Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

SECO News July 2022

Dear Members,

SECO Energy continues to deal with supply chain constraints due to the pandemic aftermath. Utilities across the state and the nation are experiencing shortages of raw materials, labor shortages, shipping delays and increased demand for utility products. We are challenged to procure transformers, PVC pipe, meter boxes and any equipment that relies on a microchip. This shift changes our business model to operating around the available materials. In fact, utilities across the state and the nation are feeling the strain of the supply chain issue. Learn more from the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association in its recent statement.

These constraints also result in increased cost of inventory and price escalation due to runaway inflation – which is at a 40-year high. In May, the price of natural gas hit a decade high $9 per million BTUs (British thermal units) and this significantly affects the cost of power SECO delivers to you from our wholesale provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative. Given the domestic and global events causing these market trends to continue, SECO must prepare to meet our business targets and member requests in an environment today that is extremely challenging.

We anticipate the continuation of cost increases and supply chain interruptions. Ultimately, these factors will result in our members paying more for their energy needs – just as we at SECO find ourselves paying more for the materials we buy to construct new services and maintain existing infrastructure.

Roughly 70 cents of every dollar SECO spends is to purchase power from Seminole. Members who read SECO News regularly and review their electric bill each month have seen a line item referred to as the PCA – or Power Cost Adjustment. This calculation allows SECO to adjust for the rise or fall of fuel costs in real time without formally adjusting the actual rate.

This is a common utility practice that prevents the over or under collection of funds from our members. The PCA factor was changed in April bringing our cost per thousand kilowatt hours from $121.00 to $128.05. Unfortunately, projections from Seminole require us to make yet another adjustment to the PCA – sooner rather than later.

The fuel cost adjustment was approved by the Board and takes effect on July 1 with an increase to $137.60 per thousand kilowatt hours consumed at the residential level. Know that utilities across the state and the nation for that matter are all in the same boat and are making fuel cost adjustments and raising rates.

Notwithstanding all of this, SECO will strive, as we always do, to minimize such impact on our members by keeping our rates as affordable as possible and making sure our rates remain competitive locally, regionally and nationally.

In a June report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), it forecasts the U.S. residential electricity price will average 14.6 cents/kWh between June and August 2022. SECO’s residential cost per kWh remains well below that and we’re hopeful we can hold that line through the remainder of the summer when members consume the most energy.

I realize that I’ve written to you largely about costs this month, but I want to close with the topic of reliability. Surveys show that the reliability of electric service is the most important driver of member satisfaction. Despite our collective current cost crunch, we continue to invest in expanding and maintaining our electric facilities throughout the entire service territory. With hurricane season upon us, I encourage you to view our System Improvement Map at SECOEnergy.com for Expansion and Reliability Projects to see where contractors and SECO Energy crews are working to enhance your experience as a SECO Energy member.

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Advice From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Summer Fishing Days

Cast a line, the fishing’s fine! The best fishing time is when fish are most active just after sunup and as the sun is going down and for an hour after. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, anglers should fish during the full moon period when tides are higher than average. Also, one hour before and one hour after the high tides in your favorite fishing spot is an ideal time. Another indication of a good fishing day is when the breeze comes from the west, and the water is still or only slightly rippled. Fishing with family or friends, or enjoying quiet time alone makes for a great day!

The best fishing days are between the new and full moon according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. This summer, drop your line between July 1 – 13, July 28 – August 11 and August 27 – September 10. Read Florida Fauna & Flora this month to learn about red snapper.

Summer Energy Efficiency Savings

The long, hot days of summer are here. The EIA calculates the highest amount of electricity consumed in the U.S. is attributed to HVAC use. For Floridians, HVAC use is a longer span (typically early spring to late fall) than in other parts of the country and runs more frequently. It is likely the highest energy user in your home.

Energy efficiency and reducing energy costs are hot topics, especially in the summer months. SECO Energy offers several online tools to help members understand their home usage and identify energy wasters.

The first stop is SmartHub, SECO’s online account platform. See past bills to compare last year’s usage with 2022’s usage – is it higher? Is it related to the weather? Visit our Sunshine State Stats in the Newsroom Blog to see how temperatures fluctuate and affect your bill.

Your next stop is our online Home Energy Assessment – a home energy audit you conduct from the comfort of home. Fill out the assessment based on your home’s specifics (construction type, roof age, amount of insulation, etc.) and lifestyle. Submit your answers to receive personal energy-savings advice tailored to the data you input in the Assessment. Implement our suggestions, and you’ll be on your way to consuming less energy – and saving money.

The Energy Estimator is an online tool that explores the math associated with your energy usage. The Estimator will calculate the estimated cost for each of your home’s appliances and electronics. Submit your email address to receive no-cost and low-cost energy-savings suggestions via email.

You’ll find these energy-efficiency tools and more energy-saving tips at SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions. Use our online tools today to save energy and money tomorrow.

Florida Fauna & Flora: Red Snapper

Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that Florida’s 2022 recreational red snapper season opened June 17 and runs consecutively through July 31. Visit myfwc.com for upcoming fall dates.

