January 2023 temperatures ranged between the 20s and 80s in the same month. Temperatures dropped to as low as 26 degrees on January 15 (data from the Ocala KOCF weather station) in SECO Energy’s service area and highs climbed to 85.
The average temperature for January 2023 was 63 degrees, which was 1 degree lower than last month’s average. The average high was 74 degrees while the average low was 52 degrees. With the shifting temperatures from very cold to hot during the month, members may notice increased kilowatt hour (kWh) usage as they used both heating and cooling in their homes. The HVAC is the largest energy-user in Central Florida homes – accounting for 35 to 40% of kWh usage on average.
The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in January was 85 degrees and the lowest 35 – the highest daily recorded temperature in December was 83 degrees and the lowest 29. Rainfall in January 2023 was well below the average of 3.32 inches to measure only 1.22 inches.
February forecast:
Expect daily highs to reach the low 80s with lows in the mid-50s in February 2023. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter temperatures will be between 1 to 4 degrees below average, which has held true for the Winter 2023 season.
To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.
To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.
SECO Energy members who reside in District 6 re-elected Mike Muffett as the District 6 Trustee to serve on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The meeting was held in the District on Tuesday, January 31, at the Village View Community Church in Marion County for the purpose of electing a Trustee to represent District 6 on SECO’s Board of Trustees.
SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO’s service area is geographically divided into nine Districts. One Trustee is elected from each of the nine Districts to represent their fellow members on SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the membership at large.
Trustee Muffett submitted a letter of intent to run for Trustee and was unopposed in his candidacy. SECO’s Bylaws currently require that the cooperative hold District Meetings. Subsequently, Florida Statute requires SECO to hold in-person elections; therefore, the cooperative continues to hold District Meetings as a means of electing Trustees. A drive-thru voting option was available for members for added convenience, to encourage participation, to practice social distancing and to reduce the size of the indoor meeting.
A SECO member since 1984, Mr. Muffett was first elected to SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees in 2020. Trustee Muffett earned his Director Gold Credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The Director Gold Credential is the highest Trustee accreditation from the NRECA.
Trustee Muffett is grateful for the support of his fellow District 6 SECO Energy members. Mr. Muffett stated, “Thank you to all District 6 members who attended the District Meeting and participated in SECO Energy’s democratic voting process. I am grateful for the community support I have received from District 6 members and SECO’s membership as a whole. Serving my community through my SECO Energy Board of Trustees service is an honor.”
Board President Gerald Anderson stated, “Congratulations, Mr. Muffett, on your re-election as District 6 Trustee. Thank you to the District 6 members who attended the Meeting. On behalf of my fellow Board Officers and peers, we are excited to support SECO Energy’s Mission and Vision through our Board service.”
Curtis Wynn CEO stated, “Mr. Muffett, the Board of Trustees and the SECO Energy membership is thankful for your Board service as District 6 Trustee. I congratulate you on your re-election and look forward to working with you and the Board for continued success at SECO Energy.”
To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.
SECO Energy congratulates District 5 Trustee Shannon Wright on earning her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Earning the CCD is the initial step in the NRECA’s Director Education program that is designed to assist cooperative Trustees to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives.
To earn the CCD certification from the NRECA, directors/trustees complete five courses that focus on basic cooperative governance and the essential skills needed for cooperative directors/trustees. The CCD prepares directors/trustees to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials serving on behalf of their membership. Upon completion of the five CCD required courses, directors/trustees are awarded the Credential Cooperative Director Certificate.
SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operating for and owned by its members. SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees consists of members who live in SECO’s service area. They are elected to oversee the governance of the cooperative. Each Trustee on the Board is elected by the members who reside in his/her District. Collectively, the Trustees are responsible for establishing, reviewing and revising corporate policies to ensure that SECO continues to preserve reliable, affordable service for all members.
Trustee Wright welcomes the opportunity to expand her energy industry knowledge. Mrs. Wright stated, “I am excited to learn more about the electric cooperative business model and the energy industry through Director Certificate Program courses from the NRECA. Serving my fellow SECO Energy members, neighbors and my community through my Board of Trustees service is a rewarding experience. I am very thankful for the opportunity.”
SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn stated, “Congratulations, Mrs. Wright, on earning your Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, and taking the first steps on your continuing education path. Thank you for your community involvement and dedication to the SECO Energy membership through your Board service.”
To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.
