Amanda Richardson – Page 18

Sunshine State Stats July 2020

July was a scorcher! Twenty-six out of thirty-one days reached a high of 90 degrees or above. The average low temperature for July 2020 was 75 degrees with an average low of 69. The average high temperature was 92 degrees with a daily high of 96. The average temperature was 1 degree warmer this year than in July of 2019 at 84 degrees.

July precipitation was below normal at 4.58 inches for the month compared to last year’s monthly total of 6.24 inches. Hurricane season is well under way. Thankfully, Hurricane Isaias was nothing more than a rain event for most of SECO Energy’s service territory.

On average, July is the warmest month in the Northern Hemisphere. It is often referred to as the dog days of summer. Seven states on the east coast broke records for high daily temperatures. According to NOAA, in the 126 years of collected weather data, Florida’s July temperatures ranked fourth hottest since 1895.

August 2020 forecast:

Hurricanes and heat continue to be front and center for the month of August. The average temperature forecast for August is 83.8 degrees with highs reaching in the 90s on a regular basis and lows in the 70s. As the heat continues to run its summer course, it is a good idea to check the weatherstripping around your exterior doors. Any daylight that can be seen between the door and the door casing is heat entering you home. A ¼ inch gap around your door is equivalent to a basketball size hole in the wall.

To view historical usage, log into SmartHub for 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 consume, check out our Energy Estimator.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The most common hummingbird found in Florida is the ruby-throated hummingbird. You may also see black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. The ruby-throated hummingbird is also eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are tiny. They measure only three inches long and weigh less than a penny. Males have the signature ruby-red feathers on their throats. Their back feathers are green, and they have two sets of green and black tail feathers. As is the case with many birds, females are less colorful; their feathers are green, white and black.

Hummingbirds do not hum. The noise is the rapid flapping of their wings. Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings about 53 times per second. Hummingbirds can hover in the air, move forward and backward, down and upside down. Hummingbirds cannot soar, and their very short legs prevent them from walking or hopping.

Fun Fauna Fact: Hummingbirds have excellent color vision. Like many birds, they can see into the ultraviolet spectrum which humans can’t see.

Read the full August 2020 SECO News online.

SECO News, August 2020

Duncan’s Digest – Pennies from Heaven – Your Pennies Change Lives

To say that the first half of 2020 has been bizarre is an understatement. To assist members during the COVID-19 economic shutdown, SECO proactively waived late fees and suspended service disconnections for nonpayment. SECO also offered members flexible payment arrangement timeframes that were above and beyond normal parameters.

SECO Energy’s member-funded Pennies from Heaven program collects extra pennies donated by members who have enrolled. These members agree to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar amount. The donated pennies fund member bill payment assistance or are used to support local worthy charitable causes. The bill payment assistance funds are distributed through United Way organizations, Florida 2-1-1 and local social service agencies.

SECO allocated a significant portion of the Pennies from Heaven dollars to our United Way organizations and local service agencies to provide bill payment assistance to members. Because of the COVID-19 shutdown, the need for bill payment assistance is at an all-time high.

Many members have reached out to us asking how they can help their neighbors during this crisis. We have hundreds of new Pennies from Heaven enrollees who are having their bills rounded up. We’ve also received check donations for Pennies from Heaven. I can’t thank our Pennies from Heaven donators enough for their generosity and willingness to help. Still, the fund is running low due to the number of members who need bill payment assistance.

Please consider joining thousands of your fellow members by enrolling in Pennies from Heaven. The monthly donation is small – only pennies. The yearly donation is, on average, less than $6 per year. Your small change can go far when combined with all Pennies from Heaven donations.

This year, SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program also donated $25,500 to local food banks in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties. SECO also received a special donation from The Villages Democratic Club for $3,000 earmarked for bill payment assistance through St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Lady Lake.

If you would like to donate by check, please mail it to us at:

SECO Energy Pennies from Heaven
P.O. Box 301
Sumterville, FL 33585

I am proud to be a Pennies from Heaven supporter myself. Through internal fundraising, many SECO employees also support the program.

