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Month: February 2024

February 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In February 2024, both the average high and low temperatures inched two degrees higher than in January. While the month’s lowest temperature of 40 degrees was 6 degrees higher than in January, its high was 2 degrees lower, at 84 degrees. The slow upward trend suggests the “peak” of winter’s chill may have passed Central Florida. The average high of 72 degrees and low of 51 degrees are still cooler than the “normal” for February (75/54), as recorded at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE).

February 2024 Sunshine State Stats data

 

Reported rainfall at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) increased by 1.25 inches from last month, totaling 3.25 inches. This total is .26 inches higher than the February normal precipitation level of 2.99 inches. Measurable precipitation was limited to just 7 of 29 days in this “Leap Year” version of February. The rainiest day occurred on February 17, when 1.29 inches fell.

 

February recorded its highest temperature of 84 degrees on the 11th and the lowest daily recorded temperature occurred on the 22nd, when the mercury bottomed out at 40 degrees.

 

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport occurred on February 4, when WeatherSentry recorded 94 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

 

Lightning Archive Report – 20-mile radius from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE)

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com

 

Lightning strikes on February 4, 2024

Cloud to Ground Lightning – February 4, 2024

 

HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes, accounting for an average of 35 to 40% of kWh usage. As daytime temperatures are rising into the 80s with evenings dipping lower, many homes may be using both cooling and heating on the same day. Depending on one’s HVAC use, homeowners may experience higher-than-expected energy costs at this time of year.

 

Now is a good opportunity to complete seasonal maintenance on your HVAC system. Also, be sure to check your thermostat settings to properly update them for these cooler months. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

 

March forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for March 2024 begins with isolated showers and cool temperatures in the first five days. The following ten days are expected to remain sunny and cool, followed by a few days of showers with cool temperatures. The projection for the second half of March suggests warmer weather with a few scattered showers.

 

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

Log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts to check historical usage. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

SECO Energy District 8 Members Elect New Trustee Martin Proctor

SECO Energy members residing in District 8 elected Martin E. Proctor as their representative to serve on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The meeting and election were held within the District at First Baptist Church of Leesburg South Campus on February 13, 2024. 

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO’s service area is geographically divided into nine Districts. One Trustee is elected from each of the nine Districts to represent their fellow members on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the membership at large. 

 

The election was a contested ballot with two candidates, Mr. Martin Proctor, and Mr. Anthony Grove. As the newly elected Trustee, Mr. Proctor will assume the seat held since 2010 by William James, who is retiring from the Board of Trustees. Mr. Proctor will hold the Trustee position for a 3-year term. SECO’s Bylaws currently require that the cooperative hold District Meetings every three years at which time elections are held to determine representation for the district on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. Florida Statute requires SECO to hold in-person elections, therefore, the cooperative continues to hold District Meetings as a means of electing Trustees. A drive-thru voting option was available for members for added convenience and to encourage participation. 

 

A SECO Energy Foundation Board Vice President since 2023, Mr. Proctor is a District 1 Board Member of the Lake County Water Authority and is active with the Groveland Planning and Zoning. He is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He lives on Lake Emma, part of Palatlakaha Creek, with his wife of over 35 years. 

 

District 8 2024 Election photo

After the meeting, Mr. Proctor was congratulated by Board Trustee and President Gerald Anderson and SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn. Proctor is grateful for the opportunity to serve his community in a new capacity, stating, “I want to thank my fellow District 8 friends and neighbors who attended the meeting and election. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees and expect to learn as much about the cooperative and industry as possible. Mr. James has served this District well; he mentored me and nominated me to the SECO Energy Foundation Board. This new role will increase my knowledge of the energy industry and cooperative, not-for-profit business model. I am excited for the challenge and the ability to work with and build communication with my future Board peers.”

