
for Good  Reason  shall not be  affected by the  Executive's  incapacity  due to
physical or mental  illness.  The  Executive's  continued  employment  shall not
constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure
to act constituting Good Reason hereunder.

                  For purposes of any  determination  regarding the existence of
Good  Reason,  any claim by the  Executive  that  Good  Reason  exists  shall be
presumed to be correct unless the Company

                                                                               
                                           

<PAGE>



establishes to the Board by clear and convincing  evidence that Good Reason does
not exist.

                  (O) "Notice of  Termination"  shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 7.1 hereof.

                  (P) "Person"  shall have the meaning given in Section  3(a)(9)
of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections  13(d) and 14(d)  thereof,
except  that  such  term  shall  not  include  (i)  the  Company  or  any of its
subsidiaries,  (ii) a trustee or other  fiduciary  holding  securities  under an
employee  benefit  plan  of the  Company  or any of  its  Affiliates,  (iii)  an
underwriter  temporarily  holding  securities  pursuant  to an  offering of such
securities,  or  (iv)  a  corporation  owned,  directly  or  indirectly,  by the
shareholders  of the  Company in  substantially  the same  proportions  as their
ownership of stock of the Company.

                  (Q)  "Potential  Change  in  Control"  shall be deemed to have
occurred  if the event set forth in any one of the  following  paragraphs  shall
have occurred:

                                 (I)  the Company enters into an agreement,
                  the consummation of which would result in the
                  occurrence of a Change in Control;

                                (II)  the   Company  or  any   Person   publicly
                  announces an intention to take or to consider  taking  actions
                  which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control;

                               (III) any Person  becomes the  Beneficial  owner,
                  directly  or   indirectly,   of   securities  of  the  Company
                  representing 15% or more of either the then outstanding shares
                  of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of
                  the Company's then  outstanding  securities  (not including in
                  the   securities   beneficially   owned  by  such  Person  any
                  securities   acquired   directly   from  the  Company  or  its
                  affiliates); or

                                (IV) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect
                  that, for purposes of this  Agreement,  a Potential  Change in
                  Control has occurred.

                  (R) "Retirement"  shall  be  deemed   the  reason  for  the
termination by the Executive of the Executive's employment if such employment is
terminated  voluntarily  by the  Executive  in  accordance  with  the  Company's
retirement  policy,  including  early  retirement,  generally  applicable to its
salaried employees.

                  (S) "Severance  Payments"  shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.1 hereof.

                                                                               
                                                        

<PAGE>



                  (T) "Tax Counsel" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.2 hereof.

                  (U) "Term" shall mean the period of time  described in Section
2  hereof  (including  any  extension,  continuation  or  termination  described
therein).

                  (V) "Total Payments" shall mean those payments so described in
Section 6.2 hereof.

                                         PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH
                                         CAROLINA, INCORPORATED

                                         By:
                                              Name:
                                              Title:




                                         [Executive's Name]

                                         Address:




                                         (Please print carefully)
<PAGE>


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