Red snapper in deeper waters tend to be redder than those caught in shallower waters. They have a long triangular face with the upper part sloping more strongly than the lower and earned the name snapper from their enlarged canine teeth.

Age wise, red snapper can live a long time—red snapper as old as 57 years have been reported in the Gulf of Mexico and can grow to 40 inches long and 50 pounds. Females are able to reproduce as early as age 2. Males and females spawn from May to October, depending on their location.

Red snapper feed on fish, shrimp, crab, worms, cephalopods (octopus or squid) and some plankton. Young red snapper are food for the large carnivorous fish that share their habitat, such as jacks, groupers, sharks, barracudas, and morays.

These fish are generally found at 30 to 620 feet deep in the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern coasts of North America, Central America, and northern South America. They are rare north of the Carolinas.

Read the full July 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News June 2022

Central Florida is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Nearly a quarter million people moved to Florida over the last 12 months. Historical data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the three largest counties SECO Energy serves (Lake, Marion and Sumter) posted impressive population gains over the last decade.

SECO now serves over 222,000 homes and businesses in our seven-county service territory. In 2021 alone, SECO added 5,770 accounts, and in March 2022, we broke a 15-year record for the highest number of new accounts established in a month. The growth positions SECO as the third-largest distribution electric cooperative in the state and the seventh largest in the country out of 800 not-for-profit cooperatives.

While this edition of Wynn’s Wire focuses on Lake County expansion and improvement projects reliability in every part of our service territory is a priority. Watch for upcoming Wynn’s Wire columns for updates on projects in the other counties we serve. Better yet, visit SECOEnergy.com today to view our System Reliability and Expansion Map to see what projects are occurring in your area right now.

In 2021, SECO welcomed 2,038 new services in Lake County. This accounts for 35% of our overall 2021 new meter count. With the population increase and growing demand for safe, affordable, reliable energy, I’m excited to share SECO’s system improvement projects that benefit the SECO members in Lake County. These electric infrastructure improvements and expansions will increase members’ service reliability and add redundancy for quicker outage restoration.

South Lake County is growing extraordinarily fast. The population in Clermont, Fruitland Park, Groveland and Minneola are increasing at some of the highest rates in the state. SECO has nearly completed a new power substation named Sawgrass to handle the growing load in the southern portion of Lake County. The substation is state-of-the-art and will be a part of an overall design to provide redundant power sources to the members throughout the region to further avoid lengthy outages.  

The design of the Sawgrass substation utilizes two Duke Energy transmission lines in a looped configuration serving both sides of SECO’s distribution lines in the substation. This redundancy increases reliability for the members served from the Clermont and the Sawgrass substations. This two-way loop increases the ability of crews to restore service to members served by both substations through distribution backfeeding.

Members served by our Clermont substation may remember the lengthy transmission outage in October 2019 that lasted for over eight hours. While this very impactful, non-storm-related outage was caused by a neighboring utility’s transmission line issue, we are extending our efforts to avoid a future recurrence of outages that are caused by others. We are totally committed to take steps to reduce outage time and increase reliability, regardless of the cause.

Another new Lake County development called Wellness Way will also require infrastructure expansion. This area’s master plan includes almost 16,000 homesites and an additional 11 million square feet of non-residential commercial space. SECO Energy is exploring a plan for these new facilities, with the ultimate goal of high reliability.

In other parts of Lake County, crews recently completed what we call a ‘voltage conversion’ of the Astatula and Deer Island substations. In this maintenance project, the voltage, or electric potential, was increased on every transformer on every feeder served. The increased electric potential accommodates growing energy demand and improves service reliability for members served by both substations. 

Next year, SECO is developing plans for even more expansions and upgrades in the Groveland area. As I mentioned previously, Groveland is one of the fast-growing small cities in Florida. Due to an increase in commercial and industrial load, SECO is also planning an expansion to the infrastructure serving the Christopher Ford Industrial Park.

I again encourage all members to read upcoming editions of Wynn’s Wire for updates on projects in the other counties we serve and visit SECOEnergy.com to view our System Reliability and Expansion Map to see what projects are occurring in your area.

The explosive growth we are seeing makes SECO Energy an exciting place to work. We are always looking for talented individuals to join us on our growth journey – and we’re hiring for a variety of positions. Visit “Careers” on SECOEnergy.com for a position with a career path and great benefits that may be perfect for you!

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Advice From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Summer 2022 Forecast

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts summer weather in Central Florida will be hot and dry. The forecast indicates the average temperature will be above average from June through September. Rainfall will be less than average until August, when rainfall is predicted to be 3 inches above average. Watch for thunderstorms throughout the season. In July and August, tropical storms are predicted in the southeast and deep south.

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. Supplies sell out quickly when a storm threatens our area. Stock up today and have your emergency essentials on hand. Download a copy of our Hurricane Handbook for a starting list of essentials and learn what to do before, during and after a storm.

2022 SECO Energy Scholarship Awardees

Join us in congratulating our 2022 SECO Energy scholarship awardees! The high school seniors who are seeking a future career in the energy industry have been awarded a $3,000 scholarship to put toward a college, university, trade or vocational school in Florida.

