Company News – Page 14

SECO News January 2022

Dear Members,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and SECO Energy, please join us in welcoming Curtis Wynn as our new CEO. Mr. Wynn takes the helm on January 4, stepping into Jim Duncan’s role as he retires after a distinguished 43-year SECO career.

Mr. Wynn’s energy industry career is rooted in Florida. From 1981 to 1997, he worked at West Florida Electric Cooperative. His tenure culminated there as Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development. Mr. Wynn has served as President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina. Roanoke is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that serves 14,500 metered accounts.

Mr. Wynn is married with three children. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems from Troy University. Based on his electric cooperative career that spans almost 42 years, SECO’s Board of Trustees expects that Mr. Wynn will continue Mr. Duncan’s legacy of success at SECO.

In reviewing his bio, Mr. Wynn’s resume reflects a long list of awards and accomplishments showing a history of supporting creative solutions that are turning the challenges of the energy industry evolution into major opportunities.

He also serves or has served on a variety of boards including: immediate past board president, National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA); past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative; board member, North Carolina’s Association of Electric Cooperatives; board member, Meridian Cooperative (formerly Southeastern Data Cooperative – SEDC); and past nominating committee member, CoBank.

SECO Energy provides electric service to 220,000+ homes and businesses across seven counties in Central Florida. SECO Energy is a three-time J.D. Power award-winning electric utility and is a front runner statewide and nationally with the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

Welcome, Mr. Wynn. We look forward to working with you and seeing our cooperative into the future supporting our strategic goal of providing affordable, reliable electric service.

Sincerely,

Richard Dennison

Board President and District 4 Trustee

Payment Mailing Address Change

For members who prefer to pay their monthly energy bill by mail, our payment mailing address has changed. The new payment address is:

SECO Energy

DEPT # 3035

PO BOX 11407

Birmingham, AL 35246-3035

This change is effective on January 1.

If you are considering a more modern and secure payment option in place of writing a paper check, visit SECOEnergy.com > My Account > 12 Ways to Pay. Using SmartHub, you can enroll in bank draft, schedule a credit/debit card payment or pay by e-check. SmartHub also allows you to opt-out of receiving a paper bill in favor of an eBill sent to your email address each month after your meter is read. This helps us keep rates low by saving time and money – both for you and SECO.

Pennies From Heaven Donates $3,485 To The American Cancer Society

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven Program donated $3,485 to help fight cancer. From October 1 through November 15, 2021, for every member who enrolled in our Surge MitiGator surge protection, your not-for-profit electric cooperative donated $5 from the Pennies from Heaven program to a local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

697 members enrolled resulting in donations totaling $3,485.

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with the Surge MitiGator. Power surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO poles, small animals, birds or fallen trees.

SECO’s made in the USA meter-based surge arrester reduces surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The Surge MitiGator has a beastly 15-year warranty and is designed to protect your home’s large-motor appliances. Household appliances and sensitive electronics such as televisions and computers can be damaged or destroyed by power surges and also require point-of-use devices for adequate protection.

You can lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus a $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included. To enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com > Surge MitiGator and complete the web form.

Second AMI Pilot

In 2014, SECO Energy engaged with a smart meter vendor in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) pilot project of about 1,200 meters. After the pilot, we installed 36,000 meters in our territory. Unfortunately, the product did not perform as expected. The meters and communications equipment were removed and returned to the vendor.

Since then, we’ve kept an eye on the market. In 2018, we conducted workshops with eight different major smart meter vendors. Each offered a slightly different product and provided varying performance expectations based on the type of communications systems their brand offered. Because SECO’s service territory is a mix of dense suburban areas, metropolitan areas and sparsely populated rural areas, we require a product that will perform in a variety of terrains. Several vendors offered to build a hybrid to accomplish that. Unfortunately, it comes with a hefty price tag. Thus, we decided to take small steps to determine what product is best for SECO.

Late in 2019, SECO announced a pilot project that replaced 6,200 outdated prepaid meters with Elster/Honeywell AMI meters that used Verizon 5G technology. The Board of Trustees recently approved an additional pilot project for a broader comparison and benchmark using Landis+Gyr technology. Both the Elster/Honeywell and the Landis+Gyr pilot projects will help us gain the experience of operating an AMI system.

