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Win a Truck and Enjoy Breakfast at March 19 Annual Meeting

SECO Energy invites members to its 2016 Annual Meeting of the membership on Saturday, March 19th. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Business Meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.

 

Come and join us for entertainment and breakfast – we are serving big breakfast biscuits with sausage, eggs and cheese, as well as coffee, soda, cookies and doughnuts.

 

“I want to personally invite all SECO members to the 2016 Annual Meeting,” said CEO Jim Duncan. “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, our owners are our members, meaning we are not focused on shareholders and profits. Every SECO employee concentrates on delivering reliable electric service, low rates and top-notch customer service for each member, and the Annual Meeting is a great way for our employees to showcase SECO’s hospitality, renew friendships and meet new members.”

 

Members who attend will receive several gifts and are eligible to enter the drawing for the grand prize, a refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota 4×4! The prize drawing begins after the conclusion of the Business Meeting; we have a lot of cash and door prizes, largely donated by local businesses who are SECO members, to give away. Winners must be present to claim their prizes.

 

2016 Annual Meeting, March 19

 

New for 2016, those who engage with us on social media at the meeting will be entered to win a special $300 electric bill credit awarded just before the Business Meeting begins. Members who “like” SECO Energy on Facebook and attend the meeting can win by uploading a photo to or commenting on our 2016 Annual Meeting status update. Interacting with SECO can have a big payoff, don’t forget to include #secoenergy or #secoselfie on your comments and photos. The SECO Energy Facebook Help Squad will be at the meeting to help you access the page and get started. Again, the randomly drawn winner of the bill credit must be present to claim the prize.

 

Visit our Energy Showcase in the big tent and browse our displays to discover ways to save energy and lower your electric bill. You’ll find displays that educate about safe landscaping for accessing electric equipment, locating underground facilities before digging, understanding our vegetation management program and more. Inside the Energy Showcase tent, members will also find a working solar demonstration display that includes a simple touchscreen solar estimator. Find out how to sign up for an online account, called SmartHub, at www.secoenergy.com. All members registered with SmartHub by May 15th will be eligible to win an iPad mini.

 

2016 Annual Meeting, March 19

 

Board President Ray Vick is looking forward to the meeting and stated, “Our employees and members appreciate this time to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Please join us to experience SECO’s world-class hospitality. Mr. Duncan and I will update the membership about the business side of SECO and a number of other issues that affect electric cooperatives. And, of course, the prizes are always the best part.”

 

For express registration, members should bring their ID, the official notice and a copy of a bill. The meeting takes place at our Sumterville Compound at 293 S. Hwy 301, across the street from our headquarters. Employees will be on hand to offer parking assistance and shuttle service. Gates open at 8:00 a.m.

 

SECO Scholarship Application Deadline is March 25th

SECO Energy would like to remind area high school seniors that there is still time to apply for $36,000 in scholarships. Completed applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25th.

 

Again this year, SECO Energy will award up to twelve $3,000 scholarships to deserving high school seniors from throughout its service territory. Applications are available on our website, at area high school guidance offices and at any of SECO’s customer service centers in Marion, Lake, Citrus and Sumter counties.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “As a parent, I know first-hand the expense of a college education and I am honored that SECO can help families alleviate that cost. At SECO and as a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are committed to the communities we serve by contributing to the education of our future leaders.”

 

SECO Scholarship Application Deadline is March 25th

 

To qualify, graduating high school seniors must reside in a home served by SECO and be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school by the end of 2016.

 

All applicants will be evaluated by an independent panel of educators from within the SECO service territory, and winners will be selected based on past and present school activities, community outreach, financial need and scholastic record.

 

SECO “Hot Bucks” are Hotter than Ever

Once again, SECO Energy’s “Hot Bucks” are hotter than ever. As of March 1st, SECO is lowering the cost of electricity again. Residential members will now pay $114.60 based on 1,000 kWh used, which is average residential usage in our area.

 

In the past 27 months, SECO has lowered electric rates a record seven times; this latest reduction equates to a 10.3% decrease over that timeframe. This decrease reinforces SECO’s commitment to keeping electric rates low for members. The reduction will appear on SECO bills under the line item “Hot Bucks.” The term refers to the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) portion of your bill.

 

SECO “Hot Bucks” are Hotter than Ever

 

Seminole Electric is SECO Energy’s wholesale power provider. SECO works closely with Seminole to ensure it offers our members the lowest rate we can; when the wholesale purchase price goes down, usually due to a reduction in fuel costs, SECO lowers the PCA and members see their bills decrease.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, when wholesale power costs are lower, SECO shares the savings with its members. Decreasing the current electric rate is a joint effort between SECO, Seminole Electric, and SECO’s employees. SECO employees and management work diligently to keep costs down and control expenses.

 

CEO Jim Duncan is pleased to announce this latest decrease, “We at SECO realize that many of our members carefully track their expenditures. Like our members, SECO carefully plans its expenses; we are mindful that controlling costs is beneficial for our members and the communities we serve.”