Jonathan Troy Duran Estrella The Villages Charter High School

Paul Farrell Learning Academy

Brandon Scott Gallmeyer Tavares High School

Allyson Hicks The Villages Charter High School

Caleb Nolan Littlefield Homeschool

Kannon Matthew Pauling Tavares High School

Jordan Kanyé Riche Wildwood Middle High School

Marcial I. Rodriguez Citrus High School

Allison Nicole Shields Umatilla High School

Great job, students! We hope our current and previous scholarship awardees will contact SECO Energy for internship and future career opportunities. SECO is hiring! To view open positions, set up job alerts and submit an application, visit Careers on SECOEnergy.com.

Tree Line USA 15 Years of Excellence

SECO Energy has been recognized as a Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation for 15 consecutive years. Tree Line USA recognizes public and private utilities that take part in activities that protect and enhance America’s urban forests. Tree Line USA promotes the coexistence of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community trees.

SECO Energy achieved five program standards to be recognized as a Tree Line USA utility: follow industry standards for quality tree care; provide annual worker training in best tree care practices; sponsor a tree planting and education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

2022 is the 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day, and the Arbor Day Foundation is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Since the Foundation’s beginnings, it has helped to plant and distribute almost 500 million trees in over 50 countries worldwide. Learn more about Arbor Day and its mission at arborday.org.

For tips on planting trees away from power lines and how trees can help reduce annual energy costs, visit Right Tree Right Place.

Read the full June 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News February 2022

Wynn’s Wire

Dear Members,

It is my distinct pleasure to be serving as your new SECO Energy CEO. My energy-industry career is rooted in Florida. From 1981 to 1997, I worked at West Florida Electric Cooperative. My tenure culminated there as Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development. After that, I served as President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina.

My wife Selene and I have three children. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems from Troy University. With an electric cooperative career that spans almost 42 years, I am honored to step into the shoes of your previous CEO Jim Duncan. Furthermore, I am grateful to SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees for its confidence in me in not only preserving Mr. Duncan’s legacy of success but also supporting the cooperative through immediate and long-term challenges involving supply chain, fast-changing technology, rapidly rising labor costs and other issues that can place cost pressure on a utility and its ratepayers.

In Board of Trustees President Richard Dennison’s column in last month’s SECO News, he humbled me by citing much of my past board service and history. That service and other energy-efficiency and community-partner projects are accomplishments that have prepared me for a very busy future at SECO, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, embracing an advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) and increasing our philanthropic outreach to help those in our community who are less fortunate and also to create energy-efficiency opportunities that lower our wholesale cost of power and help members save energy and money on their electric bills at the same time. My list is longer – but those items are my main objectives in the first portion of my tenure at SECO.

I’m excited about the future here in Central Florida, working at a fast-growing, not-for-profit cooperative that focuses on competitive rates and reliable service. Technology is key to our ability to maintain that focus, and I will be using SECO News, the website and social media to communicate our plans to you. I hope you like the name of the new CEO column (Wynn’s Wire was voted as a favorite name through an employee survey). The word “wire” has many different meanings and uses in our industry, but for our purposes – it is a line of communication to ensure we are serving your needs well.

Contact Us on our website if you have a member-service or billing-related question. We typically respond within two business days. If you have a specific question for me as the new CEO, you can click on the Management Team website section. Just hover over my photo and select the Contact button. Transparency is essential, and I want you to know I am accessible if needed.

Best regards,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Ready to brighten up your lawn for spring and attract butterflies, too? The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises that a natural fertilizer is best and to apply before it rains. Don’t cut grass too low during the summer. Taller grass resists drought. Invest in a sprinkler timer or a rain gauge to save water. Water your lawn in the early morning or evening. Reduce mowing by planting flowers and herbs that attract butterflies instead. Flowers and plants such as aster, bee balm, daylily, honeysuckle, lilac, and snapdragon will bring color to your yard. At the same time, dill, mint, oregano, and parsley can lure butterflies to visit and add flavor in the kitchen.

Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora to learn more about Florida’s state insect, the Zebra Butterfly.

MyWay PrePay Payment Fee Alert

For members enrolled in SECO Energy’s MyWay PrePay program, effective April 1, there will be a $3 fee for each transaction over five transactions in a 30-day calendar month. This fee affects only members who have a prepaid account type, and the reasoning is cost-conscious processing of payments. Members with a prepaid account are encouraged to self-manage through our online account manager SmartHub and closely watch their usage and prepaid balance.

The $3 fee for each transaction over five within a 30-day calendar month is applied to all payment processors that accept payment on a prepaid account. If you want to unenroll from the prepaid program, the account may be subject to a security deposit. Just reach out to us via our Customer Service email or select Contact Us on the website to start the discussion.

Agent-Assisted Payment Arrangement Fee Alert

On occasion, members request a payment arrangement to extend their billing due date. SECO has two automated tools (self-serve options) that make requesting an arrangement free, simple and convenient. Accounts must meet eligibility requirements.

By phone, call and speak to Electra, our automated IVR phone assistant. Call 3527933801 and say, “Payment Arrangement.” Electra can assist you 24/7, and there’s no need to speak to a member service rep. Also available 24/7, you can request a payment arrangement on our website. Log into SmartHub, click the Billing & Payments tab and choose the Payment Extensions option.

