SECO Energy is partnering with local United Way agencies during its Annual Meeting of the Membership on March 23, 2019, with a food donation drive to help restock local food pantries. Food donation drop-offs will be situated near parking areas between registration and the big American flag displays.
“Feeding the Cooperative Spirit” is the theme for this year’s Annual Meeting and is also a mission. Many local food banks are running desperately low on critical need food items. These shortages compromise their ability to support area residents. SECO and its local United Way partners have a plan to change that.
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “This year’s Annual Meeting is a perfect opportunity for community-minded members and guests, along with SECO and the United Way, to fill a community need. Almost 7,000 members and guests attended last year’s Annual Meeting, and we are expecting an even larger crowd this year. Please donate canned, boxed or jarred foods upon arrival at this year’s Annual Meeting food drive. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the communities we serve.”
Consider donating low-sodium, low-sugar options including canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups and stews. Canned or dried beans, whole grains such as oatmeal, rice and pasta, assorted baby foods and prepared meals are also good options.
Gates and registration open at 8 a.m. To register bring a copy of your bill and photo ID. Members who attend the meeting are treated to hot sausage egg and cheese biscuits, cookies, doughnuts, coffee and soft drinks, a SECO gift and a 2018 Annual Report. Find a seat in the Annual Meeting Pavilion because Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive will be center stage. Visit the Energy Showcase for energy efficiency ideas and product information from SECO’s partners, and pick up a free LED provided by our wholesale provider Seminole Electric.
Members are invited to stroll the grounds and locate a member of the Facebook Help Squad. Snap a selfie or take a picture while at the Annual Meeting and post it on SECO’s Facebook page for the chance to win a $300 bill credit. Be sure to “like” SECO’s Facebook page before the meeting begins.
The business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Toward the end of the business meeting, members will be asked to vote on the Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and related Bylaws revision. After the votes, the drawing for grand and door prizes begins. Grand prizes this year include a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4X4, a gas-powered golf cart and $1,500 cash. Door prizes include cash, gift cards and assorted high-tech items.
Click on the RSVP home page banner to RSVP online before the meeting to help SECO with breakfast and gift headcount. Members who RSVP online are entered in a drawing for a $300 bill credit. As with all other prizes you must be present to win.
“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
SECO Energy announced today that District 3 Trustee Richard Belles has resigned from the Board of Trustees. Belles was elected initially in 2013 and has been a SECO Energy member since 2001.
Per the SECO Energy Bylaws, the cooperative will hold a special District 3 Meeting in the near future to elect a new Trustee. District 3 members will be invited to the special meeting and provided with instructions about Trustee candidacy and the election via a District Notice letter.
SECO Energy is the third largest cooperative in the state and the seventh largest in the nation. At the end of 2018, the not-for-profit cooperative was delivering power to 205,887 service locations.
The reliability of SECO’s $878.7 million electric system remains stellar. In 2018, the cooperative invested $3.3 million per month to extend facilities to new members and improve reliability to existing members. The cooperative’s 2018 ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) score rose to 89.
Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon landed near St. Augustine in Spring 1513. Amidst the blooming flowers, Ponce de Leon named the newly-discovered land “La Pascua Florida” or Festival of Flowers.
Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845. Long before Florida grew into a tourism hub, early industries included logging, fishing, cattle ranching, farming and citrus growing. These industries continue today. In the 1920s, the railroad spurred the land boom bringing business and residents to Florida’s southern tip. Florida became a popular spring break destination for college students starting in the early 1930s.
Florida visitors enjoy the state’s multi-faceted entertainment options. Flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is a beach-lover’s dream. Crystal-clear natural springs, National Parks and Forests, unique wildlife and copious sunshine brand Florida a national treasure.
I would like to extend a personal invitation to join us for our 81st Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. Gates and registration open at 8 a.m. and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. SECO’s ever-hospitable, friendly employees are excited to host members and guests on Annual Meeting day.
