By Chuck Warrington, executive director, Clearwater Gas System
Three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third common sense. This famous Thomas Edison quote is probably the most appropriate quote to describe the “why” behind Clearwater Gas System’s goal to form an ongoing Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties community partnership. For many, many years prior to 2015, Clearwater Gas System had forged many failed attempts towards developing a cohesive community partnership. However, the failed attempts eventually gave way to an open door following the hiring of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties current CEO, Mike Sutton and the rest is history.
In conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties’ goal to empower families and help them achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through decent and affordable housing, Clearwater Gas System equally supports a similar mission in the form of affordable energy.
The mutual interest of affordable housing and affordable natural gas energy was certainly a win-win for both Clearwater Gas System and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. “At Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, we are committed to building safe, affordable and energy-efficient homes in our community. Habitat homes are Energy Star Certified, saving our families money and setting them up for success as they start a new chapter as homeowners. With affordable energy in mind, our partnership with Clearwater Gas allows more families to benefit from this hand up. Now more than ever, with many families impacted by the pandemic and the uncertainty that surrounds it, we are grateful for our partnership,” explains Mike Sutton, Habitat’s CEO.
Since partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, Clearwater Gas System has equipped 149 habitat homes with natural gas and energy-efficient natural gas appliances such as tankless gas water heaters, gas dryers and gas ranges. The success of this ongoing community partnership also supports Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties’ mission of building energy-efficient, sustainable, housing whenever possible. Aside from fostering a successful community partnership, Clearwater Gas System is equally proud of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties CEO, Mike Sutton, who was recently recognized via the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2021 Power 100 List. The Power 100 List serves as a guide to the region’s most influential business leaders.
Through the work of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, over 660 families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have all joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem―decent housing for all.
“Our goal is to enable nonprofits, and other agencies, to enjoy the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas,” states Chuck Warrington, Clearwater Gas System Executive Director. With this partnership, Clearwater Gas System is looking forward to a long history of providing energy-efficient natural gas energy and natural gas appliances in future Habitat for Humanity new home construction projects throughout North Pinellas County and, now, West Pasco County.
Clearwater Gas System is the fourth largest municipal gas system in Florida and ranks 35th out of nearly 1,000 public gas systems in the United States. Visit www.clearwatergas.com for more information on the benefits of natural gas energy.