If you would like to contribute your small change to help your fellow members, enroll in Pennies from Heaven today. SECO will round up your bill to the nearest dollar. The donated pennies stay local for the benefit of our members. Your small donation will supply much-needed help to members who are struggling. To enroll, visit our Pennies from Heaven page. Or log into your SmartHub account, select “Billing & Payment” and click Pennies from Heaven. Your next bill will show a line item that reflects your generous pennies donation. Thank you in advance!

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Are you interested in flowers that will attract hummingbirds? The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends choosing flowers that are either red or orange. Some common types of flowers enjoyed by hummingbirds are bee balm, butterfly bush, lilies, petunias, red-hot poker, scarlet sage, soapwort, trumpet honeysuckle and verbena.

Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora on page seven to learn more about the ruby-throated hummingbird that is the most commonly found hummingbird in Florida.

Chomp Down on Power Surges with Surgeo the Surge MitiGator™

According to the National Weather Service, Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Approximately 1.1 million lightning strikes per year happen in our state – this is equal to 20 strikes per square mile! Surge protection is a valuable investment.

Unfortunately, no product will protect your home against a direct lightning strike. SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ will protect your home’s appliances against power surges caused by lightning that travels via power lines, through the meter and into your home. Other common causes of surges entering your home are vehicle accidents, small animals contacting the electric grid and cycling of large appliances inside the home.

Are you considering surge protection? Keep these facts in mind when deciding if the Surge MitiGator™ is the right choice for protecting your home’s appliances:

SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ meter-based surge arrester is installed behind the electric meter at the incoming utility service line. The arrester responds quickly when there is surge activity.

Grounding* is crucial because it creates a path with the least amount of resistance for the excess electricity to travel. Your home’s ground is found at the meter and is connected to the Surge MitiGator™ ground wire during installation. By connecting the surge arrester to the ground wire, surges are routed away from electrical components.

The voltage that enters your home is reduced to a manageable level to prevent damage to large-motor appliances. Secondary protectors or point-of-use devices, are necessary for sensitive electronics and items with microprocessors.

The installation of the Surge MitiGator™ is controlled and monitored by SECO. The product is “made in the USA,” so you can be sure you are investing in a device that has a proven performance track record and is installed following applicable codes and safety standards.

The Surge MitiGator™ is designed to protect your appliances, such as HVAC, washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and other major motor-driven residential appliances. We recommend adding a layer of protection for your more sensitive devices. Point-of-use suppressors help further reduce the small amount of let-through voltage that may pass by the Surge MitiGator™. Point-of-use suppressors also help to control surges created inside the home by appliance motors cycling.

Sensitive electronics in your home include televisions, DVD players, DVRs, stereos, computers and garage door openers. Make sure when buying point-of-use surge protectors to buy devices that protect additional entryways like cable and phone lines; also keep in mind warranty timeframe and monetary compensation in case of damage. This layered approach provides the best protection in the event of a surge.

Our Surge MitiGator™ is available for lease or purchase. You can lease the protection for only $5.95 per month plus tax with a $25 installation fee. You can also purchase the protection for $349 to $399 plus tax with free installation.

Have questions about the Surge MitiGator™? Don’t delay – reach out today – email Surge or call (352) 569-9960.

*SECO Energy’s certified installers perform a visual inspection of your electric ground before attaching the ground wire to the surge arrester inside the meter can. We strongly suggest you solicit a licensed electrician’s services periodically to check the integrity of your ground wire to ensure it is in good working order.

Electrical Safety 101

Safety is SECO’s most important core value. Following electrical safety rules applies to everyone who uses electricity. Electric energy can burn and kill. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI), over 51,000 American homes are damaged or destroyed by fires caused by electrical failures each year.

Learn the basics about the electrical system in your home and how to prevent electrical fires. If your home is more than 20 years old, it may have outdated wiring that can lead to an electrical fire. Signs of outdated wiring include flickering lights, tripped breakers and a burning smell. The circuits may be overloaded. Electrical outlets may be outdated as well. Outlets that are damaged, loose or warm to the touch need to be repaired or replaced.