RSVP online if you plan to attend. The online RSVP is for breakfast and gift headcount only. You will still need to register upon arrival. To RSVP online or click on the RSVP home page banner. You’ll be entered in a $300 bill credit prize drawing and must be present at the meeting to win.
The theme of this year’s meeting is also a mission: “Feeding the Cooperative Spirit.” Many local food pantries are experiencing critical food shortages that compromise their ability to support area residents. Join SECO, the United Way and your fellow members to help restock local food dispensaries in the counties we serve. Consider donating healthy options including meats and vegetables; grains (oatmeal, rice, pasta); baby food and canned meals (soups, stews). United Way and local food pantry volunteers will be on-hand to collect your donated items at food drop-offs located near the big American flags in the parking areas.
Speaking of food, we are serving the now-famous “big breakfast biscuit” (sausage, egg and cheese – one per person please). You’ll also find cookies, doughnuts, coffee and sodas. Limited picnic and high top tables are available on the south side of the Annual Meeting Pavilion. You are welcome to bring your own picnic blankets, folding/camp chairs or grab a seat under the Pavilion.
To register, bring a copy of your bill. A photo ID is required. At registration, pick up a ticket set for breakfast, gifts and door prizes. Immediately after registration, you’ll drop your door prize ticket in the prize barrel at Station 1 and proceed to Station 2 to pick up your SECO gift bag. Inside you’ll find Voting Packets for the Board-recommended Articles of Incorporation amendment and the corresponding Bylaws revision. You’ll also find a copy of our 2018 Annual Report.
Scout a good seat early. Visit our Energy Showcase before the business meeting begins to learn more about energy efficiency, visit with our partners and pick up a free LED provided by our wholesale power provider Seminole Electric Cooperative. Tap your toes, sing along or dance to live music provided by member-favorite Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive Band.
Take a stroll and locate a member of our Facebook Help Squad. Snap a selfie or pose for a picture with a SECO photo frame. Members who “like” SECO’s Facebook page and post a photo or comment during the Annual Meeting on our page are entered into a drawing for a $300 bill credit.
You must be present to win, so I hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
SECO CHAMPIONS – 400+ SECO EMPLOYEES
SECO’s 400+ employees are dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.
Thousands of members and guests join SECO Energy and its 400+ employees at our Annual Meetings. Members are surveyed about their Annual Meeting experience after the event, and they are not shy about sharing their feedback. Members enjoy the cooperative update, the breakfast biscuits and snacks, the live entertainment and learning about energy efficiency ideas at our Energy Showcase.
But hands-down, the highest-rated Annual Meeting experience is our members’ interactions with, and the hospitality provided by, our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Our group of hard working, local folks provide top-notch customer service to our members. Whether on the front lines or behind the scenes, SECO is proud of each employee and his/her work that helps pen our cooperative’s success stories – the stories of SECO Energy Champions.
Join us at our 81st Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23, to interact with our employees and enjoy SECO hospitality at its finest. See you there!
District 5 members gathered at Inverness Middle School on Thursday, February 21, to elect a member to represent their District on SECO’s Board of Trustees. The members elected Mr. Ray Vick who lives in Inverness and has been a SECO member since 1974. Mr. Vick was first elected to the Board in 1980.
SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members who reside in the District elect one of their fellow members to serve a three-year term on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership at large. The Board meets monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members.
In early February, Mr. Vick declared his continued willingness to serve the members in District 5 by submitting his letter of intent to run for Trustee. Joseph M. Judge of Inverness, Patricia A. Sandoval of Floral City and Chris L. Smith of Inverness also submitted letters of intent to run.
Trustee Vick stated, “Thank you, District 5 members, for re-electing me as your Trustee. I am humbly grateful for your long-standing trust in my service to SECO members. Serving on SECO’s Board is a rewarding experience, and I look forward to a new term.”
President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Vick, on your re-election as District 5 Trustee. SECO Energy is a fiscally responsible organization, and I know Mr. Vick takes his duties seriously in support of the members.”
