TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TECO Peoples Gas, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility with about 370,000 customers, led the country’s natural gas utilities in environmental leadership, according to a recent survey conducted by Cogent Reports, a division of Market Strategies International.

Peoples Gas has been named the top “Environmental Champion” for 2016, as ranked by residential natural gas customers surveyed by Cogent’s Environmental Dedication Index.

“Natural gas is a clean-burning, domestic fuel that has less impact on the environment, and customers can also get rebates for improving their carbon footprint,” said T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas. “We are proud of our strong commitment to environmental stewardship – and equally pleased that our customers recognize our efforts.”

In 2015 and again earlier this year, Peoples Gas was named “Most Trusted Utility Brand” in the United States by Cogent Reports, and in December 2015, the utility was designated a Customer Champion by the same group.

Peoples Gas System, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves about 370,000 customers across Florida. Peoples Gas is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.