 

Board Trustee Anderson added, “The Board of Trustees will look back fondly on the contributions of Mr. Bill James, and with the addition of a new Trustee we all have a duty to assist with his introduction to the industry so he can be equipped with the best tools to make a positive impact. I know our veteran Trustees will work shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Proctor to advance his familiarity with SECO’s unique processes, objectives and challenges ahead.” 

 

SECO Energy CEO, Curtis Wynn also paid tribute to Mr. James and then welcomed Mr. Proctor, adding, “Mr. James has been a steadfast Trustee who has been a valued contributor. His dedication to SECO is admirable and respected by us all. Mr. Proctor comes with an impressive history of community service, not the least of which was his appointment as a founding SECO Energy Foundation Board Member. This experience, though relatively brief, will ease the transition into his new role as a Trustee with SECO Energy. We look forward to his future contributions and dedication to support SECO Energy.” 

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

SECO Energy Achieves Impressive ACSI Score for 2023

ACSI Logo

SECO Energy, the leading not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 240,000 homes and businesses in seven Central Florida counties, proudly announces the successful completion of its annual member-wide customer satisfaction survey. Over 1,700 members actively participated in providing valuable feedback that has once again positioned SECO Energy as a leader in customer satisfaction within the utility sector.

  

The member responses were evaluated by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®), a company specializing in measuring customer satisfaction across diverse industries throughout the entire United States. For 2023, SECO Energy received an ACSI score of “89” on a 100-point scale [1], reflecting the cooperative’s unwavering commitment to excellence in service.

Curtis Wynn, CEO of SECO Energy, expressed his enthusiasm about the outstanding achievement, stating, “At SECO Energy, one of our top priorities is to ensure our members receive exceptional service. This remarkable ACSI score of ’89’ underscores our dedication to providing reliable and innovative energy services. We are proud to surpass all publicly measured investor-owned utility scores, cooperative utility scores, and municipal utility scores, establishing SECO Energy as a leader in customer satisfaction.”

  

CEO Curtis Wynn

SECO’s ACSI® score of “89” not only surpasses the average investor-owned utility score of 72 but also exceeds the average municipal utilities score of 71, according to the 2023 ACSI Utility Sector Report. Additionally, SECO Energy outperforms the average cooperative utility score by an impressive 15 points.

 

ACSI is the only national cross-industry measure of customer satisfaction in the United States. It plays a crucial role in providing science-based insights across the complete arc of the customer experience. SECO Energy is honored to be acknowledged for its commitment to outstanding member satisfaction and engagement.

 

Curtis Wynn expressed his gratitude to SECO Energy members, stating, “Thank you, members, for recognizing our commitment to outstanding member satisfaction and engagement. We are 100% committed to engaging with you and ensuring SECO, along with its 400+ employees, fulfills our mission to provide reliable and innovative energy services. Earning your trust is an accomplishment like no other.”

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

 

[1] Compared to publicly measured energy utilities in the ACSI® survey of customers rating their own energy utility. Results based on data provided by SECO Energy, collected between December 4 and 8, 2023. ACSI did not regulate the survey administration or sample size. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org

January 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In January 2024, the monthly average high temperature dropped one degree while the average low fell 5 degrees from December as winter’s chill strengthened its grasp of Central Florida. The average high temperature of 70 degrees and low of 49 degrees nearly match the “normal” for January (71/49), as recorded at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE).

January 2024 Sunshine State Stats

 

Reported rainfall at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) decreased over 2 inches from December’s total, amounting to 2 inches versus 4.35 inches last month. This total is below the January normal precipitation level of 3.32 inches. Measurable precipitation occurred on 12 of 31 days, with the rainiest day occurring on January 9, when just .57 inches fell.

 

The month of January recorded its highest temperature of 84 degrees on the 27th and the lowest daily recorded temperature occurred on the 21st, when the mercury bottomed at 34 degrees.

 

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport occurred on three days in January. WeatherSentry recorded 155 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes on January 9, 25 strikes on January 16, and 7 strikes on January 27.