Effective April 1, there will be a $5 fee for members who request live agent assistance or an exception for repeat payment arrangements.

EV Charger Winner

The latest SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger winner is ARLEN COLBERT from TAVARES. 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.

Safety Corner – Electricity and Play Don’t Mix

Safety is our number one core value at SECO Energy. Electricity is naturally dangerous. Warn your children and grandchildren about the dangers of electricity inside and outside the home.

Indoors:

• Do not remove or play with outlet covers or switch plates.
• Invest in outlet plug covers in areas where young children can reach.
• Do not allow children to plug or unplug electrical cords.
• Do not allow children to use appliances such as toasters, crock pots, vacuums or hair dryers unattended.
• Repair or dispose of fraying extension cords. Children may handle and be injured.

Outdoors:

• Do not allow children to play on or near electric equipment.
• Never allow children to climb trees growing near overhead power lines. Call SECO, and we’ll inspect the trees to see if they need to be trimmed.
• Keep kites, balloons and toy planes far from overhead equipment.
• Do not enter or play near substations.

Protect the little ones in your life from the dangers of electricity. Children are curious and have active minds, quick legs and small hands and fingers. Learn more about how to be safe around electricity with our electrical safety tips on our website.

Read the full February 2022 SECO News online.

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 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 News November 2021

Just in time for the Christmas season, SECO Energy members are cashing in on Capital Credits. At the September Trustees’ Meeting, your Board approved another record-high Capital Credit retirement of $6.46 million to current and former members. Your Capital Credit retirement amount appears on your November billing statement.

SECO Energy was founded as Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. in 1938. Since then, the cooperative has regularly retired/returned a portion of the cooperative’s equity to current and former members. In our 83 years in business, we have retired almost $80 million to current and former members.

Capital Credits is a concept that is unique to not-for-profit, cooperatively structured businesses. I have often talked about the differences between being a customer of an investor-owned or a municipal utility versus a cooperative member. Capital Credits is one of those differences.

Your monthly energy purchases build patronage capital. You and your fellow 220,000+ cooperative members own a portion of SECO’s equity. Ownership is defined through the annual process of allocating each member’s share of the co-op’s margins from the prior year. Individual Capital Credit allocations represent the percentage of the yearly amount of electric service purchased by each member.

Capital Credits are the accumulation of all prior years’ revenues after the co-op’s operating costs and expenses are paid. These credits are allocated on a pro-rata basis to each SECO member’s account as Capital Credits. Annually, SECO examines the cooperative’s financial position and makes a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on the “retirement” of Capital Credits. This year’s $6.46 million retirement means SECO is returning a portion of the cooperative’s equity to current and former members.

Look for a line item labeled “Capital Credit Ret” on your November billing statement. Active commercial account members with retirements over $600 will receive a check. Former members who receive a retirement over $10 will receive a check. If you move out of SECO’s service area, keep your mailing address updated so we can mail future Capital Credit retirements to your new address.

In the latest figures from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), cooperatives power 56% of the nation’s landmass, including 2.7 million miles of electric distribution lines in 48 states. We are among over 900 electric distribution and generation and transmission cooperatives working together to maintain reliable, safe, affordable power to our local communities. That’s the cooperative difference.

SECO Energy members are more than just customers – they are owners as well. Thank you for your SECO Energy membership.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Watch the 2021 – 2022 winter skies for amazing views of faraway planets. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends watching for Venus at its most brilliant in the early evening hours during December. Look for Venus, the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter coming together as a group during the month. Mercury will make its brightest appearance during the holidays. Catch glimpses of Mars in early January next to the crescent moon in the early morning hours. In February, Mars will be a dim orange below a twinkling Venus in the predawn hours. 2022 promises a year filled with eclipses bringing excitement to the morning and nighttime skies!

While you’re out stargazing in the evenings, be on the lookout for nocturnal animals. Read more about red foxes that are active, nocturnal animals on page 4.

TOYS FOR TOTS

SECO Energy employees are playing Santa Claus again this year with our annual corporate Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive. Members are invited to join us in spreading Christmas cheer by donating a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. During November, our five Member Service Centers in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala or Sumterville serve as public drop-off locations.

For many years, SECO employees have been incredibly generous in supporting Toys for Tots. Friendly competition has sprung up between offices and departments to collect the most bikes, trikes and toys. To bolster our corporate giving, SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program has pledged a $5,000 donation this year to complement our employees’ Toys for Tots donations.

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program rounds up members’ bills to the nearest dollar. The donated pennies help members who need bill payment assistance or donations for local charitable causes such as Toys for Tots. If you would like to join your fellow cooperative members in making a difference in our communities one penny at a time, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Pennies from Heaven to enroll in the program. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Since 1947, Toys for Toys has been making a difference in the lives of families. Retired Marines and other volunteers operate Toys for Tots. Volunteers pick up donations and distribute the toys to children in need. All donated toys stay local and are distributed in the area they were donated.

