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Category: Press Releases

SECO Monitoring Ever-changing Tropical Forecast

SECO Energy continues to monitor this week’s ever-changing tropical forecast on Monday. With the peak of Atlantic Hurricane season fast-approaching, SECO encourages members to pay close attention to tropical weather alerts.

 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to track Invest 92L also known as Disturbance 2. Invest 92L is located a couple of hundred miles north-northeast of the southern Bahamas and continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms extending toward Puerto Rico. Invest 92L is expected to continue moving west-northwestward at 15 to 20 miles per hour during the next few days.

 

Invest 92L’s current prediction cone encompasses all of Florida except for the panhandle. It is unlikely that Invest 92L will develop into a tropical storm or hurricane, but forecasters predict the system will bring rain and occasional gusty winds to SECO’s service area Thursday morning. Parts of SECO’s service area have been inundated with heavy amounts of rain and the ground is already wet. This saturation can lead to flooding and falling trees.

 

Forecasters are also watching Tropical Storm Harvey, which is breaking up near the Yucatan Peninsula and Disturbance 3, which has zero percent chance of cycle formation over the next five days.

 

SECO employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur. SECO is prepared for inclement weather and reminds members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

If you have a portable or backup generator, now is the time to test that it is running properly and you have an adequate supply of fuel on hand. Members can visit SECO’s storm preparation page for storm preparation tips and an emergency checklist. For members with smartphones or tablets, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center for easy outage reporting and updates.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being our members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting our area.

SECO Watching Tropical Disturbances in Atlantic Basin

SECO Energy is keeping a close watch on the tropical disturbances forming in the Atlantic Basin as of Friday afternoon. The peak of Atlantic Hurricane season begins in September and seas are churning.

 

Invest 92 has the greatest possibility of impacting SECO’s service area, possibly early next week. This system is currently located 600 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands and is moving west-northwestward at 20 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports the upper-level winds are becoming less favorable for cyclone formation, but there is still a 60% chance that a cyclone will form within five days.

 

Another system forming is Disturbance 2. According to the NHC, Disturbance 2 is located in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean, moving west-northwestward at 20 miles per hour and chance of cyclone formation is only 40%. Forecasters do not believe Disturbance 2 will threaten Florida.

 

Tropical Storm Harvey is tracking west to Central America and Mexico at 21 miles per hour, and will make landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula early Monday morning.

 

SECO employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur. SECO is prepared for inclement weather and reminds members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

If you have a portable or backup generator, now is the time to test that it is running properly and you have an adequate supply of fuel on hand. Members can visit SECO’s website for storm preparation tips and view an emergency checklist online. For members with smartphones or tablets, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center for easy outage reporting and updates.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being our members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting our area.

$2500 in Back-To-School Funds for Sumter County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, Sumter County School District is receiving $2,500 to enrich back-to-school activities in Sumter County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves almost 60,000 members in Sumter County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Key Accounts Consultant Ryon Meyers presented the $2,500 check to the Sumter County School Board during its board meeting on Tuesday. School Board President Richard Shirley graciously thanked SECO for its contribution to the District’s back-to-school events.

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Donates Trees to Marion County Women’s Shelter

SECO Energy enriches its commitment to local communities by donating trees and shrubs to The Shepherd’s LightHouse, Inc., a women’s shelter in Belleview dedicated to assisting single mothers and their children. The shelter is currently renovating and the trees and shrubs will be planted to beautify the grounds and create a homey atmosphere for the residents.

 

The Shepherd’s LightHouse is dedicated to helping people in need by providing transitional housing to single mothers and their children. The shelter provides a safe place for the residents to live while offering basic life skill classes tailored to the client’s needs, life coaching to help residents set future goals, transportation assistance to work or day care and computer access to help job-seekers connect with potential employers.

 

The Shepherd’s LightHouse is also a community resource center offering residents valuable, hands-on work experience by volunteering at the Shepherd’s LightHouse Thrift Store. The thrift store also offers volunteer opportunities, and accepts donations from the community to provide an income stream to the shelter. In addition, the LightHouse manages six reduced-rent apartments for struggling families. Last year, Shepherd’s LightHouse assisted 77 south Marion County families in various capacities.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, serving members in Marion County for almost 80 years, SECO Energy is a long-time supporter of local communities. SECO employees support local causes by volunteering their time and monetary support. Each year, SECO employees donate toys in our Christmas-time Toys for Tots drive and make generous contributions to United Way. Last year, SECO employees raised over $50,000 for United Way with over $13,000 slated for Marion County.”

 

Shepherd’s LightHouse Case Manager Theresa Chambers stated, “The Shepherd’s LightHouse is a direct service program structured to help mothers overcome negative life cycles and the barriers that keep her and her children from moving into an independent lifestyle. We are very grateful to SECO Energy for supporting the needs of mothers in south Marion County and thank them for the trees and shrubs. We are currently in the process of completing a renovation beautification project, and the trees and shrubs will enable us to add finishing touches to the project.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Tropical Storm Emily Heading to Central Florida

SECO Energy is monitoring Tropical Storm Emily as it passes through its service area today and Tuesday.

