Amanda Richardson – Page 19

SECO News, July 2020

Duncan’s Digest – Marion Oaks Substation Rebuild

In the December 2019 edition of SECO News, I shared an overview of our $55 million 2020 construction work plan. I want to share an exciting project from the plan that is currently in progress.

Recently, crews and contractors have begun the Marion Oaks substation rebuild in Marion County on County Road 484 about two miles west of Interstate 75.

The new, massive Florida Crossroads Commerce Park is the main reason for the substation rebuild. The Park is undoubtedly a boon for Marion County, boosting the economy, increasing the tax base and bringing in new jobs. In Phase I, Dollar Tree will open a 500,000-square-foot distribution center that will employ 200 people. In fact, they’re already hiring. In Phase II, another 1.2-million-square-feet will be built and bring another 500 jobs to the area. Just the Dollar Tree portion of capital investment in the Florida Crossroads Commerce Park is upward of $200 million.

Rebuilding the Marion Oaks substation is necessary to serve this new commerce area, and because the county says that Marion Oaks’ population could quadruple in the next two decades, the substation must meet growing residential demand as well. The rebuild will increase reliability and meet demand in southwest Marion County.

The current Marion Oaks substation sits on half an acre and is almost forty years old. The cost to build the sub in 1982 was $540,000. The substation was upgraded within the last decade to include a 28 Mega Volt Amp (MVA) power transformer. The original substation has four feeder lines and serves less than 5,000 SECO members.

The price tag for the construction of the new ultramodern Marion Oaks substation is $5.6 million. This substation is being built on a five-acre tract and has the potential to serve 20,000 to 30,000 members. The plan is to construct the sub with ten feeder bays, with eight feeders energized initially and two as spares for future use. The construction plan includes two new 37 MVA power transformers and a new control house. Once this construction is complete, the original substation will be leveled.

Substations transform high voltage electricity from transmission lines to low voltage electricity that travels through feeder distribution lines to power homes and businesses. The new Marion Oaks substation’s incoming transmission high side will include a ring bus that will provide better reliability for all members served by the sub. The Duke Energy 69kV Ross Prairie transmission line serves the substation; however, a set of breakers at our Waterways and Summerglen substations will create a full loop with the new Marion Oaks sub. The circuit will pick up load from other transmission sources. If there is a fault on an incoming transmission line, members shouldn’t even see a blink.

On the distribution low side, a breaker ties two power transformer banks together. If one of the power transformers is interrupted, the relays are programmed with an auto-restore scheme that quickly reacts to pick up the load using a product called Schweitzer relays – which are state-of-the-art microprocessors. This relay scheme is so fast that members will only notice a short blink.

To reduce the environmental impact, we are installing new concrete retention areas at the new substation. If an oil leak is detected, the oil would be captured in the retention area instead of absorbing into the soil. The retention areas will be specially coated to prevent the oil soaking into the concrete.

Recently, crews finished the Federal substation expansion in Sumter County and completed the Ocala Park substation upgrade in Marion County. Next up after the Marion Oaks project is complete, significant updates are planned at the Inverness substation this autumn. Upgrades to the Astatula substation are coming in 2021.

The design and construction of reliable electric facilities have come a long way in recent years. Our investments in high-quality infrastructure ensure that the right thing happens when you flip the light switch, turn on the TV and adjust the thermostat. Visit SECOEnergy.com>Newsroom>System Improvement Map to see the enhancements coming to your area.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

2020 Scholarship Awardees

Congratulations to our 2020 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees! Each of the 12 awardees receive $3,000 in scholarship funds to further his or her education. Over the last two decades, your not-for-profit electric cooperative has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to 300+ local students.

The 2020 SECO Scholarship awardees are:

TYLIN N. BARNARD – Ocala | West Port High School | Chemical Engineering

CHEYENNE DIAZ – Ocala | Vanguard High School | Manufacturing Processes/Mechanical Engineering

ISABELLA HERNANDEZ – Clermont | East Ridge High School | Engineering

ANIYA HOUSTON – Ocala | West Port High School | Quality Engineering

JOSEPH A. LACOURSE – Oxford | The Villages Charter High School | Engineering

CAMERON MACLEAN – Tavares | Tavares High School | Electrical Engineering

LUCAS MARDEN – Tavares | Tavares High School | Aerospace Engineering

STUART T. PALMER – Umatilla | Umatilla High School | Electrical Engineering

ALAYNA PHILLIPS – Wildwood | The Villages Charter High School | Business

MIGUEL SANTOS – Ocala | West Port High School | Business/Marketing

WILLIAM J. SIMMONS – Dunnellon | Dunnellon High School | Electrical Distribution Technology

