Formation of UtiliPRO Joint Venture Announced to Provide Home Warranty Services

UtiliPRO partners include AGL Resources, DTE Energy, TECO Energy


ATLANTA, Feb. 2  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL), Detroit-based DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) and Tampa-based TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE) have launched a joint venture to provide home warranty products and services under the brand name "UtiliPRO."

UtiliPRO initially is offering a home warranty appliance repair program that will cover both natural gas and electric appliances.  The program is being launched in Georgia before spreading into Florida and other parts of AGL Resources' service territory, which includes parts of Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.

"Given current economic conditions, this is an ideal time to launch this new business," said John W. Somerhalder II, chairman, president and CEO of AGL Resources. "UtiliPRO will help people manage unplanned and expensive repairs of their most important appliances."

UtiliPRO, which was established in late 2009, is based in Atlanta and headed by President and CEO Kevin McCrackin. McCrackin most recently served as director of Business Development at DTE Energy, where he headed the utility's successful home warranty program."

"Kevin brings more than 25 years of energy business experience to this position, the majority of which centered on emerging growth opportunities - businesses like UtiliPRO," said Jerry Norcia, president and COO of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, a subsidiary of DTE Energy.

McCrackin said the backing and experience of three well-regarded utilities - AGL Resources, DTE Energy and TECO Energy - with a desire to provide valued products and services during these challenging times will differentiate UtiliPRO from traditional home warranty providers.

"UtiliPRO combines the utility business appreciation for effective, efficient processes that deliver consistent, quality service with in-the-home, beyond-the-meter products and services that extend the public trust of their utility into a more direct customer relationship," McCrackin said.

More information about UtiliPRO's home warranty products and services is available at http://www.utilipro.com/ or by calling 1-866-300-5574.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL), an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves approximately 2.3 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout North America. As an 85-percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. The company also owns and operates Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit http://www.aglresources.com/.

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on gas pipelines and storage, coal transportation, unconventional gas production, and power and industrial projects. Information about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com/.

About TECO Energy, Inc.

TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TE) is an energy-related holding company. Its principal subsidiary, Tampa Electric Company, is a regulated utility in Florida with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System). Other subsidiaries include TECO Coal, which owns and operates coal production facilities in Kentucky and Virginia, and TECO Guatemala, which is engaged in electric power generation and distribution and energy-related businesses in Guatemala. For more information about TECO Energy, visit http://www.tecoenergy.com/. 

DATASOURCE: AGL Resources



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