SECO Energy continues to monitor Hurricane Dorian’s uncertain track as it nears the Florida peninsula. Hurricane Dorian is now a Category 4 hurricane, but its track shifted to the east overnight. Forecasters predict Dorian may not make a Florida landfall. Instead it may travel along Florida’s east coast as a powerful CAT 3 or 4 hurricane, but hurricane-force winds extend for 30 miles and tropical storm force winds extend 105 miles. Even an off-coast path of a CAT 3 or 4 hurricane will impact SECO’s service territory – likely on Tuesday evening into Wednesday.
Major weather events often cause extended power outages. SECO Energy asks members using a generator to operate the equipment in a manner that promotes safety for yourself, SECO employees, its contractors and the public. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) that is odorless and colorless. Thousands of people die each year from CO poisoning. Never operate a generator in an enclosed space including a garage. Always place the generator at least 15 to 20 feet away from your home and never in proximity to open windows.
Before operating a generator, thoroughly read and review the owner’s manual. Never plug a generator directly into an electrical outlet. This current flow is deadly for utility personnel. Keep children away from an operating generator and store fuel in approved containers. Do not smoke while fueling a generator. Always operate a generator in a dry space. If it is raining, use a canopy or cover. Test it today before the wind and rain hit next week. SECO Energy’s new Hurricane Handbook includes generator safety tips and preparation for before, during and after a storm.
CEO Jim Duncan warns members to remain vigilant. Duncan stated, “Hurricane Dorian’s track has shifted slightly to the east; however, SECO Energy’s service area will experience the effects of Dorian. Members should prepare for tropical-storm force winds and more rain in an already wet summer. Saturated ground will cause trees to fall on lines and may topple poles. Stay away from downed lines. Our members should prepare for the possibility of widespread and lengthy outages. If Dorian does not stay further offshore, we expect that damage may be significant and the restoration process lengthy.”
StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. Once the hurricane has passed SECO’s area later next week, members should use our Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day. Click on the homepage banner to access the map.
Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.
SECO Energy is tracking Hurricane Dorian as it travels through the Atlantic toward Florida. Forecasters predict Dorian could increase to a CAT 3 or higher hurricane as it makes landfall on Florida’s east coast Monday evening into Tuesday morning.
During a major weather event with widespread damage and lengthy outage times, members often question restoration priorities. Utilities are required to first restore power to shelters, hospitals, schools and government agencies like emergency operations centers, fire stations, and law enforcement facilities. The next priority is large commercial accounts that provide food, water and damage-recovery supplies. After these priorities, SECO focuses on restoring the highest volume of members as quickly and safely as possible. Distribution feeders with the highest number of members served are first. Feeders with lower member counts and lateral lines in sparsely populated areas are last to be restored.
CEO Jim Duncan warns members to prepare for power outages from Hurricane Dorian. Duncan stated, “Hurricane Dorian is shaping up to be a very powerful Category 3 or higher hurricane at landfall. The track indicates that Dorian will travel directly over SECO Energy’s service area. Forecasters are still unsure how long the storm will linger over Florida. Prepare for widespread and lengthy power outages. Even with hundreds of additional contractors coming to engage in emergency restoration, the damage will likely be significant and the restoration process lengthy.”
SECO Energy is watching the progress of Hurricane Dorian as it makes its way closer to a Florida landfall. Forecasters predict that Dorian will make landfall as a CAT 3 or higher hurricane. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Dorian’s current sustained wind speeds are 110 mph and the system continues to move northwest at 12 mph. In less than 24 hours, Hurricane Dorian’s maximum sustained wind speeds increased 25 mph and is predicted to increase.
Models shifted to predict landfall closer to south Florida. The Bahama islands are currently under a Hurricane Watch. The likelihood of Hurricane Dorian impacting SECO Energy’s service territory is high.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28. County Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter County are monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s impact as well. Sandbag locations have been established in Lake and Marion County. Lake and Marion County have executed a local state of emergency.
StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. Once the hurricane has passed SECO’s area later next week, members should use our Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day. Visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the home page banner to access the map.
Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.
SECO Energy is watching Hurricane Dorian’s progress as it makes its way closer to a Florida landfall. Dorian traveled over Puerto Rico on Wednesday and quickly accelerated from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane. Forecasters predict the hurricane will make landfall as a CAT 3 or higher hurricane.