AMI meters supply daily usage readings that will integrate with SECO’s online account management platform SmartHub. Through this SmartHub integration, members will have much more insight into their energy consumption and habits. AMI also has the potential to reduce labor costs and can expedite member requests for service reconnection or disconnection. Meter tampering and line loss can also often be identified using AMI. Immediate identification of outages is also a strong advantage of an AMI system. Distribution automation in an AMI system can improve power quality, optimize efficiency and provide comprehensive data for planning, engineering and maintenance.

To identify the strengths and weaknesses of both AMI products/vendors, SECO requires a test period that spans all seasons to glean the data and field experience in real-time. SECO can analyze the data gathered from both pilots once complete.

Technology is changing rapidly, and we must choose a product and vendor that will serve SECO into the future. AMI is likely one of the largest equipment and technology investments we will make in the coming decade. Watch SECO News for updates as we evaluate our pilots.

WINNERS CIRCLE

Engage with our virtual assistant Electra on the phone for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Winners who self-served using Electra are:

Joseph Hrytzay from Sorrento

Daizebel Ortiz from Tavares

Carol Bullock from Inverness

Conrad Penchion from Ocala

Joan McDonald from Lady Lake

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Irene Jaronczyk from The Villages. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section to learn more about the benefits of owning an EV.

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

Kelli Wilson from Ocala is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

William Barnes from Floral City is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Benjamin Mohr from Clermont is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Congratulations to our recent winners!

Read the full January 2022 SECO News online.

SECO Energy’s Pennies Program Donates $3,485 to the American Cancer Society

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program recently donated $3,485 to the American Cancer Society. From October 1 through November 15, for every new SECO Energy member who enrolled in SECO’s Surge MitiGator surge protection program, the not-for-profit electric cooperative pledged to donate $5 from the Pennies from Heaven program to a local chapter of the American Cancer Society. A total of 697 SECO members enrolled during that timeframe and resulted in a $3,485 donation.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. The organization is taking action to battle a disease that has affected millions. In the United States, 600,000 die of cancer each year. The organization funds and conducts cancer research, supports cancer patients, shares expert information and cancer prevention tips to help people live longer – and better. Learn how you can donate or volunteer at the American Cancer Society.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Thank you, members, who donated spare change to our Pennies from Heaven program. Those extra pennies allow SECO to contribute to worthy causes in our service area. While the vast majority of Pennies from Heaven funding is allocated for bill payment assistance and educational initiatives for our members, I am pleased that we can support our local American Cancer Society to help in the fight against cancer.”

Although the Pennies from Heaven fundraiser is over, members can still enroll in the surge protection program. Take the bite out damaging surges and spikes with the Surge MitiGator. Power surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into utility poles, small animals, birds or fallen trees.

Lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus a $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included. Visit our Surge MitiGator website section to learn more about the program, to read the warranty and to complete the web form to enroll.

The Pennies from Heaven program rounds up monthly SECO bills to the nearest dollar and uses the spare pennies to fund member bill payment assistance and local, worthy causes. Visit Pennies from Heaven and complete the web form to enroll. Conversely, members who need help paying their bill should visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the “Find Bill Payment Help” banner. Use the interactive map to locate a social service agency that receives Pennies from Heaven funding from SECO Energy.

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

Gresco Partnership Pays Capital Credits to SECO Energy

SECO Energy has a long-standing partnership with fellow not-for-profit cooperative Gresco Utility Supply that benefits SECO members in the form of Capital Credits. Gresco’s Senior Vice President of Supplier Relationships Todd McLellan presented CEO Jim Duncan with a check for $336,327 that represents SECO’s share of Gresco’s current Capital Credit retirement cycle.

Gresco Utility Supply was formed by 15 electric cooperatives in 1960. SECO Energy is one of Gresco’s member-owners and earns allocated margins annually from Gresco based on that year’s supply purchases. Gresco has grown from a small cooperative serving the southeastern region into a supply-chain partner with a diverse portfolio that includes products and services in lighting, tools, telecom, solar, EV charging stations and unmanned aircraft systems.

McLellan values SECO’s partnership with Gresco and stated, “SECO Energy is a valued partner of Gresco Utility Supply. We are thankful for our continued relationship with a large and fast-growing cooperative like SECO Energy. A cooperative principle is Cooperation among Cooperatives and is a foundation of both Gresco and SECO’s business models. Cooperatives doing business with other – like -minded cooperatives – makes sense.”

