During our 2024 Annual Meeting, I gave update on SECO Energy’s system reliability, reviewing three key metrics that affirm our commitment to providing reliable electric service to almost half a million consumers:

• The System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI)
• The System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI)
• The Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI)

In 2023, SECO’s SAIDI measurement, or average time a consumer was without power, averaged only 64 minutes or just over an hour. To compare, the national average based on 2022 data for utilities, was five and a half hours.

SAIFI indicates the frequency of power interruptions per year. SECO’s average frequency dipped below one for the first time in our 85-year history. In practical terms, on average, SECO members experienced only one power outage. Nationally, compared to 2022 figures, consumers experienced an average of 1.43 interruptions annually.

CAIDI evaluates the duration it takes our talented and dedicated SECO crews to restore power following an outage notification. In 2023, SECO’s restoration time was 69 minutes, slightly over an hour. This is quite remarkable, considering the national average from 2022 was nearly four hours.

These metrics place SECO in the “Best in Class” category for reliability, a position we’ve upheld for years.

The foundation of these statistics lies in continuous maintenance and ongoing investments in our electric infrastructure. Our engineering and operations team adheres to a meticulous maintenance and inspection regimen covering substations, poles, and overhead and underground equipment.

Our proactive approach to vegetation management, which involves trimming trees along hundreds of miles of power lines and removing potential hazards, further safeguards our system against outages.

While these reliability measurements are impressive, our focus remains on improving our performance. Last year, we were spared from severe damage during hurricane season. As we continue into 2024, we will plan and act decisively in response to severe weather events to ensure our reliability remains intact and you, our members, are satisfied.

Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner, beginning on June 1. SECO Energy is StormReady and prepared for hurricanes, tropical storms, lightning, or the occasional outages experienced during our rainy summer. We ask you, too, to prepare for hurricane season, have a plan in place for your family, stock up early on hurricane supplies, and for those with a medical need for electricity, plan to have a backup power source or to seek shelter during a storm.

Best regards,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

SECO Energy believes in demonstrating our commitment to education and empowering the next wave of professionals in the energy sector. In fact, Education, Training, and Information is one of the Seven Cooperative Principles that SECO Energy holds dear as a not-for-profit cooperative.

Lake-Sumter State College, located just around the corner from our Sumterville headquarters, is one of Florida’s leading colleges that trains students who are interested in a future energy career. The College desperately needed new wooden utility poles for firsthand student training exercises.

SECO Energy stepped up in a big way by donating utility poles to the College. This is a game-changer for students who will be our future lineworkers of tomorrow. Through SECO’s pole donation, students participate in hands-on learning setting up, climbing, and replacing utility poles —skills crucial for success in the energy field. This opportunity bridges classroom learning and real-world application, preparing students for the future in a tangible way.

Read on to learn how you can have a hand in educating future Florida lineworkers by purchasing a “Thank a Lineman” license plate today. Enjoy the photos of students in action, getting a head start on their future careers, thanks to the donation of utility poles from SECO Energy to Lake- Sumter State College.

Over the years, many members have asked how to show appreciation to SECO Energy lineworkers and utility personnel who tirelessly restore power after natural disasters. One impactful way is ordering a “Thank a Lineman” license plate. This initiative, which gained approval from the Florida Legislature in 2020 after Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1135 into law, allows members to express their gratitude and support to all the thousands of Florida lineworkers and utility personnel.

Ordering this license plate is more than a gesture of thanks; it directly contributes to a significant cause. The proceeds assist a key recruitment partner for SECO Energy, supporting the next generation of utility workforce. Specifically, $25 from each sale funds scholarships for students enrolling in Electric Utility programs at Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC). According to LSSC’s website (www.lssc.edu), the college is ranked nationally among the top 150 Community Colleges. This opportunity uniquely honors lineworkers while investing in the education and future of those entering the utility workforce in Central Florida.

To reserve your plate today, visit www.ThankALineWorker.com or contact your local county tax collector’s office. Purchase avenues vary from county to county.