SECO Energy is watching the progress of Hurricane Dorian as it makes its way closer to a Florida landfall. Forecasters predict that Dorian will make landfall as a CAT 3 or higher hurricane. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Dorian’s current sustained wind speeds are 85 mph and the system continues to move northwest at 13 mph. Overnight Hurricane Dorian’s center became defined and the environment is favorable for significant strengthening. Models are trending slower and landfall predictions are mixed.
With a landfall between Daytona Beach and West Palm Beach between Monday night and Tuesday morning predicted as a CAT 3 or higher, SECO’s service area will begin experiencing tropical storm force winds Sunday night or Monday morning dependent on the speed of the storm. The likelihood of the storm impacting SECO Energy’s service territory is high.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28. County Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter County are monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s impact as well. Sandbag locations have been established in Lake and Marion County. Sumter County advises it will likely begin opening shelters on Saturday.
CEO Jim Duncan assures members that SECO Energy is prepared for Hurricane Dorian. Duncan stated, “We are closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s probable track and how it will affect our service territory. SECO is concerned that Hurricane Dorian will travel directly through our area as a major Category 2 or 3 hurricane. Pick up supplies before shelves are empty. Continue to watch Dorian’s track and prepare for the distinct possibility that you will lose power when Dorian enters Central Florida.”
StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.
SECO has designed a new Hurricane Handbook to help members prepare before, during and after a storm. The Hurricane Handbook is available online.
Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.
SECO Energy is preparing for the possibility that Tropical Storm Dorian will affect parts of its service territory. Forecasters predict Tropical Storm Dorian could make an east coast Florida landfall as early as late Sunday night and reach hurricane strength while traveling through the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Dorian’s current wind speeds are 60 mph and the system is moving northwest at 13 mph. The storm’s eye is predicted to travel across Puerto Rico on Thursday.
The models remain uncertain as to Dorian’s track as it approaches Florida. Current modeling suggests Dorian will remain on a northwestern path, drifting north along the coast before turning into Florida to make landfall near Daytona Beach or Jacksonville late Sunday night into early Monday morning. Tropical Storm Dorian could strengthen to a Category 2 or 3 hurricane before landfall. Predictions will continue to change after Dorian exits Puerto Rico on Friday.
SECO members will likely feel the effects of Tropical Storm Dorian Sunday evening into Monday. If Dorian strengthens over the warm Atlantic waters and takes a Florida turn, SECO members could experience tropical storm force winds and rain on Sunday and Monday. Tornadoes brewing from the tropical storm or hurricane force winds is a threat as well.
CEO Jim Duncan urges members to prepare for Dorian. Duncan stated, “Tropical Storm Dorian could impact SECO members as early as Sunday evening. Even though the models are still uncertain of Dorian’s ultimate path, take the time today and tomorrow to prepare your family and home for this storm. Watch the weather reports, prepare in advance for Dorian to make landfall in Florida and possibly strengthen to a hurricane.”
StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.
SECO has designed a new Hurricane Handbook to help members prepare before, during and after a storm. The Hurricane Handbook is available online.
Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.
SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Citrus County public school students with $1,000 to the county’s Education Foundation. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves.
The mission of the Citrus County Education Foundation is to provide resources to support the Citrus County School District to enhance the quality of education for present and future generations. The Foundation encourages business and community involvement, promotes creative and innovative educational programs and recognizes outstanding achievements of students and staff. Over 15,000 or 93 percent of Citrus County K-12 students benefit from the Foundation’s efforts.
The Education Foundation’s Executive Director Shaunda Burdette is thankful for SECO Energy’s community involvement. Burdette stated, “We are so grateful for the partnership of SECO Energy. Through its support, the Citrus County Education Foundation is able to assist in providing students with the tools they need to succeed. SECO’s generosity is truly making an impact in the lives of our children and our future.”
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy is honored to support Citrus County students through its back-to-school program’s contribution to the Citrus County Education Foundation. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO believes an investment in education is a benefit to all of our members. In Citrus County, we serve over 15,000 homes and businesses. Teachers are an invaluable community asset, they enrich our communities by educating our future leaders and as a benefit to SECO, possibly our future employees.”
Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities on our Community page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Lake County public school students with $3,500 to the county’s Educational Foundation. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves. The Foundation will use the funds for its ACT Prep Program.
The Educational Foundation of Lake County piloted the ACT Prep Program at Leesburg High School six years ago and it is now funded at six Lake County high schools. To graduate, high school students must pass the state-mandated tenth grade reading assessment. 413 students in the 2020 class are in jeopardy of not graduating because they did not pass the assessment. The ACT program helps these students bolster their reading skills. Students have a second chance to graduate by earning an acceptable concordance score on the ACT or SAT.