SECO Energy CEO Duncan stated, “Central Florida communities are growing at an astounding pace and SECO Energy is welcoming new members every day. Having a valued supply-chain partner like Gresco enables SECO to procure the construction material we need to meet the growing demand for new services. Gresco also aids in securing material needed to expand and upgrade SECO’s existing electric infrastructure. Gresco is our valued partner and we’re honored to be a member-owner of the cooperative.”

Gresco is SECO Energy’s premier supply partner. SECO Energy’s equity in the company is now over $12,776,000 million making it one of Gresco’s largest member-owners by equity.

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy also returns a portion of its margins in the form of Capital Credits to current and former members. With the Board of Trustees’ approval, current members received their Capital Credits retirement on their November billing statement.

To learn more about Capital Credits, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Capital Credits. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO News December 2021

Happy Trails, J.D.!

Dear Members,

I announced my retirement from SECO Energy earlier this year after 43 years of service. Time has flown, and this major life change is bittersweet and much more emotional than I’d ever anticipated. Much has changed over the last four decades, but growth has been the constant since our founding in 1938.

When I came onboard as SECO’s Finance Director in 1979, our meter count totaled 36,823. In my first CEO Report at the 1991 Annual Meeting, I reported our meter count increased to 66,000 – a 44 percent increase in membership. In 1999, we reached the 100,000-meter milestone.

At the end of 2017, we surpassed the milestone of energizing our 200,000th meter. As I write this farewell address, the company’s infrastructure value has just surpassed the $1 billion mark. The growth isn’t slowing down. In fact, The Villages recently earned the title as the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation over the last decade with a Sumter County growth rate of 39%. Lake and Marion counties’ growth rates continue to climb at 29% and 13%, respectively. That kind of growth is rare in a not-for-profit electric utility business model and it’s one of the milestones that I am most proud of as I take my last walk from the building on January 3.

Over the course of the four decades, our cooperative’s employee giving campaigns have raised more than $1 million for our local United Ways to improve quality of life for the members in our service territory. Our Pennies from Heaven program is a program whereby members enroll to have their bills rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra change is donated to the Pennies fund and the funds are used for bill payment assistance for our members and other worthy causes. The Pennies program has generated millions of dollars in our local area to help SECO members.

As a Marine, I’m proud that we annually support the Toys for Tots campaign. We are a company of employees who have made a difference in the lives of others through not only their financial generosity, but also in their commitment to ensuring that you receive the most reliable, affordable electric service possible.

Pinnacle examples of member satisfaction with our employees’ efforts are reflected in the three J.D Power awards we earned in 2015, 2016 and 2017. We’ve also been recognized by our members through increasing ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) ratings with a record-high 91 in 2020. We are both a statewide and national frontrunner in ASCI rankings.

I spent the last decade building a leadership team that has made it possible to reach these milestones under Board of Trustee leadership that supported our ability to meet the ever-growing demand for power with cost controls that preserve low rates for members. Over the last two years, the COVID challenge placed unprecedented strain on our ability to operate safely and efficiently but our employees persevered. Still, I am retiring at a time when supply chain challenges threaten utilities’ ability to keep up with a growing population of new residents and businesses that are moving to Florida for not only the lifestyle but the economic prosperity.

The incoming CEO-elect Curtis Wynn is supported by a leadership team and 400 employees who he can count on to help him continue the legacy. It has been my distinct pleasure and privilege to lead this company and the membership who deserve our commitment to affordable, reliable electric service and our StormReady approach during hurricane season.

We hold up under crisis and are the fastest utility to recover even when hurricanes sweep right through the middle of the state. I can’t begin to explain how proud I am to have been at the helm and this goodbye is the toughest thing I have had to muster in my career. Thank you for letting me spend 43 years of life in service to you and our employees. It’s been my honor.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains how to figure out cooling and heating degree days. To determine a cooling degree day, use the base temperature of 65 degrees. Every day the temperature reaches 65 degrees is a cooling day. For every degree over 65, adds one cooling degree. On a day that the mean temperature reaches 85 degrees, the cooling degrees would be 20.

