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Author: Amanda Richardson

SECO Energy Foundation Announces Scholarship Program for Energy Industry Students

The SECO Energy Foundation proposes $36,000 in scholarships for students interested in pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related careers in the energy industry. Scholarships are funded by the newly established SECO Energy Foundation, a 501c3 program previously known as Pennies from Heaven.

 

The Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of a member from each of the nine Trustee Districts to review and approve or deny scholarship and grant requests based on SECO Energy’s strategic initiatives, needs in the community, balance among members served, and other ranking factors determined on a grant score matrix.

 

The 2023 SECO Scholarship Program may award up to 12 recipients to receive a $3,000 scholarship each, subject to the Foundation Board of Directors’ approval. Scholarship winners may also be eligible for ongoing financial support and/or internship opportunities from SECO Energy throughout their studies.

 

The scholarship program is open to high school seniors graduating in May/June 2023. Applicants must live in a home served by SECO Energy and plan to pursue a career in the energy industry. Awardees must also be enrolled full-time by the end of 2023 in a vocational/technical school or accredited college/university located in Florida. Qualifying certifications or degrees are in technology, engineering, math or business. Applicants must apply through the new, streamlined online application process at SECOEnergy.com>Foundation banner>Scholarship Application. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is March 24, 2023.

 

The SECO Energy Foundation Board of Directors will determine scholarship winners during the April 27 Board Meeting. The winners will be notified via email.

 

SECO Energy is hiring and wants to connect with students who are potential employees through its Foundation’s Scholarship Program. According to the 2021 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), Florida currently employs 113,766 energy workers statewide. With an aging workforce and the number of employees needed to sustain the electric power generation and infrastructure in the energy sector, it is imperative SECO Energy recruits a steady stream of applicants to fill the requirement in this growing sector.

 

CEO Curtis Wynn encourages students to pursue a career in the energy industry. Wynn stated, “The SECO Energy Foundation Scholarship Program is a recruiting tool that helps us attract local students entering the energy field. The energy industry and SECO Energy are hiring bright, career-minded individuals for positions that offer competitive wages, quality benefits and life/work balance. We hope to engage students who want hands-on experience through paid-internship opportunities, our apprenticeship program or as a new employee on one of our dynamic teams.”

 

Wynn continued, “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy prioritizes community support, environmental stewardship, corporate citizenship and sustainability. SECO provides employees with a pension plan and a robust 401k match. We offer high-quality, low-cost medical plans, dental and vision coverage and a generous paid-time-off program. SECO is an essential employer offering internal advancement opportunities in fields like electric vehicle charging and solar energy.”

 

Ready to apply for employment today? Visit Careers at SECOEnergy.com to view open positions and set notifications for new postings. “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 reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.

 

SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

SECO Energy District 4 Members Re-elect Trustee Richard Dennison

SECO Energy members who reside in District 4 re-elected Richard Dennison as the District 4 Trustee to serve on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The meeting was held in the District on Tuesday, February 7, at the Marion Oaks Community Center in Marion County for the purpose of electing a Trustee to represent District 4 on SECO’s Board of Trustees.

 

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.

 

Trustee Dennison submitted a letter of intent to run for Trustee and was unopposed in his candidacy. SECO’s Bylaws currently require that the cooperative hold District Meetings. Subsequently, 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.

 

A SECO member since 1999, Mr. Dennison was first elected to SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees in 2015. Trustee Dennison has served as both Board of Trustees Vice President and President. He has also participated in continuing education classes through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to maintain his Director Gold Credential which is the highest Trustee accreditation from the NRECA.

 

Trustee Dennison looks forward to a new three-year term working with SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Dennison stated, “Thank you to all District 4 members who attended the meeting. We are thankful for your SECO membership and your participation. I enjoy working with my community and fellow SECO members through my Board of Trustees service and look forward to promoting SECO and its successes.”

 

Board President Gerald Anderson stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Dennison, on your re-election as District 4 Trustee. On behalf of my fellow Board Officers and peers, we look forward to supporting SECO Energy’s Mission and Vision through our Board service.”

 

Curtis Wynn CEO stated, “Mr. Dennison, the Board of Trustees and the SECO Energy membership are thankful for your Board service as District 4 Trustee. I congratulate you on your re-election and look forward to working with you and the Board for continued success at SECO Energy.”