SECO Energy mourns the passing of long-tenured District 9 Trustee, Mr. Jerry Hatfield, who served District 9 in Lake and Marion Counties in the Weirsdale, Umatilla and Paisley areas of SECO Energy’s service territory. Mr. Hatfield’s tenure on the Board of Trustees began in 2000 until 2021.
Mr. Hatfield’s daughter, Morgan Hatfield, who was elected to fill the District 9 Trustee seat in 2021 when her father decided not to seek re-election, informed SECO Energy of his passing on November 11, 2022. The cooperative extends its sincere condolences to Mr. Hatfield’s family and loved ones.
Mr. Hatfield played several pivotal roles as an elected Trustee serving as Board President for four years. He also served for nine years as Vice President and two years as Secretary/Treasurer. A committed member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Hatfield provided his insight and wisdom to his fellow Trustees and the executive leadership team for over two decades of service on the Board.
Board of Trustee President Gerald Anderson stated, “Jerry was a respected member of the Board of Trustees and represented his constituents and the membership as a whole with a servant leadership approach. He was full of energy and enthusiasm for his community and conducted the governance of SECO Energy with both head and heart. He will be dearly missed by his fellow Trustees, SECO Energy leadership and the many employees whose lives he touched over the years.”
SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn stated, “Mr. Hatfield was an educator, administrator and a friend and father figure to many. I’ve heard a number of stories about how he touched the lives of so many students and parents in the Lake County School District and also through his avid work with the Lake County Youth Fair program. He has left an indomitable mark on SECO Energy and the communities we serve with his adept leadership and compassionate heart.”
Mr. Hatfield was a longtime member of the Umatilla Kiwanis Club, served in the YMCA Indian Guides with his daughter Morgan in the Indian Princess Program and was a member of the 2005 Leadership Lake County class. He was also a strong supporter of the Lake County Fair.
SECO’s Board of Trustees represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the cooperative’s financial status while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the membership at large.
To learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.
SECO Energy is bracing for the heavy rains and winds pummeling its service territory when Hurricane Ian crosses Central Florida later Wednesday and Thursday. Currently, Hurricane Ian is a major Category 4 hurricane with maximum wind speeds of 155 mph – just 2 mph shy of being a Category 5 hurricane.
Hurricane Ian is situated in the Gulf of Mexico about 60 miles west of Naples. Based on the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast, the storm could lose strength before it makes landfall in the Charlotte Harbor area on the west coast of Florida Wednesday. As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the hurricane is slowly moving north northeast at 10 mph.
The latest track for Hurricane Ian has shifted slightly south. Residents along Florida’s west coast have been urged to evacuate the area. NHC forecasts heavy rains and flooding across Central and North Florida through Thursday. Hurricane Ian’s path is dangerously close to SECO Energy’s service area. Members will begin to experience gusty winds and large amounts of rain Wednesday afternoon as Ian closes in. Ian could potentially stall over Central Florida and dump rain through Friday. SECO members should prepare for extended power outages due to this major hurricane. SECO’s service territory will experience large amounts of rain, heavy winds, and the possibility of tornadoes and flash floods.
CEO Curtis Wynn stresses caution during Hurricane Ian’s impact. Wynn stated, “Hurricane Ian is an extremely large, dangerous hurricane that may devastate SECO Energy’s service area. I urge members to be prepared for heavy rains and high wind speeds. Be cautious, don’t approach downed power lines, stay informed about Hurricane Ian’s track, and prepare to hunker down at home or at a local shelter if needed. The potential for tornadoes after a hurricane is high.”
SECO Energy has closed its five Member Service Centers for the duration of Hurricane Ian so that all employees can focus on restoration efforts. SECO’s Emergency Restoration Plan determines the system’s restoration priority of each affected feeder. Essential services such as hospitals, shelters, schools and government agencies are the highest priority. Line repairs that will restore power to large groups of members are next, feeders that serve large commercial services and then individual electric services in less populated areas.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for all 67 Florida counties on Sunday, September 25. County Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Central Florida are monitoring Hurricane Ian’s impact. Schools have closed across Central Florida and shelters are opening. For a list of shelters including general, pet-friendly and special-needs visit FloridaDisaster.org. SECO members who require continuous electric service to power life-sustaining medical equipment should have a backup power source or relocate to a shelter. Once SECO Energy enacts its Emergency Response Plan and after Hurricane Ian passes through SECO’s area, members should visit the cooperative’s Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day.
StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.