The actual “Thank a Lineman” license plates will be available once the pre-sale threshold is met.

EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2024, SECO Energy will implement several miscellaneous and lighting schedule fee adjustments detailed in the Cooperative’s Rate Tariff.

SECO Energy operates as a not-for-profit cooperative, structuring rates to cover operational costs rather than generate profits. Many of our posted miscellaneous fees have remained unchanged for over a decade. While we understand that any fee adjustment could affect our members, the miscellaneous fees added or changed will impact a small population and are designed to cover increased labor and material costs for specific services only.

TO REVIEW THE RATE TARIFF, visit SECOEnergy.com >Your Co-op > Rate Tariff. These adjustments are necessary to maintain the reliability and sustainability of service.

SECO Energy’s payment address for check payment processing is changing as of June 1, 2024.

The new payment address is:

SECO Energy

P.O. Box 70997

Charlotte, NC 28272-0997

Instead of writing a monthly check, consider enrolling in bank draft. With bank draft, your payment will draft on the due date. Bank draft will alleviate the worry of a missed payment, or late fee. Bank draft is the least expensive payment option. The Cooperative currently absorbs the convenience fees charged to SECO when a member pays using a credit or debit card. To enroll in bank draft, contact Member Services at CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com or enroll through SmartHub.

Read the full May 2024 SECO News.

Thank you to all who tuned in to our 2024 Annual Meeting and participated in your cooperative’s governance process! If you were unable to tune in live, watch the Annual Meeting video on SECOEnergy.com to see the list of 101 prize winners. The video is also available on YouTube and Facebook.

17,209 members voted on Annual Meeting business. Both the revisions to SECO Energy’s Bylaws pertaining to District Meetings and Trustee qualifications and the 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes were approved by the membership.

During the meeting, Board of Trustees President Gerald Anderson and I provided an update on SECO Energy’s successful 2023, specifically celebrating our 85th anniversary as an electric cooperative. This significant milestone represents decades of service, innovation, and community involvement that originated from a collective effort of rural households in 1938. Our journey has brought electricity to over 240,000 members and employment opportunities to Central Florida making 2023 a truly remarkable achievement.

In response to growth and the evolving energy landscape, SECO Energy introduced a new Strategy Map at the start of 2023. Our Mission steadfastly remains committed to providing reliable and innovative energy services and our Vision is to lead the industry in member satisfaction and engagement while becoming the preferred employer in our region. This strategic approach enables the Cooperative to focus on our core business, navigate industry changes and rising costs, operate more efficiently, enhance member engagement, and overcome labor and supply chain shortages.

In 2022, the SECO Energy Board of Trustees approved a multi-million-dollar investment in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) with plans to implement the technology across our service area. AMI is one of the most innovative services investments we can provide that will reach practically every member.

Reducing labor and contractor costs, identifying service anomalies, and almost instantaneous power outage detection make AMI a win for members and the Cooperative.

AMI allows us to connect and engage directly with you through the system’s ability to provide real insight into your home’s energy use. This technology is the first step for SECO to open the door to new ideas and innovations. Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems, or DERMS, will pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure. Soon, you will be able to enroll your smart devices, such as your thermostat, water heater, Wi-Fi-connected whole home generator, batteries, and electric vehicle, to connect with our DERMS provider.

We plan to incentivize members who take advantage of this newer technology that will help us consume less energy when demand is high. Watch for an announcement of the program launch in an upcoming edition of SECO News.

Best regards,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

If you missed this year’s Annual Meeting or didn’t win a prize, don’t worry – there’s a second chance to win. Simply head over to www.Facebook.com/SECOEnergy and play 2024 Annual Meeting trivia.

