SECO News, May 2017
Duncan’s Digest – Storm Ready
Atlantic Hurricane season is just around the corner – beginning on June 1. The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises us to watch for tropical storm threats in mid-May, predicts a rainy summer and forecasts the possibility of hurricanes in September. Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology study was recently released and it calls for the number of named storms and hurricanes to be slightly below historical averages. Still, per NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division, the U.S. averages one to two hurricane landfalls each season, so we have to prepare even with a below average hurricane forecast.
“Storm Ready” isn’t just a slogan. We invest in and prepare for the worst, but hope and pray for the best. “Storm Ready” is using social media to update members about severe weather and its possible impact to our service area. “Storm Ready” is SECO’s System Operations Center that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “Storm Ready” means that Operations crews and support staff are available for restoration around-the-clock. “Storm Ready” means that local Call Centers and Member Service Centers are fully staffed to help you weather the storm.
SECO can help you get your family “Storm Ready” as well. Visit our website’s Storm Preparation section for an Emergency Checklist. Before inclement weather arrives, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center page on your smartphone or tablet in case you need to report a power outage, and update your primary contact phone number and email address through your online account (called SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com). “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the cooperative on Twitter for weather information and warnings.
It’s time to check your emergency kit – now. Make sure your supplies are fully stocked and that medicines, water and foodstuffs aren’t out-of-date. Remember, emergency supplies sell out quickly when storms and hurricanes are imminent.
During the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Florida Governor Rick Scott engaged with utility leaders collaboratively and encouraged us across the state to work together to restore all consumers’ power as quickly as possible. “Storm Ready” also applies to SECO’s willingness to lend a hand to assist our fellow cooperatives, as well as state municipal and investor-owned utilities when possible. In February, SECO assisted Clay Electric Cooperative when its members were affected by widespread outages due to a strong storm. Since SECO’s system held up well in that storm and the few members who experienced outages had their service restored the same day, the SECO team jumped into action and sent 20 employees to help restore power to Clay members.
Annual Meeting Recap
Attendance boomed at SECO Energy’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 25. Thousands of members, guests, vendors and VIPs enjoyed hot breakfast biscuits, sweet treats, energy efficiency displays, live entertainment, gifts and a chance to win grand prizes and various door prizes. Members received a copy of SECO’s 2016 Annual Report and a gift bag with two commemorative insulated steel tumblers. SECO and its wholesale power provider Seminole Electric distributed over 6,000 LED bulbs to members. Members visited SECO’s vendor-partners who were on hand to display their energy-saving products and services in the Energy Showcase.
Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive provided live entertainment, playing current country tunes and old favorites while members sang along and line danced. A special character, LED Lucy, brightened the day with her antics and smiles.
Members took home loads of door prizes. The grand prizes up for grabs were four cash prizes, a refurbished Dodge Dakota truck, and a refurbished electric golf cart.
This year’s grand prize winners are:
- Michael Niemiec from Inverness won the refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota truck.
- Lake Panasoffkee’s Shannon Jessup was the winner of the refurbished electric golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts.
- The Villages resident Edward Maffuccio was the happy winner of the $1,500 cash prize.
- Clark Smith from Webster won the $1,000 cash prize.
- Christine Bartow from The Villages and Edward James from Leesburg both won a $500 cash prize.
Congratulations to all winners, and thank you for attending the event. Mark your calendar, as next year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2018. Hope you can join us for our 80th Annual Meeting!
Save Energy, Save Money
Summer is almost here – set your HVAC thermostat at 78 or higher in the summer and always keep your fan setting on “Auto.” Invest in a programmable thermostat and save $180 annually per ENERGY STAR®.
Safety Corner – Downed Power Lines
Always assume overhead power lines are live and dangerous – even when lines and poles are downed during storms or accidents. Warn children to never touch a downed line with any part of their body or another object such as a stick or bat. Instruct children to leave the area immediately and call for help if they see a downed line.
Read the full May 2017 SECO News here.
