Amanda Richardson – Page 11

SECO Energy Recovers from Tropical Storm Elsa

SECO Energy employees and contractors worked overnight and will continue throughout the day restoring outages caused by Tropical Storm Elsa. The storm strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday evening as it approached the Tampa Bay area, but lost intensity and reverted back to tropical storm strength.

Currently, the storm is moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The 11 AM forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shows Tropical Storm Elsa making landfall in Taylor County along the North Florida Gulf Coast. Once Elsa leaves Florida, it is predicted to travel along the east coast and create storm surges in Georgia and South Carolina.

SECO Energy began monitoring Tropical Storm Elsa last week and was well prepared. SECO’s system fared extremely well overnight as the storm’s rain bands soaked the cooperative’s service territory. Elsa also brought tornado watches, warnings and strong winds. There were no large substation or feeder outages, and just 300 services were without power during the overnight hours. Rain will continue today as Tropical Storm Elsa leaves Central Florida.

CEO Jim Duncan commends the employees’ and contract crews’ restoration effort. He stated, “I am extremely grateful for the efforts of our SECO employees. We prepare for the worst and our employees are ready to respond to outages 24/7. I also want to acknowledge the contract line and vegetation crew reinforcements who answered our call to assist with Tropical Storm Elsa restoration.”

Duncan also reminded members that SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform offers outage alerts. “StormCenter is available for members to report outages using their smartphones or tablets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members should also enroll in outage notifications and alerts via email, text, voice message, or all three. An alert is sent when the system recognizes that your service has been interrupted. The alert will include crew status and an estimated restoration time. You’ll also receive a notification when the service is restored that includes the cause of the outage if it is known at that time.”

Members should visit StormCenter and bookmark the site on their smartphones or tablets. At StormCenter, members can view the outage map, enroll or manage notifications, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light outage and more.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by liking SECO’s Facebook page and following @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy Braced for Tropical Storm Elsa

SECO Energy is monitoring Tropical Storm Elsa as it creeps closer to Florida’s Gulf Coast with a predicted landfall near Cedar Key. SECO Energy is StormReady and prepared for Tropical Storm Elsa’s impact to its service area late Tuesday night through Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Elsa has remained intact as it moved across Cuba and through the Florida Straits. The current forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shows Tropical Storm Elsa moving north northwest with maximum sustained winds up to 60 mph. Earlier today, the Key West airport reported wind gusts up to 48 mph.

The weather forecast for SECO’s service area has changed significantly since Monday. Members in Citrus, Hernando, Levy and Marion Counties may experience maximum sustained winds up to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Members in Lake and Sumter Counties may experience maximum sustained winds up to 28 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. It’s important to understand that when wind speeds exceed 35 mph, bucket trucks are grounded for safety. SECO will suspend restoration operations until wind speeds fall under 35 mph.

The heaviest winds and rain are expected to arrive just after midnight Wednesday morning and may last until noon. SECO members in all areas should be prepared for heavy rain from Tropical Storm Elsa beginning late Tuesday afternoon and lasting through Wednesday. The area along I-75 and west to the Gulf Coast will likely feel the most impact from Elsa. The grounds are already heavily soaked after a rainy June. More rain could bring trees down and create extended power outages.

In preparation, SECO Energy has called on outside crew reinforcements to assist with power restoration as a result of Tropical Storm Elsa. Over 100 contracted line crews and vegetation crews are arriving today ahead of the storm.

Shelters have opened in Citrus and Marion Counties. In Citrus County, the special needs shelter is open at Citrus County Renaissance Center at 3630 W. Educational Path, Lecanto, 34461. The general shelter is open at Lecanto Primary at 3790 W. Educational Path, Lecanto, 34461. In Marion County, West Port High School is open for special needs, general population and pets at 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala, 34481.