To figure heating degree days, take the same base of 65 degrees, and subtract the mean daily temperature. For example, if a day’s high temperature was 50 degrees and the low was 40 degrees, the mean high is 45 degrees. This would give you 20 heating degree days.

Do you have cheimatophobia, frigophobia, or psychrophobia (fear of cold)? Be sure to read page 3 and schedule an HVAC service before winter temps arrive in Central Florida.

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE COLD – SCHEDULE A WINTER HVAC SERVICE

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter in Florida will be colder than usual. Prepare for the most frigid temperatures to begin in mid-December and continue into early February. Precipitation will also be above average.

With temperatures running colder than average, your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit may run longer this year than in previous years. Now is the time to schedule an HVAC service call with a licensed technician.

During a service call, the technician should thoroughly inspect your HVAC to ensure it’s in good running condition. The system may need to be cleaned or serviced. HVAC units that are serviced regularly function more efficiently and use less energy to heat (or cool) your home resulting in lower energy costs.

Preventative maintenance helps extend the life of your HVAC unit and avoid unexpected, costly repair bills. Complete at-home maintenance such as checking for leaks and removing dirt or debris away from external components proactively. Set a calendar reminder to change your unit’s air filter monthly or follow the manufacturer’s suggested filter change schedule.

For more energy-efficiency tools, visit our Energy Efficiency page. Our Home Energy Assessment is an online energy audit that provides energy-efficiency advice tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The Energy Estimator calculates the amount of energy used and associated costs for electronics, appliances and almost anything that uses electricity in your home. Submit with an email address to receive low-cost energy-efficiency tips specific to your home.

SECO ENERGY UNITED WAY PLEDGES REACH $1 MILLION

Since 2004, SECO Energy employees have participated in yearly employee-led United Way Pledge Drives to benefit our local communities. For the 2022 United Way Pledge Drive, our employees pledged $50,282.

With our 2022 pledge total, SECO employees’ total pledges have now surpassed the one-million-dollar milestone to reach $1,041,766!

Employees choose the county that receives their donations. Most of our employees live in Sumter, Lake, Marion and Citrus Counties.

Lake & Sumter Counties………………………………….$21,392
Marion County………………………………………………..$16,075
Citrus County……………………………………………………$7,043
Other Counties (listed below)……………………………$5,772
Gilchrist, Hernando, Levy, Orange, Pasco and Polk
TOTAL $50,282

Do you want to give back to your local community and have pennies to spare? Enroll in SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program and agree to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar each month. We donate the extra pennies for worthy causes in our service area or member bill payment assistance.

Enroll in Pennies from Heaven today and change lives. Visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-Op > Pennies from Heaven and complete the enrollment web form.

WINNERS CIRCLE

Engage with our virtual assistant Electra on the phone for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Winners who self-served using Electra are:

Claudia Bryce from Summerfield

James Burdick from Eustis

Ricardo Valdes from The Villages

Eileen Bennett from Clermont

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Gary Chevillet from The Villages.To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section to learn more about the benefits of owning an EV.

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

Daniel Cahya from Ocala is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Dean Woodle from Leesburg is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Juanita McLean from The Villages is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Congratulations to our recent winners!

Read the full December 2021 SECO News online.

SECO Energy Board of Trustees Selects New CEO

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees recently voted to hire a new CEO to step into the shoes of retiring CEO Jim Duncan, who led the cooperative as CEO for most of his long and distinguished 43-year tenure. SECO Energy currently provides electric service to 220,000 homes and businesses across seven counties in fast-growing Central Florida. SECO Energy is a J.D. Power award-winning electric utility and is a frontrunner statewide and nationally with the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

The candidate selected by the Board of Trustees from both internal executives and external applicants is Mr. Curtis Wynn who has been the President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina since 1997, a not-for-profit electric utility that serves 14,000 members. Prior to that, Mr. Wynn was the Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development from 1981 to 1997 at West Florida Electric Cooperative. Mr. Wynn steps in at SECO Energy in time to transition into Jim Duncan’s departure date of January 3, 2022.

Mr. Wynn is married with three children and is a graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration & Management Information Systems. With nearly 42 years of experience in the electric cooperative industry, Mr. Wynn’s resume reflects a long list of awards and accomplishments showing a history of supporting creative solutions that are turning the challenges of the energy industry evolution into major opportunities.

