Florida’s Businesses Rate TECO Peoples Gas No. 1 in the South for Fourth Time

Companies value utility’s service and commitment to its customers

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the second year in a row and fourth time since 2016, businesses across Florida have rated TECO Peoples Gas highest in customer satisfaction in the south region of the J.D. Power 2020 Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study. As it did in this year’s Gas Utility Residential Study, Peoples Gas received the highest score in the history of the Gas Utility Business Study.

The online study measures business customer satisfaction in six categories. Peoples Gas led the South Region in five of the six satisfaction drivers: price, corporate citizenship, communications, customer service and safety and reliability.

“We are proud to be driving Florida’s economy by safely delivering essential energy to so many businesses that rely on the direct use of natural gas, especially those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic,” said T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas. “Our employees are truly committed to serving and supporting our communities – through their daily work at Peoples Gas and by volunteering in their spare time.”

As the economic impacts of the pandemic became known, Peoples Gas voluntarily suspended disconnecting natural gas service for businesses and residential customers unable to make payments. In partnership with its affiliate Tampa Electric Company, the utility contributed more than $1 million to its Share program and other community partners offering support to small businesses and Floridians who are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19. It also launched an online resource at peoplesgas.com/updates with a listing of programs and agencies offering assistance to businesses in need.

“Florida’s businesses are making a comeback,” said Szelistowski. “In these times of uncertainty, they know Peoples Gas will continue to be there for them.”

The company continues to make investments and advances in its infrastructure and technologies to ensure a safe and resilient natural gas system and to meet evolving customer expectations and growth.

The J.D. Power 2020 Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study is based on more than 9,600 online interviews with business customers of 60 natural gas utilities across the continental United States, and was conducted between January and September 2020. Peoples Gas ranked highest in business customer satisfaction in the south region, which includes eleven states. The utility previously led the south region in the 2019, 2016 and 2016 calendar-year Gas Utility Business Studies.

Peoples Gas System, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves more than 400,000 customers across the state. Peoples Gas is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.