CEO Jim Duncan urges members to prepare for the possibility of power outages from Tropical Storm Elsa’s heavy rain and wind. He stated, “We’ve been watching Tropical Storm Elsa since last week and the forecast has changed often. The wind speed predictions have changed significantly almost overnight. Expect a greater impact from Tropical Storm Elsa than we previously expected. This storm will bring heavy rain and wind to almost every corner of our service area very early Wednesday morning. Be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages from the storm.”

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by liking SECO’s Facebook page and following @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy Preparing for Tropical Storm Elsa

SECO Energy continues its preparations for Tropical Storm Elsa and the weather effects this storm will bring to its service area. Tropical Storm Elsa looks poised to make landfall at Cedar Key on Florida’s Gulf Coast sometime Tuesday evening.

The current forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shows Tropical Storm Elsa with maximum sustained winds up to 65 mph. The storm has stalled over western Cuba and has slowed to 14 mph as it moves northwest. Elsa’s tropical storm-force winds extend 75 miles from the center. There is still the potential for Tropical Storm Elsa to intensify as it moves past Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico. The storm’s eventual landfall, final track and intensity continue to remain uncertain.

SECO members should be prepared for heavy rain from Tropical Storm Elsa beginning late Tuesday afternoon and lasting through Wednesday. The area along I-75 and west to the Gulf Coast will likely feel the most impact from Elsa. The wind speed is forecast to be sustained at 18 to 20 mph and wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph. The grounds are already heavily soaked after a rainy June. More rain could bring trees down and create extended power outages.

CEO Jim Duncan urges members to remain vigilant for Tropical Storm Elsa. He stated, “Tropical Storm Elsa has the potential to pick up speed, intensity and develop into a bigger storm. Don’t be caught off guard. Continue to follow the storm’s forecast, prepare your families, secure your homes and have your emergency supplies available and easily accessible. Members close to the west coast should be especially cautious.”

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by liking SECO’s Facebook page and following @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy Tracking Hurricane Elsa

SECO Energy is tracking Hurricane Elsa as it continues toward Florida. While Elsa’s final track, eventual landfall and intensity remain uncertain, SECO Energy is preparing for the weather effects this storm will likely bring to its service area.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded Elsa to a Category 1 hurricane at 8 a.m. today. Elsa is moving at 28 mph to the west and northwest. Forecasters expect this track to continue through Sunday, July 4, with landfall at or near Tampa on Tuesday at 8 p.m. After Sunday, though, the track could change depending on Hurricane Elsa’s interaction with Cuba, a high-pressure system and a trough coming into Florida.

There is a potential for SECO members to feel an impact from Hurricane Elsa. Forecasters predict SECO’s service area could begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Elsa on Tuesday and Wednesday. Members should expect heavy rains for at least 24 hours and windy conditions especially in the western part of the service area. The grounds are heavily soaked after a rainy June. More rain could bring trees crashing down and create extended power outages.

CEO Jim Duncan encourages members to prepare for Hurricane Elsa, saying, “Hurricane Elsa may be Central Florida’s first test of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. I urge all SECO members to gather your emergency supplies and prepare for this storm and the possibility of more storms this hurricane season. Hurricane forecast experts have predicted this hurricane season will have above-average activity. As we’ve seen recently, supplies sell out quickly when disasters are near, don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.”

Duncan also reminded members that SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform offers outage alerts. “StormCenter is available for members to report outages using their smartphones or tablets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members should also enroll in outage notifications and alerts via email, text or voice message, or all three. An alert is sent when the system recognizes that your service has been interrupted. The alert will include crew status and an estimated restoration time. You’ll also receive a notification when the service is restored, and we will include the cause of the outage if it is known at that time.”

Members should visit StormCenter and bookmark the site on their smartphones or tablets. On StormCenter, members can view the outage map, enroll or manage your notifications, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light outage and more.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Black Bear

Florida Fauna & Flora – Florida Black Bear

The largest land mammal in Florida and the only bear found in the state is the black bear. Males weigh 250 to 450 pounds, while females weigh 125 to 250 pounds. Females give birth to 1 to 5 cubs that are born blind and weigh only 8 to 15 ounces.