Members who would like to register to receive toys donated through Toys for Tots can visit www.ToysforTots.org. Application dates vary by location.

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:

Leanna Hersey from Floral City

Linda Hodgson from Leesburg

Cherilyn Glass from Lady Lake

Conrad Penchion from Ocala

Phyllis Jones from Tavares

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Ann White from Inverness. 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

Jer-Shang Lin from Clermont is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Alexandra Betancourt from Mascotte is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Rebecca McCorkle from Bushnell is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Congratulations to William Heinmiller from Clermont and Mauricio Trinidad from The Villages are the two winners of our EV Virtual Video Showcase drawing! To view the video, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > EV Virtual Showcase. The winners’ names were drawn from the list of all members who entered.

Congratulations to our recent winners!

Our winner of the generator whose name was draw in September is Rosendo Orozco from Summerfield – drawn from the list of all members enrolled in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection program.

Read the full November 2021 SECO News online.

SECO News October 2021

Without question, your electric service is supported by an extensive, robust and well-maintained infrastructure that distributes power generated by our wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative. Like SECO Energy, Seminole is a not-for-profit cooperative owned collectively by nine Florida electric distribution cooperatives.

Each distribution co-op’s CEO serves on the Seminole Board – myself included. In addition, select Trustees from each distribution co-op’s board have seats on the Seminole Board. Our Trustee representatives on the Seminole Board are President and District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison and District 8 Trustee Bill James.

In late September 2017, Seminole announced its plan to build a new, natural gas-fired generating plant next to the existing Seminole Generating Station (SGS) facility in Putnam County. This new, highly efficient generation facility is currently named the Seminole Combined Cycle Facility or SCCF. The new generating capacity is approximately 1,050 megawatts (MW).

The new SCCF plant is on schedule and budget. The major components of the plant have been delivered to the site, and construction is 50% complete. Seminole projects the plant to be commercially operational in the fall of 2022. Construction has continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, with personnel ensuring that work moves forward safely.

When Seminole’s plan to build SCCF was first announced, the board decided to take the environmentally friendly step to shutter one of its coal-fired units at the SGS facility once construction of the new natural gas-fired plant is complete.

Seminole is also taking steps to add a higher mix of renewable energy into its fuel portfolio. The cooperative will add 300 MW of additional solar power to its fuel mix by entering into purchased power agreements. Removing the SGS coal-fired unit from service and the addition of the 300 MW of solar, Seminole projects that it will decrease its carbon dioxide emissions in 2024 by 48% from 2005 levels.

Florida’s population is growing. According to the U.S. Census, between 2010 and 2020, Florida’s population grew from 18.8 million to 21.5 million. The growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Sumter County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida.

In fact, The Villages recently earned the title as the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation over the last decade per new 2020 census data with a Sumter County growth rate of 39%. Lake and Marion counties’ growth rates continue to climb at 29% and 13%, respectively. Stocking ever-more-expensive and hard-to-procure construction material to build new and maintain existing electric infrastructure is daunting in today’s economic environment as we continue to feel the effects of the pandemic.

SECO Energy and Seminole must work together to plan for future energy supplies to meet the growing demand for safe, affordable energy.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

With winter fast approaching, Florida will soon be welcoming our human snowbirds and our annual aviary migrating snowbirds, too. Read on for interesting facts about avian migration from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Some migrating birds plump up for maximum energy in preparation for a long flight. In other birds, their reproductive organs shrink to trim excess weight while hemoglobin in their blood increases for aerobic efficiency. Other changes happen too. New feathers grow to improve flight efficiency; these feathers are often less colorful than the birds’ summer feathers. Every avian order has a long-distance migrator. No matter what time of the year, there are always birds on the move.

Read this month’s Florida Fauna and Flora to learn more about the American kestrel.

SURGE MITIGATOR HELPS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. You can help too by enrolling in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection product. From October 1 until November 15, for every new MitiGator lease or purchase, SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society.

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with our Surge MitiGator. Surges are often associated with lightning, but other causes are vehicles crashing into SECO poles, small animals and birds contacting SECO lines or falling trees. 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.

Our made in the USA meter-based surge arrester helps prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The 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.

October is breast cancer awareness month, so the timing is perfect to aid cancer research and support cancer patients by enrolling in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection product. To enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com.

AREA LIGHT OUT?

Report an area light outage or malfunction online through LightFinder on our StormCenter platform. Whether the light is always on, completely off or flickering, you can report the malfunction 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on weekends.

To report an area light issue, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and choose LightFinder. Enter the pole number or closest address in the search bar in the upper left. Each light is represented by a lightbulb icon. Green indicates the light is working, and a red icon is a light that has already been reported as malfunctioning. If the icon is orange, it has been repaired in the last 24 hours. Inactive lights are represented by a gray icon and a blue icon is a member-owned light.

Complete the short reporting form and submit your email address to receive updates about the light’s repair status. Most area light issues are repaired within 24 hours.