 

Lightning Archive Report – 20-mile radius from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE)

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com

 

Lightning strikes on January 9, 2024

Cloud to Ground Lightning – January 9, 2024

 

Lightning strikes on January 16 & 27, 2024

Cloud to Ground Lightning – January 16 & 27, 2024

 

HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes, accounting for an average of 35 to 40% of kWh usage. As days and evenings become cooler during these winter months, many homes utilize heating instead of air conditioning. Depending on one’s heating system and the fuel used to produce heat (electricity or gas), homeowners may experience higher-than-expected energy costs at this time of year.

 

Now is a good opportunity to consider having seasonal maintenance performed on your HVAC system. Also, be sure to check your thermostat settings to properly update them for these cooler months. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

 

February forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for February 2024 begins with sunny skies and cool temperatures in the first two weeks. The outlook for February 15-18 suggests rainy weather with milder temps, while February 19-24 looks to return to sunshine with cold temps changing to warmer temps. The projection for the final 4 days of the month is a period of rainy weather accompanied by mild temperatures.

 

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

Log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts to check historical usage. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

SECO Energy Announces 2024 Youth Scholarship Program

SECO Energy is committed to empowering the community through initiatives like the Youth Scholarship Program. This year, the SECO Energy Board of Trustees approved $36,000 in scholarships for up to twelve exceptional high school seniors who live in SECO’s service area to be awarded $3,000 each.  

  

Fostering Local Talent for the Energy Sector   

As the labor pool in the energy industry narrows, the need to cultivate and retain local talent becomes even more crucial. That is why SECO Energy is seeking applicants who stand out in math and science and are keen on forging a career in energy-related fields. Whether it is technology, business, engineering, or mathematics, we support students with a passion for powering the future.  

  

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants will be evaluated without any discrimination based on sex, race, creed, or color.  

  

Eligible candidates must graduate from high school by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year (May/June) and enroll in a Florida-based college, university, or technical school by the conclusion of the same year.  

  

Special emphasis will be given to those aiming for degrees in technology, business, engineering, or mathematics, especially as they relate to the energy sector. Relevant majors include computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical, nuclear, environmental, civil, agricultural/biological, industrial, materials science and various branches of mathematics.  

  

Applicants must reside in a household served by SECO Energy or live with a parent or legal guardian who is an active SECO Energy member.  

  

Demonstrable financial need and adherence to all other eligibility criteria are essential.  

 

“Two of our deeply held Cooperative Principles are Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information. Our local students display immeasurable talents, and these scholars are poised to become assets to their communities through their future employment. We look forward to helping these students ease the financial burden associated with pursuing higher education,” SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn said.   

 

Evaluation Process 

When assessing applicants, SECO Energy will weigh factors such as the relevance of the candidate’s major to the energy industry, financial need, academic accomplishments, community engagement, and the quality of the personal statement or essay. Please note that the evaluation process is conclusive, and no appeals or feedback regarding the scoring will be entertained.  

  

Application Details  

Applications for the 2024 Youth Scholarship Program are available online at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Scholarships. To be considered, completed applications must be submitted to SECO Energy by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024. For inquiries regarding SECO Energy’s 2024 Scholarship Program, please reach out to our Communications team via email at communications@secoenergy.com.  

 

We eagerly await the opportunity to learn about the ambitions and achievements of this year’s applicants. Best wishes to all!  

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy. 

SECO Energy District 9 Members Re-Elect Trustee Morgan Hatfield

SECO Energy members who reside in District 9 re-elected Morgan Hatfield as the District 9 Trustee to serve on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The District 9 Meeting was held within the District on January 30 at Spring Creek Elementary School in Paisley.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative operated for and owned by its members. SECO’s service area is geographically divided into nine Districts. One Trustee is elected from each of the nine Districts to represent their fellow members on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the cooperative’s financial status while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the membership at large.