Black bears are a Florida conservation success. Florida’s bear population dropped to under 500 in the 1970s. In 1974, they were listed as Threatened and placed on the Endangered and Threatened Species List. With a population of over 4,000, bears were removed from the protected list in 2012.

Florida black bears are athletic – they run up to 35 mph, climb 100 feet up a tree in 30 seconds and are active swimmers. Black bears travel large areas of land to survive. A male’s home range is about 60 square miles, while females have a home range of about 15 miles.

Bears are most active at dusk and dawn, and are coming in closer contact with people. Read this month’s Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac on page 2 of SECO News to learn how to spot the signs of bear activity close to your home.

Fun Faun Fact: Florida black bears have a remarkable sense of smell. They can detect scents up to a mile away.

Source: Florida Wildlife Federation

Read the full July 2021 SECO News online.

SECO News, July 2021

Duncan’s Digest – Solar Investments – Sensible or Scam?

Dear Members,

Solar system Inquiries from members are on the rise. Currently, nearly 2,600 SECO Energy members have chosen to invest in member-owned solar systems. SECO is a reliable source of information about solar power for our members, but unfortunately, we hear from members who’ve been misinformed by a contractor or misunderstood the solar system’s generation capabilities and the financial investment.

Some solar contractors use misleading sales pitches – we’ve seen the ads: No-cost solar. No electric bill. Free solar panels. Power during an outage. Without question, investing in solar technology is costly. At an average of $2.73 per watt (per the NREL and dependent on the type of system), a 10-kW residential system costs $27,300.00 (offset by a current federal tax credit). If you finance the system, you will pay interest over the term of the loan. If you lease a system, the leasing company receives the federal tax credit rather than you. Before investing, crunch the numbers on pvwatts.nrel.gov to estimate potential generation capacity and financial performance.

Cost, however, is only one consideration. The Sunshine State is not always sunny. Members who own a solar system without battery or generator backup still consume (and pay for) utility-supplied power when the sun isn’t shining – at night, rainy afternoons and cold winter mornings.

If allowable by city/county ordinance, members can go completely off-grid if the system has a battery to store power generated while the sun is shining to use during times when the sun doesn’t shine. During utility outages, solar systems without a backup power source do not continue to generate power as most inverters require electricity to operate. By design, this requirement prevents power generated by a solar system from backfeeding onto the utility’s electric system – which in turn can cause damage, injury or death to unsuspecting lineworkers.

If you’re interested in solar, SECO is here to help. We recommend obtaining three quotes from reputable contractors. Review Better Business Bureau ratings and visit the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association at flaseia.org for contractor recommendations.

The name of the game is buyer beware. Recently, members reported solar representatives claiming they are working on behalf of SECO – this is untrue. One of the most appalling scenarios we encountered this year came from a Marion County family who financed a solar system and had already signed the contract before reaching out to SECO. Can you guess which home in the photo has rooftop solar panels?

The solar panels are not even visible due to the dense tree coverage. Unless the homeowner incurs the expense of cutting the trees down, their solar system will not generate productively. And if they cut the trees down, their home will not receive the cooling benefit of tree shade. Don’t let this happen to you. Do your homework BEFORE you sign a contract.

Visit our Solar website section. You’ll learn about the capabilities and limits of solar power. Email our Solar team and an Energy Services Specialist will conduct a Solar Assessment to determine your home’s conduciveness to solar. We’ll also answer your questions about panels, inverters, insurance, net metering and more. Becoming an educated consumer is your best protection.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Whether you live in an urban or rural area, predatory animals may be closer than you think. The number of Floridians encountering bears in populated areas is increasing. The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists what to look for to determine if a bear has visited your home and how to deter it. If you suspect bear activity: Look for fur left behind, crushed vegetation, teeth and claw marks and hindfoot tracks like a human footprint. Bears are attracted to food. To deter bears: Use bear-proof containers for garbage or items with a strong scent, cover compost, change lever doorknobs (which bears can open) to round knobs. Clean outdoor cooking or fish-scaling areas.

Turn to page 7 to read about the Florida black bear in this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora.