ALEXANDER Q. WILLIAMS – Sorrento | Eustis High School | Biomedical Engineering

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC IS READY WITH A FLORIDA WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE UPCOMING SUMMER AND EARLY AUTUMN. Summer will be slightly cooler and drier than usual. Watch out for the hottest temperatures in mid-July and mid-August. Look for a tropical storm threat July 23 to 25 and daily thunderstorms in August. Watch for a hurricane threat September 17 to 19 and a tropical storm threat October 19 to 21.

Need help creating a hurricane supply list for your family? Visit our Storm Preparation page for a list of hurricane essentials and a link to our Hurricane Handbook.

Protect Your Home’s Appliances with Surgeo

Sudden increases in voltage called power surges can damage or destroy your home’s appliances and sensitive electronics. Lightning is a common cause of surges, but falling trees, small animals, birds, or vehicles crashing into power poles create surges as well.

SECO Energy offers the Surge MitiGator™ as an extra layer of protection for your home’s appliances. Our meter-based surge arrester is designed to prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing surges at the meter BEFORE they enter the home.

You can lease the MitiGator™ for only $5.95 plus tax with a $25 installation fee. For services greater than 200 amps, installation is $100. If you choose to purchase the Surge MitiGator, prices range from $349 to $399 plus tax — and installation is free.

Members should also purchase of point-of-use devices to protect sensitive electronics such as computers and televisions.

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™. Enroll online today.

EV Charger Winner

Congratulations to John J. Reyes, Jr. of Groveland who is the winner of the first SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving away one charger each month while supplies last. Text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner on our homepage.

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.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

Surge MitiGator™ Word Search

Members enrolled in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ are winning the surge protection game. For another chance to win, all members who are current Surge MitiGator™ enrollees as of August 14 are entered to win a Nest Learning Thermostat. Winner is chosen August 15.

Keep It Clear – We Work Here

Safety is SECO Energy’s most important core value, and our employees take safety seriously. We are committed to a safe working environment for all employees.

Members who live in areas with underground utilities often want to disguise transformers using fences, shrubs, potted plants or other lawn items. Obstructions such as these block access to transformers, meters and poles and are a safety hazard.

For the safety of SECO employees and contractors, keep the area surrounding our equipment clear. Obstructions create longer restoration times and an unsafe work zone. Learn more about safe access on our Keep It Clear page.

Go Green – Enroll in Ebill through SmartHub

Reduce your carbon footprint, limit your risk of identity theft and avoid wasting paper by enrolling in eBill instead of a traditional paper statement.

To enroll in eBill, log in to SmartHub. In SmartHub, choose “My Profile” and “Update My Paperless Settings.” Choose “on” for your Paperless setting.

It’s that easy. Instead of waiting on your bill to arrive by mail, you’ll receive an eBill via email much faster. With SmartHub, you can view your past usage, see payment history, enroll in bank draft and more.

Summer Energy Efficiency – Keep Your Cool

Looking for easy, low-cost energy-efficiency ideas that will help you reduce summer energy use? SECO has cool tips that won’t break the bank.

Air conditioning accounts for approximately 50 percent of your summer bill. SECO Energy and the Department of Energy (DOE) recommend setting your thermostat at 78. Lower the thermostat temperature and expect your cooling costs to increase 6 to 8 percent for each degree lower than 78. Want to feel cooler? Turn on a ceiling or floor fan. Fans make the room feel four degrees cooler than the room temperature. Fans cool people, not rooms, so only use them in occupied spaces.

Another way to stay cool this summer is to keep the heat out. Natural sunlight through windows and doors is the source of 76 percent of the heat that enters your home per the DOE. Reduce the amount of heat gain in rooms by using blinds or heavy curtains on windows. Check that the caulking, sealing or weather stripping on windows and doors is in good condition.

Fire up the grill to reduce the heat generated inside your home. Choose small appliances such as grills, crockpots, air fryers, toaster ovens or microwaves instead of your oven. These appliances reduce the amount of heat generated in your home and consume less energy. Consider replacing incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs as they use less power and produce less heat.

Visit SECOEnergy.com for more energy-saving advice. Try the Home Energy Assessment to conduct a full home energy audit online. Check out the Energy Estimator to find the estimated energy use and costs for each electronic and appliance in your home.

