OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – February 10, 2006 — Tortoise Energy Capital Corp. (NYSE: TYY), today declared its first quarter 2006 dividend of $0.36 per share, compared to $0.34 in the previous quarter. The dividend will be distributed on March 1, 2006 to stockholders of record on February 21, 2006.

The company has invested most of its proceeds from the recently closed offering of Money Market Preferred Shares, and expects the next dividend to represent full investment of the company's assets, including leverage. Approximately 51 percent of total assets were invested in direct placements or IPOs of MLPs or affiliates.

Due to the relatively inexpensive cost of hedging its leverage, the company swapped short-term floating- rate obligations for longer-term fixed rates. Management believes that the swaps will add future stability to the company's cost of capital and should set the stage for solid growth of the company's dividend.

The company confirmed that this dividend is estimated to be 100 percent return of capital for book purposes. This is subject to change based upon completion of the company's fiscal year-end. For tax purposes, the character of the dividend will be determined at year-end and will be reported to stockholders at the beginning of 2007 on their Form 1099.

2006 Annual Shareholders' Meeting
Tortoise Energy Capital will host its annual shareholders' meeting on April 12, 2006 at 9 a.m. CST at the Doubletree Hotel, 10100 College Blvd. in Overland Park, Kan.

For those unable to attend the meeting, a listen-only conference call will be provided. Please dial the number approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

U.S./Canada: (800) 218-0204
International: (303) 262-2140

The meeting will also be webcast in a listen-only format. The link to the webcast can be accessed at www.tortoiseadvisors.com where supplemental information related to the meeting will also be available.

A replay of the meeting will be available beginning at 1 p.m. CST on April 12, 2006 and continuing until 12 a.m. C.T. April 26, 2006, by dialing (800) 405-2236 (U.S./Canada). The replay access code is 11052482#. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Web site of the company's adviser at www.tortoiseadvisors.com through April 12, 2007.

About Tortoise Energy Capital
Tortoise Energy Capital Corp. provides financing primarily for master limited partnerships in the energy infrastructure sector. Tortoise Energy Capital's goal is to provide its shareholders with a high level of total return with an emphasis on current distributions to stockholders.

About Tortoise Capital Advisors
Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC, the adviser to Tortoise Energy Capital Corp., is a pioneer in capital markets for investment companies and separately managed accounts focused on MLPs in the energy infrastructure sector. Tortoise Capital Advisors also serves as the adviser to Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. (NYSE: TYG) and Tortoise North American Energy Corp (NYSE: TYN). To date, the adviser has approximately $1.6 billion of energy infrastructure investment assets under management. For more information, visit our website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

Contact information
Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC
Pam Kearney, Investor Relations
(913) 322-5839
pkearney@tortoiseadvisors.com