Pennies Change Lives

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program was established to make a difference in our local communities one penny at a time. Every cent collected is distributed for the benefit of your fellow members.

Members enrolled in Pennies from Heaven allow SECO to round up their bill to the nearest dollar automatically. As an example, if the bill is $97.72, you will pay $98.00. The extra 28 pennies go directly to Pennies from Heaven.

SECO Energy employees also contribute to Pennies from Heaven through individual donations and corporate fundraisers.

Enroll today to be a part of this worthy program. Visit our Pennies from Heaven website section and fill out the webform to enroll.

SECO Energy absorbs any small administrative costs associated with the Pennies program. Just a few cents every month can change lives. If you’d like to provide a donation* by check instead, please mail it to us at: SECO Energy Pennies from Heaven 330 S US Highway 301 Sumterville, FL 33585

Requests for bill payment assistance are administered through several area agencies. Call 211 or reach out to a social service agency that offers utility assistance.

*Pennies from Heaven donations are not tax deductible.

Enroll in Surge Protection for a Monthly Chance to Win a New Generator

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is here, and forecasters predict there will be above-normal named storm activity this year. According to the National Weather Service at weather.gov, a typical lightning flash is about 300 million volts and 30,000 amps – and carries enough energy to power a 100-watt incandescent light bulb for three months. Florida storm season brings almost daily thunderstorms with high-voltage lightning.

To prepare, SECO is giving away three new portable generators! We’ll pick one winner each month in July, August and September. To be eligible to win, lease or purchase SECO’s Surge MitiGator™ meter-based surge arrester. Members in a current surge lease or prior purchase will automatically be eligible.

Lightning is the most common cause of power surges that can damage or destroy your home’s appliances or electronics. Other causes of surges are vehicle accidents involving SECO facilities, small animals or birds contacting electric lines or fallen trees.

SECO’s Surge MitiGator helps prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The Surge MitiGator has a beastly 15-year warranty and is designed to protect your home’s large-motor appliances.

You can lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus a $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included.

Enroll in SECO’s Surge MitiGator to take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes and be eligible to win a generator. Members currently enrolled in surge are also eligible as winners are drawn from all current surge protection enrollees. Visit our Surge MitiGator website section and click on the enroll icon to complete an enrollment webform.

For members without internet access, call (352) 793-3801 to enroll.

Surgeo Loves Pets Donation Total

Thank you, members, for making our Surgeo Loves Pets charitable initiative an outstanding success! For each new Surge MitiGator™ sign up between February 1 and June 15, your not-for-profit electric cooperative donated $5 from the Pennies from Heaven program to a local shelter or rescue on the member’s behalf in Citrus, Lake, Marion or Sumter County.

2,461 members enrolled resulting in donations totaling $12,305 to the shelters listed below:

CITRUS COUNTY – $1,800

• Critterville Inc. $200

• Citrus County Animal Services$500

• Humane Society of Citrus County$500

• Precious Paws Rescue, Inc. $200

• St. Francis’s Sunny Side Up Farm Animal Rescue $200

• Ziggy’s Haven Parrot Sanctuary$200

LAKE COUNTY – $3,405

• AFHAR-A Forever Home Animal Rescue, Inc. $200

• Florida Boxer Rescue $200

• From Trails To Happy Tails $200

• Hoffmeyer Animal Rescue $200

• Howey Horse Haven Rescue $200

• Humane Society of Lake County$1,000

• Lake County Animal Shelter $605

• Leesburg Humane Society $200

• Sugarloaf Mountain Ranch, Inc. $200

• The Animal League $200

• The Cat Protection Society $200

MARION COUNTY – $4,100

• Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue Inc. $200

• Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary $200

• Forest Animal Rescue $200

• Front Range Equine Rescue $200

• Fur Kids Pet Rescue Inc. $200

• Humane Society of Marion County $1000

• Kindred Spirits Sanctuary $200

• Marion County Animal Services $500

• Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary Inc.(Owls Ocala Inc.) $200