Home wiring is a job best tackled by a professional. Contact a reputable electrician who is licensed, insured and adheres to local code requirements. Electricians can also assist in adding extra electrical outlets that will avoid circuit overload.

Who is at greatest risk of suffering an injury or death from a home fire? Adults over 65. Young children with their natural curiosity are also vulnerable.

Electrical safety extends outside the home. You should never touch utility equipment such as underground transformers or overhead power lines. Always consider power lines to be energized and dangerous. After a storm, be especially cautious for downed wires. Stay away from downed lines and call 911 immediately. Vehicle crashes involving power poles can result in energized lines near the accident. Remain in the vehicle if it is safe to do so.

Teach children electrical safety as well. Children should never play on or near electrical equipment and never try to enter a substation. Warn children not to climb trees near energized lines and keep toys such as planes and kites away from overhead lines.

EV Charger Winner

Congratulations to M.J. Buczkowski of Summerfield who is the July 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 to win, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

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

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

Electrical Safety Word Search

Have some fun with our electrical safety word search. Find all the words relating to electrical safety and you’ll build on your electrical-safety knowledge.

Stay Connected with SmartHub

Members who choose to pay their bills electronically should enroll in SECO’s online account platform called SmartHub. Members can pay via debit card, credit card or electronic check – all without the added expense of a convenience fee. Those who want to “set it and forget it” can use SmartHub to enroll in bank draft. SmartHub users can view consumption history, see past bills, update an address or phone number, choose paperless billing or request a payment extension. SmartHub is accessible via desktop computers and a user-friendly app is available for smartphones and tablets.

LEDs An Energy-Efficient Choice or a Budget Buster?

LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs are quickly becoming the most energy-efficient lighting choice for your home. Compared to standard incandescent or CFL (compact fluorescent light), the purchase price for LEDs is higher. Does the higher purchase price make LEDs a budget buster?

Not necessarily. While LEDs are more expensive – they last longer when compared to incandescent bulbs. Your savings will add up by not replacing bulbs as often. Per the Department of Energy (energy.gov), LEDs that are ENERGY STAR rated last about 25 times longer than traditional lighting options and use 75% less energy. LEDs give off very little heat when compared to incandescents and CFLs that release 80 to 90% of their energy as heat when in use. Using LEDs will make your home more comfortable and potentially reduce cooling costs.

Lighting equates to a small part of your home’s electric consumption (about 5%). To lower lighting costs, SECO Energy recommends upgrading the bulbs you use most often to LEDs. What bulbs are on most often in your home? Good choices are the kitchen, living room, or family room and bathrooms. To keep your budget in check, convert the bulbs in these rooms to LEDs and gradually convert the other areas of the home when bulbs need to be replaced.

LEDs supply a budget-friendly return on investment when chosen for frequently used areas. LED technology continues to evolve. There are a multitude of options and colors to meet your needs. LEDs are also directional and small, so they are great for a kitchen countertop, recessed and task lighting.

For more energy-efficiency tips and ideas, visit our Energy-Saving Tips page.

Read the full August 2020 SECO News online.

SECO Energy Monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias

SECO Energy continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaias as it moves along Florida’s east coast. The storm was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm early Sunday morning. The current track brings the storm close to Jupiter and Melbourne.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that Tropical Storm Isaias will no longer make landfall along Florida’s east coast. The storm is moving northwest and has slowed to 8 mph with wind speeds at 60 mph. Forecasters predict that the storm will travel along Florida’s east coast toward the Carolinas. Tropical Storm Isaias will bring rain to the east coast from Florida to Maine.

Forecasters predict SECO’s service area could begin to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias early Sunday afternoon into the early hours Monday morning. Members should expect wind gusts and heavy rains as Isaias’ rainbands move through the state. The strongest winds will affect SECO’s area beginning Sunday evening into the early hours Monday morning. The maximum sustained winds are expected to be upwards of 20 mph in eastern Marion County and Lake County with gusts up to 40 mph. Western Marion County, Citrus and Sumter Counties will have sustained winds at 18 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in mid-March, SECO Energy has taken the necessary precautions to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees and contractors. SECO’s line crews and contractors are the key to preserving service reliability for the more than 200,000 homes and businesses the cooperative serves. The COVID-19 protections instituted for SECO employees and contractors could delay the restoration effort.