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:

Donna Vail from Ocala

Jennifer Mears from Webster

Richard Reddy from Deland

Jane Lomont from Clermont

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Harry Farrish from Minneola. 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

John Utegg from Ocala is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Stephanie Eck from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Susan Douglas from The Villages is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

William Guffey from Clermont is our final winner of a portable generator – drawn from the list of all members enrolled in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection program. Though our generator giveaway has concluded, from October 1 through November 15, for every new Surge MitiGator lease enrollment or purchase SECO will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society. To learn more or enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator.

Congratulations to our recent winners!

Read the full October 2021 SECO News online.

SECO News, August 2021

Duncan’s Digest – Enroll in Surge Protection – Win a Generator

Dear Members,

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team released an updated forecast for this year’s hurricane season. This team of experts has maintained its prediction that the Atlantic basin will have above-average storm activity this year, and has increased its forecast of the number of named storms anticipated this season.

Tropical Storm Elsa affected our service area on Tuesday, July 6, and Wednesday, July 7. Elsa became the first named hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season on July 2 when it reached Category 1 strength. Elsa was downgraded to a tropical storm as it passed over Cuba and the Florida Straits. For a short while, the storm lingered west of Tampa Bay and strengthened into a hurricane once again. Ultimately Elsa lost intensity and made landfall in Taylor County as a tropical storm on July 7.

SECO prepared for the worst. We brought in over 100 contract line and vegetation crews to assist in restoration from Tropical Storm Elsa. Overnight on the 6th and 7th, our system fared exceptionally well as Elsa’s rain bands soaked our service area and brought tornado watches, warnings and wind. During this time, we experienced no large substation or feeder outages. I commend our employees and contractors who rallied to assist in the effort by restoring outages quickly while working safely.

Tropical Storm Elsa was the first test of this year’s hurricane season, and we passed with flying colors. But it may be the first of many. That’s why it’s best to be prepared. Not only do we have hurricane season to contend with, but Florida has afternoon summer thunderstorms as well. These storms occur almost daily and bring heavy rain and lightning that can lead to power surges entering your home from the electric line and through the meter.

Surges are powerful increases in voltage that can destroy your home’s appliances and electronics. The Surge MitiGator is SECO’s meter-based surge arrester. It is designed to take the bite out of a surge. The MitiGator helps prevent high voltage spikes and surges before they damage appliances and cause financial loss. SECO installs the Surge MitiGator at the meter and the product carries a 15-year warranty. The arrester at the meter is the first step in protection. Point-of-use surge devices should be installed for a home’s electronics and other appliances that run on electric service. Purchase these at your local big box or hardware store. Install as directed.

The Surge MitiGator is available for lease for only $5.95 plus tax per month with a $25 installation fee. If you choose to purchase the product, the price ranges from $349 to $399, and installation is always free.

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator program (lease or purchase) for a chance to win a portable generator. We’ll pick a winner in both August and September. Read Winners’ Circle on page 4 for the July winner. Members in a current lease or prior purchase are already eligible to win. To enroll in the Surge MitiGator program, visit the Surge MitiGator page and fill out the web form. You can also call us at (352) 793-3801 or email Customer Service.

Living in Florida, the potential for tropical storms and hurricanes is a fact of life. I urge you to prepare in advance for the possibility of widespread power outages if a major storm affects our service area. Prepare your emergency supplies before forecasters put Central Florida in the cone of probability. Have a backup source of power if you require electricity for life-sustaining medical equipment. SECO is StormReady – you should be too.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Florida, with its copious sunshine and sub-tropical climate, provides the perfect environment for a backyard garden. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has advice for gardeners who love the hobby but have space, sun or other limitations. For small areas, use raised beds, vertical spaces or containers. A raised-bed garden can yield 10 times the amount as a same size in-ground garden. Another idea for small spaces is to use a trellis, cage or attach pots to fences. Short on sun? Most vegetables require 8 hours of sunlight to grow, but leafy greens grow well in partial shade. Garlic, peas, beets and radishes can grow in as little as 4 hours a day. If all else fails, use containers to grow your garden. Anything that will hold soil and has water drainage holes will work.

Turn to page 4 to read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora to learn more about the resurrection fern.

Energy Saving on a Budget

Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to be expensive. While buying new ENERGY STAR appliances or upgrading your home’s HVAC will reduce your home’s energy consumption, these items carry a hefty price tag. The no-cost and low-cost energy-saving ideas listed below will help reduce your energy usage without breaking the bank.

No-cost Energy-Efficiency Ideas:

• Wash clothes in cold water.

• Use the air-dry cycle on your dishwasher.

• Hang laundry outside to dry.

• Use natural light during the day.

• Turn off lights when leaving a room.

• Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn off when the room is vacant.

• Turn off bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans. These bring warm outside air inside.

• Turn off electronics like computers, printers and monitors when not in use.

• In summer, grill or use appliances such as crock pots, air fryers or microwaves instead of your oven.

Low-cost Energy-Efficiency Ideas:

• Invest in LEDs.

• Replace all filters monthly or according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Seal windows and doors with weatherstripping and/or caulk.

• Install window film to limit sunlight.

• Plant shade trees on the south, southwest and west sides of buildings for shade.

• Plant trees on the north and the west sides of buildings to block winds.

• Plant trees to shade driveways, sidewalks, patios and HVAC units.

