TECO received a big infusion of power in 2016 when we completed our merger with Emera, Inc., creating a Top 20 North American energy leader and the opportunities that come with it for growing our system to serve you. We’ll be generating approximately 460 megawatts of new power in early 2017 thanks to a major project at our Polk Power Station – even as your Tampa Electric bill goes down. And upgraded customer information and billing systems also set to debut soon will give you the power of more options when it comes to managing your Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas accounts.
But as we look back on 2016, something else stands out: the power our team members continue to embrace to help those in need and to create a healthier environment.
How?
By volunteering our time and efforts to restore the award-winning Newman Branch Creek habitat in Apollo Beach – and by making our nearby Manatee Viewing Center better than ever with new features the whole family can enjoy at our showcase of environmental education. Across Dickman Road, the Tampa Bay area’s largest solar array, generating 23 megawatts of electricity from the sun, is nearing completion.
By helping people in need and by working to help make sure they have food on their tables, clothes in their closets and supplies for school.
By making education a priority – for children in the communities we serve and for our own team members, making it easy for them to grow and develop new skills that end up helping how we bring value to customers like you.
By honoring our nation’s heroes, those who have played important roles in helping it become what it is, and by recognizing trailblazers in our ranks.
By honoring armed forces veterans in a myriad of ways – from a pinning ceremony to honor Vietnam-era veterans at TECO to our participating in a program to pair disabled veterans with service dogs – and many other ways too.
By putting a spotlight on breast cancer to honor those in the fight against the disease while encouraging steps to foster prevention.
By making safety and health for our team members and you our highest priority. Our newest journeymen linemen know it, and our customers see it in the community as we constantly look for newer, safer ways to serve you.
By working hard to win our customers’ trust – which they responded to in a big way.
By working around the clock after severe weather to get all our customers’ power restored after severe weather. This happened at home and away in 2016, and even the governor took time to say thanks for the hard work our crews performed to keep your lights on – and to get them back on as quickly as possible when there’s an outage. And even though the 2016 hurricane season is over, we’re working even now to stay ready for what may come.
And the list goes on. While we bid farewell this year to honored leaders like John Ramil, who retired as TECO Energy president and CEO after 40 years, we’re ready to join you in greeting a new year with new possibilities, new ideas for creating stronger communities and a healthier environment, and new opportunities to serve you that we can’t wait to realize.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe New Year to all our Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas customers and your families.
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