Duke Energy top executive Rogers receives 2009 compensation of $6.5 million

Duke chief receives 2009 compensation of $6.5M

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Associated Press has found that the top executive of Duke Energy received total compensation of $6.5 million in 2009.

Nearly all of the compensation for Jim Rogers, Duke’s chairman and CEO, came from stock awards. In 2008, his compensation totaled $815,190. That does not include a prorated portion of a stock award worth $5.5 million.

The award comes as Duke, based in Charlotte, N.C., and other power companies struggle because of low demand for electricity.

The AP’s executive pay calculation, based on a regulatory filing, aims to isolate the value the company’s board placed on the CEO’s total compensation package. The figure includes salary, bonus, incentives, perks and the estimated value of stock options and awards.