 

To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “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 reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.

 

SECO Energy District 2 Members Re-elect Trustee Joyce Anderson

SECO Energy members who reside in District 2 re-elected Joyce Anderson as the District 2 Trustee to serve on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The meeting was held on February 2 at the Sumter County School Board located within the District for the purpose of electing a Trustee to represent District 2 on SECO’s Board of Trustees.

 

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.

 

Trustee Anderson along with Mr. Leon “Lee” N. Chitty of The Villages, Mr. Vincent Heuser of The Villages and Mr. Mark Moran also of The Villages all submitted a letter of intent to run for Trustee. SECO’s Bylaws currently require that the cooperative hold District Meetings. Subsequently, 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 member since 2017, Mrs. Anderson was first elected to SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees in 2020. She has earned the Director Gold Credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) which is the highest Trustee accreditation from the NRECA. Mrs. Anderson also serves in an officer position on the Board of Trustees as Secretary-Treasurer.

 

Trustee Anderson enjoys serving her fellow District 2 neighbors. Mrs. Anderson stated, “Thank you to all District 2 members who were able to attend the District Meeting and for once again entrusting me to serve as your Trustee. It has been my honor to serve as the District 2 Trustee for the last three years. I have enjoyed learning about SECO Energy, serving the membership as a whole and continuing my Board of Trustees education through the NRECA and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community.”

 

Board President Gerald Anderson stated, “Congratulations, Mrs. Anderson, on your re-election as District 2 Trustee. And I also thank the District 2 members who attended the Meeting and participated in our cooperative’s governance process. On behalf of my fellow Board Officers and peers, we are excited to support SECO Energy’s Mission and Vision through our Board service.”

 

Curtis Wynn CEO stated, “Mrs. Anderson, the Board of Trustees and the SECO Energy membership is thankful for your Board service as District 2 Trustee. I congratulate you on your re-election and look forward to working with you and the Board for continued success at SECO Energy.”

 

To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “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 reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.
 

January 2023 Sunshine State Stats

January 2023 temperatures ranged between the 20s and 80s in the same month. Temperatures dropped to as low as 26 degrees on January 15 (data from the Ocala KOCF weather station) in SECO Energy’s service area and highs climbed to 85.

 

January 2023 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

The average temperature for January 2023 was 63 degrees, which was 1 degree lower than last month’s average. The average high was 74 degrees while the average low was 52 degrees. With the shifting temperatures from very cold to hot during the month, members may notice increased kilowatt hour (kWh) usage as they used both heating and cooling in their homes. The HVAC is the largest energy-user in Central Florida homes – accounting for 35 to 40% of kWh usage on average.

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in January was 85 degrees and the lowest 35 – the highest daily recorded temperature in December was 83 degrees and the lowest 29. Rainfall in January 2023 was well below the average of 3.32 inches to measure only 1.22 inches.

 

February forecast:

 

Expect daily highs to reach the low 80s with lows in the mid-50s in February 2023. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter temperatures will be between 1 to 4 degrees below average, which has held true for the Winter 2023 season.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. 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 6 Members Re-elect Trustee Mike Muffett

SECO Energy members who reside in District 6 re-elected Mike Muffett as the District 6 Trustee to serve on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The meeting was held in the District on Tuesday, January 31, at the Village View Community Church in Marion County for the purpose of electing a Trustee to represent District 6 on SECO’s Board of Trustees.

 

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.

 

Trustee Muffett submitted a letter of intent to run for Trustee and was unopposed in his candidacy. SECO’s Bylaws currently require that the cooperative hold District Meetings. Subsequently, 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, to encourage participation, to practice social distancing and to reduce the size of the indoor meeting.

 

A SECO member since 1984, Mr. Muffett was first elected to SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees in 2020. Trustee Muffett earned his Director Gold Credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The Director Gold Credential is the highest Trustee accreditation from the NRECA.

 

Trustee Muffett is grateful for the support of his fellow District 6 SECO Energy members. Mr. Muffett stated, “Thank you to all District 6 members who attended the District Meeting and participated in SECO Energy’s democratic voting process. I am grateful for the community support I have received from District 6 members and SECO’s membership as a whole. Serving my community through my SECO Energy Board of Trustees service is an honor.”