Read the full July 2020 SECO News online.

The Villages Democratic Club donates $3,000 to SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven Fund

The Villages Democratic Club has donated $3,000 to SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program. These funds will help SECO members affected by the COVID-19 economic shutdown with electric bill payment assistance.

Like most electric service providers in the state, SECO Energy responded in March to the COVID-19 shutdown with understanding and flexibility by waiving late fees and extending payment arrangement timeframes for members. Since early March, no SECO member has been disconnected, charged a late fee nor denied a payment extension. However, SECO is currently formulating a plan that requires members with high accrued balances to render payment, enter into a repayment agreement or seek bill payment assistance from a social service agency.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “We are grateful for The Villages Democratic Club’s generous donation to our Pennies from Heaven program. Donations such as this remain local to assist the thousands of members who are seeking bill payment assistance as our cooperative begins the return to normal business practices. Assisting members during this time is important to us, and we urge members who need bill payment assistance to visit SECOEnergy.com and find a local social service agency using our interactive map. Requests for assistance can also be initiated by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211.org.”

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.

Duncan urged members who are not already donating to consider Pennies from Heaven enrollment or a one-time donation. He continued, “I support Pennies from Heaven myself as a member as do many of our employees. The average per member donation is about $6 annually if the member is enrolled in the bill round up program. Pennies from Heaven is a great way to make a big difference with your small change – one penny at a time.”

If you’d prefer to write a check, please send it to SECO Energy at 330 S U.S. Highway 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

The Pennies from Heaven program also provides dollars every quarter to local United Way organizations and social service agencies for bill payment assistance for members.

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

Generator Safety Tips for Atlantic Hurricane Season

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. This year, forecasters at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) predict tropical storm and hurricane activity will be well above average. SECO Energy warns members to keep safety in mind while using a generator during power outages.

Before purchasing a generator, learn the difference between stationary and portable generators. Stationary generators are permanently affixed with an approved disconnect and transfer switch. This switch isolates a home’s circuits from SECO Energy’s electric system. This isolation is critical to eliminate the risk of electricity backfeeding onto SECO’s lines. Installing a stationary generator and disconnect and transfer switch is not a do-it-yourself job. Portable generators are more common and less expensive than stationary generators. Homeowners use extension cords to plug appliances directly in to the portable generator.

When major weather events cause extended power outages, homeowners often utilize generators. SECO asks members using a generator to operate the equipment in a manner that promotes safety for homeowners, their families, SECO employees and contractors and the public.

Generators emit the deadly, colorless, odorless gas carbon monoxide (CO). Thousands of people die each year from CO poisoning. Never run a generator in an enclosed area such as a house, garage or covered porch. Never place a generator outside of an open window where CO can leach into the home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends installing a battery-operated CO detector in your home. Choose an area where the sound of the alarm will wake the home’s inhabitants. Outside of bedroom doorways is a good choice.

Never operate a generator in the rain – you can be shocked or killed. Plug appliances directly into the portable generator or use an extension cord to prevent electric shock. If using extension cords, choose a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord with a watt or amp rating equal to the sum of the appliance. Examine extension cords for cuts, tears or frays – replace damaged extension cords.

Fuel the generator safely to avoid fires. Do not fuel a generator while it’s in operation. Gasoline and diesel fuel should be stored in approved containers and out of the reach of children. Extinguish all flames, including cigarettes, during fueling. Stage a fully charged fire extinguisher near the generator.

Generator engine parts are scorching hot while the machine is running and take time to cool after the machine is off. Touching engine parts can result in severe burns. Keep children away from running generators. If the generator is faulty, contact a qualified technician for repair or service. Repairing or servicing a generator is a job best left to a professional. Test the generator at the start of hurricane season.

SECO Energy is StormReady and prepared for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Members should prepare for the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes by assembling an emergency supply kit, enrolling in StormCenter outage notifications and bookmarking StormCenter and SECO’s daily restoration plan map on their smartphone or tablet. Through StormCenter, members receive outage alerts via email, text, voice message or all three that include crew status and estimated restoration time. Members will receive follow-up outage communication with updated restoration times and the outage cause if known. StormCenter is available online at SECOEnergy.com>StormCenter.