Mr. Wynn also serves or has served on a variety of boards including: immediate past board president, National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA); past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative; board member, North Carolina’s Association of Electric Cooperatives; board member, Meridian Cooperative (formerly Southeastern Data Cooperative – SEDC); and past nominating committee member, CoBank.

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated 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.

SECO Energy Board of Trustees President Richard Dennison stated, “Welcome, Mr. Wynn. Our expectation is that you continue the extremely successful legacy that CEO Jim Duncan nurtured throughout his career with SECO Energy and to see our cooperative into the future supporting our strategic goal of providing affordable, reliable electric service.”

To view brief bios of SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees and a District boundaries map, visit SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Board of Trustees. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Trustee Morgan Hatfield Earns Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees District 9 Trustee Morgan Hatfield has earned her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Achieving the CCD certificate is the initial step in the NRECA’s Director Education Program.

According to the NRECA, directors/trustees seeking the CCD certification must 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.

Trustee Hatfield is proud of her accomplishment in earning the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate through the NRECA. Ms. Hatfield stated, “I am proud to have completed the first part of the NRECA’s Director Education Program by completing my Credentialed Cooperative Director certification. It’s an honor to serve as the District 9 representative on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees, and I look forward to continuing my Board education through the NRECA.”

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Congratulations, Trustee Hatfield, on earning your Credentialed Cooperative Director Certification as a major part completing the NRECA’s Director Education Program. I am thankful for your Board service and willingness to serve as your District’s representative on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees.”

To view a brief bio of SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees and a District boundaries map, visit our Board of Trustees page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Recovers from Tropical Storm Elsa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECO Energy Braced for Tropical Storm Elsa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECO Energy Preparing for Tropical Storm Elsa

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

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

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

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

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

SECO News, July 2021

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

Dear Members,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

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

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

Pennies Change Lives

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Pennies from Heaven donations are not tax deductible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surgeo Loves Pets Donation Total

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

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

CITRUS COUNTY – $1,800

• Critterville Inc. $200

• Citrus County Animal Services$500

• Humane Society of Citrus County$500

• Precious Paws Rescue, Inc. $200

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

• Ziggy’s Haven Parrot Sanctuary$200

LAKE COUNTY – $3,405

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

• Florida Boxer Rescue $200

• From Trails To Happy Tails $200

• Hoffmeyer Animal Rescue $200

• Howey Horse Haven Rescue $200

• Humane Society of Lake County$1,000

• Lake County Animal Shelter $605

• Leesburg Humane Society $200

• Sugarloaf Mountain Ranch, Inc. $200

• The Animal League $200

• The Cat Protection Society $200

MARION COUNTY – $4,100

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

• Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary $200

• Forest Animal Rescue $200

• Front Range Equine Rescue $200

• Fur Kids Pet Rescue Inc. $200

• Humane Society of Marion County $1000

• Kindred Spirits Sanctuary $200

• Marion County Animal Services $500

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

• Pets in Distress Inc. $200

• Quality of Life Rehab and Foster $200

• Sheltering Hands $200

• SPCA of Marion County $200

• SPCA of Ocala $200

• Vocal (Voices of Change Animal League) $200

• Forest Animal Rescue $200

SUMTER COUNTY – $3,000

• Sumter County Animal Control $1,000

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

EV Charger Winner

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

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

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

Winners’ Circle

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

Winners Are:

Jan Chapple from Oxford

Jacquelyn Thomas from Eustis

Anna Hazel from Floral City

Byron Lowe from Ocala

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

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

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

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

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

Safety Corner – #MoveOverFL

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

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

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

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

Read the full July 2021 SECO News online.

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Archive

Home » Company News • SECO News

Dear Members,

Payment Mailing Address Change

Pennies From Heaven Donates $3,485 To The American Cancer Society

Second AMI Pilot

WINNERS CIRCLE

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE COLD – SCHEDULE A WINTER HVAC SERVICE

SECO ENERGY UNITED WAY PLEDGES REACH $1 MILLION

WINNERS CIRCLE

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

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Pennies Change Lives

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

Surgeo Loves Pets Donation Total

EV Charger Winner

Winners’ Circle

Safety Corner – #MoveOverFL

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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