Major weather events can cause extended power outages. SECO Energy reminds members to follow safety protocols when using a generator during a power outage. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) that is odorless and colorless. Thousands of people die each year from CO poisoning. Never operate a generator in an enclosed space, including a garage. Always place the generator at least 15 to 20 feet away from your home and never near open windows.
Before operating a generator, thoroughly read and review the owner’s manual. Never plug a generator directly into an electrical outlet. This current flow is deadly for utility personnel. Keep children away from an operating generator and store fuel in approved containers. Do not smoke while fueling a generator. Always operate a generator in a dry space. If it is raining, use a canopy or cover. SECO Energy’s Hurricane Handbook includes generator safety tips and how to prepare for before, during and after a storm.
“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > About.
Hurricane Ian’s current location on September 28, 2022. Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center.
July 2022 in Central Florida was extremely hot and especially soggy. The average temperature for the month was 84 degrees, which was 1 degree warmer than last month’s average. The average high was 93 degrees while the average low was 76 degrees.
The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in July was 96 degrees and the lowest 71 – the highest daily recorded temperature in June 2022 was 98 degrees and the lowest was 69. Rainfall was above average in July. The total precipitation for the month was 12.31 inches, well above the July average rainfall of 5.67 inches.
Daily high temperatures soared over 90 degrees most days in July – 29 days of the month the daily high temp reached 90 or higher. Expect daily highs to reach into the 90s for the rest of the summer and usually into October.
Atlantic hurricane season lasts through November 30. While the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team updated its 2022 Atlantic hurricane season forecast predicting well-above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity, the tropics have remained mostly clear early in the season. September is generally the most active month for hurricane and tropical storm activity. Have a plan in place for hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to prepare. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.
August forecast:
Daily high temperatures will reach into the 90s for most if not all of August 2022. Daily thunderstorms are forecast throughout the month.
With increased daily temperatures, HVAC use increases as well as energy consumption. The EIA calculates the highest amount of electricity consumed in the U.S. is attributed to HVAC use. For Floridians, HVAC use is a longer span (typically early spring to late fall) than in other parts of the country and runs more frequently. It is likely the highest energy user in your home. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer – every degree lower than 78 will increase your monthly bill by 6 to 8%.
To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.
To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.
SECO Energy is enhancing its longstanding Pennies from Heaven program in 2023. The current Pennies program provides bill payment assistance to members and funding for other local worthy causes. In 2023, the Pennies from Heaven “program” will change to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans’ initiatives and public safety.
The current Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. Contributions will be tax-deductible and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers.
Foundation dollars may assist in purchasing smart thermostats for those members who can’t afford one or other energy-efficiency improvements that lower consumption. These types of investments help members reduce energy usage – which leads to lower bills and reduces SECO Energy’s peak demand. A reduction in demand reduces SECO’s wholesale power bill, lowers costs for all members and decreases the need to build new power plants.
We’re revising the way members are enrolled in the program. See options to unenroll below if you choose not to participate. For those members already enrolled in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar – thank you! At year-end, you and your fellow members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation. Your bill will continue to be rounded up monthly, and the SECO Energy Foundation will devote the extra pennies toward initiatives like those listed above. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.
There are four convenient ways to unenroll. Just let us know by December 31, 2022.
1. Email Customer Service
2. Call 352-793-3801
3. Write to us at P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 ATTN: Corp Comm
4. Use the opt-out slip below and mail it with your bill
To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation before making your decision, read the SECO Energy Foundation Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for the initiative categories beginning January 4, 2023.
SECO Energy’s Chief Executive Officer Curtis Wynn breakfasted with the South Lake Chamber of Commerce and provided a company and energy industry update at its May 20 meeting held at the Clermont City Center. Mr. Wynn addressed local business owners and professionals who are integral to South Lake County’s population, commercial and industrial growth. Mr. Wynn provided the crowd with an update about SECO Energy and the current state of the energy industry.
Mr. Wynn was joined by SECO Energy senior leadership Tracy de Lemos, Deputy General Counsel; Gene Kanikovsky, CFO; and John LaSelva, Vice President of Reliability and Operations. Kathy Judkins, Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable & Government Relations also attended the meeting along with Manager of Key Accounts & Revenue Programs Jeff Light and Amanda Richardson, Manager of Corporate Communications and Energy Services. South Lake Board Chair Aimee Stanley introduced Mr. Wynn.
