Tampa, January 27, 2009 --On January 30, 2009, hundreds of volunteers from more than 50 corporations and organizations will come together to make needed repairs to 20 homes in Historic Old West Tampa as part of the 14th annual Kickoff to Rebuild event, an NFL sanctioned community impact project for Super Bowl festivities in Tampa. The event will focus on repairing these homes to make them safer, healthier and more energy efficient for homeowners who do not have the means or ability to make the repairs themselves. The repairs, all of which are being done at no cost to the homeowners, are already underway in several of the homes.

All Homes Will Receive Energy Efficiency Improvements

Representatives from Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas recently conducted energy efficiency assessments on several of the project homes. Energy analysts from Tampa Electric installed energy-efficient light bulbs and low-flow showerheads, replaced air filters, and caulked windows, doors and other spaces throughout the homes, some of which are more than 100 years old. Energy analysts from Peoples Gas assessed the condition of existing natural gas appliances. Homes to receive upgrades were selected by Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, a non-profit group, based on Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay’s criteria and the proximity of the homes to Raymond James Stadium, site of Super Bowl® XLIII. See below for more information on Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay.

“Team members from both Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas are excited to be part of this neighborhood revitalization project in West Tampa. The transformations taking place within these homes are incredible. We are proud to do our part in helping these homeowners with needed energy efficiency improvements to their homes,” said Randy Sortore, Business Development Manager, Peoples Gas.

NFL players, state and local officials are scheduled to join Rebuilding Together and volunteers for this project. The project zone consists of Union, Chestnut, Spruce, Walnut and Pine streets between and adjacent to Howard and Armenia Avenues.

Peoples Gas and the Rinnai Corporation, the world’s leading tankless water heater manufacturer, worked in cooperation to secure the donation of appliances for these homes.  The Rinnai Corporation will be donating several tankless water heating systems and space heaters. Other appliances that will be installed in these homes include new energy-efficient gas ranges and gas dryers.

With the completion of these energy efficiency upgrades, a homeowner who follows the energy efficiency guidance from Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas may save as much as 20 percent on annual energy costs. To learn more about general energy efficiency programs available to Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas customers, visit tampaelectric.com and peoplesgas.com. For more information about Kickoff to Rebuild or to request an interview with the participating homeowners, please contact Olga Gonzalez at 813-842-4306 or via email at ogonzalez@rttb.org.

About Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas

Tampa Electric has supplied the Tampa Bay area with electricity since 1899. Its West Central Florida service area covers 2,000 square miles, including all of Hillsborough County and parts of Polk, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The company has 4,400 megawatts of generating capacity and over 667,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers that depend on Tampa Electric for reliable power and value-added energy services.

Since 1895, Peoples Gas has provided Florida’s citizens and businesses with reliable, economical energy services. As the state’s leading natural gas provider, Peoples Gas has offices in every major Florida metropolitan area to serve more than 330,000 commercial, industrial and residential customers.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving affordable homeownership. Rebuilding Together provides home repair services to low-income families, the elderly, military veterans and their families, and persons with disabilities in the Tampa Bay area. The focus of Rebuilding Together’s work is to make homes safer, healthier and more energy efficient for their owners. Rebuilding Together provides an array of home rehabilitation services including emergency services, home repairs, home improvements, weatherproofing and barrier removal. For more information, please visit Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay at rttb.org.

Tampa Electric Company is the principal subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE), an energy-related holding company with regulated utility operations in Florida including both Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System. Other subsidiaries include TECO Coal, which owns and operates coal production facilities in Kentucky and Virginia, and TECO Guatemala, which is engaged in electric power generation and distribution and energy-related businesses in Guatemala.

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For additional Tampa Electric or Peoples Gas information contact: Rick Morera, ph. 813-228-4945