TAMPA - You may have noticed something new in the air - or something missing.  Although winter months usually bring strong north winds that improve the local air quality, they are often followed by days of easterly winds that blow exhaust from the ports operations onto Davis Islands.  The smell, which is more pronounced during the summer months of southeasterly winds, was a mix of noxious sulfur and other bi-products primarily associated with coal burning power plants - specifically the TECO Gannon plant.

If you have noticed that the sulfur smell is less obvious, it is due to the plant shifting 50% of its current production source to natural gas.  By mid-2004, the entire plant will be using natural gas which will dramatically improve the air quality in our immediate area.

Click here for more information http://environment.tampaelectric.com/EPbayside.html