The ACT program is incredibly successful. 76 to 83 percent of students who complete the program are able to graduate on time. Two years ago, the graduation rate in Lake County was 74 percent. School administrators believe the 2020 graduating percentage will increase to 88 percent. Much of this increase is attributed to the ACT Reading Prep Program.
The Education Foundation’s Community Outreach Liaison Audra Dick is thankful for SECO’s valued partnership. Dick stated, “SECO Energy’s investment in the Educational Foundation of Lake County’s ACT Prep Program will give 413 students a chance to walk across the stage in May of 2020, diploma in hand.”
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy is honored to support Lake County students through its back-to-school program’s contribution to the Educational Foundation of Lake County. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO believes an investment in education is a benefit to all of our members. In Lake County, we serve over 65,000 homes and businesses. Teachers are an invaluable community asset, they enrich our communities by educating our future leaders and as a benefit to SECO, possibly our future employees.”
Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities on our Community page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
SECO Energy’s back-to-school program allocated Marion County public school students with $3,000 to the county’s Public Education Foundation. As a not-for-profit local electric cooperative, SECO believes in supporting the communities it serves. The Foundation will use the funds to purchase school supplies for the Tools 4 Teaching program.
Tools 4 Teaching provides much-needed school supplies to Marion County public school students and teachers. Since 2009, Tools 4 Teaching has accepted unused school supplies from local businesses and organizations and put them to good use in Marion County classrooms. Teachers can shop once a month for paper, pens, pencils and other supplies needed for their classrooms.
The Public Education Foundation’s Executive Director Judi Zanetti is thankful for SECO Energy’s contribution. Zanetti stated, “Nearly 75% of Marion County students cannot afford lunch, let alone school supplies. During the 2018-2019 school year, Tools 4 Teaching had 7,079 teacher shopping visits and provided over $900,000 in free school supplies to teachers for their students in need. It is only with the support of organizations such as SECO Energy that the shelves are able to stay stocked with supplies. Together we can make sure all students have the tools necessary for success.”
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy is honored to support Marion County students through its back-to-school program’s contribution to the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO believes an investment in education is a benefit to all of our members. In Marion County, we serve over 60,000 homes and businesses. Teachers are an invaluable community asset, they enrich our communities by educating our future leaders and as a benefit to SECO, possibly our future employees.”
Tools 4 Teaching accepts donated school supplies and monetary funding. Donate to the Public Education Foundation of Marion County online.
Learn more about SECO Energy and its efforts to support education and local communities on our Community page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
SECO Energy is calling for artwork submissions for its Kids’ Coloring Contest to be featured in the cooperative’s 2020 SECO Energy Calendar. SECO will choose 13 creative, colorful drawings that depict Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency.
The 13 chosen artists will have his or her artwork, photo and name published in next year’s calendar. Each winner will be awarded a $100 prize. The artwork submission form is available on our Contact Us page. Look for the Kids’ Coloring Contest submission form link. Print and complete the submission form to include with the artwork.
Artwork submissions can be mailed to SECO Energy P.O. Box 301 Sumterville, FL 33585. Submissions can also be dropped off at one of our five Member Service Centers in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala or Sumterville. Find a Service Center address.
To be eligible, the child must be between the ages of 5 and 12 and live in a home served by SECO Energy. Submissions must be received by September 30, 2019. For ideas on Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency, visit our website and select Safety or Energy Solutions.
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I’m looking forward to viewing the submissions for the 2020 SECO Energy Calendar Kids’ Coloring Contest. The Contest is a fun idea that fosters our youngest members’ involvement in the cooperative. Displaying children’s ideas about electrical safety and energy efficiency is a creative teaching tool for SECO members and the public. The Coloring Contest ties into the key cooperative principles of Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information.”
Learn more about SECO Energy and its Concern for Community. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
DO I HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER? In early July, the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project updated its 2019 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts six major hurricanes will develop before the end of the season. A major hurricane is categorized as a CAT 3, 4 or 5.
Peak hurricane season is typically in September. Are you ready? Does SECO have the ability to contact you? Have you updated your seldom-used landline number to your cell phone number if you use it primarily? If you call us during peak volume and the phone number doesn’t match an account, your service options may be limited.