 

Board President Gerald Anderson stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Muffett, on your re-election as District 6 Trustee. Thank you to the District 6 members who attended the Meeting. On behalf of my fellow Board Officers and peers, we are excited to support SECO Energy’s Mission and Vision through our Board service.”

 

Curtis Wynn CEO stated, “Mr. Muffett, the Board of Trustees and the SECO Energy membership is thankful for your Board service as District 6 Trustee. I congratulate you on your re-election and look forward to working with you and the Board for continued success at SECO Energy.”

 

To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “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 reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.
 

December 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Arctic temperatures hit Central Florida in December 2022. Temperatures dropped to as low as 23 degrees on December 24 (data from the Ocala KOCF weather station) in SECO Energy’s service area. Even with temperatures in the 20s, Central Florida didn’t experience a white Christmas this year.

 

SECO Energy December 2022 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

Daily high temperatures reached the high 80s at the beginning of the month before an extremely cold winter storm pummeled the eastern part of the country and plunged temperatures into the 20s and 30s. The average temperature for December 2022 was 62 degrees, which was 9 degrees lower than last month’s average. The average high was 71 degrees while the average low was 52 degrees.

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in December was 83 degrees and the lowest 29 – the highest daily recorded temperature in November was 89 degrees and the lowest 50. Rainfall in December 2022 was well below the average of 2.27 inches to measure only .87 inches.

 

January forecast:

 

Daily highs climbed back to the low 80s as we welcomed in 2023. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter temperatures will be between 1 to 4 degrees below average with the coldest temperatures arriving in January. Expect another cold snap with low temperatures dropping into the 20s and 30s and highs dropping into the 40s and 50s at the end of the month.

 

The HVAC unit is most likely the highest energy user in a home and its use likely increased during the extremely cold winter temperatures at the end of December. Keep your unit in optimal working order and schedule an HVAC tune up with a qualified technician. Read December SECO News to learn more.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. 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.

 

Energy Insider – 4th Quarter 2022

EVs (Electric Vehicles) are becoming more popular by the day; however, order lead times continue to lengthen. If you’re planning to purchase an EV, expect to wait months or longer for delivery depending on the make/model you select. We have linked to a few references for wait times:

 

FleetEvolution.com

 

Electrifying.com

 

Business Insider

 

SECO Energy Insider Fourth Quarter 2022 EVs Worth The Wait to Plug In?

 

On the normal afternoon drive, it is no longer a surprise to see a Tesla, Leaf, Prius, or even high-performance electric vehicles traversing our highways. Technology is advancing rapidly, and more industries are using EVs in normal functions. Cities are investing in electric garbage trucks, established companies are starting to utilize EVs for urban delivery services, and counties are reviewing the benefits of electric school buses with the Sumter County School District recently being awarded a $1.2 million EPA Clean School Bus Rebate.

 

Every facet of our lives is inundated with more electrically charged products. The question then becomes, “When does it make sense for me to transition to an electric vehicle?”

 

There are typically three reasons for the transition when speaking with members of the public and private sectors. The first reason is financially driven. The ROI (Return on Investment) shows that it is a sound investment in certain scenarios. The second reason is the environment. EVs are seen as a climate-friendly alternative to ICE (Internal Combustion Engines) vehicles and the benefits to the environment are viewed as a good reason to embrace EVs. The third is one of the trailblazers. Some choose early adoption to be at the forefront of technology and study the benefits and drawbacks firsthand. Because the third reason is more of a personal/business preference rather than a business-minded transaction, we would like to expound on the financial and environmental ROIs to be considered for an EV transition.

 

You may be surprised that with federal tax credits, the purchase of an EV may be less than the advertised sticker price. The federal rebate program can be as high as $7,500 and is available on both used and new EVs. Your dealership and tax accountant can help you determine the accurate credit per vehicle. Crucial factors such as final assembly location, battery capacity, and even vehicle weight play a part in determining the final tax credit amount.