For more information about generator safety, visit our Generator Safety page. “Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOenergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Sunshine State Stats May 2020

Summer is almost here in Central Florida and we are feeling the heat. The average monthly temperature in May 2020 was 78.5 degrees only slightly lower than the average monthly temperature of 80.1 degrees in May 2019. The hottest day of the month was on May 22 when temperatures soared to 97 degrees. The lowest temperature recorded was 53 degrees on the evening of May 8.

May started seasonally with temps mostly in the mid to high 80s; however, in mid-May temperatures began to rise and the average high temperature for the month measured 89 degrees. Central Florida also received more rain near the end of the month with total precipitation at 2.69 inches compared to only 1.22 inches in 2019. Hopefully, your periwinkles are blooming!

On May 4, Governor DeSantis began Phase One of reopening many of Florida’s businesses with safety protocols in place. Thankfully, members started to return to work and leave their homes more often. With summer-like weather arriving early, you may want to schedule an HVAC technician to inspect your cooling system. Annual HVAC maintenance will extend the life of your unit and help you avoid large unexpected repair bills.

For cooling energy-efficiency, adjust your thermostat to between 78 and 80 degrees with the fan in the auto position. If you’re out and about for four hours or more bump your thermostat up a couple of degrees to save. For every degree the thermostat is set below 78 degrees cooling costs increase by 6 to 8 percent.

June 2020 forecast:

Rain is in the forecast for the beginning of June 2020, but temperatures are still predicted to be high. The average temperature for Central Florida for June in 2019 was 82.2 degrees with 5.96 total precipitation for the month. Be sure to use SPF when out in the Florida sun, it is a doozy.

Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1. Forecasters predict an above average hurricane and tropical storm activity this year. SECO Energy is StormReady and offers resources to help you and your family prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms that affect our area. Read our Hurricane Handbook for information before, during and after a storm online.

To check historical usage, log in to 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.

Win an EV JuiceBox Level 2 Fast Charger from SECO Energy

Across the country, Florida is emerging as a leader in electric vehicle (EV) sales. To promote the use of EVs in its service area, SECO is giving away a SECO Energy branded 50-amp JuiceBox Pro EV charger. The cooperative will choose one random winner each month while supplies last. Members still have time to enter the drawing for the June 15 winner.

As a not-for-profit electric provider in Central Florida, SECO Energy is excited at the prospects of expanded EV infrastructure for the communities it serves. Earlier this year, SECO surveyed almost 100,000 members to gauge their interest in EVs. This was a preliminary first step in SECO’s planning to maximize the benefit of EVs in its service area.

Almost 7,000 members responded to the survey with interesting results. Of the respondents, five percent currently own an EV, while thirty-four percent indicate an interest in purchasing an EV in the future. Forty-two percent of members responded that they have no interest in owning an EV but believe SECO should promote and support the use of EVs in the communities it serves.

SECO Energy is developing a plan for the future that includes increased EV usage in the counties it serves. With the interest in EVs increasing, the cooperative plans to partner with builders and developers in new residential communities in Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties to pre-wire homes with Level 2 charging capabilities during the construction phase as this is more cost-effective for the homebuyer and beneficial to SECO to encourage EV use.

Another EV-centric SECO project in the works is a Level 2 fast charger residential lease program. Members will have the opportunity to lease a Level 2 fast charger from SECO for a small monthly fee instead of purchasing the charger outright. Watch for more details about the Level 2 fast charger lease program in an upcoming SECO News.

In addition to the entry form for the JuiceBox Charger giveaway, members with an interest in an EV will find a new section dedicated to electric vehicles on the cooperative’s website.

The new EV section of SECO Energy’s website includes an overview of EV and PHEV models, ownership savings benefits, EV facts and information on how EVs reduce an individual’s carbon footprint. There is a savings calculator to compute the amount of money saved on gasoline by purchasing an EV. Members can input the number of miles they drive in a year and the savings calculator will compute the amount saved by charging an EV versus filling up with gas.

The website also provides information about residential EV charging. For efficiency and quick charging, installing a Level 2 fast charger is the way to go. Installing a Level 2 will charge an EV four to six times faster than a Level 1 charger. Also included on the website is an interactive EV charger-finder map to locate chargers anywhere in the country.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “In early March, the Florida House passed Senate Bill 7018 that paves the way for the Florida Department of Transportation to work with the Florida Public Service Commission, the Office of Energy and others to develop plans to expand Florida’s EV infrastructure. As a state in the top-three in EV sales, Florida is poised to be an example of how electric vehicles can be a fit for our lifestyles. We are excited about the possibilities and the opportunities that new EV infrastructure will bring to Central Florida.”