 

Duncan continued, “I believe SECO’s continued commitment to low electric rates is just one of the reasons why our members are satisfied with the service they receive from our cooperative. When our members open their electric bills, instead of being surprised by higher rates, they are continually pleased to see SECO’s cost of power falling.”

 

Currently, SECO is ranked by J.D. Power as highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the south. The latest rate decrease reinforces SECO’s position as one of the most affordable electric utilities in Central Florida.

 

SECO Members Hit by Bill Scam

SECO Energy is warning all members that another scam involving utility bills is in the works. SECO members have reported receiving calls or emails from an unknown company claiming that a new company is now their energy provider.

 

These unknown companies are offering members “clean energy” and requesting that payments be directed to them instead of SECO. Unfortunately, members realize that there is a problem when they receive a notice from SECO that their electric bill is unpaid.

 

Scam Alert

 

Be aware that any company claiming to be a new electric service provider instead of SECO is a scam. Please share this important information with friends and neighbors. Scammers may be trying to dupe consumers from other utility companies as well.

 

If you have questions about utility scams or have received a call or email that you believe is a scam, please contact us at 352-793-3801 or email customerservice@secoenergy.com.

 

Members can read SECO’s article “Liars, Scammers and Thieves-Oh My” in the December 2015 SECO news.

 

SECO Employee Named Sumter County Chamber Volunteer of the Year

SECO Energy is proud to announce that Ryon Meyers, Key Accounts Consultant, has been named Sumter County Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

 

Ryon has dedicated numerous hours to many different projects in support of the Sumter County Chamber. Each month, Ryon has set up tables, chairs, audio and video equipment as well as volunteered for clean up before and after all chamber luncheons. He has attended all quarterly signature events and delivered welcome packages to all new chamber members.

 

“I am so proud of Ryon,” stated Barbara Shaw, SECO’s Manager of Key Accounts & Energy Services. “It warms my heart to have employees on my team willing to dedicate their time to give back to our community. I am so pleased that Ryon’s contributions and hard work are recognized by the Sumter County Chamber.”

SECO Employee Named Sumter County Chamber Volunteer of the Year

Kathryn Gloria, SECO’s Vice President of Corporate Communications & Energy Services agrees, “I am humbled that many of our employees donate their time and talents to help others. As a not-for-profit cooperative, we support the communities we serve and our employees exemplify this through their willingness to lend a hand.”

 

Concern for Community is a key cooperative principle and SECO is proud that its employees take their personal time to volunteer within their communities. Recently, SECO employees have volunteered their time to United Way for the Day of Caring project in Marion County and pledged nearly $45,000 in donations to United Way for 2016.

 

SECO strives to be a good corporate citizen and partner to our members and the communities we serve. Our employees contribute countless hours of their free time in order to make a personal difference in their communities. Many SECO members also aid communities in need by agreeing to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These extra pennies make a difference for local communities’ one penny at a time.

 

Learn more about SECO’s corporate citizenship or its Pennies from Heaven program here.

SECO Employees Volunteer for United Way Day of Caring

On Saturday February 20, several SECO Energy employees and area high school students volunteered for the United Way Day of Caring project for Marion County at Children’s Home Society in downtown Ocala. The volunteers were led by Kathy Judkins, SECO’s Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable & Government Affairs and Madison Mahoney, Youth United Way Community Service Co-Chair.

 

Children’s Home Society assists thousands of Florida children and families each year. The organization offers adoption assistance, aids and recruits foster parents and provides counseling services to kids, teens and families in need.

 

SECO Employees Volunteer for United Way Day of Caring

 

SECO employees and other volunteers assisted in power washing the front of the house, the porch, and driveway. They also planted flowers, washed windows, trimmed hedges and cleaned the yard. The SECO employee volunteers include Tanya Mikeals, Vincent Thomas, Tracey Johnston, Roslyn Smith, Janica Beard, and Audra Guydeen.

 

Judkins’ has a very strong personal belief in giving back to the community and she is honored to work for a company that encourages employees to volunteer in the community. “I am so grateful that SECO not only encourages altruism among employees, but also facilitates opportunities to volunteer. My co-workers and I are thankful that we were able to help an organization like Children’s Home Society that does vital work for thousands of people throughout Florida,” said Judkins.

 

SECO Employees Volunteer for United Way Day of Caring

 

“On behalf of Children’s Home Society, I want to thank every volunteer who generously gave of their time and talent,” said Susan E. Reese, Administrative Supervisor. Reese added, “The volunteers did an awesome job on Saturday. They arrived ready, willing and able to take on these projects and the results of their hard work is very much appreciated.”

 

Concern for community is a key cooperative principle, and SECO Energy is dedicated to making a positive difference in the communities we serve.

 

Visit unitedway.org to learn about how you can be a part of United Way’s community of volunteers.

 

Supreme Court Puts Brakes on EPA “Clean Power Plan”

Yesterday, Tuesday, February 9, in a landmark 5-4 decision the United States Supreme Court halted implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) so-called “Clean Power Plan” until its legality can be reviewed in federal court. This pause in implementation is referred to as a “stay.”

