TECO Peoples Gas Partners on Natural Gas Vehicles Tour of Florida

TAMPA, Fla., Nov 09, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- TECO Peoples Gas and Wise Gas Inc.

are partnering to promote the use of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in Florida with an eight-city tour that starts Tuesday, Nov. 10 in Jacksonville and ends Friday, Nov. 20 in Tallahassee.

The general public, fleet operators, local government officials and media are all invited to learn more about these alternatively-fueled vehicles including the associated fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and fueling technology.

Each stop will feature three different vehicles fueled by natural gas: -- Honda Civic GX This passenger vehicle is certified by the EPA as the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle in the world - 10 years running. -- Foton-America Transit Bus A state-of-the-art thirty-two seat city transit bus fueled solely by natural gas that harnesses the latest in alternative fuel technology. -- Bi-Fuel Ford Focus (natural gas and/or gasoline) The car's simple LED switch allows for easy change between fuel sources while driving. Tour stops include: Nov. 10 -- Jacksonville: 1022 Prudential Drive from noon until 2 PM.

Nov. 12 -- Orlando: 4400 S Vineland Road from noon until 2 PM.

Nov. 13 -- Hollywood: 3440 Hollywood Blvd. from noon until 2 PM.

Nov. 14-15 -- Dania Beach: John U. Lloyd Beach State Park from 9 AM until 5 PM.

Nov. 16 -- Naples: 8300 Radio Road from noon until 2 PM.

Nov. 17 -- Tampa: Crown Plaza East hotel at 10221 Princess Palm Ave. from 10:30 AM until 1 PM concurrent with the "Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles" Conference.

Nov. 19 -- Gainesville: Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza adjacent to the Alachua County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st Street from noon until 2 PM.

Nov. 20 -- Tallahassee: Economic Development Building of Tallahassee Community College, 444 Appleyard Drive from noon until 2 PM. The vehicles will also be on display from 3 to 4 PM in front of the State Capitol building.

Wise Gas is strategically developing the compressed natural gas (CNG) alternative fuel infrastructure throughout Florida, with the first public fuel station expected to open in the near future. Representing Foton-America and Altech-Eco, a CNG vehicle conversion company, Wise Gas works closely with manufacturers, developers and gas utilities to provide a complete solution for compressed natural gas as a clean and domestic alternative fuel for transportation needs.

TECO Peoples Gas, a division of Tampa Electric Company, is Florida's largest natural gas distribution company, and is one of the four core businesses of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE), an energy-related holding company, with regulated utility operations in Florida, including the electric division better known as Tampa Electric and TECO Peoples Gas. TECO Peoples Gas serves approximately 334,000 customers in most of Florida's major metropolitan areas and beyond.

Other subsidiaries include TECO Coal Corporation, which owns and operates coal production facilities in Kentucky and Virginia, and TECO Guatemala Inc., which is engaged in electric power generation and distribution and energy-related businesses in Guatemala.

Note to Editors: Photo Opportunity SOURCE: TECO Peoples Gas CONTACT: TECO Peoples Gas Rick Morera, 813-228-4945 [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

Florida INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Energy

Alternative Energy

Oil/Gas

Utilities

Alternative Vehicles/Fuels

Automotive

Fleet Management