Members who are interested in an EV and Level 2 charging should register to win a SECO Energy branded 50-amp JuiceBox Pro EV Charger. This 9.6 kW charger is UL listed with a 24-foot cable, a 5-year manufacturer warranty, built-in Wi-Fi and is 110-240VAC. One random winner will be drawn each month on the 15^th.

To enter to win, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 to receive a direct link to enter. Or visit the EV page on our website or click on the homepage banner. Installation is not included and winner must agree to terms and conditions.

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

Florida Fauna & Flora – Blue Crabs

Blue crabs are found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This crab is an omnivore – eating both plants and animals. Its typical diet is small fish, plants, annelids and almost anything else it can ingest.

Crabs grow by shedding their shells or molting. Blue crabs molt about 25 times during their 3-year lifecycle. Crabbing requires a Florida saltwater fishing license unless you are trying to catch blue crabs from the shore with fishing line or rope. Chicken legs and oily fish are popular bait choices.

In Florida, crabbers can harvest female blue crabs, but it is illegal to harvest females carrying eggs. For conservation purposes, return female blue crabs to the water. Females are easily identified by their red-tipped claws. Blue crab males have blue claws.

FUN FAUNA FACT: BLUE CRABS CAN SWIM. Many crabs walk or run along the waters’ bottom, but crabs in the Portunidea family have paddle-shaped backlegs called swimmeretes that rotate allowing blue crabs to swim.

Read the full June 2020 SECO News online.

SECO News, June 2020

Duncan’s Digest – High Risk Hurricane Season

My background by trade is accounting and finance. I have a healthy belief in data analysis to project trends. The percentages below certainly get my attention and should grab yours as well.

The Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) published its Atlantic hurricane season forecast in April. These experts predict the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season will have above-normal activity. This includes the probability of major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5) to make landfall along the U.S. coast and in the Caribbean based on historical and 2020 probability trackers.

Historically between 1878 and 2017, Florida had a 51% probability of a hurricane spinning into the state. The probability of a major hurricane was 21%. CSU’s probability tracker for 2020 reflects an increased chance of 68% of a hurricane affecting the state. The probability that at least one major hurricane will make Florida landfall is 31%.

For the Gulf Coast, the probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall is 44% which is above the historical average. For the U.S. east coast including Florida, the probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall this year is 45% which is also above average.

While these statistics are troubling, the fact is that living on the Florida peninsula surrounded by water, we are bound to feel the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes. Preparing before they happen is critical.

SECO Energy is StormReady and strongly encourages your family to practice hurricane preparedness. Our storm hardening efforts include replacing aging distribution poles, upgrading transmission poles from wood to concrete and trimming trees that encroach on power lines.

StormReady also includes our $1 million investment in our outage map, reporting tools, status checker and communications platform called StormCenter. Members can proactively enroll to receive outage communications through email, text, voice messages or all three.

StormCenter identifies the service locations affected by an outage and proactively sends a notification with the estimated restoration time, crew status and more. Once service is restored, you’ll receive a message that includes the outage cause if known. You can set do not disturb times if you don’t want to be called in the middle of the night about an outage or restoration. To choose notification preferences, visit StormCenter on the website and click on the Manage Notifications tab.

Reporting a new outage or checking the status of an existing outage with your smartphone or tablet is easy. Click “Report Outage” and enter the account holder’s last name and house number (or the account or phone number). Find the status of an existing outage on the Check Status tab.

Create a StormReady plan for your family that includes gathering emergency supplies, reading our Hurricane Handbook, enrolling in county alerts and saving your county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) number on your phone.

Prepare for the worst, hope and pray for the best and know that it is our privilege to serve as your energy provider.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Generator Safety

Are you considering purchasing an in-home generator as a back-up power source during unexpected power outages? Know the difference between stationary and portable generators and learn safety tips that save lives.

Stationary generators are permanently affixed with an approved disconnect and transfer switch that isolates your home’s circuits from SECO Energy’s electric system. This isolation eliminates the risk of backfeeding onto utility lines. Installing a stationary generator is not a DIY project. Contact a licensed electrician.

Portable generators are more common than stationary. Portable generators use extension cords to plug desired appliances into the generator.

Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gas that is odorless and colorless. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends installing a battery-operated CO detector in your home. Place the detector where the alarm will wake you up – just outside bedroom doorways is a good choice. Never run a generator outside an open window or in an enclosed area such as a garage. Also, never use a generator in the rain. You can be shocked or killed.