CEO Jim Duncan said, “Thankfully, Isaias has lost strength and is now a tropical storm instead of a hurricane. Nonetheless, SECO is ready for Isaias and its effects on our service area. We are warning members in Lake and Marion Counties to be prepared for heavy rains, winds and the possibility of power outages because of Isaias’ track through the state. Employees are ready to respond to outages. We will work until all members’ services are restored.”

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.

SECO Energy Prepared for Hurricane Isaias

SECO Energy is prepared for Hurricane Isaias as its projected track shifts east, tracking the storm slightly farther away from Florida’s east coast. Currently, Hurricane Isaias is a Category 1 storm with winds up to 85 mph.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that the storm will likely travel along Florida’s east coast toward the Carolinas. Isaias is moving northwest at 15 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward from the storm’s eye up to 35 miles. Tropical-storm force winds extend from the center up to 175 miles. The final track and intensity of Isaias remain uncertain, and the NHC has not ruled out a Florida landfall.

Forecasters predict SECO’s service area could begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Isaias as early as late morning on Sunday through the evening. Members should expect heavy rains for at least 24 hours and sustained winds in the 10 to 25 mph range with gusts up to 40 mph. The higher wind speeds are expected in SECO’s eastern part of its territory.

CEO Jim Duncan said, “SECO and its employees are prepared for Hurricane Isaias’ effect on our service area. We expect that members in the eastern part of our service area, particularly Lake County, will experience power outages from the heavy rains, wind gusts and lightning. Employees are on stand-by and ready to respond to outages. We will work until all members’ services are restored.”

Members should 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.

SECO Energy Tracking Hurricane Isaias

SECO Energy is tracking Hurricane Isaias as it moves closer to Florida. While Isaias’ track 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) forecasts that the storm will likely follow a path that will skirt Florida’s east coast and eventually make landfall in the Carolinas. The probable track has continued to shift east drawing away from a Florida landfall.

Forecasters predict SECO’s service area could begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Isaias beginning Saturday at 6 p.m. Members should expect heavy rains for at least 24 hours and sustained winds in the 30 mph range with gusts up to 40 mph.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in mid-March, SECO Energy has taken the necessary precautions to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees and contractors. SECO’s line crews and contractors are the key to preserving service reliability for the cooperative’s more than 200,000 homes and businesses it serves. The COVID-19 protections instituted for SECO employees and contractors could delay the restoration effort.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Since the 2020 hurricane season began, SECO has been in regular contact with our weather forecasters for information about storms brewing in the tropics. We will continue to closely watch Hurricane Isaias and prepare to deploy field personnel to restore outages if needed in our area. If you haven’t refreshed your hurricane season supplies from last year, now is the time.”

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.

Sunshine State Stats June 2020

Nine days of rain in the first 13 days of June contributed to a total of 6.12 inches of rain during the month. The average low temperature was 72.1 and the average high temperature was 91.3 degrees. Even though the average temperature in June was 82 degrees which was the same average temp in June 2019, 6 out of the last 10 days of the month recorded highs of 96 degrees or greater. June 2019 only recorded one day that reached 96 degrees during the entire month.

Did you know that June is the month with the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere? It also holds the longest day of the year – the summer solstice.

Although hurricane season officially began June 1st, the tropics were active beginning in mid-May with the formation of three named storms. Arthur, formed on May 14th, Bertha on May 25th, and Cristobal on May 31st. Temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico near Naples Florida were recorded at 90 degrees per NOAA.gov. Warmer water temperatures typically equate to a higher likelihood of hurricanes and thunderstorms. Per Wikipedia, Florida has never had a major hurricane in the month of June. With that said, SECO Energy urges you to take this time to prepare your home and family.