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “First, I would like to thank the candidates from District 5 for their willingness to serve their fellow members on SECO’s Board of Trustees. It is gratifying to have such a strong show of support from members. Congratulations to Mr. Vick on his re-election.”
Duncan continued, “I hope members plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. We will be serving breakfast, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Members can visit the Energy Showcase for energy-efficiency displays, enjoy live entertainment and enter for the chance to win door prizes. The grand prizes this year are a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4-wheel drive with less than 60,000 miles, a golf cart, cash and more. Read the upcoming March edition of SECO News for a full list of all door prizes.”
Visit the Board of Trustees page to view a photo and brief bio of SECO’s Trustees along with a District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
SECO Energy is proud to announce it has earned the Tree Line USA Utility distinction from the Arbor Day Foundation. The cooperative has been named a Tree Line USA Utility for twelve consecutive years.
The Arbor Day Foundation created the Tree Line USA program to recognize public and private utilities for practices that protect and enhance America’s urban forests. A collaboration of the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, Tree Line USA promotes the dual goals of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community trees.
To be named a Tree Line USA Utility, SECO follows the Arbor Day Foundation’s standards that include quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education, tree-based energy conservation programs and participation in an annual Arbor Day celebration event.
SECO contracts with professional utility tree trimming services that employ trimmers who are specially trained to perform work near electric lines. SECO’s contractors prune trees according to International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) standards that maintain a healthy tree structure and appearance.
“Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Service providers like SECO Energy demonstrate that it’s possible for trees and utilities to co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens.”
CEO Jim Duncan is proud of SECO’s Vegetation Management team for their Tree Line USA recognition, stating “Congratulations to our Vegetation Management team for helping SECO earn its 12th consecutive Tree Line USA recognition. Reducing the potential for tree-caused outages and SECO’s commitment to member satisfaction is a delicate balance. Trees growing too close to power lines are a leading cause of power outages in our service area. Communicating with members about trimming near their property and following industry best practices for tree care promote healthy community trees while lowering the number of tree-caused outages and shortening outage duration.”
SECO encourages members to plant the right tree in the right place to reduce energy consumption and save on energy costs. To reduce cooling costs, plant deciduous trees to the south, southwest or west sides of structures to reduce heat from the summer sun. To reduce heating costs, plant evergreens and shrubs on the north and west sides of structures to block winds. Trees that grow to a mature height of over 40 feet should never be planted near power lines.
Learn more about landscaping to reduce energy costs or planting the right tree in the right place online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
January 2019’s average high was 68° and the average low was 48° – a couple of degrees warmer than last January. January’s average temperature was 58°, while January of 2018 had an average temperature of 56°. Rainfall for January of 2019 was 3.02 inches compared to last January at 3.68 inches.
Based on data from the Leesburg weather station, February’s average high will hit around 71° and the average low is 49°. Those averages may cause residents to run heating units overnight and to switch to cooling in the afternoons. Based on the current forecast, Central Florida residents will see some afternoon highs in the low to mid 80s in mid-February. That said, if you haven’t changed your HVAC filter since last year, now is a good time to do so. It’s also a good time to have a qualified technician perform a health check on your system – well before the heat of summer is upon us.
Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2018. For those with heat pumps, raise the thermostat setting no more than 1-2 degrees at a time when heating is being used to prevent back-up heat strips from operating. Heat strips can cost up to 5 times more per hour.
There were 27 cooling degree days and 250 heating degree days for January 2019, while last year there were 29 cooling degree days with 292 heating degree days. The Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler the average temperature at a particular location is than 65°F. In other words, if the average temperature is 60° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.
If you want to check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and 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. If you want a member of our Energy Services team to come to your home to perform a free energy audit, contact us today to book an appointment.
