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SECO Energy Lowers Members’ Bills October 1

SECO Energy is once again lowering the cost of electric service. The not-for-profit electric cooperative will apply a higher member-favorable Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) to members’ bills beginning October 1, 2020. The PCA calculation appears on monthly statements as a line item titled “Hot Bucks.”

 

Since January 1, 2020, SECO’s rate for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed has been $116.90. The reduction on October 1 will lower the amount by $4.50 per 1,000 kWh to $112.40 or approximately 4%. Between January 1, 2014, and October 1, 2020, the price for $1,000 kWh of electricity has decreased by $15.35 or 12%.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Providing affordable electric service is a high priority for a not-for-profit electric cooperative like SECO Energy. Going back to January 2014, the rate for 1,000 kWh was $127.75. We applied several member-favorable PCA adjustments since early 2014 to correspond with fuel cost decreases.”

 

SECO’s PCA factor fluctuates based on the amount the cooperative pays for power purchased from its wholesale power provider Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. SECO works closely with Seminole to ensure the lowest rates possible for members. When the wholesale cost of purchased power decreases, SECO passes those savings along to members.

 

Duncan added, “Since 2014, there were times when fuel costs rose and SECO adjusted the PCA to reflect the increase. For the most part, the PCA adjustments SECO has made have consistently lowered members’ bills.”

 

SECO also encourages members to use electricity efficiently and reduce their energy consumption. Visit our Energy Efficiency page to complete the Home Energy Assessment for an online energy audit. Try the Energy Estimator to calculate the energy use and costs associated for everyday electronics, appliances, lighting and more.

 

“Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases, cooperative updates and for weather information and updates affecting SECO’s service area.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Eastern Coral Snake

 

Florida Fauna & Flora – Eastern Coral Snake

 

The extremely venomous eastern coral snake is found throughout Florida. Coral snakes should not be confused with the non-venomous scarlet king and scarlet snakes. These three snakes look similar but knowing the difference could save your life.

 

Eastern coral snakes have wide black and red bands separated by slender bands of yellow on their bodies. Remember the old saying, “If red touches yellow, kill a fellow.” Coral snakes grow to less than three feet in length. Its nose is black, and the head is narrow and unlike a pit viper’s triangular-shaped head. Coral snakes have short, fixed
fangs and a small mouth.

 

This snake spends much of its time in rotting logs, brush piles and decaying vegetation. It feeds on lizards, frogs, other snakes and small animals. Coral snakes are related to other deadly snakes including cobras, mambas and sea snakes. This snake does not strike – it chews into flesh to bite and release venom.

 

Coral snake bites to humans are rare – most bites happen when they’re stepped on or picked up. Nowadays with the availability of antivenin, coral snake bites are rarely fatal, but if bitten, seek medical treatment at once.

 

Read the full October 2020 SECO News online.