• Pets in Distress Inc. $200

• Quality of Life Rehab and Foster $200

• Sheltering Hands $200

• SPCA of Marion County $200

• SPCA of Ocala $200

• Vocal (Voices of Change Animal League) $200

• Forest Animal Rescue $200

SUMTER COUNTY – $3,000

• Sumter County Animal Control $1,000

• YOUR Humane Society SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. $2000

EV Charger Winner

Michael Underwood from Ocala is the latest winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV website pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, an EV and PHEV model finder and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section for more details.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

Winners’ Circle

Have you engaged with our virtual assistant Electra who can answer thousands of calls without missing a beat? Ask Electra for assistance instead of waiting to speak with a representative. Each week, we’ll draw one winner who will receive a $25 gift card. Winners are drawn from all members who called and successfully took care of business with Electra.

Winners Are:

Jan Chapple from Oxford

Jacquelyn Thomas from Eustis

Anna Hazel from Floral City

Byron Lowe from Ocala

Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft incentive

Wendy Albertson from The Villages is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Bexaida Martinez from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Scott Evans from Tavares is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners. Want to win next month? Visit SECOEnergy.com and scroll through the homepage banner arrows to view our drawing promotions.

Safety Corner – #MoveOverFL

What do emergency or law enforcement vehicles, sanitation vehicles, wreckers or tow trucks and SECO Energy utility vehicles have in common? Florida’s Move Over law or Statute 316.126 requires drivers to move over a lane – safely – when these vehicles are parked on the side of the road.

What should I do if I’m unable to change lanes? If unable to move over safely, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph less than the posted speed. For example, the speed limit posted on the roadway is 55, which means you are required to reduce your rate of speed to 35 or less. When the posted speed is 25 mph, drivers must slow down to 5 mph.

Failure to Move Over puts defenseless workers and yourself at risk. You can strike a worker or a parked vehicle. Drivers will be ticketed and pay a fine and incur points on their driving record.

For safety, #MoveOverFL – it’s the law.

Read the full July 2021 SECO News online.

Energy Insider – 2nd Quarter 2021

Ford just recently announced its entry into the EV pickup class with the introduction of the F-150 “Lightning.” The new pickup will make its debut next spring when it begins rolling off the line in Dearborn, Michigan. Similarly, Tesla has begun construction of its Cybertruck facility and startup in Austin, Texas. Rivian began supplying Amazon with EV delivery vans in February of this year. Chevrolet/GMC anticipates entering the truck EV market in 2023 after investing in another battery plant in April.

What do these developments mean to you? If your company’s line of work requires the use of trucks or vans, there are new EV options to consider. Increased savings realized from fuel cost reductions, lower maintenance needs and employee efficiency in everyday activities involving your vehicles make EVs more economically attractive than ever.

EVs have no need for combustion engine maintenance or fluid checks, saving you time and money. Less moving parts means greater reliability in your transportation network. “Fueling” means at the end of the workday your employee simply plugs the vehicle into a charging network and charges overnight (or during off-shift times). Say goodbye to fleet fueling contracts! The transition to more electric vehicles will prompt utilities over time to provide lower energy costs during “off-peak” hours resulting in further savings in the long run for companies that invest in EVs.

The announcement of Ford’s Lightning and the Amazon investment to purchase 100,000 Rivian delivery vans is gaining attention in the marketplace. Imagine not having the need for gas or diesel pumps and issuing fuel cards to your drivers. Additionally, the purchase price of EVs are lining up with traditional fossil-fueled vehicles making them even more attractive. EV warranties are improving each year and range anxiety is becoming a thing of the past with vehicles traveling longer distances between charges because of improvements in battery management systems and technology.

If you are contemplating “electrifying” your fleet, SECO Energy can help. Visit our Electric Vehicles section on our website to find a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision. You can even calculate your potential savings swapping from fossil fuel to electric. If you are interested in exploring a charging network at your location, we can assist with those needs as well. Our team of energy professionals provides customized solutions to meet your charging needs. Whether you want a single charger or are contemplating a multi-charger project, our turn-key solutions make it easy to achieve your goals. Contact your key account consultant for details.

