By Helena Finnegan

Believe it or not, folks from up north and the Midwest do more than double our wintertime traffic and restaurant waiting periods -- they have created a demand for utilities like natural gas here in Southwest Florida. And, thanks to a new pipeline snaking down through the region, TECO is supplying them.

TECO Peoples Gas is Florida's largest natural gas utility and propane distributor, serving more than 300,000 customers statewide. It is a subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc., an energy-related utility holding company based in Tampa.

In 1998 the company began a massive project to carry a pipeline southward from Tampa down to south Collier County. TECO is now in the finishing stages of planting the Lee County pipeline, providing service to the county line by the end of this month. Collier County is scheduled to come on line toward the end of the year.

To make its mark on the local community, TECO also has its name fixed in lights -- literally. Last year the company paid $7 million to secure 20-year naming rights for the highly visible Everblades Arena in Estero.

"Two years ago when we came into the community, we realized we needed to network and for the community to get to know us," explains Joe Rennar, TECO's community development coordinator in Southwest Florida. "We have worked with several area charitable organizations and saw an advantage to having the naming rights at such a popular complex."

A Natural Choice

A recent survey by an area developer reports that 95 percent of prospective homebuyers would prefer the use of natural gas to other options. It is not a surprising statistic when one considers that most of the folks here are transplanted from the North or Midwest, where the use of natural gas is commonplace. Homeowners praise natural gas for its efficiency, low-maintenance and utility bill savings, while environmentalists observe that natural gas not only has the best safety record of any energy source, but is also the cleanest burning fossil fuel.

Natural gas offers homeowners as much as 30 to 50 percent savings on utility bills over other utilities. It provides quick recovery and heating times. It requires only low-maintenance appliances. And, it is environmentally friendly.

For all these reasons, TECO has approached and been approached by local residential communities and businesses looking to take advantage of what natural gas offers. "I lived in New Jersey and cooked with natural gas there," says Michael Fattah, owner of Farfalla Ristorante in Estero. "The flame is stronger to cook with, it is more convenient and cheaper to use. There are no service interruptions or bottles to fill," he adds. "I am looking forward to having it -- it's a great option."

The company also underlines its local commitment. "TECO Peoples Gas works as a community partner," says Lance Horton, director of sales for TECO Peoples Gas. "We provide developers with the project infrastructure, at no cost to them. We work with marketing teams, contributing materials and advertising co-op dollars."

For the time being, the service is traveling only into new residential communities and businesses. However, TECO also offers an incentive program for existing homes and companies looking to switch over from electric. "We collaborate with builders and local appliance dealers, arranging and passing through rebates," Horton says. In the case of a conversion from propane to natural gas, the cost is even less because propane appliances can be easily retrofitted to natural gas.

Laying the Pipeline

When TECO began to look into extending a pipeline into Southwest Florida, the company approached a number of area developments. "When we talked with area developments, we talked to them about how natural gas would fit into their plans and would they be interested in offering this as an alternative energy source," Rennar explains. "In many cases, those developers said yes."

Builders and developers receive a time frame from TECO based on the number of residences and appliances in those units as well as community amenities to be supplied by natural gas. Then, the utility begins by contracting to install, maintain and operate all underground distribution lines to the community at no cost or liability to the developer or builder.

"Since many folks want the best of everything in their homes here, many request appliances that use natural gas. It is the best way to heat water, pools, grills and water heaters," Rennar says. Many homeowners in fact start with water heaters and clothes dryers then move onto air conditioning units, outdoor gas grills and eventually pool heaters -- sometimes even lighting. The gas is pumped to the home from a main underground line that feeds a service line. A meter is then attached to the exterior of the house to read the gas consumption.

With TECO's presence in Lee and Collier counties, other area homeowners and businesses have begun contacting the company to inquire about the natural gas option. "We have started projects off the main line called laterals to fulfill those requests," says Rennar.

Friendly Feedback

Frank Weed, president of West Bay Club in Estero, is among those who welcome the service "We are very pleased with TECO. They have gone out of their way to service this community," he says. "I think it is great to have options available to consumers and our consumers tell us just that about natural gas. Especially the folks from the north or midwestern section of the country."

Competitive utilities don't seem to mind, either, that natural gas is now available in Southwest Florida. Carl Weeks, vice president and regional manager for Bal-Gas, a propane distributor, agrees with Weed. "Natural gas gives consumers another option, and TECO brings an awareness to folks about having another choice," he says. "Buyers will have to become educated about which energy source is best for them," he says.

Even the area's largest electric supplier, Florida Power and Light, hasn't flinched as TECO's pipeline is drilled southward. "We see having TECO in this community as a positive," says Grover Whidden, External Affairs Manager for FPL. "We have always believed in giving customers choices when it comes to their energy needs."

In fact, FPL is also taking advantage of natural gas. The company is switching from coal and oil to natural gas to power the company's Fort Myers power plant. "FPL is the largest consumer of natural gas in the state of Florida. We are buying it at favorable prices and then we take those prices and resell at retail rates to our large commercial and industrial customers," says Whidden. Thanks to the deregulation of natural gas, those customers are able to shop for the best prices on such a commodity which is now being sold by not only FPL but other marketing companies as well according to Whidden.

As homeowners and business owners in Southwest Florida continue to seek savings, efficiency and reliability, natural gas will continue to expand in our region. And TECO intends to be the primary supplier "We consistently serve home buyers to ensure their continued satisfaction," says Horton. "We are here for the long haul and at your service."

Helena Finnegan is a freelance business writer.