July 2020 forecast:

Lots of heat is on the horizon for the month of July. The average temperature forecast for July is 83.6 degrees with highs that reach to the mid-90s on a regular basis and lows in the 70s. Precipitation averages 5.67 inches in July. Due to the hot July temperatures you can expect the air conditioner to run longer than it has in the previous months. Remember to check your filters monthly!

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items consume, check out our Energy Estimator.

SECO Energy Closing Member Service Centers to Walk-in Traffic

SECO Energy began its transition to normal billing and payment processes on August 6 – including disconnection for nonpayment. Members experiencing financial difficulty should seek assistance at a social service agency or contact SECO to enter into a repayment plan agreement. Late fees assessments resume on September 1.

Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns, SECO Energy has once again decided to limit its employees’ interactions with members. On Monday, July 6, SECO’s Member Service Centers will temporarily close their walk-in services. SECO is also taking steps to limit member and employee contact in the field.

While SECO Energy’s five Member Service Centers walk-in services are closed, each location is equipped with a drive-thru that will remain open and an outside automated kiosk that is available for bill payment 24/7. The drive-thrus in Eustis, Inverness, Ocala and Sumterville will operate 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drive-thru in Groveland is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The cooperative offers members 12 ways to pay bills, and most avoid face-to-face contact. Members can pay online, by phone, by mail, enroll in bank draft and more. SECO’s online account platform called SmartHub is the place to start for convenient self-serve options. Log in or create an account profile today. View past bills, usage history, request a payment arrangement and more.

SECO Energy’s Sumterville headquarters and adjacent compound are closing to public access and only the most essential deliveries will be accepted. SECO field personnel are practicing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended social distancing standard of maintaining a six-foot barrier with members, contractors and vendors. Employees and members are asked to use email, phone and web conferencing communication in lieu of in-person meetings whenever possible and to practice social distancing when in-person meetings are unavoidable.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “In the interest of our members’ and employees’ health and wellbeing, SECO has opted to temporarily discontinue its walk-in services at our Member Service Center locations. We will continue to adhere to the CDC’s social distancing guidelines. This includes limiting member and employee interactions which is necessary to ensure a healthy workforce needed to provide reliable electric service to our members. Drive-thru windows and kiosks remain available.”

SECO’s member-funded Pennies from Heaven program contributes funds every quarter to local United Way organizations and social service agencies. Members who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 shutdown and are unable to pay their electric bills are urged to seek bill payment assistance. Call or text 2-1-1 or visit their website at 211.org. To find a social service agency, use SECO’s online interactive map. Members can simply input their address and search for an agency in their county of residence. The interactive map is available under Find Bill Payment Help.

SECO members who have enrolled in the Pennies from Heaven program agree to round up their monthly bills to the next dollar. The extra change funds the Pennies from Heaven program. The donated pennies can be used to fund local, worthy causes and to provide bill payment assistance to fellow members. The funds are used locally within SECO’s service area. SECO employees also support the Pennies from Heaven program through internal fundraising efforts and personal donations.

To learn more about Pennies from Heaven or to enroll, visit our Pennies from Heaven page. If you’d prefer to write a check, please send it to SECO Energy at 330 S U.S. Highway 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

“Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Florida Fauna & Flora – The Cabbage Palm

The Florida state tree is the cabbage palm. You may know this palm as a sabal palm, sabal palmetto or cabbage palmetto. Cabbage palms are one of fifteen species of palmetto palms. South Carolina has also adopted the cabbage palm as its state tree.

The cabbage palm appears in the background of Florida’s state seal. The seal depicts a Seminole woman spreading flowers on a shoreline with the sun’s rays near the horizon and a sailing steamboat and two cabbage palm trees. “Great Seal of the State of Florida” and the state motto “In God We Trust” encircle the seal.

Cabbage palms can grow to heights of 65 feet, and thus should not be planted under or near power lines. This palm is native to the southern United States, Cuba, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. It is very salt-tolerant and often grows near the coast along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It requires hot summers to grow well.

FUN FLORA FACT: Have you ever eaten swamp cabbage? Cabbage palms have a cabbage-like inner core that is harvested and eaten. If you haven’t tried swamp cabbage, you may find it on a salad bar and know it better as hearts of palm. It’s delicious!