 

Tropical Storm Emily, formerly named Tropical Depression Six, formed off the coast of Tampa early Monday morning. The storm is heading east at 8 miles per hour and is expected to trek eastward across Central Florida today, impacting SECO’s service area.

 

The storm is predicted to produce heavy rains and winds less than 35 miles per hour. The forecast is still mostly uncertain, Tropical Storm Emily developed very quickly from a depression to a tropical storm overnight. The storm should make initial landfall near the Tampa Bay area.

 

The system is not expected to develop intensity and will be through Florida and into the Atlantic waters early Tuesday morning.

SECO Energy is Storm Ready, Tropical Storm Emily is predicted to produce heavy rains and winds less than 35 mph

 

SECO employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur from Tropical Storm Emily. Tropical Storm Emily will be the first storm to impact Central Florida during the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. SECO is prepared for the possibility of inclement weather and would like to remind members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

SECO offers storm preparation tips and an emergency checklist online. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being our members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting our area.

$500 in Back-To-School Funds for The Villages Charter School

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, The Villages Charter School is receiving $500 to enrich back-to-school activities for the school.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves over 45,000 members in The Villages, and we know the school will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Dr. Gary Lester and Dr. Randy McDaniel of The Villages Charter School Board gave a special recognition to SECO and our Board of Trustees member Richard Belles during Thursday’s Board Meeting.

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$1000 in Back-To-School Funds for Citrus County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, the Citrus County School District is receiving $1,000 to enrich back-to-school activities in Citrus County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves over 15,000 members in Citrus County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

$3000 in Back-To-School Funds for Marion County Schools

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is committed to supporting education in the school districts in its service area. As part of SECO’s new back-to-school initiative, Marion County Public Schools is receiving $3,000 to enrich back-to-school activities in Marion County.

 

The funds are intended to support events like back-to-school teacher luncheons, new teacher welcomes and training sessions. The funds can also be used to support back-to-school events for students and parents such as after school back-pack programs and school supplies needs.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO serves over 56,000 members in Marion County, and we know the school district will make good use of these funds for back-to-school programs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Central Florida for almost 80 years, SECO believes that supporting education creates strong community partnerships. SECO’s school support initiative is a positive step for education in our area.”

 

Education is a key cooperative principle, and SECO has long supported local students. For more than two decades, SECO has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. During this 20-year program, upwards of $500,000 was awarded to over 250 local students to help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

 

Energy Services Specialists from SECO Energy often visit with local students to spread the word about electrical safety, solar power and saving energy. Presentations and speakers are available for groups and civic clubs of all ages. These presentations are like an educational field trip that comes to the schools and saves the time and expense of running buses. Request a speaker and presentation online or call 352-793-3801.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s commitment to community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Energy Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction for the Third Straight Year by J.D. Power

SECO Energy ranks highest in customer satisfaction among all electric cooperatives nationally according to the J.D. Power 2017 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study released yesterday.

 

This latest J.D. Power award is the third consecutive J.D. Power award for the not-for-profit electric cooperative that serves seven counties in Central Florida. In 2015, SECO was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Midsize Utilities in the South.” This year and in 2016, SECO Energy was named “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Cooperatives.”

 

The J.D. Power study measures customer satisfaction with electric utility companies by examining six factors: power quality and reliability; price; billing and payment; corporate citizenship; communications; and customer service.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy employees are the best of the best – our employees are the true winners of any award the cooperative receives. A special thank you to our employees, senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. Our people are the heart of SECO, and they make a difference for our members. This year’s J.D. Power award is a tangible representation of how SECO members feel about the cooperative as a whole. I am beyond delighted with our company’s Triple Crown. I am grateful and humbled by the praise and goodwill from our members.”

 

The Board of Trustees President, Ray Vick is proud to be a long-time Board member. Vick stated, “Member satisfaction is a top priority at SECO. On behalf of the Board, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the employees for their dedication to our members and the cooperative. We couldn’t be prouder of you and your accomplishments.”

 

This third J.D. Power award culminates a decade-long effort to increase reliability, maintain low rates and provide world-class customer service. SECO’s score of 789 is a 20-point increase over its 2016 ranking. SECO is proud to retain its title as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Cooperatives.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy on our About SECO page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Celebrates NRECA’s 75th Anniversary

SECO Energy and its fellow electric cooperatives across the nation are teaming up to bring a tree to life at National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

 

SECO Energy’s Vegetation Management employees collected soil from its Sumterville headquarters and sent it to the NRECA. The NRECA will use the soil collected from SECO and its other electric cooperative members across to the country to plant a commemorative tree in honor of its 75th Anniversary.

 

The NRECA is the service organization for electric cooperatives, including SECO Energy, working to promote and support co-ops and be a champion for the cooperative business model. In the way that the NRECA and its member cooperatives nourish and support each other, the collected soil will used to nourish and support the 75th Anniversary commemorative tree.

 

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO is pleased to partner with our fellow electric cooperatives by sending a small piece of SECO to celebrate the NRECA’s 75th Anniversary. Collectively, NRECA’s electric cooperative members across the country are a strong, tight-knit unit of co-ops delivering safe, affordable electric service to over 42 million homes and businesses every day.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its cooperative roots. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.