Always read your unit’s safety and instruction manual before operating. Visit our Generator Safety page for more safe operating tips and watch our video to learn how to size a generator correctly.

Winners’ Circle

Welcome ELECTRA as our new IVR virtual assistant. Thank you, members, for voting to help us name our newest SECO representative. ELECTRA assists with billing inquiries, outage reporting, checking the status of a current outage and automated payment arrangements.

ALL MEMBERS WHO VOTED WERE ENTERED TO WIN ONE OF FIVE GREAT PRIZES.

Winners:

$250 SECO BILL CREDIT – Amanda Robertson, Clermont

RING DOORBELL – Larry Bocharski, Deland

NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT – Scott McConnell, Lake Panasoffkee

AMAZON ALEXA – John Halpin, Ocala

AMAZON FIRE TABLET – Warren Hammersla, The Villages

Congratulations winners!

Pennies from Heaven Count – Enroll Today

Thousands of SECO residential members and small business owners have been unable to pay their electric bills since the economic effect of COVID-19 hit. Can you help? Enroll in our Pennies from Heaven program to round up your monthly bill to the nearest dollar. The donated pennies fund bill payment assistance for SECO members. The average donation is $6 per year. Visit our Pennies from Heaven page to enroll. Members can also enroll through SmartHub. Choose “Bill & Pay” and click on “Pennies from Heaven.” You will need to accept the Terms & Conditions and click “Round bill to next dollar each month.”

If you prefer to make a one-time donation, send a check to SECO Energy, Attn: Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

For members who have already enrolled, thank you for your generosity and your willingness to help your neighbors and communities. Your pennies make a difference in the lives of members in need. If you need help, text or call Florida 211 for resources in your area supported by SECO Pennies from Heaven funding.

EOC Contacts

AS PART OF YOUR FAMILY’S STORMREADY PLAN, sign up for emergency alerts from your local Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Visit your county’s EOC website for resources such as shelter information, storm planning, evacuation orders and more.

To enroll in your county’s emergency alerts, visit the Florida Disaster website. Enter the county or city and follow the enrollment link. Program your county’s number on your phone to have at your fingertips.

Citrus County EOC (352) 527-2106 or (352) 746-5470

Hernando County EOC (352) 754-4083 or (352) 754-4111

Lake County EOC (352) 343-9420

Levy County EOC (352) 486-5213

Marion County EOC (352) 369-8100

Pasco County EOC (727) 847-8137

Sumter County EOC (352) 689-4400

Hurricane Handbook

The SECO Energy Hurricane Handbook is your one-stop guide to being StormReady before, during and after a storm.

The Hurricane Handbook defines hurricane category strength, outlines our restoration priority and dispels the myth that SECO disconnects service in advance of an approaching storm. Before a storm arrives, bookmark both StormCenter and our Daily Restoration Plan map on your smartphone or tablet. Enroll in your county’s alert notifications at FloridaDisater.org. We’ve included a seven-day supply stock-up list for you and your pets and advice for members who require electricity for medical equipment. Back-up generation is critical for these special needs members.

What to do during a storm? Hunker down and stay informed. Remain indoors and prepare to wait out the weather safely. SECO Energy crews are dispatched to begin restoration only after winds are under 35 mph. Read about the difference between a tornado watch versus a warning. Read the sections on Electric System 101 and Generator Safety.

Assess your home or business to make sure it’s safe before you return. If you experience damage, turn off your main breaker if it is safe to do so. If appliances are wet, turn off each appliance’s breaker and then unplug. Check our above ground and underground service diagrams to assess electric damage and know when to call an electrician for repairs.

Focus on your family’s safety by heeding storm watches and warnings. Stock up on hurricane essentials – buy early. When a storm approaches supplies sell out quickly.

Read the full June 2020 SECO News online.

SECO Energy Expands Payment Options & Reopens Service Centers

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 fee assessment resumes on September 1, 2020.

SECO Energy has expanded bill payment options for members. In fact, the not-for-profit cooperative now offers members the ease and convenience of 12 Ways to Pay that include in-person, drive-thru, online, by-phone options and more.

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.

