EXHIBIT 99.(c)






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       CONTACT: Melanie Forbrick
                                                     813/866-5023

CRITCHFIELD TO RETIRE, KORPAN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF FLORIDA PROGRESS CORPORATION

St. Petersburg,  FL...April 17, 1998...Dr.  Jack Critchfield today announced his
plans to retire as chairman of the board of Florida Progress  Corporation (NYSE:
FPC), effective June 30, 1998. In addition,  the board elected President and CEO
Dick Korpan to succeed Critchfield as company chairman, effective July 1, 1998.

Critchfield  joined  Florida Power  Corporation in 1983 as the vice president of
the utility's Central Florida  Divisions.  He went on to become the president of
Electric Fuels  Corporation in 1987. In 1988,  Critchfield  became president and
chief operating officer of Florida Progress.  He assumed the role of CEO in 1990
and in 1991 became the chairman of the board, a position he has held ever since.

"I have  thoroughly  enjoyed  the 15  years I have  spent  working  for  Florida
Progress and its subsidiaries,  and so it is with mixed emotions that I announce
my  intentions  to  retire.  I'm  confident  that we have in place an  extremely
talented  management  team that will lead this  company to great  things,"  said
Critchfield.

Korpan joined  Florida  Progress in 1989 as executive  vice  president and chief
financial  officer.  He went on to become  the  president  and  chief  operating
officer in 1991 and in 1996 also became the chairman  and CEO of Florida  Power.
In June 1997,  Korpan assumed the role of president and CEO of Florida  Progress
and remained as chairman of Florida Power.

"I'm very much looking  forward to  continuing  the charge placed upon me by the
board of directors and shareholders of this company. I intend to work diligently
toward  our  goal  to  become  a  world-class  energy  services  company  in  an
increasingly competitive market place," said Korpan.

Florida  Progress  Corporation  (NYSE:FPC) is a FORTUNE 500 diversified  utility
holding company with assets of $5.8 billion. Its principal subsidiary is Florida
Power  Corporation,  one of Florida's  largest  electric  utilities  serving 4.5
million  residents  and  businesses  in 32 counties in the central and  northern
portions  of the state.  Diversified  operations  include  coal  mining,  marine
operations and rail services.

                                      ###