BARBIE SHAW

Manager of Key Accounts & Revenue Programs
OFFICE: (352) 569-9787
CELL: (352) 303-3567
barbie.shaw@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

Jeff Light, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

JEFF LIGHT

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9790
CELL: (352) 303-3183
jeff.light@secoenergy.com

May 2021 Sunshine State Stats

May 2021 weather was a study in extremes – the highest daily temperature measured in at 94 degrees, while the lowest temperature came in at 58 degrees. Daily high temps ranged between 94 and 74 degrees, and daily low temps spanned from 74 degrees to 58 degrees. While May was extremely dry with rainfall of only 1.01 inches, which is more than 3 inches below average, the first named storm – Tropical Storm Ana – was named on May 22 before the official beginning of hurricane season.

Hotter temperatures are here to stay. Eleven days in May the high reached 90 degrees or over. Members may notice an increase in their May electric usage due to the higher temperatures during the day that stretch into the evening, and little rain to bring the temperature down.

For May 2021 the average temperature was 78 degrees, which was the same as the average temperature in May 2020. The average high temperature was 88 degrees, and the average low temperature was 67.

Again, members may see an increase in their energy usage for May 2021. Both the average monthly temperature and average low and high temperatures have increased from April 2021. The average temperature is up 7 degrees, while the average low is up 6 degrees, and the average high is up 7 degrees. Hotter temperatures mean HVACs will run for longer periods of time to keep the temperatures cool inside. Daily temperature fluctuations also increase HVAC usage. The highest daily temperature fluctuation in May was 26 degrees.

June forecast:

Florida’s rainy season typically begins in June and this year is no exception. Expect almost daily afternoon thunderstorms with heavy rain and lightning. The Central Florida area received almost 3 inches of rain early in the month. Thunderstorms will continue throughout June. Daily highs will reach 90 degrees and above with lows in the 70s.

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection. Our meter-based surge arrester protects large appliances by reducing surges BEFORE they enter the meter. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator.

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.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Sailfish

One of the most popular game fish in Florida is the sailfish – which is also the official state saltwater fish. Sailfish are known for the large, blue first dorsal fin that looks similar to a sail. It has a long, thin spear-like upper jaw. The upper part of the fish is blue-black with brownish sides and a white or silver underbelly.

Sailfish grow up to 11 feet and can weigh as much as 220 pounds. They grow quickly and feed voraciously on squid and smaller fish. In the summer, sailfish move closer to the southeastern Florida shores to spawn in shallow waters. Sailfish may swim alone or in small groups.

If you hook a sailfish, be ready for an acrobatic fight while it tries to escape. These fish are powerful, and they will jump and shake their heads to remove a hook. Look for schools of squid, mullet, pinfish, blue runners and scad that attract sailfish. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends reviving and releasing sailfish.

Fun Fauna Fact: In one year, a sailfish will grow to 4 – 5 feet. The state record sailfish weighed in at 126 pounds.

Source: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Read the full June 2021 SECO News online.

SECO News, June 2021

Duncan’s Digest – StormReady: Hurricane Season Warning

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1. SECO Energy uses a unique and well-tested response plan that stands ready when typical afternoon thunderstorms occur and when our service area is affected by tropical storms or hurricanes. SECO is StormReady, and I urge you and your family to prepare proactively for hurricane season.

All signs point to the potential for a very active hurricane season this year. In April, The Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) published its Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will have above-normal activity.

These experts predict there will be a total of seventeen named storms. Eight of these will develop into hurricanes and four of these will become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5).

Compared to the historical record between 1991 and 2020, the projections for this year are higher than average. During this period, the Atlantic hurricane season averaged fourteen named storms. Seven of these became hurricanes, with three developing into major hurricanes.

An above-average activity hurricane season was predicted for last year as well. The 2020 season broke records with thirty named storms. Frankly, we were extremely lucky that these storms veered away from Central Florida. Tropical Storm Eta in mid-November was the only named storm that directly affected SECO’s service area last year.