• Use blinds or drapes during summer to limit sun exposure.

• Control outdoor lighting with a photocell or timer.

Want more energy-efficiency tips? Try our Home Energy Assessment — a complete online energy audit for your home. Submit your responses and email address to receive an email with energy-efficiency advice tailored to your home and lifestyle. To see the math behind your energy consumption, complete the Energy Estimator.

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:

John Bost from Ocala

Felica Grost from Inverness

Mark Damann from Morriston

Christian Oliver from Tavares

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Marc Crail from Mount Dora. 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

Kinilei Shewell from Clermont is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Jules Sigler from Ocala is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Jan Browning from The Villages is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Bryant Currier from The Villages is our first winner of a portable generator. We have two more to give away! For a chance to win, lease or purchase SECO’s Surge MitiGator product that protects your home’s appliances from damaging surges and spikes. To learn more or enroll, visit our Surge MitiGator page. Members in a current surge lease or prior purchase are automatically entered in the drawing to win.

Read the full August 2021 SECO News online.

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.

SECO News, June 2021

Duncan’s Digest – StormReady: Hurricane Season Warning

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1. SECO Energy uses a unique and well-tested response plan that stands ready when typical afternoon thunderstorms occur and when our service area is affected by tropical storms or hurricanes. SECO is StormReady, and I urge you and your family to prepare proactively for hurricane season.

All signs point to the potential for a very active hurricane season this year. In April, The Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) published its Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will have above-normal activity.

These experts predict there will be a total of seventeen named storms. Eight of these will develop into hurricanes and four of these will become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5).

Compared to the historical record between 1991 and 2020, the projections for this year are higher than average. During this period, the Atlantic hurricane season averaged fourteen named storms. Seven of these became hurricanes, with three developing into major hurricanes.

An above-average activity hurricane season was predicted for last year as well. The 2020 season broke records with thirty named storms. Frankly, we were extremely lucky that these storms veered away from Central Florida. Tropical Storm Eta in mid-November was the only named storm that directly affected SECO’s service area last year.

One tropical storm or hurricane spinning through our service area is all it takes to make this a memorable season for SECO Energy members and employees. Part of storm readiness is our commitment to storm hardening our electrical system – valued at about $1 billion. Annually, we replace aging distribution poles and install concrete transmission poles to replace older wooden poles. Our robust vegetation management program also plays a key storm readiness role with a goal of trimming vegetation back from the entire 12,000 miles of overhead line systemwide every five years.

If you or a family member rely on life-sustaining medical equipment and cannot be without power for an extended time, your home should have a secondary backup power source available. You may need to relocate to a shelter to wait out the storm in the event of an outage. As a start, register with the Florida Special Needs Registry at FloridaDisaster.org that provides local first responders with information about your needs.

SECO’s StormReady approach also includes our online StormCenter outage map and communications platform that is available 24/7 on your smartphone or tablet. Report an outage, view the outage map, check the status of a current outage and report an area light malfunction.

Enroll or update your outage notifications through StormCenter today. We’ll send you an email, text, voice message or all three when the system detects an outage affecting your service. You’ll receive a follow-up communication when the outage is restored. Visit StormCenter and click on the Manage Notifications tab.

It is critical to prepare before a storm arrives. Gather your emergency supplies early using this month’s Word Search on page 5. Supplies sell out quickly when a storm is approaching. Prepare your home in advance and make an emergency plan with your family.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Plan your summer fishing trips with The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s best fishing days. The sun, moon, tides and weather all affect fish activity. The best time of day to fish is when they are most active – fish often feed more in the early morning and late evening. It is believed that fish feed more during a full moon as well. This summer’s best fishing dates are June 10 – 24, July 9 – 23, August 8 – 22 and September 6 – 20. Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora to learn more about the sailfish, Florida’s state saltwater fish.

Safety Corner – Vehicle Accidents and Utility Lines

A report by the National Safety Council (NSC) finds that over 42,000 people died in vehicle crashes in 2020. This statistic is an increase of 8% from 2019. Most alarming is the number of miles driven last year was much lower than the year before.

In SECO Energy’s service area, 91 separate vehicle crashes occurred that involved utility poles or other infrastructure in 2020. These crashes alone interrupted electric service to over 31,000 accounts.

Accidents involving downed power lines are extremely dangerous. Always assumed downed lines are energized and dangerous – and can kill. Stay in the vehicle if possible. Inform the 911 dispatcher that power lines are down near the crash site.

If you smell smoke or the vehicle catches fire, follow these steps to safety:

• Open the vehicle door but do not touch exterior metal that may be energized.
• Jump clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet on the ground at the same time.
• Again, do not touch the metal on the vehicle while touching the ground.
• Walk in a shuffling motion or bunny hop to safety.

If you witness an accident involving downed lines near or on the vehicle, stay away from the car and its occupants and call 911 immediately. Try your best to get the occupants’ attention and warn them to stay in the car if safe to do so.

Share this information with your family – especially younger drivers. For more tips on how to be safe around electricity, visit our Electrical Safety section on our website.

