SECO Energy offices are closed on Friday, July 3 to celebrate America's 250th!
Phone: (352) 793-3801
July SECO News
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DEAR MEMBERS,
On Tuesday, May 26, SECO Energy celebrated the groundbreaking of our future Headquarters and Central Operations Center in Sumterville. This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in SECO’s nearly 90-year history and reflects our ongoing commitment to serving our members and the rapidly growing communities throughout Central Florida.
As one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation, our service area continues to welcome new families, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and industries.
To meet the increasing demand for reliable electric service, SECO Energy is investing in a new Corporate Headquarters and Central Operations Center in Sumter County. We will also break ground soon on new Operations Centers in Lake and Marion Counties, further strengthening our ability to serve members across our service territory.
The new facilities will enhance operational efficiency, support future growth, and provide our employees with the tools and resources needed to respond to outages, maintain our electric system, and deliver the high level of service our members expect.
As with every investment we make, member value remains at the forefront of our decision making. Investing in infrastructure is only one way SECO is preparing for the future. We are also empowering members to play an active role in managing energy costs through programs like Smart Connect. This voluntary program rewards members for reducing energy use during periods of peak demand by enrolling eligible smart thermostats, electric vehicle chargers and battery backup systems. By working together to manage energy use more efficiently, we can help control power supply cost and support the long-term reliability of the electric grid. Beyond improving our operations, these investments contribute to the strength of our local communities by supporting economic development, creating jobs and ensuring the reliable energy infrastructure that homes, businesses, healthcare facilities and emergency services depend on every day.
Members, thank you for your continued trust and support. The SECO team remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while planning the future needs of our membership. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to the many partners, local leaders and stakeholders whose collaboration has helped bring these new facility projects to life. To hear more about our facilities expansion projects, tune into our June episode of Power Chat – In the Electric Lounge: Building our Future, visit SECOEnergy.com/Podcasts or visit future.secoenergy.com. The future of SECO Energy is bright, and we look forward to serving you for many years to come.
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SECO Energy is beginning a system-wide transition from High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) area and streetlights to Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.
Over the next one to three years, existing HPS fixtures throughout SECO Energy's service area will be replaced with LED fixtures as part of a planned upgrade to maintain the reliability of the cooperative's lighting system.
LED lighting is more environmentally friendly and provides improved visibility and a more uniform distribution of light. Members may notice a difference in the appearance and color of the new lighting. LED fixtures produce a more uniform white light, while existing HPS fixtures emit a softer yellow light.
The transition will occur in phases, beginning with major roadways, high traffic corridors, and critical roadway segments, followed by residential streets and other lighting applications. SECO Energy's crews will coordinate the work to minimize disruption, and in most cases, fixture replacements will be completed without extended power interruptions.
Because manufacturers have reduced production of HPS fixtures, transitioning to LED technology is a practical and necessary step to ensure the continued reliability of SECO Energy's lighting system.
For members with existing HPS lighting, there will be no cost for the conversion to LED fixtures when the replacement is a likefor-like installation using the same fixture style and the same or similar lumen output.
No action is required for the standard conversion to occur. Requests for expedited replacements or changes to existing poles, fixtures, or lighting configurations may result in additional costs in accordance with SECO Energy's applicable tariffs, policies, and procedures.
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Dear Members,
As a member of SECO Energy's Board of Trustees, my fellow Trustees and I are committed to ensuring that the electricity our members depend on remains reliable, affordable and available when it is needed most. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, every decision we make is guided by what delivers the greatest value to our members.
One of the most effective ways to control costs and maintain system reliability is by reducing electricity use during peak-demand periods. During Florida’s hot summer months, air conditioning systems work harder and run longer to keep homes comfortable. As electricity demand increases across our service area, SECO’s wholesale power costs also rise. Managing demand during these peak periods helps control costs and strengthens the reliability of our electric grid.
That is why SECO Energy launched Smart Connect, a voluntary program that rewards members for helping reduce energy use when demand is at its highest. Through Smart Connect, members with eligible smart thermostats, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, or battery backup systems can earn bill credits while playing an active role in supporting grid reliability and reducing overall energy costs.
Members who enroll an eligible smart thermostat receive a $50 enrollment bill credit, providing immediate savings on their electric bill. Additional incentives are available through ongoing participation, creating ongoing value for members while helping reduce the wholesale power costs that ultimately affect all cooperative members. During peak demand events, Smart Connect makes brief automated adjustments to enrolled devices with minimal impact on comfort or convenience. While the adjustment for any one member may be small, the collective impact is significant. When thousands of members participate, we can reduce strain on the electric grid, lower power supply cost and strengthen the long-term reliability of our electric system that serves our communities.
Smart Connect demonstrates the power of cooperative membership in action. By choosing to participate, members help create a stronger, more resilient energy network that benefits the entire SECO community. Working together, we can better manage energy demand, help keep electricity costs affordable, and continue providing the reliable service our members expect.
BOARD MEETING DATES
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, July 27 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville.
A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
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