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Day: January 3, 2025

SECO Energy Announces 2025 Youth Scholarship Program

SECO Energy is proud to continue its commitment to education and community development through its 2025 Youth Scholarship Program. This year, SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has approved $36,000 in scholarships for up to twelve outstanding high school seniors residing in SECO’s service area. Each scholarship winner will be awarded $3,000 to support their educational journey.

 

Recognizing the significant labor shortage in the energy sector, SECO understands that investing in education is vital for developing a workforce capable of meeting future challenges. The cooperative is committed to delivering reliable, safe, and affordable electric service to communities. By fostering talent through the scholarship program, SECO is not only preparing students for careers in the energy industry but also cultivating a skilled workforce that can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

 

SECO Energy’s CEO Curtis Wynn emphasizes the importance of nurturing a future workforce. “As the energy industry evolves, SECO Energy and other utilities are committed to attracting and developing individuals who can thrive in a dynamic environment,” Wynn stated. “SECO Energy’s Vision is to become the employer of choice in our region. The Youth Scholarship Program is a direct investment in local students’ education, equipping them for successful careers in the energy sector. Our local communities are rich with talented students who will be essential assets to future employers and the region as a whole.”

 

The 2025 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Program application is available online at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Youth Scholarship Program and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025.

 

Through these efforts, SECO Energy is not only supporting education but also empowering the next generation to succeed and lead in the energy industry.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must graduate from high school by the end of the 2024-2025 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 aspiring to attain degrees in technology, business, engineering, or mathematics, especially those related 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 within SECO Energy’s service area or live with a parent or legal guardian who is an active SECO Energy member.

 

Evaluation Process

When evaluating applicants, SECO Energy will weigh factors such as financial need, academic accomplishments, community engagement, personal statement or essay quality, and the relevance of the applicant’s major in preparation for a STEM-related or energy sector career. Please note that the evaluation process is final, and no appeals or feedback regarding the scoring will be provided.

 

Application Details 

The 2025 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Program application is available online at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Youth Scholarship Program. Completed applications must be submitted to SECO Energy by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025. For inquiries regarding SECO Energy’s 2025 Scholarship Program, please contact YouthPrograms@SECOEnergy.com.

 

“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.

December 2024 Sunshine State Stats

Although winter officially arrived on December 21, the month ended warmer than it started, while dry conditions continued in Central Florida. The average temperature in December was 62 degrees, 2 degrees below the normal average, and 9 degrees lower than the November average. The average high for the month was 72 degrees, 2 degrees lower than the average high in December. Likewise, the average low temperature dropped to 52 degrees, also 2 degrees lower than the average low in December. 

 

The month’s highest temperature reached 83 degrees on December 17th, and the lowest temperature, 36 degrees, was recorded on December 4th. 

 

The December 2024 rainfall totaled 1.66 inches, .99 inch less than the typical December total of 2.65 inches, and well below the 4.31 inches that one year ago. Measurable rainfall occurred on 5 days, with only two days experiencing more than .02 inch of rain. The U.S. Drought Monitor labels the entire SECO Energy service area as “Abnormally Dry.” However, parts of Marion and Citrus Counties and all of Levy County are drier and qualify as “Moderate Drought” areas as of December 25, 2024.

 

 

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC. 

 

 

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport occurred just two days. On December 11, WeatherSentry recorded 34 cloud-to-ground strikes, while a fast-moving front on December 29 generated 59 strikes. The images below indicate the location of strikes as recorded within the 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). 

 

Lightning Archive Report – 20-mile radius from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE)
Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com
 

Cloud to Ground Lightning – December 11, 2024

Cloud to Ground Lightning – December 29, 2024

 

 

January forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac weather outlook for January 2025 predicts a week of sunny and warm conditions with scattered showers to start the year, followed by a solid week of sunny and warm conditions. A mid-month change to rain mixed with sun and cooling temperatures foretells a very cold final six days of the month. Bundle up! 

 

The estimated average temperature for January is 61 degrees, and the expected rainfall is 2 inches, which is .5 inch below the average for the month. 

 

SECO Smart Connect Program: A New Way to Save on Your Electric Bill

Review our new SECO Smart Connect Program – this is an opportunity for members to receive bill credits for allowing SECO Energy to make brief changes to the settings on residential devices during times of peak energy demand. By enrolling approved smart device(s), members can help limit the impact on the electric grid when the most energy is being used. Residential members who enroll in the SECO Smart Connect Program will receive enrollment and seasonal incentives via bill credits based on the type of device(s) enrolled. Learn more and enroll here.

 

Protect Your Appliances

Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and electronics. SECO Energy’s Surge Mitigator™ program offers a meter-based surge arrester designed to protect large appliances, such as motors and compressors, by reducing surges at the meter before they enter your home. Members can lease or purchase the Surge MitiGator surge protection program by completing a contact form.