How do you update or verify your contact information for account/billing purposes? The easiest way is to visit our homepage and log into SmartHub. Choose “My Profile” then “Update My Billing Address & Contact Information.” Make any necessary changes and choose “Save.” Or, you can email Customer Service. Include name, account number, service address, the last four of the member’s SSN and the updated contact information. You can also call us at (352) 793-3801 or contact us through Facebook private message or Twitter direct message.
Our StormCenter and outage notifications system houses separate contact information that conducts outbound, proactive communications and must be updated as well. Did you know StormCenter will send you an email, or voice message when an outage is detected at your service address? StormCenter will also notify you when the outage is restored as well as cause.
Members have expressed appreciation for the enhanced communications when we are working in your area. Using the StormCenter communications system, SECO notifies you of pre-planned outages, upgrades, tree trimming and system improvement projects scheduled to occur in your neighborhood.
To check your communications preferences, gather a recent bill to find your account number and zip code – you will need both. Then visit SECO Energy and choose StormCenter on the top menu. On the StormCenter page, select “Manage Notifications,” input your account number and zip code or the phone number on file and zip code associated with the account.
Determine your preferred notification whether its email, text or voice message or a combination, add the phone number or contact email. Set “do not disturb” times during the hours you don’t want to be notified. Select notifications for each account if you have multiple accounts.
As an incentive, view or update your contact information on both SmartHub and StormCenter and be entered twice into a drawing to win a $300 bill credit. If you don’t have online access, just call us or note your primary phone number on your payment coupon when paying your bill.
Good luck! The timeframe for the $300 SECO bill credit drawing runs to September 15. We’ll draw a winner on September 16. Stay in touch with SECO and update your contact information today.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Paying your bill has never been easier! Whether it’s online, by phone or in person, SECO Energy offers 12 convenient ways to pay – most without convenience fees.
PAY ONLINE AT SMARTHUB – View and pay your bill, sign up for bank draft, enroll in eBill and compare energy usage by month or year.
PAY BY BANK DRAFT – Simplify your life – draft your monthly bill amount from a bank account of your choice. Register for bank draft with SmartHub.
PAY IN PERSON – Member Service Centers are located in Eustis, Groveland, Sumterville, Ocala and Inverness with walk-in and drive-thru facilities.
PAY AT A KIOSK – Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at all Member Service Centers. Kiosks accept cash and most credit cards.
PAY BY PHONE – 1-(877) 371-9382, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, debit card or electronic check.
PAY NOW – Pay instantly with just your account number and form of payment through SmartHub – no registration required.
PAY BY MAIL – SECO Energy (Dept # 3035), PO Box 850001, Orlando, FL 32885-3035
MYWAY PREPAY – Pay for energy before you use it with MyWay PrePay. View daily usage and receive phone or text notifications.
FIDELITY EXPRESS – Locations accept cash, check or money orders. $1.50 processing fee. Not recommended for MyWay PrePay members.
MONEYGRAM – Available at many convenient retail locations. MoneyGram is available for MyWay PrePay enrolled members. $1.50 processing fee.
WESTERN UNION – In-person payments received in real time. Convenience fee is $1.50. Maximum amount per transaction is $1,000.
BUDGET BILLING – Levels out bills by averaging most recent 12 months usage. Debit/credit balances accumulate based on seasonal usage.
StormCenter is available on your smartphone or tablet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bookmark your address on the outage map, view the weather radar, find crew status, outage cause and estimated restoration time. Report a new outage, check the status of an existing outage, manage your communication preferences (email, text or voice message), report an area light outage or contact us.
MARK BOWLING – T&D LINE SUPERVISOR/ACTING DISTRIBUTION SUPERINTENDENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 30 YEARS
“WE LOVE OUR PEOPLE.” SECO Champion Mark Bowling is a T&D Line Supervisor who is currently serving on a rotational assignment as a Distribution Superintendent in the Groveland office. In his Supervisor role, Mark oversees the field crews that respond to outages, construct line and complete work requests in south Lake County. Mark’s family members are life-long residents of Lake County, and he is proud that his children attend the same schools he did growing up. The family enjoys football and baseball games and his children play school sports. Living in Lake County, Mark’s restoration work after the deadly 2007 Groundhog Day tornadoes was especially emotional. He remembers consoling SECO members whose homes were blown away by the destructive tornadoes. Mark describes his crew as “a good group of guys who are dedicated to SECO Energy, the community and safety.”
CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDDOS – Enter the SECO Energy Kids’ Calendar Coloring Contest. We are looking for 13 creative, colorful drawings depicting Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency in a fun way to publish in our 2020 SECO Energy Calendar! The 13 chosen artists will have their artwork, photo and name published in next year’s calendar. Even better, the winners will each receive a $100 prize. The artwork submission form is available online look for Calendar Coloring Contest on our Contact Us page. Print the submission form and include it with the artwork. Mail submissions to: SECO Energy P.O. Box 301 Sumterville, FL 33585-0301 or drop it off at one of our five Member Service Centers.
To be eligible, the child must be between the ages of 5 and 12 and live in a home served by SECO Energy. Artwork submissions must be received by September 30, 2019.
On June 20 and 21, SECO Energy along with Duke Energy and Ocala Electric Utilities partnered to bring the Fifth Annual Youth Energy Academy to Marion County teens. Industry experts created an environment for students to explore and discover careers in the energy industry. The event was held at the College of Central Florida’s Hampton Center and Ocala Electric Services.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 40 percent of the current workforce in the electric and natural gas utilities will retire within five years. The average age of energy industry employees is over 50. Marion County Schools, the CEP, SECO Energy, Ocala Electric Utilities, Duke Energy and Clay Electric realizing the need for future energy industry employees assisted in forming the Power Generation Academy (PGA) at Dunnellon High School. PGA Instructor Don Slocum dropped by the Youth Energy Academy to provide the students’ enrollment and program information.
Employees from SECO, Duke and Ocala Electric volunteered countless hours teaching, presenting and sharing their knowledge and experience with this year’s Youth Energy Academy students. Representatives from Siemens, College of Central Florida, Boys & Girls Club, CLM CareerSource, Lockheed Martin, Cheney Brothers and the three electric utility providers worked together to make this event an education success for attendees.
At this year’s two-day event, students gained essential knowledge related to the array of jobs, careers and occupational requirements in the energy field. Student activities covered a variety of subjects such as how electricity travels from the generation plant to homes demonstrated by Duke Energy’s Engineer Derick Farfan, and a live demonstration by Duke Energy’s Ronnie Bailey of restoring power during an outage. Students learned the difference between soft and hard skills via a presentation from Heaven Colon, CLM CareerSource, and delved into high-skill, high-wage careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by taking a closer look at robotics. Students also met Forest High School EMIT program students – EMIT stands for Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology.
The students were mesmerized by the Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle (EV) driven to the Academy by a Southern Alliance of Clean Energy (SACE) representative. A surprise visit from NFL Steelers draft pick Ulysees Gilbert III, his brother Uriah Gilbert who plays for Bethune Cookman University, and a previous youth energy academy student, Maurice Gilbert, who is currently a student at Florida A&M University provided the teens with substantial life coaching skills and drove home the importance of time management skills. The Gilberts reminded the participants that attending the Academy is a valuable investment in themselves.
On day two, attendees toured the City of Ocala electric utility operation center and water treatment plant. Utility Director Mike Poucher demonstrated the effects of texting while driving through a presentation of car accidents that involve utility poles and how to exit a vehicle safely after an accident. Participants also rode in bucket trucks and learned about Ocala’s fiber-optic internet system. Finally, participants learned about drones and how they are used in the energy industry.
As a supporter of STEM-based projects, SECO was an event sponsor and also provided funding for transportation expenses to the Boys and Girls Club that bussed the students for their exploration tours. SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “The Youth Academy aligns with two key cooperative principles – Education, Training and Information and Concern for Community. The energy field offers a multitude of diverse careers just waiting for talented candidates to apply. Participating in youth education programs gives SECO a hand in crafting its future workforce and offers local, talented youngsters employment opportunities close to home and family.”
The Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) incorporated a Youth Energy Academy model focused on, but not limited to, minority students in St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Ocala. “Each year, we gain the interest of our emerging workforce by proving new career paths and sessions to let students know what the energy industry offers and how they can create career paths of their own. In 2012, we established Youth Energy Academy programs in the Northeast and Central regions of the AABE Florida Chapter with the intent of beginning programs in the Southeast and Northwest regions in 2020. We won’t be able to solve the energy industry workforce shortage overnight, but since inception, more than 1,500 students have been exposed to the energy industry through the Youth Energy Academy,” stated Kathy Judkins, AABE Florida Chapter President. The AABE Florida Chapter is led by members from seven Florida energy providers, as well as several entrepreneurs and business partners.
Learn more about SECO Energy and its Concern for Community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