 

“I can’t tell you how pleased I was to find out that the Supreme Court has put the brakes on this massive overreach of the EPA’s regulatory authority,” said SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan. “At SECO we always work to provide affordable and reliable electricity to our members. We needed the Clean Power Plan stay so that Seminole Electric Cooperative, our wholesale power provider, would not have to make premature compliance decisions that would harm the affordability and reliability of our electricity.”

 

“Seminole Electric Cooperative operates the Seminole Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant located in Palatka, Florida,” said Lisa Johnson, Seminole’s CEO and General Manager. “This power plant is responsible for more than half of the electricity that we generate and provide to members like SECO Energy. It is the most efficient coal-fired facility in the state of Florida, and has been rated by Power Magazine as one of the top coal-fired plants in the world. Seminole has also invested more than 530 million dollars in environmental control technology at the plant. Despite this, the Seminole Generating Station does not meet the emissions rate requirements of the Clean Power Plan.”

 

Lisa continued, “The Seminole Generating Station has a professionally rated useful life through 2045, and is financed through 2042. It employs more than 300 individuals in rural Putnam County, the poorest county in the state of Florida. The plant is also the largest property tax payer in the county. Had the stay not been granted, Seminole would have been forced to take immediate, costly, and irreversible steps to comply with the rule, including possibly reducing operations at the plant, or even closing it. If the plant were closed, rural Putnam county and the city of Palatka would be devastated. We would also have to pay for the plant through 2042. These costs would be borne by our members like SECO Energy.”

 

Supreme Court Puts Brakes on EPA “Clean Power Plan”

 
Last fall, SECO Energy, through Seminole Electric Cooperative and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to review and ultimately reject the Clean Power Plan. While the stay ruling is welcome news, it is not the end of the story. The underlying legal challenge on the rule itself continues, with a ruling from the D.C. Circuit court expected later this year, or early in 2017.

Regions Bank is a SECO Angel – giving $10,000 to Fund

Regions Bank has committed $10,000 over a four-year period to support SECO Energy’s Angel Fund – a financial assistance program. Recently, Regions Bank delivered a $2,500 check, demonstrating a strong commitment toward helping SECO Energy’s members and community.

 

Regions Bank Senior Vice President Tim Hamilton said, “Regions Bank is appreciative of its relationship with SECO Energy and happy to support those members who may find themselves challenged during unique, difficult times.”

 

“With this generous contribution, SECO is able to provide financial assistance to worthy causes throughout its service territory. The SECO Angel Fund, the organization’s corporate humanitarian initiative, has helped thousands of members who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. Contributions from the fund have given hope and comfort to members residing in the not-for-profit cooperative’s seven-county service territory,” said SECO Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable & Government Affairs Kathy Judkins.

 

The Angel Fund program was established many years ago to make a difference in our local community. SECO Energy Members enrolled in Pennies from Heaven have their monthly electric bill automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar. As an example, if a member’s bill is $67.72, he/she will pay $68.00. The extra 28 pennies go directly to the SECO Angel Fund. Every penny collected is distributed here in the local communities to benefit SECO members.

 

If you are a SECO member who would like to round up your electric bill to the nearest dollar to support our cooperative’s Pennies from Heaven program, enroll online or email customerservice@secoenergy.com to enroll. The extra pennies are used to provide support to local social service agencies that help SECO members with unique needs.

 

Requests for Angel Fund assistance are administered through several area agencies. These funds can be used to provide bill payment assistance in unusual circumstances or help for those in dire and unusual circumstances. Funds may be used to purchase emergency medical supplies, support charitable organizations, and fill a host of other needs in our local area. Any small administrative costs are absorbed by SECO Energy. Just a few pennies every month can change lives.

$36,000 in Scholarships Up For Grabs!

Central Florida, of course, is known as a haven for snowbirds but it might surprise you to know that 87 percent of SECO Energy members state that their SECO-served premise is their primary residence. It’s important to folks with kids and grandkids in this area that their loved ones have access to a quality education and good job prospects once they’re out of school.

 

SECO Energy is one of the largest employers in Sumter County and is the third largest electric cooperative in the state. CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Our utility is structured as a not-for-profit organization guided by the cooperative principles, so support for education and community needs are high priorities.”

 

The Board of Trustees recently approved the continuation of the SECO Energy Scholarship Program. Board President Ray Vick said, “The Board is proud to renew our commitment to the support of youth and continuing education in our community. These scholarships can be used for community college, a university or a technical/trade school, and we hope that some of these students have a career in their future at SECO Energy once they’re out of school.”

 

Applications for the 2016 program are now available at secoenergy.com, and graduating high school seniors are eligible to apply. Up to 12 hardworking seniors will each be selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship. To qualify, the student must live in a home served by SECO Energy, graduate from high school in 2016, and have proof of acceptance with a plan to be a full-time student in a university, accredited college or vocational/technical institute in 2016.

 

If you don’t have Internet access or a printer at home, application packets have been mailed to high school guidance counselors. Direct your student there or pick up an application from one of our five service center locations. Completed applications must be received by SECO Energy by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25th. If you have questions about the scholarship program, contact us via our website or call (352) 569-9561.