ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. and TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While restoration is a critical part of Duke Energy Florida's and Tampa Electric's everyday work and hurricane response plans, this is the first time the two local utilities have combined resources to protect Tampa Bay's ecosystems and increase environmental resilience within the region.

Today, more than 40 volunteers, employees and environmental experts from Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida, Hillsborough County's Conservation and Land Management and Pinellas County's Environmental Management Division, led a unique restoration project by simultaneously planting nearly 700 red and black mangroves at two locations impacted by tidal influence.

"Teaming up with our neighboring utilities, governmental leaders and key community organizations to prepare, protect and power our communities is not something new for our company and industry," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "As we've learned from decades of storm response and service, collaboration is essential to addressing our communities' most pressing needs. Today's event is no different. We thank Tampa Electric, CCA Florida, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, among the many others, who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe, resilient and thriving."

The two locations, EG Simmons Regional Park and Keystone/Carlton Road in Northern Pinellas County, were selected based on need, environmental factors and consultation with Hillsborough County's Conservation and Land Management and Pinellas County's Environmental Management Division.

"This project is a win for the shoreline, a win for our partners, and it reflects our continued commitment to environmental stewardship," said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. "We are delighted to collaborate with like-minded neighbors – including Duke Energy Florida – to complete this important coastal resilience project."

Florida's mangrove ecosystems serve a vital role in the overall health of the state's coastal estuaries. Mangroves reduce coastal erosion caused by storm surges and improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Mangrove soils and roots also sequester carbon dioxide while providing habitat and refuge to a wide variety of fish and wildlife.

The mangroves are grown and donated by CCA Florida and the Duke Energy Crystal River Mariculture Center, a company-owned-and-operated environmental restoration and conservation center dedicated to rebuilding and maintaining Florida's fish populations and habitats.

More than 30 years ago, the Duke Energy Crystal River Mariculture Center started as an environmental compliance requirement to operate nearby power plants and has since grown into one of Florida's most successful fish hatcheries and conservation allies.

Instead of shutting down the operation when the power plants closed and the environmental requirement was no longer necessary, Eric Latimer, Duke Energy Florida's manager of the Mariculture Center, found ways to work with nonprofits, universities and state agencies, like CCA Florida, among others, to rebuild and maintain Florida's fish populations and habitats that were being impacted by declining water quality and disasters such as red tide and hurricanes.

To date, the Mariculture Center, with help from CCA Florida, has released nearly 5 million fish and crustaceans along Florida's coasts and has donated approximately $200,000 worth of submerged aquatic vegetation for habitat restoration projects in lakes, springs and shorelines across the state.

For more information about the Duke Energy Crystal River Mariculture Center, click here.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Tampa Electric

Tampa Electric, one of Florida's largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves more than 840,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

CCA Florida

The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) was founded in 1977 after drastic commercial overfishing along the Texas coast decimated redfish and speckled trout populations. One of 19 state chapters, CCA Florida became the fifth state chapter in 1985. A 501(c)3 non-profit, the purpose of CCA is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. Through habitat restoration projects, water quality initiatives and fisheries advocacy, CCA Florida works with its over 18,000 members including recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to conserve and enhance marine resources and coastal environments. Join the conversation on Facebook or learn more at ccaflorida.org.

Duke Energy Media Contact: Audrey Stasko

Media line: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

Tampa Electric Media Contact: Cherie Jacobs

Cell: 813.334.7779

Email: CLJacobs@TECOEnergy.com

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SOURCE Duke Energy