For members who prefer to call, they can pay by phone 24/7 through SECO’s new IVR using a debit or credit card or electronic check without the expense of a convenience fee. Members can call during regular business hours and speak with a member service rep to enroll in bank draft. Those needing a convenient way to pay in cash can use a Member Service Center kiosk 24/7 or visit one of many payment locations through third-party vendors. With thousands of locations around the world, Western Union is a SECO authorized bill payment vendor along with MoneyGram and Fidelity Express. Each collect a $1.50 processing fee per transaction. Find hundreds of locations via 12 Ways to Pay.

Budget conscious members can choose SECO’s budget billing option or enroll in the MyWay PrePay program. Budget billing will level out members’ bills by averaging the most recent 12 months of use. A debit or credit balance accumulates based on seasonal usage. For those looking to monitor daily usage with MyWay PrePay, members pay for energy before they use it. No deposit is required to secure a MyWay PrePay account.

SECO Energy’s five Member Service Centers in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala and Sumterville offer in-person, drive-thru and kiosk payment options. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Member Service Center drive-thrus remained open while lobbies closed to protect member and employee health and to reallocate employees to the call center in order to reduce hold times.

Governor DeSantis announced a phased approach to reopening Florida that began on May 4. At that time, SECO Energy began its transition to more normal business practices. The Member Service Center lobbies will reopen on Monday, June 1. Lobby and drive-thru hours have changed for some locations. Eustis, Inverness, Ocala and Sumterville drive-thru hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groveland lobby and drive-thru hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Payment kiosks are available at each location 24/7.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy’s 12 Ways to Pay offers members choice and convenience when paying their monthly bill. The residential demographic in our service area includes young families, snowbirds and full-time residents on a fixed income. Members should be able to find a bill payment option that best fits their needs with our expanded 12 Ways to Pay.”

Duncan continued, “As of June 1, all SECO employees will be back working from our respective offices with new processes in place for social distancing. As we return to more normal operations, we are thankful that during the COVID-19 situation our mission of keeping our workforce healthy to provide reliable and affordable electric service to our members was successful. As a fiscally healthy organization, we were able to extend very flexible payment arrangements over the last three months to members who had difficulty paying their bills. Now that our processes are returning to normal, we’re switching gears from payment arrangements and are now making additional funding from our Pennies from Heaven program available for bill payment assistance through local social service agencies in each county we serve. Visit our website for details.”

View SECO’s 12 Ways to Pay. Click “Contact” SECO Energy to ask questions about budget billing, MyWay PrePay, SmartHub or other payment options.

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven Funds Bill Payment Assistance

SECO Energy has allocated additional funding from the Pennies from Heaven program for bill payment assistance. The funds are administered through Florida 211 and local service agencies via the cooperative’s agreements with local United Way organizations.

SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program funds bill payment assistance for members each quarter. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 economic shutdown, SECO released funds for quarters two, three and four ahead of schedule so that local social service agencies can assist as many members in need as possible right now. More than $40,000 has been released for bill payment assistance and distributed to local social service agencies across the counties SECO serves.

It’s easy to apply for assistance. Social service agencies typically request a copy of a disconnect notice to provide bill payment assistance but SECO has asked the agencies who receive Pennies from Heaven funding to waive the requirement and allow the member to email, text or mail a screenshot from their online account in SmartHub on SECOEnergy.com. The screenshot must show the account number, service address and past due balance. Residential assistance is limited to $250 per member.

Members who need bill payment assistance can contact Florida 211 by calling or texting or by visiting 211.org to generate a request. To meet the demand from the thousands of members seeking bill payment assistance during the COVID-19 economic shutdown, SECO created an interactive map with an expanded list of local social service agencies that provide different types of assistance. Visit our Angel Funds page to find the map. To find an agency, insert the service address. Click on the nearby map pins in that county to view the types of assistance available, phone numbers and website addresses.

SECO responded with understanding and flexibility for members who have been affected by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The cooperative proactively waived late fees and extended payment arrangement timeframes for all members. Since early March, no SECO member has been disconnected for nonpayment, no SECO member has been charged a late fee and no SECO member has been denied a payment extension. It is time, however, to return to more normal operations and to require members who have accrued high balances to seek bill payment assistance.

Contactless employee engagement remains available through SECO’s Member Service Center drive-thrus, by email or phone or through social media. Employees in the field will continue to insist that members maintain social distance according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. As part of the transition, the cooperative’s Member Service Centers reopen for walk-in business on June 1.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Cooperatives are founded on the principles of member ownership and a strong sense of community. Funding bill payment assistance through Florida 211, United Way organizations and our local service agencies will provide help to members who need it now. Electricity is an essential service, and we are thankful that SECO can provide financial relief to members in need through Pennies from Heaven funding during the aftereffects of the COVID-19 shutdown. The advancement of funding for bill payment assistance will help SECO return to normal billing and payment processes.”

Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs Kathy Judkins is grateful to the members who have enrolled in Pennies from Heaven. Judkins stated, “Thank you to our charitable members who contribute monthly to Pennies from Heaven. Now more than ever during this time of need, fostering a spirit of giving is so important. The Pennies from Heaven yearly contribution averages only $6 per member, which is a very small amount but goes a long way in the communities SECO serves. Please consider joining your fellow cooperative Pennies from Heaven donors.”

Members who would like to contribute to Pennies from Heaven can join SECO’s corporate citizenship initiative that rounds up members’ bills to the nearest dollar. The extra pennies are donated to Pennies from Heaven. Through the round up program and additional internal fundraising efforts, many SECO employees including CEO Jim Duncan also support the program to aid the communities served by SECO.

Pennies from Heaven makes a difference in the communities SECO serves one penny at a time. The funds are used for local worthy causes such as donating funds to local food banks and helping members with bill payment assistance. Members can also make a one-time donation to the program – contact SECO Energy for more information.

SECO Energy Congratulates 2020 Scholarship Awardees

SECO Energy is proud to congratulate its 2020 Scholarship Awardees. Each of the 12 SECO Scholarship awardees receives $3,000 in scholarship money to advance his or her education. Over the last two decades, the SECO Scholarship program has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to more than 300 local students.

Awardees were required to meet eligibility criteria to qualify; however, due to COVID-19 school closures, the deadline was extended 30 days and a counselor’s signature requirement was waived. Scholars must be a high school Senior who is graduating in the current school year and lives in a home served by SECO Energy. New this year, awardees must be interested in pursuing a career in the energy field. He or she must also be seeking a degree or certification in technology, engineering, math or business and enrolled full-time in an accredited Florida college, university or trade school by the end of 2020. The 2020 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees are:

Tylin N. Barnard:
West Port High School. Lives in Ocala. Plans to study Chemical Engineering.

Cheyenne Diaz:
Vanguard High School. Lives in Ocala. Plans to study Manufacturing Processes/Mechanical Engineering.

Isabella Hernandez:
East Ridge High School. Lives in Clermont. Plans to study Engineering.

Janiya Houston:
West Port High School. Lives in Ocala. Plans to study Quality Engineering.

Joseph A. LaCourse:
The Villages Charter High School. Lives in Oxford. Plans to study Engineering.

Cameron MacLean:
Tavares High School. Lives in Tavares. Plans to study Electrical Engineering.

Lucas Marden:
Tavares High School. Lives in Tavares. Plans to study Aerospace Engineering.

Stuart T. Palmer:
Umatilla High School. Lives in Umatilla. Plans to study Electrical Engineering.

Alayna Phillips:
The Villages Charter High School. Lives in Wildwood. Plans to study Business.

Miguel Santos:
West Port High School. Lives in Ocala. Plans to study Business/Marketing.

William J. Simmons:
Dunnellon High School. Lives in Dunnellon. Plans to study Electrical Distribution Technology.

Alexander Q. Williams:
Eustis High School. Lives in Sorrento. Plans to study Biomedical Engineering.

Vice President of Corporate Services and Human Resources Gregg Morrell has high hopes for SECO’s 2020 Scholarship Awardees. Morrell stated, “The 2020 SECO Scholarship awardees are an impressive group of young scholars who should be applauded for their efforts. Students with their abilities and career aspirations are what we are looking for in our future employees. Based on the students’ field of study and career goals, he or she may be eligible to apply for continuing financial support from SECO and a future opportunity to apply for a paid internship which could lead to full-time employment with SECO after graduation.”

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations to all of our 2020 SECO Scholarship awardees. You and your families should be very proud of your accomplishments thus far. I hope that our awardees will consider SECO Energy for an internship opportunity or as a future employer when making your career plans. The energy industry is actively searching for bright, young people to fill crucial positions in order to supply American homes and businesses with the electricity they need to live and work.”

Duncan continued, “SECO Energy offers competitive compensation, a generous benefits package that includes major medical, vision and dental insurance. Another benefit that is attractive to individuals freshly out of college is our student loan repayment assistance program. SECO is a local company that is nationally recognized as a customer satisfaction leader in the energy industry.”

Looking for employment right now? Visit our job board on our Careers page. “Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

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