HERE ARE THE TEN PRIZES UP FOR GRABS:

• Two (2) $250 SECO Energy bill credits

• Three (3) $100 Amazon gift cards

• Five (5) $50 SECO Energy bill credits

HOW DO YOU PLAY? On SECO Energy’s 2024 Annual Meeting trivia Facebook post, answer these five questions in the comments section:

1. What anniversary milestone did SECO Energy commemorate in 2023?

2. What was SECO Energy’s 2023 ACSI score?

3. How many Trustee Districts make up the SECO Energy Board?

4. What was the total number of members served by SECO Energy by the end of 2023?

5. What does AMI stand for?

NEED SOME HELP FINDING THE ANSWERS? No problem! Visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Annual Member Meeting and watch the recorded virtual meeting. You can submit your answers by mail to SECO Energy, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585, or play online. Make sure to submit your answers before June 14th. Winners will be notified by June 21st. GOOD LUCK!

All members who voted on 2024 Annual Meeting business were eligible to win 1 of 101 prizes. To check and see if you’re one of the lucky winners, head over to SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-Op > Annual Member Meeting.

In case you missed out on the live feed of the Annual Meeting, you can watch the video posted on our website and YouTube channel. Don’t miss the chance to catch up on the latest updates and to find out if you’re among the fortunate prize recipients!

SECO Energy has been named a 2024 Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation for 17 years in a row. Tree Line USA recognizes public and private utilities that help to preserve and enhance America’s urban forests. Nationally, Tree Line USA fosters the coexistence of reliable and safely delivered electricity with communities that maintain healthy trees.

To earn the Tree Line USA designation, SECO Energy meets five program standards: quality tree care, providing yearly worker training in best tree care practices, sponsoring a tree planting and education program, maintaining a tree-based energy conservation program, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. Celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 26, by planting a tree. Be sure to call 811 before you dig and plant the tree away from overhead power lines.

SECO’s Surge MitiGator™ protection program takes the bite out of damaging spikes and surges, and you can too! Enroll in the Surge MitiGator™ program by June 30, 2024, for a chance to win one of three portable generators. Members in a current lease or have a previously purchased Surge MitiGator™ are automatically entered to win.

Scan the QR code or go to SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator™ and complete the web form to get started. We’ll pick a winner in April, May, and June.

The Surge MitiGator™ program provides a meter-based arrestor that acts as the first line of defense to block electrical disturbances from entering through the electric line before they damage appliances and lead to financial loss. Surges are often caused by lightning, vehicle accidents involving SECO Energy’s infrastructure, small animals, fallen trees, and other unforeseeable events.

Lease the Surge MitiGator™ for a monthly fee* of only $5.95 or purchase the protection for $349. Both options include a 15-year manufacturer warranty.

SECO Energy recommends installing point-of-use devices to provide additional protection for sensitive appliances inside the home. These can be purchased at most major home improvement stores.

*Plus tax and applicable installation fees.

April is National Safe Digging Month, which serves as an important reminder to always know what lies beneath before breaking ground on any outside projects requiring digging.

It’s alarming to note that every year, millions of dollars in property damage, personal injury, and even fatalities occur due to accidental digging into buried utility lines. Whether you’re planning to install a fence, plant a tree, or embark on a construction project, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to know what’s below to avoid potential hazards underground before digging.

HERE’S HOW THE PROCESS WORKS:

1. Plan Your Project. Gather specific information about your digging project, such as street address, type of project, and timeline.

2. Call 811 or Submit a Request Online at Sunshine811.com. It’s free and easy. You’ll receive a ticket number and a list of public utility companies that will be notified of your intent to dig.

3. Wait Two Full Business Days. Affected public utilities will be notified of your intent to dig and will dispatch someone to the approximate location of these underground facilities on your property.

4. Confirm Utility Responses and Marks. Before breaking ground, confirm that all utilities have responded to your request and marked the appropriate locations.

5. Dig Carefully. If digging within 24 inches from the outer edge of each marked facility can’t be avoided, consider moving your project location.

Ensuring your safety and the integrity of SECO Energy’s infrastructure remains the utmost priority. By following these steps and calling 811 before digging, you not only safeguard yourself but our entire community.

Let’s use this month as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing safety and ensuring that every digging project is approached with caution and foresight. Together, we can prevent accidents, protect infrastructure, and promote a safer environment for all.

Read the full April 2024 SECO News.