 

The next consideration is the savings seen per mile driven between an EV and an ICE vehicle. The DOE (Department of Energy) states there is a 4-cent difference per mile between operating a gas-powered car and an EV. This 4-cent difference in favor of the EV may seem insignificant but over the lifetime of the vehicle, an EV is even more economically friendly to own. EVs also have lower maintenance costs. The average maintenance cost over 200,000 miles (about 321,869 km) for an ICE vehicle can be as high as $20,000, while only costing on average $12,000 for EVs. Maintenance costs are where the true ROI resides in your decision-making process for choosing between an ICE vehicle and an EV. Our SECO Energy EV Page has valuable information to help you decide if you should purchase an EV. The website also provides operating cost comparisons for both gas-powered and electric vehicles.

 

The environmental ROI is still an ongoing question in the minds of people hesitant about the EV industry and its promises. This is where one finger points at another. Some tout that EVs are more beneficial to the environment because they do not consume traditional oil and gasoline/diesel; therefore, they are the better alternative to ICE vehicles. Others question the amount of intense mining required for battery production along with the fuel mix employed to charge the EV continually. Cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, copper, and nickel are all metals used in these batteries. According to John Stossel’s New York Post article, the average EV will not reach carbon neutrality until the 60,000-mile mark. In countries with heavy hydro or geothermal-produced electricity, EVs will produce fewer emissions per mile due to lower carbon utilization. Many issues must be researched more fully, but these points are not mutually exclusive. Both can be true at the same time. The fact is that larger vehicles such as planes, buses, large trucks, and heavy equipment operations consume most of the world’s oil. The replacement of these vehicles with electric battery technology has just started in many ways and will continue to develop in the years to come.

 

The slow deluge of EVs in the market will continue and for some, it is the shiny new advancement in technology that wins the hearts of many; however, for most, it must make financial and/or environmental sense to take the plunge. The federal government has made its pick. It is all in on electric vehicles. Are the tax credits being offered enticing you to transition? What say you? Does the cost analysis make sense for you, or are the environmental aspects of the EV industry the key to your potential transition? As Confucius once said, “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

 

 

Jeff Light, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

JEFF LIGHT

Manager of Key Accounts & Revenue Programs
OFFICE: (352) 569-9787
CELL: (352) 250-2863
jeff.light@secoenergy.com

Hank Bolduc, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

HANK BOLDUC

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9789
CELL: (352) 303-3546
hank.bolduc@secoenergy.com

Ryon Meyers, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

RYON MEYERS

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9781
CELL: (352) 636-9593
ryon.meyers@secoenergy.com

SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant Dustin Merritt

DUSTIN MERRITT

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9782
CELL: (352) 303-3183
dustin.merritt@secoenergy.com

 

 

November 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Central Florida was impacted by Hurricane Nicole in November 2022. While Hurricane Nicole was a large storm in terms of physical size, its strength was low at a Category 1. SECO’s service territory experienced winds and increased rainfall from the late-season hurricane.

 

SECO Energy November 2022 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

Daily high temperatures reached the high 80s at the beginning of the month before cooling into the low 70s. The average temperature for November 2022 was 71 degrees, which was 3 degrees lower than last month’s average. The average high was 79 degrees while the average low was 63 degrees.

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in November was 89 degrees and the lowest 50 – the highest daily recorded temperature in October was 91 degrees and the lowest 50. Thanks in part to Hurricane Nicole, rainfall in November 2022 was slightly above the average of 2.53 inches to measure 2.88 inches.

 

Daily high temperatures reached over 80 degrees 19 days in November. The fall season brought a slight cooldown to daily temperatures.

 

December forecast:

 

Expect daily highs to begin cooling slightly in December to the low 80s and high 70s. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter temperatures will be between 1 to 4 degrees below average with the coldest temperatures arriving in January.

 

HVAC use may be starting to increase as evening and morning temperatures get colder. Your HVAC is likely the highest energy user in your home. Now is the time to schedule an HVAC tune up with a qualified technician to prepare to use “heat” mode. Read December SECO News to learn more.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. 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 News December 2022

 

Dear Members,

 

‘Tis the season for giving and sharing the magic of the holidays. I commend our SECO Energy employees who generously support our corporate giving efforts and other worthy charitable causes.

 

One cause close to many SECO Energy employees’ hearts is our annual United Way Employee Giving Campaign. Many of our employees pledged a portion of their 2023 earnings to local United Ways. Next year, United Ways across our Central Florida counties will benefit from these generous pledges.