One tropical storm or hurricane spinning through our service area is all it takes to make this a memorable season for SECO Energy members and employees. Part of storm readiness is our commitment to storm hardening our electrical system – valued at about $1 billion. Annually, we replace aging distribution poles and install concrete transmission poles to replace older wooden poles. Our robust vegetation management program also plays a key storm readiness role with a goal of trimming vegetation back from the entire 12,000 miles of overhead line systemwide every five years.

If you or a family member rely on life-sustaining medical equipment and cannot be without power for an extended time, your home should have a secondary backup power source available. You may need to relocate to a shelter to wait out the storm in the event of an outage. As a start, register with the Florida Special Needs Registry at FloridaDisaster.org that provides local first responders with information about your needs.

SECO’s StormReady approach also includes our online StormCenter outage map and communications platform that is available 24/7 on your smartphone or tablet. Report an outage, view the outage map, check the status of a current outage and report an area light malfunction.

Enroll or update your outage notifications through StormCenter today. We’ll send you an email, text, voice message or all three when the system detects an outage affecting your service. You’ll receive a follow-up communication when the outage is restored. Visit StormCenter and click on the Manage Notifications tab.

It is critical to prepare before a storm arrives. Gather your emergency supplies early using this month’s Word Search on page 5. Supplies sell out quickly when a storm is approaching. Prepare your home in advance and make an emergency plan with your family.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Plan your summer fishing trips with The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s best fishing days. The sun, moon, tides and weather all affect fish activity. The best time of day to fish is when they are most active – fish often feed more in the early morning and late evening. It is believed that fish feed more during a full moon as well. This summer’s best fishing dates are June 10 – 24, July 9 – 23, August 8 – 22 and September 6 – 20. Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora to learn more about the sailfish, Florida’s state saltwater fish.

Safety Corner – Vehicle Accidents and Utility Lines

A report by the National Safety Council (NSC) finds that over 42,000 people died in vehicle crashes in 2020. This statistic is an increase of 8% from 2019. Most alarming is the number of miles driven last year was much lower than the year before.

In SECO Energy’s service area, 91 separate vehicle crashes occurred that involved utility poles or other infrastructure in 2020. These crashes alone interrupted electric service to over 31,000 accounts.

Accidents involving downed power lines are extremely dangerous. Always assumed downed lines are energized and dangerous – and can kill. Stay in the vehicle if possible. Inform the 911 dispatcher that power lines are down near the crash site.

If you smell smoke or the vehicle catches fire, follow these steps to safety:

• Open the vehicle door but do not touch exterior metal that may be energized.
• Jump clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet on the ground at the same time.
• Again, do not touch the metal on the vehicle while touching the ground.
• Walk in a shuffling motion or bunny hop to safety.

If you witness an accident involving downed lines near or on the vehicle, stay away from the car and its occupants and call 911 immediately. Try your best to get the occupants’ attention and warn them to stay in the car if safe to do so.

Share this information with your family – especially younger drivers. For more tips on how to be safe around electricity, visit our Electrical Safety section on our website.

EV Charger Winner

Paula Stewart from Tavares is the latest winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

2021 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Awardees

For decades, SECO Energy has awarded scholarships annually to deserving high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. Over the years, we have provided over $500,000 in scholarship funds to over 300 students to help fulfill their dreams.

This year, we awarded nine students interested in a career in the energy industry and planning to attend a Florida college, university or vocational/trade school.

Join us in congratulating our 2021 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees:

LEIGHTON LEE BAKER
Eustis High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study electrical engineering. Leighton took part in the Eustis High School swim team, robotics and debate club.

LANDEN CARTER
The Villages Charter High School: Seeks an AAS degree in electrical distribution technology from Lake-Sumter State College. Landen played baseball and enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family.

AUSTON CHISENHALL
South Lake High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study business. Auston likes to fish, and while in school, participated in baseball and business classes.