Mr. Wynn hosted SECO Energy’s 84th Annual Meeting virtually on March 24 and was eager to share the “state of the company” news in person with the South Lake Chamber members. The overview included a review of rising cost of capital, maintenance expenses and the rising natural gas market that are causing rate and fuel cost pressure for SECO Energy and its members. Supply chain issues were covered in detail, along with the labor shortage that is affecting so many businesses across the county, state and the nation.
Industry-related topics like solar energy, technology advancements in metering and electric vehicle potential were also part of Mr. Wynn’s presentation at the Chamber and during the Virtual Annual Meeting. To hear from Mr. Wynn and to win one of five prizes SECO Energy members can watch the 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting video and answer the question at SECOEnergy.com by clicking on the homepage banner. Enter before June 15 for a chance to win one of the following prizes:
• $500 SECO Energy bill credit
• $250 SECO Energy bill credit
• Nest Learning Thermostat
• HoneyWell Wi-Fi Thermostat
• 2021 Apple TV HD
“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.
SECO Energy’s Chief Executive Officer Curtis Wynn addressed the Tavares Chamber of Commerce at its April 27 meeting held at the Tavares Civic Center. Mr. Wynn spoke to local Tavares business owners and professionals to provide the crowd an update about SECO Energy and the current state of the energy industry.
Mr. Wynn was joined by SECO Energy’s District 9 Trustee Morgan Hatfield who represents east Lake County members and lives in Paisley. Mr. Wynn and Ms. Hatfield were introduced by Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable and Government Relations.
Mr. Wynn hosted SECO Energy’s 84th Annual Meeting virtually on March 24 and was eager to share the “state of the company” news in person with the Tavares Chamber members. The overview included a review of rising capital costs, maintenance expenses and the rising natural gas market that are affecting rate and fuel cost for SECO Energy and its members. Supply chain issues were covered in detail, along with the labor shortage that is affecting so many businesses across the county, state and the nation.
Industry-related topics like solar energy, technology advancements in metering and electric vehicle potential were also part of Mr. Wynn’s presentation at the Chamber and during the Virtual Annual Meeting. To hear from Mr. Wynn and to win one of five prizes SECO Energy members can watch the 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting video and answer the question at SECOEnergy.com by clicking on the homepage banner. Enter before June 15 for a chance to win one of the following prizes:
• $500 SECO Energy bill credit
• $250 SECO Energy bill credit
• Nest Learning Thermostat
• HoneyWell Wi-Fi Thermostat
• 2021 Apple TV HD
“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.
SECO Energy is celebrating its 2022 SECO Energy Scholarship Awardees. Each of the scholarship awardees receives $3,000 to advance his or her education. SECO Energy’s scholarship program was created to attract local, talented students who want to pursue a career in the energy industry and possible employment with SECO Energy in the future.
Awardees were required to meet eligibility criteria to qualify. To be awarded a scholarship, students must reside in a home served by SECO Energy and be a high school senior who is graduating in May/June of the current year. Awardees must be interested in pursuing a career in the energy field. He or she must also be seeking a degree in technology, engineering, math or business or seeking an electric-industry-related certification. Awardees must enroll full-time in an accredited Florida college, university or trade school by the end of 2022.
The 2022 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees are:
Jonathan Troy Duran Estrella – The Villages Charter High School
Paul Farrell – Life Learning Academy
Brandon Scott Gallmeyer – Tavares High School
Allyson Hicks – The Villages Charter High School
Caleb Nolan Littlefield – Homeschool
Kannon Matthew Pauling – Tavares High School
Jordan Kanyé Riche – Wildwood Middle High School
Marcial I. Rodriguez – Citrus High School
Allison Nicole Shields – Umatilla High School
CEO Curtis Wynn congratulated the 2022 SECO Energy Scholarship recipients. Mr. Wynn stated, “Congratulations, scholarship awardees, on your scholastic and community service achievements. I am impressed with each and every one of our awardees. Study diligently during the next step in your educational pursuits and you will go far in achieving the goals you have set for yourself and your career.”
Wynn continued, “I invite our scholarship awardees to put SECO Energy first on their list for paid internship opportunities while still in school and look to SECO as a place to begin their career in the energy industry. SECO Energy is a growing, dynamic, regional utility that will continue to require a skilled workforce. SECO has an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical and dental insurance, along with paid time off, 401k, employee-referral program and student loan reimbursement.”
SECO Energy is hiring! To view open positions, set up job alerts and submit an application online, visit the SECO Energy Careers page.
“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.