Congratulations to SECO Energy District 1 Trustee Scott Boyatt on his re-election. District 1 members gathered at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Clermont on Thursday, January 31, to elect a Trustee to represent their District on SECO’s Board. Mr. Boyatt lives in Clermont and has been a SECO member since 2004. Mr. Boyatt was first elected to the Board in 2013.
SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members who reside in the District elect one of their fellow members to serve on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.
Mr. Boyatt declared his continued willingness to serve the members in District 1 by submitting his letter of intent to run for Trustee. Elected Trustees serve a three-year term. Mr. Boyatt’s candidacy for District 1 Trustee was unopposed.
Trustee Boyatt stated, “I thank the District 1 members for pledging their continued support for me as their Trustee. After recently completing my Director Gold Credentials from the NRECA, I am looking forward to putting my enhanced skill set to work for not only District 1 members but SECO’s membership as a whole.”
President Jerry Hatfield stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Boyatt, on your re-election as District 1 Trustee. Mr. Boyatt is a valued member of SECO’s Board, and I look forward to working with him and my peers on behalf of our fellow SECO members.”
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Thank you, District 1 members, for joining us at your District Meeting and participating in the cooperative governance process. I congratulate Mr. Boyatt on his re-election and thank him for sharing his industry knowledge to support his fellow members. I am grateful for our Board’s fiduciary guidance and oversight, and their collective knowledge of the utility industry.”
Duncan continued, “I hope members plan to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23. We will be serving breakfast, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Members can visit the Energy Showcase for energy-efficiency displays, enjoy live entertainment and enter for the chance to win door prizes. The grand prizes this year are a refurbished 2009 Ford SuperCab 4-wheel drive with less than 60,000 miles, a golf cart, cash and many other prizes.”
Visit SECO’s Board of Trustees page to view a photo and brief bio of SECO’s Trustees along with a District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
When imagining “the old south,” you may have a mental image of large live oaks elegantly draped with Spanish moss.
Spanish moss, also known as Spanish beard, French hair, Graybeard and tree hair, is not actually part of the moss family. It is a bromeliad that clings to itself and dangles from tree limbs. It does not have roots and prefers warm climates with high humidity for absorption of nutrients from the air.
Spanish moss plays an important role in nature. Birds, insects, bats, frogs, lizards and snakes use Spanish moss to build nests. Trees are not harmed by dangling moss.
You may see Spanish moss hanging from communication and power lines. Small bits are usually harmless and no cause for concern. Large clumps can cause a power outage if moss touches more than one phase. If a large bundle of moss is engulfing poles or lines, send us an email or give us a call.
SECO Energy is an advocate for members who choose to reduce their utility-supplied power by purchasing their own systems. In fact, as of mid-January, 1,050 SECO members have interconnected with SECO’s facilities by installing a member-owned solar array.
SECO members considering a solar investment are often frustrated by the confusion about return on investment, less-than-reputable contractors and dishonest business practices. To help inform and protect our members, SECO has completed an enhancement and redesign of the Solar Power section of our website. Valuable information from a trusted source is now just a click away.
Our new online tools like the Solar Estimator can help you determine the reduction in utility-supplied power for a specific system size/orientation. The 10-step process and timeline to interconnect with SECO’s system is outlined. We provide answers to frequently asked questions, an explanation of net metering, a sample bill and other resources. We’ve published a comprehensive checklist and list of resources for vetting and selecting a contractor.
When visiting the website, carefully read through “Selecting Your System.” This section explains how to determine system size and the math behind member generation. You’ll find advantages and disadvantages of different panel and inverter types keep reading to find insurance requirements (Florida Administrative Code requires insurance for systems over 10kW).
Most important, the interconnection process and agreement is enhanced with an online application. Members and contractors will now establish login credentials and register to begin the process online. Contractors can register and help manage the interconnection process and agreement on behalf of their client.
At every step of the process toward interconnection with SECO’s facilities, members and contractors will be notified via email to provide updates. We’re leaping into 21st Century technology by incorporating electronic signatures and communications into our new system.