EV Charger Winner

Paula Stewart from Tavares 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.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

2021 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Awardees

For decades, SECO Energy has awarded scholarships annually to deserving high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. Over the years, we have provided over $500,000 in scholarship funds to over 300 students to help fulfill their dreams.

This year, we awarded nine students interested in a career in the energy industry and planning to attend a Florida college, university or vocational/trade school.

Join us in congratulating our 2021 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees:

LEIGHTON LEE BAKER
Eustis High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study electrical engineering. Leighton took part in the Eustis High School swim team, robotics and debate club.

LANDEN CARTER
The Villages Charter High School: Seeks an AAS degree in electrical distribution technology from Lake-Sumter State College. Landen played baseball and enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family.

AUSTON CHISENHALL
South Lake High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study business. Auston likes to fish, and while in school, participated in baseball and business classes.

ASHLEY DELEZENNE
The Villages Charter High School: Majoring in finance at Stetson University. Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society and spends time tutoring and volunteering at sporting events.

SHANIA DELPINO-LITTLE
The Villages Charter High School: Will attend the University of South Florida and major in accounting. Shania served as Secretary of the Science National Honor Society Club, the Vice President of the Student Activities Club and is a member of the National Honor Society.

SEBASTIAN LOAIZA
Belleview High School: Will major in computer science at the University of South Florida. Sebastian plays soccer and is a member of the Interact Club and the Robotics Automation Design (RAD) Club.

MICHAEL M. MARVIN, JR.
The Villages Charter High School: Plans to complete the electrical lineman program at Northwest Lineman College. Michael attended advanced placement courses in high school and enjoys football and weightlifting.

BRENDAN SIMONS
The Villages Charter High School: Is attending Florida Atlantic University to major in business. Brendan played baseball and participated in the Engineering Club and Rho Khappa.

COLIN B. SORENSON
South Lake High School: Is majoring in biological sciences at Florida State University. While in high school, Colin played baseball, basketball and is a member of Business Professionals of America.

Good luck, students, in reaching your education and future career goals!

Emergency Supplies Word Search

SECO Energy is StormReady and stands prepared for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Gather the list of emergency supplies below. Have enough on hand for each person for at least three days.

Connect with Electra

We invite you to connect with our virtual assistant Electra through our easy-to-use interactive voice response phone system.

Electra can assist thousands of members at the same time. Without waiting for a live agent, Electra can help you check your balance, find billing due date, disconnect service, report a power outage or service problem, check the status of a current outage or complete a payment arrangement.

To reach out to Electra, give her a call at (352) 793-3801. This number takes the place of any local numbers to Member Service Centers that were previously used.

If you request to speak to a live agent and call volume is high, Electra can save your place in line and arrange a callback during our regular business hours.

Read the Winners’ Circle article below for our latest winners.

Winners’ Circle

Four lucky winners who have completed a call with Electra won a $25 gift card. Congratulations, winners!

Carmen Linzey from Wildwood

Angela Medina from Ocala

Audrey Reed from Howey-in-the-Hills

Nola Jenzen from Lady Lake

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

Jade Greene from Tavares is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Matthew Ketchum from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Judy Robertson from Lady Lake is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners.

Summer HVAC Check-Up

In Central Florida, the largest energy user in your home is the HVAC system. HVAC use accounts for about 35 to 40% of your energy use (energy.gov). Florida’s high humidity levels also make high temperatures feel hotter. Using a dehumidifier during the summer months and a humidifier in the colder months may increase your comfort level.

We recommend scheduling an HVAC check-up with a qualified technician annually. Preventative maintenance will help your unit to operate more efficiently. Yearly maintenance will also help you avoid unexpected and often costly repair bills. Change or check HVAC filters each month or as directed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Weather plays a significant role in your energy usage. Try the Home Energy Assessment for a complete online energy audit that is tailored to your home and lifestyle. Our Energy Estimator shows you the math behind your monthly kilowatt hour (kWh) usage. We publish a monthly weather blog called Sunshine State Stats on our website and social media. Find these tools and more energy-efficiency ideas on the Energy Solutions section of our website.

Read the full June 2021 SECO News online.

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Archive

Advice From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Summer Fishing Days

Summer Energy Efficiency Savings

Florida Fauna & Flora: Red Snapper

Advice From The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Summer 2022 Forecast

2022 SECO Energy Scholarship Awardees

Tree Line USA 15 Years of Excellence

Wynn’s Wire

Dear Members,

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

MyWay PrePay Payment Fee Alert

Agent-Assisted Payment Arrangement Fee Alert

EV Charger Winner

Safety Corner – Electricity and Play Don’t Mix

Indoors:

Outdoors:

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

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

TOYS FOR TOTS

WINNERS CIRCLE

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

SURGE MITIGATOR HELPS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

AREA LIGHT OUT?

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Duncan’s Digest – Enroll in Surge Protection – Win a Generator

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Energy Saving on a Budget

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

Duncan’s Digest – StormReady: Hurricane Season Warning

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Safety Corner – Vehicle Accidents and Utility Lines

EV Charger Winner

2021 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Awardees

Emergency Supplies Word Search

Connect with Electra

Winners’ Circle

Summer HVAC Check-Up

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

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