Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

15 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

See the company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete detailed discussion of accounting policies. The significant accounting policies for both utility and diversified operations include:

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of TECO Energy, Inc., its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and the accounts of VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary (TECO Energy or the company). TECO Energy is considered to be the primary beneficiary of VIEs if it has both 1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For the periods presented, no VIEs have been consolidated (see Note 14).

All significant intercompany balances and intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Generally, the equity method of accounting is used to account for investments in partnerships or other arrangements in which TECO Energy is not the primary beneficiary, but is able to exert significant influence. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TECO Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2012.

The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, however, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not include all year-end disclosures required for an annual report on Form 10-K by U.S. GAAP.

Revenues

As of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, unbilled revenues of $54.1 million and $50.2 million, respectively, are included in the “Receivables” line item on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Accounting for Excise Taxes, Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

TECO Coal incurs most of TECO Energy’s total excise taxes, which are accrued as an expense and reconciled to the actual cash payment of excise taxes. As general expenses, they are not specifically recovered through revenues. Excise taxes paid by the regulated utilities are not material and are expensed when incurred.

The regulated utilities are allowed to recover certain costs on a dollar-per-dollar basis incurred from customers through prices approved by the FPSC. The amounts included in customers’ bills for franchise fees and gross receipt taxes are included as revenues on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Franchise fees and gross receipt taxes payable by the regulated utilities are included as an expense on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in “Taxes, other than income”. These amounts totaled $28.3 million and $54.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $27.1 million and $55.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Cash Flows Related to Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The company classifies cash inflows and outflows related to derivative and hedging instruments in the appropriate cash flow sections associated with the item being hedged. In the case of diesel fuel swaps, which are used to mitigate the fluctuations in the price of diesel fuel, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For natural gas and ongoing interest rate swaps, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For interest rate swaps that settle coincident with the debt issuance, the cash inflows and outflows are treated as premiums or discounts and included in the financing section of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.

Tampa Electric Co [Member]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

See TEC’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete detailed discussion of accounting policies. The significant accounting policies for TEC include:

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

TEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. For the purposes of its consolidated financial reporting, TEC is comprised of the electric division, generally referred to as Tampa Electric, the natural gas division, generally referred to as PGS, and potentially the accounts of VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. TEC is considered to be the primary beneficiary of VIEs if it has both 1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For the periods presented, no VIEs have been consolidated (see Note 13).

All significant intercompany balances and intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TEC as of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2012.

The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The year-end consolidated condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, however, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not include all year-end disclosures required for an annual report on Form 10-K by U.S. GAAP.

Revenues

As of June 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, unbilled revenues of $54.1 million and $50.2 million, respectively, are included in the “Receivables” line item on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Accounting for Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

The regulated utilities are allowed to recover certain costs on a dollar-per-dollar basis incurred from customers through prices approved by the FPSC. The amounts included in customers’ bills for franchise fees and gross receipt taxes are included as revenues on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Franchise fees and gross receipt taxes payable by the regulated utilities are included as an expense on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in “Taxes, other than income”. These amounts totaled $28.3 million and $54.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $27.1 million and $55.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Cash Flows Related to Derivatives and Hedging Activities

TEC classifies cash inflows and outflows related to derivative and hedging instruments in the appropriate cash flow sections associated with the item being hedged. For natural gas and ongoing interest rate swaps, the cash inflows and outflows are included in the operating section. For interest rate swaps that settle coincident with the debt issuance, the cash inflows and outflows are treated as premiums or discounts and included in the financing section of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows.