Natural gas utility working across the west coast and contributes to United Way Suncoast
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Peoples Gas continues recovery efforts and community support in devasted areas including South Tampa and Davis Islands, St. Pete, Sarasota and Fort Myers.
Update on safe restoration of natural gas services
Peoples Gas began its post-storm activation almost immediately after Hurricane Helene made landfall. Team members from the company’s service areas across the state dispatched to our west coast service areas to assist with damage assessment and service restoration. Although many of these areas sustained high winds, flooding and power outages, the natural gas system fared well. Peoples Gas is currently serving all customers able to receive natural gas in their home or business.
In addition to door-to-door assessment, Peoples Gas deployed one of its MobileGuard advanced methane detection vehicles to patrol the system for leaks in impacted areas. Very few issues were identified and quickly addressed.
Company makes donation to United Way Suncoast
In addition to its field response, Peoples Gas is identifying ways to support those who were most significantly impacted by the storm. Today, the company committed $75,000 from shareholder funds to the United Way Suncoast, which represents a five-county region including DeSoto, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties and distributes funding and volunteer resources to non-profit organizations serving local communities. People in need of support should call 211.
“This is a stressful time for so many, and our thoughts are with all who experienced the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” said Helen Wesley, President and CEO of Peoples Gas. “Supporting our communities where we live and work is important to us, and we are pleased to partner with the United Way Suncoast. They are well positioned to offer critical assistance and disaster relief to meet immediate local needs.”
Post-storm recovery and restoration activities are expected to extend through the coming weeks as homes and businesses restore and rebuild and are ready to restart gas service. Those who need natural gas turned back on after safely returning to or restoring property should call Peoples Gas at 877-832-6747.
Here are some additional safety tips to keep in mind during this time:
• If you smell natural gas (the odor of rotten eggs) or notice damage to natural gas equipment, move to safety, call 911, then call Peoples Gas at 877-832-6747.
• Ask for ID. All Peoples Gas team members and contractors have photo ID badges. For safety reasons, a gas technician may need to access the appliances in your home or business. Always ask to see an ID before allowing entry.
• Have buried utility lines marked and use care when clearing fallen trees and other debris. Call 811 and allow at least two full business days before digging roots, repairing fences or doing other work that requires digging to avoid damaging underground utility lines. Please be patient and wait for local utilities to mark the area with flags or paint, making it easier to dig safely.
Peoples Gas System, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves more than 500,000 homes and businesses across the state. The company’s mission is to make life better for communities by delivering safe, resilient, efficient and affordable natural gas energy solutions. Through investments in people, technology, infrastructure and environmentally focused innovations, the company is committed to fueling Florida’s clean energy future responsibly and sustainably. Peoples Gas is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. To learn more about the benefits of natural gas for Florida, visit FloridasEnergy.com. Find more information about the company, its culture, career opportunities and community investments at PeoplesGas.com.
Media Contact: Michelle Bozman (Call or text 813-376-5743)