ASHLEY DELEZENNE
The Villages Charter High School: Majoring in finance at Stetson University. Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society and spends time tutoring and volunteering at sporting events.

SHANIA DELPINO-LITTLE
The Villages Charter High School: Will attend the University of South Florida and major in accounting. Shania served as Secretary of the Science National Honor Society Club, the Vice President of the Student Activities Club and is a member of the National Honor Society.

SEBASTIAN LOAIZA
Belleview High School: Will major in computer science at the University of South Florida. Sebastian plays soccer and is a member of the Interact Club and the Robotics Automation Design (RAD) Club.

MICHAEL M. MARVIN, JR.
The Villages Charter High School: Plans to complete the electrical lineman program at Northwest Lineman College. Michael attended advanced placement courses in high school and enjoys football and weightlifting.

BRENDAN SIMONS
The Villages Charter High School: Is attending Florida Atlantic University to major in business. Brendan played baseball and participated in the Engineering Club and Rho Khappa.

COLIN B. SORENSON
South Lake High School: Is majoring in biological sciences at Florida State University. While in high school, Colin played baseball, basketball and is a member of Business Professionals of America.

Good luck, students, in reaching your education and future career goals!

Emergency Supplies Word Search

SECO Energy is StormReady and stands prepared for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Gather the list of emergency supplies below. Have enough on hand for each person for at least three days.

Connect with Electra

We invite you to connect with our virtual assistant Electra through our easy-to-use interactive voice response phone system.

Electra can assist thousands of members at the same time. Without waiting for a live agent, Electra can help you check your balance, find billing due date, disconnect service, report a power outage or service problem, check the status of a current outage or complete a payment arrangement.

To reach out to Electra, give her a call at (352) 793-3801. This number takes the place of any local numbers to Member Service Centers that were previously used.

If you request to speak to a live agent and call volume is high, Electra can save your place in line and arrange a callback during our regular business hours.

Read the Winners’ Circle article below for our latest winners.

Winners’ Circle

Four lucky winners who have completed a call with Electra won a $25 gift card. Congratulations, winners!

Carmen Linzey from Wildwood

Angela Medina from Ocala

Audrey Reed from Howey-in-the-Hills

Nola Jenzen from Lady Lake

Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft incentive.

Jade Greene from Tavares is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Matthew Ketchum from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Judy Robertson from Lady Lake is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners.

Summer HVAC Check-Up

In Central Florida, the largest energy user in your home is the HVAC system. HVAC use accounts for about 35 to 40% of your energy use (energy.gov). Florida’s high humidity levels also make high temperatures feel hotter. Using a dehumidifier during the summer months and a humidifier in the colder months may increase your comfort level.

We recommend scheduling an HVAC check-up with a qualified technician annually. Preventative maintenance will help your unit to operate more efficiently. Yearly maintenance will also help you avoid unexpected and often costly repair bills. Change or check HVAC filters each month or as directed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Weather plays a significant role in your energy usage. Try the Home Energy Assessment for a complete online energy audit that is tailored to your home and lifestyle. Our Energy Estimator shows you the math behind your monthly kilowatt hour (kWh) usage. We publish a monthly weather blog called Sunshine State Stats on our website and social media. Find these tools and more energy-efficiency ideas on the Energy Solutions section of our website.

Read the full June 2021 SECO News online.

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Archive

Florida Fauna & Flora – Florida Black Bear

Duncan’s Digest – Solar Investments – Sensible or Scam?

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Pennies Change Lives

Enroll in Surge Protection for a Monthly Chance to Win a New Generator

Surgeo Loves Pets Donation Total

EV Charger Winner

Winners’ Circle

Safety Corner – #MoveOverFL

Florida Fauna & Flora – Sailfish

Duncan’s Digest – StormReady: Hurricane Season Warning

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Safety Corner – Vehicle Accidents and Utility Lines

EV Charger Winner

2021 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Awardees

Emergency Supplies Word Search

Connect with Electra

Winners’ Circle

Summer HVAC Check-Up

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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