 

The District 9 election was uncontested, with Ms. Hatfield retaining the seat for another 3-year term. SECO’s Bylaws require that the cooperative hold District Meetings. Subsequently, Florida Statute requires SECO to hold in-person elections. A drive-thru voting option was available for members for added convenience and to encourage participation.

 

A SECO member since 2019, Ms. Hatfield currently holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the Board of Trustees. She attained the Director Gold credential, which is the highest level of achievement through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Trustee Hatfield earned a degree in Finance from UCF and is a Senior Wealth Advisor/Partner of Ruggie Wealth Management.

 

Ms. Hatfield shared with the District 9 audience, “I want to thank all District 9 members for attending and showing your interest in participating as SECO members. I am eager to continue working with my fellow Board of Trustees and doing our best to serve our members with an outstanding product supported by industry-leading service.”

 

Board President Gerald Anderson stated, “Congratulations, Ms. Hatfield, on your re-election as District 9 Trustee. I am grateful to the District 9 members who attended the Meeting and participated in our cooperative’s governance process. On behalf of our fellow Board members and peers, we are excited to support SECO Energy’s Mission and Vision through our Board service.”

 

Curtis Wynn CEO stated, “The Board of Trustees and the SECO Energy membership are grateful to all Trustees who give generously of their time and experience. We are very happy to have Ms. Hatfield continue with her leadership and strong contributions to the success of SECO Energy in her role as a Board Trustee and her expanded responsibilities as Secretary/Treasurer. Thank you, District 9 members, for your attendance at the meeting and your interest in SECO Energy and the strategic direction in which the board, executive leadership team and employees are taking your electric cooperative.”

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

SECO News February-March 2024

I am proud to report that SECO Energy continues to be a member satisfaction leader. SECO Energy completed its annual member-wide customer satisfaction survey, where over 1,700 members were asked to participate. The member responses were sent to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®), a company that measures customer satisfaction across multiple industries throughout the entire United States.

 

Wynn's Wire

 

For 2023, SECO Energy received an ACSI score of “89” out of a maximum score of “100.” [1] SECO’s score is higher than all publicly measured investor-owned utility scores, cooperative utility scores, and municipal utility scores. SECO Energy’s score of “89” places the not-for-profit electric cooperative 17 points higher than the average investor-owned utility score of 72, as well as 18 points higher than the average municipal utilities score of 71, per the industry ratings in the 2023 ACSI Utility Sector Report.

 

Not only is SECO’s 2023 ACSI score of 89 higher than the average investor-owned utility or municipal utility score, but our score is also higher than the average cooperative utility. SECO scored 15 points higher than the average cooperative utility. For more information, please visit www.theacsi.org.

 

ACSI is the only national cross-industry customer satisfaction measure representing the U.S. economy. A wide range of industries and organizations of all types count on ACSI methodology to obtain science-based insights across the complete arc of the customer experience.

 

Thank you, members, for recognizing our commitment to outstanding member satisfaction and engagement. We are 100% committed to engaging with you and making sure SECO and its 400+ employees fulfill our mission to provide reliable and innovative energy services. Earning your trust is an accomplishment like no other.

 

Best regards,

 

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

 

[1] Results based on data provided by SECO Energy, collected between December 4 and 8, 2023. ACSI did not regulate the survey administration or sample size. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.

 

 

SECO News February - March 2024 A Message from Shannon Wright SECO Energy 2024 Scholarship Program

 

SECO Energy practices the seven Cooperative Principles through our efforts to achieve our Mission, Vision and Core Values. Our annual Scholarship Program is one such initiative that embodies the principles of Concern for Community and Education, Training, and Information.

 

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has approved $36,000 to fund the 2024 Scholarship Program. Up to twelve graduating high school seniors living in a home served by SECO will be awarded a $3,000 scholarship designed to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education at an accredited institution in Florida.