Read the full July 2020 SECO News online.

Energy Insider – 2nd Quarter 2020

From electric draglines to electric cars, beneficial electrification provides the opportunity to achieve economic and environmental benefits.

SECO Insider: SECO Energy Insider 2nd Quarter 2020 - Beneficial Electrification

Mining is a big industry in Florida and the need to extract product in the most cost effective manner is essential to remain competitive. With the advent of electricity, mines moved away from human, animal and steam power to fossil fuels and electricity. Every step away from old processes increased production. There is a long history of efficiency and innovation especially in recent years with increased interest in electrification of fossil-fueled processes. This transition away from fossil fuels is referred to as beneficial electrification. In a mining environment, this is applicable to crushing, moving and processing of the mined product.

When it comes to beneficial electrification, SECO-served Bedrock Resources of Ocala, Florida, is a great example. Bedrock Resources has converted its rock crushers that process mined material for use in road construction, from gas to electric. They have replaced smaller, fossil-fueled, inefficient draglines used to excavate rock with larger electric ones. Recently, they purchased loaders propelled by electric motors powered by diesel generators on the equipment. The fuel usage has been cut in half and the savings are impressive. Beneficial electrification creates new and exciting opportunities to achieve economic and environmental goals, but it is not limited to just mining. Today, more than ever before, there is increasing interest in many other areas.

A recent survey of 1,200 Americans by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative indicated that 68% of respondents are willing to transition from fossil fuels to electricity for transportation, cooking, heating and water heating. The study also indicated that respondents believe it is important for their electric utility to invest in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Additionally, 31% of respondents have an interest in purchasing an electric vehicle.

A recent SECO Energy survey of 90,000 members also indicated the same. The survey was a preliminary first step in SECO Energy’s planning for maximizing the benefit of electric vehicles in our service territory. SECO received nearly 7,000 responses with interesting results:

• 5% of members already own an EV.
• 34% indicate interest in purchasing an EV in the future.
• 42% think SECO should promote and support the use of EVs in our service area.

Based upon both surveys, residential consumers are looking ahead and planning purchases of electric vehicles rather than continuing to rely solely on fossil fuels. In addition, we are seeing an increased interest in using electrified semi-trucks in the future. Distribution warehouses are already making use of electricity for battery-powered forklifts and electricity for idling processes such as refrigerated trailers that are parked for the evening. School systems are investing in electric/battery-powered buses that offset the need for additional generation during summer peak loads.

Beneficial electrification saves consumers money over time, helps the environment, reduces carbon emissions, improves quality of life and enhances a stronger electrical grid. There are many opportunities for residential, commercial and industrial sectors to take advantage of beneficial electrification. Electrifying equipment at the right place and the right time can deliver a savings for all involved. Beneficial electrification also enables better grid management, creates jobs and provides solutions to meet environmental goals. While the greatest opportunity for beneficial electrification is with transportation, heating and water heating; many end uses have potential.

As your electric provider, SECO Energy is ready to engage with you if you have an interest in shifting away from fossil fuels to a cleaner source of energy. A good place to start may be with your fleet vehicles. If you haven’t already, learn more about electric vehicles by visiting our website https://secoenergy.com/electric-vehicles/. You will find a wealth of information including a savings calculator and a CO2 emissions comparison of gas versus electric. To promote the use of EVs in our service area, we are giving away a SECO branded 50-amp JuiceBox Pro Level 2 EV fast charger for residential use. We will choose one random winner on the 15th of each month until the promotion ends. Register for a chance to win: https://secoenergy.com/electric-vehicle-charger-giveaway/.

BARBIE SHAW

Manager of Key Accounts & Energy Services
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

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Archive

Florida Fauna & Flora – Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Duncan’s Digest – Pennies from Heaven – Your Pennies Change Lives

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Chomp Down on Power Surges with Surgeo the Surge MitiGator™

Electrical Safety 101

EV Charger Winner

Electrical Safety Word Search

Stay Connected with SmartHub

LEDs An Energy-Efficient Choice or a Budget Buster?

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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CONNECT WITH US

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US