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USDA Panel Discussion Features SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn participated in a panel discussion held Tuesday, May 16, at the White House Complex in Washington, D.C. As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program launch event, the panel’s focus was the $11 billion in funding from the USDA to expand clean, affordable, and reliable energy across rural America. Last year, the USDA appointed Wynn as one of 12 members of the newly established Equity Commission Subcommittee on Rural Community Economic Development.    

  

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn speaks during USDA panel discussion.
SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn speaks during USDA panel discussion.

The 1-hour dialogue related to the $11 billion in energy funding was comprised of representatives from other electric cooperatives, including the CEO of Seminole Electric Cooperative, Lisa Johnson. Seminole Electric is the wholesale provider of electric service distributed by SECO to its members.  

  

Panel moderator Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator Andrew Berke asked how the funding could benefit each participant’s efforts to provide rural communities with “clean, affordable energy” while enhancing the quality of life.

  

Wynn began by commending the efforts of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in shepherding the passage of the two RUS programs, Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) and New Empowering Rural America (New ERA). Funding for these initiatives is supported by the Inflation Reduction Act.  

  

Prepared to Move ForwardUSDA RUS logo

Wynn continued by underscoring the importance of working “in concert” with Seminole Electric to achieve goals SECO has established as part of its 3-year strategy roadmap. He stated, “SECO Energy is well positioned to tap into the grant funding, tax credits and low interest loan funding made available through the New ERA.  Our goal is to reduce the amount of funds we would otherwise have to borrow at rising interest rates to complete the enormous amount of work needed to keep pace with our region’s growth while meeting our member-consumers’ expectation of safe, affordable and reliable service. It really gives us an opportunity to provide the level of service that everybody deserves, especially our underserved communities, while keeping our rates as low as possible.” 

 

The event commenced with remarks made by the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation John Podesta, and Senators Debbie Stabenow, Tina Smith and Michael Bennet. Watch the event online.   

  

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

 

SECO Energy Attends 2023 NRECA Legislative Conference

SECO Energy sent three representatives to the 2023 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. from April 16 – 19. The purpose of SECO’s attendance was to meet with federally elected officials and staff to encourage support for several key issues facing electric cooperatives today.  

SECO Energy Board of Trustees President Gerald Anderson speaks with Congressman Gus Bilirakis
SECO Energy Board of Trustees President Gerald Anderson speaks with Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

  

SECO Energy Board of Trustees President and District 3 Trustee Gerald Anderson, District 7 Trustee Joseph Kusiak and SECO Energy’s Senior Consultant for Civic, Charitable & Government Relations Kathy Judkins joined over 2,000 fellow cooperative attendees who gathered to affect a positive impact for the energy industry through information and education.  

  

In meetings held with US Representatives, Senators and staff, electric cooperative delegates took time to introduce, clarify and recommend remedies to mitigate burdens experienced by SECO Energy and other cooperatives. The co-ops called for action to improve three primary concerns when meeting with elected officials.

 

Supply Chain Bottlenecks

Having ample supplies and equipment on hand is crucial for electric cooperatives. Maintaining service, restoring power after natural disasters and sustaining the growing demand for electricity are paramount to consumer members. In recent years, stocking vital inventory at a reasonable price has been challenging. Compounding the uncertainty surrounding supply costs and availability are labor and raw material shortages. These pressures create an over-reliance on producers from outside the U.S. 

 

Disaster Relief Assistance Reform  

US Rep. Daniel Webster (FL) and SECO President Gerald Anderson at 2023 NRECA Legislative conference
SECO Energy Board of Trustees President Gerald Anderson speaks with Congressman Daniel Webster.

SECO Energy has a tried-and-true Disaster Relief Plan that is put into action during major storm events. The tab for power restoration after major storm events can run into the millions and a portion of these expenses is reimbursable through FEMA. When the speed and consistency of funding disbursement lags, recovery costs rise significantly. Without FEMA assistance, disaster-stricken areas would be confronted with escalated electricity rates. Commitments made by electric cooperatives to costly restorations of infrastructure are largely dependent on promised FEMA relief. Delays in the distribution of relief bring the burden of interest charges imposed on the cooperative.  

  

SECO Energy expressed support for legislation that would require FEMA to pay interest on loans used to restore electricity to communities while waiting for the federal reimbursements. The issue is expected to be addressed in the 118th Congress. 

 

Opening the Pipeline for Progress  

Nationally, there is concern about the health and sustainability of the electrical grid. Modernizing the nation’s electric grid is an arduous process with inefficient permitting requirements that are overly complicated. This burdensome red tape causes delays and a direct negative impact on communities slated to receive these infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure projects are potentially supported by Federal loans, but projects requiring environmental approvals can be delayed substantially. During this time, the carrying costs of the loans in the form of interest payments and labor costs to interact with inspection authorities must still be borne by the cooperative.  

 

US Sen. Marco Rubio meets with Coop Electricity delagation.
Senator Marco Rubio speaks to Florida Cooperative Representatives.

CEO Curtis Wynn recognized the SECO Energy delegates’ attendance at the 2023 NRECA Legislative Conference. Wynn stated, “Thank you to President Anderson, Trustee Kusiak and Ms. Judkins for representing SECO Energy 2023 NRECA Legislative Conference. Their presence gave a voice to electric cooperatives’ challenges in supply chain constraints, expediting FEMA funding after natural disasters and our ability to align resources to harden our local and national electrical infrastructure while reducing permitting red tape. Our elected officials were receptive to the challenges cooperatives face in today’s economy.” 

 

Wynn continued, “Electric cooperatives provide power to millions of Americans and we at SECO are committed to member satisfaction in the communities we serve. With the support of our elected officials, electric cooperatives will continue to thrive in our state and in our nation.” 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.