 

As the labor pool in the energy industry narrows, cultivating and retaining local talent is critical. SECO Energy is seeking applicants who stand out in math and science and are keen on forging a career in energy-related fields. Whether technology, business, engineering, or mathematics, we support students with a passion for powering the future.

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

 

• Eligible candidates must graduate from high school by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year (May/June) and enroll in a Florida-based college, university, or technical school by the conclusion of the same year.
• Applicants must reside in a household within SECO Energy’s service area or live with a parent or legal guardian who is an active SECO Energy member.
• Special consideration will be given to those seeking a STEM-related degree or aiming for a career in the energy sector. Relevant majors include computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical, nuclear, environmental, civil, agricultural/biological, industrial, materials science, and various branches of mathematics.

 

EVALUATION PROCESS

 

When assessing applicants, SECO Energy will weigh financial need, academic accomplishments, community engagement, quality of the personal statement or essay, and relevance of the candidate’s major in preparation for a STEM-related or energy sector career.

 

APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications for the 2024 Scholarship Program are available online at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Scholarships. Completed applications must be submitted to SECO Energy by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024.

 

For inquiries regarding SECO Energy’s 2024 Scholarship Program, please contact our Communications team.

 

GOOD LUCK, APPLICANTS!

 

 

SECO News February - March 2024 StormCenter and LightFinder Power and Area Light Outage Reporting

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s online outage reporting center. Not only can you report power outages using your smartphone or tablet, but SECO will also send you outage updates via email, text, voice message, or all three.

 

Reporting a new outage or checking the status of an existing outage with your smartphone or tablet is easy. To report an outage, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and click
“Report Outage.” Enter the account holder’s last name and house number (or the account number or phone number). To find the status of a current outage, click on the “Check Status” tab.

 

Make sure you’re enrolled in outage notifications via email, text or voice message or a combination of the three. Once service is restored, we’ll send you a message that includes the outage cause and restoration time. You can also set do not disturb times. To choose notification preferences, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and click the “Manage Notifications” tab.

 

StormCenter allows you to report an area light malfunction, too. Choose LightFinder through the StormCenter platform to report area light malfunctions 24/7, including weekends, quickly and conveniently online. To report an area light that is completely out, flickering, or shining during daylight hours, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and choose “LightFinder.” In the search bar at the top left of the LightFinder map, enter the pole number or closest address. An icon represents each light. Working lights are shown as a green icon, while a red icon is a light that has already been reported as malfunctioning. The icon is orange if the light has been repaired in the last 24 hours. A gray icon represents an inactive light, and a blue icon is a member-owned light, which is the member’s responsibility to repair.

 

After completing the brief reporting form, remember to provide your email address to receive timely updates regarding the status of the light repair. Area lights are repaired as soon as possible. In most cases, repairs are completed within 24 hours.

 

 

SECO News February - March 2024 Energizing 2024 Landstone Substation Fuels Growth in Sumter County

 

The massive construction of Middleton, one of the newest communities in The Villages, continues rapidly. New homes, businesses, and schools are being built to support Sumter County’s population increase. As the community grows, so will the demand for reliable, affordable energy. SECO Energy’s newest advanced substation, our 50th called Landstone, plays a vital role in meeting this demand.

 

Central Florida and SECO Energy’s service area is growing. With this growth comes the critical need for a reliable and robust electrical infrastructure. SECO is strategically building and planning for growth to continue long into the future. Landstone, with its two 56-megavolt amp (MVA) power transformers, is the key to ensuring thousands of homes and businesses receive the necessary electricity.

 

Landstone utilizes two Duke Energy transmission lines in a looped configuration, creating redundancy that increases reliability for members served from the nearby Federal substation. By design, crews can restore service to members served by either substation through distribution backfeeding. This redundancy decreases the length of service interruptions and supports growing demand.

 

To view your area’s system improvements and expansion projects, visit us online at SECOEnergy.com > Contact > System Improvement Map.

 

Read the full February-March 2024 SECO News.