 

SECO Energy employees pledged $38,843 to local United Ways through the employee-led 2023 United Way Pledge Drive. Our employees have been actively supporting United Way for almost 20 years. During that time, employees have pledged over $1,083,287 to support local families through the United Way.

 

Most of our employees live in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, receiving the highest dollar amounts in donations. The 400+ SECO Energy employees choose the county and the program their donated dollars will benefit.

 

UNITED WAY PLEDGES BY COUNTY:

Lake and Sumter Counties: $15,929
Marion County: $14,257
Citrus County: $4,182
Other Counties $4,476
The total pledge for 2023 is $38,843

 

Not only do our employees assist local communities through United Way, but they also help fill Santa’s sleigh with donations for our corporate Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots donation drive. Starting in November, employees brought new, unwrapped toys for the drive. All toys donated are dispersed in the local area where they were collected.

 

Many of our members joined in the effort by dropping off toys at our Member Service Centers. Thank you for your generosity. Retired Marines and other volunteers picked up donations in early December to distribute to children in need in time for the holidays. Members who want to register to receive toys donated through Toys for Tots can visit ToysforTots.org > Request a Toy.

 

From the SECO Energy family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

 

Sincerely,

 

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

September SECO News Safety Corner

Electric Safety

 

Everyone who uses electricity should be aware of its risks and dangers. Over 51,000 American homes are damaged or destroyed by fire caused by electrical failures each year, and 500 lives are lost (Electrical Safety Foundation International).

 

Adults over 65 and young children are at the highest risk of injury or death from a home fire.

 

You should learn the basics of your home’s electrical system and how to prevent electrical fires. Outdated wiring is a common culprit of electrical fires. Flickering lights, tripped breakers, or a burning smell could indicate overloaded circuits. Hire an electrician to investigate. If the home’s wiring is outdated, the electrical outlets are as well. Outlets are as well. Outlets that are damaged, loose or warm to the touch must be repaired or replaced.

 

Home wiring and troubleshooting is a job best left to a professional. Contact a reputable electrician who is licensed, insured and adheres to local code requirements. Electricians can update breaker panels and add extra electrical outlets that will avoid circuit overload.

 

Electrical safety extends outside the home. Never touch utility equipment such as underground transformers or overhead power lines. Always consider power lines to be energized and dangerous. Stay away from downed lines and call 911 and SECO Energy to report immediately.

 

Teach children electrical safety as well. Never allow children to play on or near electrical equipment or climb a substation fence. Children should not climb trees near energized lines. Keep remote-control toys, hobby drones and kites away from overhead lines.

 

Learn more about electrical safety at SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Electrical Safety.

 

 

SECO News December 2022 Winter HVAC Service A Message from District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison

Winter HVAC Service – A Message from District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison

 

Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit is likely the largest energy user in your home. Before winter’s cold temperatures arrive, schedule an HVAC service call to ensure your unit is operating efficiently.

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter 2022 – 2023 will be cold with above-normal rainfall. The forecast calls for temperatures 1 to 4 degrees below average, with the coldest temperatures in January.

 

Preventative maintenance and routine filter changes extend the life of your HVAC unit. A qualified technician will thoroughly inspect the unit and recommend maintenance or repairs. A well-working HVAC unit operates more efficiently and uses less energy.

 

Set a calendar reminder to change your unit’s air filter monthly or follow the manufacturer’s suggested filter change schedule.

 

For more ways to reduce energy usage, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions and complete the Home Energy Assessment and Energy Estimator. The Home Energy Assessment is an online energy audit that provides energy efficiency advice tailored to your home’s features. The Energy Estimator calculates the energy used and associated costs for your home’s electricity users. Submit your answers with your email address to receive immediate low-cost energy-saving advice.

 

 

SECO News December 2022 12 Ways To Pay

12 Ways to Pay

 

SECO Energy offers members 12 Ways to Pay their monthly energy bills. Most payment options are available with no convenience fee.

 

PAY ONLINE – Our account manager SmartHub allows you to view and pay your bill, enroll in bank draft or eBill and compare energy usage by month or year.

 

BANK DRAFT – Draft your monthly amount from a bank account of your choice – the ultimate in convenience. Enroll in bank draft with SmartHub.