But wait! Before you take another step toward solar, contact SECO for a free solar audit. Our Energy Services Specialists will visit your home and use the Solar Pathfinder to determine the amount of sun your home receives. Our expert will assess your roof, note home orientation and measure obstructions that may block solar power production.
Before signing a contract with an installer, do your homework. Let SECO help you research any potential return on investment. The calculation must include the system investment, maintenance and the cost of utility-supplied power used at night, chilly early mornings or cloudy days.
Attend SECO’s 81st Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 23 for a live demonstration at our Solar Square. Gates open at 8 a.m. – join us for breakfast, snacks, live entertainment, gifts, the potential to win door prizes and top-notch hospitality of our local employees.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Meet SECO Champion Tony Shaw – an example of our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Tony is dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.
TONY SHAW – ENERGY SERVICES SPECIALIST
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 19 YEARS
“I make a difference.”
SECO Champion Tony Shaw is an Energy Services Specialist who is a subject matter expert on member-owned solar systems and energy-efficiency measures. As a Citrus County resident, he is often the SECO contact stationed in the Citrus County Emergency Operations Center during emergencies such as Hurricanes Irma and Matthew. Tony’s family has called Central Florida home for generations. He and his family enjoy fishing and golf, and he loves to spend time with his young grandson. Tony is proud that he helps members save money and reduce energy usage by conducting energy and solar audits. Tony is often out and about in the community offering energy-efficiency tips, providing money-saving ideas and sharing his knowledge of solar generation. Tony states, “People really trust and believe in SECO Energy as a company.”
FLORIDA SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has developed the Florida Special Needs Registry to allow residents with special needs to register with their local emergency management agency to receive assistance during a disaster. The statewide registry provides first responders with valuable information to prepare for disasters or other emergencies. The Special Needs Registry may help save your life. Visit the Florida Disaster website to locate your county and register.
SECO IS TOPS!
Thank you, SECO Members, for rating your not-for-profit electric cooperative top in customer satisfaction. SECO received an outstanding ACSI score of 89 in 2018! When comparing SECO to average ACSI scores in the energy industry – SECO is a clear Florida and national frontrunner. Nationally, cooperative utilities averaged 77 in 2018. Scores for municipal and investor-owned utilities both averaged slightly lower at 75.
MOVE OVER FOR SAFETY
Did you know that Florida law requires drivers to Move Over a lane – safely – for law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility vehicles, tow trucks and wreckers that are stopped on the roadside? Heed the law or pay a hefty fine – $100 to $500 (dependent on the county where cited) – and three points on your driving record.
If you can’t safely move over a lane – Slow Down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
In 2017, over 17,000 Move Over citations were issued in Florida– this includes 1,756 logged in SECO’s service area. There were 212 Move Over crashes in the state and 16 Move Over crashes in our area.
The fine will lighten your wallet and the points will damage your driving record. But the law is designed to protect defenseless roadside workers including SECO‘s line technicians. Let’s all Move Over and allow these folks to return home safely to their loved ones after a hard day’s work.
RIGHT TREE – RIGHT PLACE
Spring is just around the corner and many of us are looking forward to planting a new landscape. For energy efficiency and safety, plant the right tree in the right place and always call 811 Sunshine One-call (it’s free!) before you dig. 811 will arrange for the free service of locating and marking underground utilities.
Did you know the right landscape plan can greatly reduce your annual energy costs? Deciduous trees planted to the south, southwest or west side of buildings can provide shade that helps reduce cooling costs. Evergreen trees planted on the north and west sides help to block winter winds and reduce heating costs.
When planning, consider the tree’s height when fully grown. Trees growing too close to lines are a safety hazard to SECO field employees and the public. Trees touching lines can cause sparks, fires, power outages and shock hazards. Never plant tall oak, pine, sycamore or palm trees near power lines.
Planning the right landscape today can avoid problems in the future, especially where power lines are concerned.