 

IN PERSON – Five Member Service Centers open in Eustis, Groveland, Sumterville, Ocala and Inverness with walk-in, drive-thru facilities and kiosks.

 

BY PHONE – 1 (855) 938-3432, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, debit card or electronic check.

 

PAY NOW – Instant payment using your account number and form of payment through SmartHub – no registration required.

 

BY MAIL – SECO Energy (Dept. 3035), P.O. Box 11407, Birmingham, AL 35246-1407

 

MYWAY PREPAY – Pay for energy before you use it. View daily usage and receive phone or text notifications.

 

FIDELITY EXPRESS – Locations accept cash, check or money orders. Not recommended for MyWay PrePay members. $1.50 processing fee.

 

MONEYGRAM – Available at many retail locations and for MyWay PrePay enrolled members. $1.50 processing fee.

 

WESTERN UNION – In-person payments received in real time. Max amount per transaction is $1,000. $1.50 processing fee.

 

BUDGET BILLING – Levels out bills by averaging most recent 12 months usage. Debit/credit balances accumulate based on seasonal usage.

 

VANILLADIRECT PAY – Pay with cash at thousands of locations. Barcode required via SmartHub. $1.50 processing fee.

 

 

SECO News December 2020 Surgeo Picks A Winner

Winners’ Circle – Generator

 

Congratulations to our three members who enrolled in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator Surge Protection program and won a generator!

 

SEPTEMBER – Jack Bonniwell from The Villages

OCTOBER – Barney Newbern from Leesburg

NOVEMBER – Kenneth Christensen from Clermont

 

The Surge MitiGator takes the bite out of damaging surges and spikes. Members can lease the protection for $5.95 per month plus tax and $25 installation fee or purchase for $349 to $399 plus tax and free installation. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator and fill out our handy web form.

 

 

SECO News August 2022 SECO Energy Foundation Pennies From Heaven Transition

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

 

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program transitions to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023.

 

The SECO Energy Foundation will expand community outreach and member bill payment assistance. The Foundation is funded by SECO Energy rounding enrolled members’ bills up to the nearest dollar and donating the pennies to the Foundation. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

 

At year-end, all SECO members will be automatically enrolled in the SECO Energy Foundation unless they have proactively advised us over the last five months that they wish to unenroll. There are multiple ways (see below) to unenroll from the Foundation’s electric bill round-up program. Please update your SECO Energy Foundation enrollment status before December 31, 2022.

 

To update your SECO Energy Foundation enrollment status, visit SECOEnergy.com > Contact >  SECO Energy Foundation. Send an email to CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com, call (352) 793-3801 or write to SECO Energy, Attn: Corp Comm, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 by December 31, 2022.

 

Read the full December 2022 SECO News online.

 

SECO Energy District 5 Trustee Shannon Wright Earns Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate

SECO Energy congratulates District 5 Trustee Shannon Wright on earning her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Earning the CCD is the initial step in the NRECA’s Director Education program that is designed to assist cooperative Trustees to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives.

 

To earn the CCD certification from the NRECA, directors/trustees complete five courses that focus on basic cooperative governance and the essential skills needed for cooperative directors/trustees. The CCD prepares directors/trustees to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials serving on behalf of their membership. Upon completion of the five CCD required courses, directors/trustees are awarded the Credential Cooperative Director Certificate.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operating for and owned by its members. SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees consists of members who live in SECO’s service area. They are elected to oversee the governance of the cooperative. Each Trustee on the Board is elected by the members who reside in his/her District. Collectively, the Trustees are responsible for establishing, reviewing and revising corporate policies to ensure that SECO continues to preserve reliable, affordable service for all members.

 

Trustee Wright welcomes the opportunity to expand her energy industry knowledge. Mrs. Wright stated, “I am excited to learn more about the electric cooperative business model and the energy industry through Director Certificate Program courses from the NRECA. Serving my fellow SECO Energy members, neighbors and my community through my Board of Trustees service is a rewarding experience. I am very thankful for the opportunity.”

 

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn stated, “Congratulations, Mrs. Wright, on earning your Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, and taking the first steps on your continuing education path. Thank you for your community involvement and dedication to the SECO Energy membership through your Board service.”

 

To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “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 reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.