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Tag: SECO Energy Curtis Wynn

SECO News August 2025

Wynn's Wire

Powering Through the Heat Together

 

DEAR MEMBERS,

 

As we move through August – the hottest stretch of the year – many of you are feeling the effects of this intense summer. High temperatures often lead to higher electric bills. With the added pressures of rising costs across the board, we understand this season can be challenging for families and businesses alike.

 

At SECO Energy, we want you to know we’re right there with you. We live and work in the communities we serve. We’re feeling the heat – and the bills just like you. That local connection is at the heart of the cooperative difference. We don’t exist to generate profits – we’re here to provide reliable, affordable power and for the well-being of the people we serve. Despite the challenges of higher supply costs and increased energy demand, we’re proud to continue offering our Power Cost Adjustment (PCA), also known as “Hot Bucks,” due to stabilized natural gas prices; and to maintain some of the lowest electric rates in the state.

 

Our crews are working to maintain and strengthen the system to meet increased demand. We’ve invested in technology and equipment upgrades to reduce outages and keep your power flowing – even on the hottest days. We monitor usage trends so we can respond quickly and efficiently when the load is high.

 

To help you control your energy use, explore SmartHub, our free online and mobile tool. With SmartHub’s energy profile feature, you can track your daily and hourly usage, set alerts, and better understand when and how you’re using electricity – giving you more control over your bill. We know that some members may need assistance paying their monthly energy bill from time to time. To locate a social service agency, use our interactive map on SECOEnergy.com; click on Your Co-op and choose Find Bill Payment Assistance.

 

Even small changes, such as setting your thermostat to 78°F, using ceiling fans, and avoiding peak usage hours – can make a big difference. Visit our website for more energy-saving tips.

 

In this edition, we’re excited to announce the GenerLink pre-sale is here – offering members with generators a safe and convenient way to connect backup power during outages.

 

We’ll continue doing everything we can to keep your power reliable and your costs manageable. Thank you for being part of the SECO community. We’re proud to serve you – and even more proud to call this community home.

 

Sincerely,

 

CURTIS WYNN

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Utility scams are on the rise, targeting both homes and businesses with increasingly sophisticated tactics. Scammers often impersonate utility employees to trick people into making immediate payments or sharing personal information.

 

TO STAY SAFE, BE AWARE OF THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF UTILITY SCAMS AND RECOGNIZE RED FLAGS.

 

1. DISCONNECTION THREATS & OVERPAYMENT REFUND SCAMS

Scammers may claim your power will be shut off due to a missed payment and demand immediate payment through prepaid cards, wire transfers, or digital apps. Others may say you overpaid and request your banking details for a refund.

RED FLAG: SECO Energy will never demand instant payment or request nontraditional methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers. Refunds are issued as bill credits or checks – never by phone or email.

 

2. FAKE SOLAR PARTNERSHIPS, METER UPGRADES OR INSPECTIONS

Impostors may show up in person, claiming to be a utility partner or a utility worker, and attempt to sell products, pretend to upgrade the meter, check wiring, or inspect service lines. They may ask to enter your property or request payment for services.

RED FLAG: SECO Energy does not send employees door-to-door selling solar or partner with any solar companies. Employees and contractors always carry identification and typically schedule service visits in advance.

Exercise caution and contact local law enforcement immediately if you encounter suspicious activity or feel threatened.

 

3. PHISHING EMAILS AND TEXTS

These messages look similar to official communication, prompting you to click a link to pay a bill or verify personal information. These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal your data.

RED FLAG: Be cautious with unsolicited emails or texts – especially those with spelling errors, urgent language, or unfamiliar sender addresses. Contact SECO Energy at (352) 793-3801 to confirm the legitimacy of a communication when in doubt.

 

STAY ALERT, STAY INFORMED, AND HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME. Report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Florida Attorney General’s Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.

 

 

Inaugural Electric Youth Tour Trip to Washington, D.C.

 

2025 Youth Tour Delegates Jayley Lewis and Lilly Brogan
2025 Youth Tour Delegates Jayley Lewis and Lilly Brogan

 

Lilly Brogan (District 3) and Jayley Lewis (District 5), both South Sumter High School students, represented SECO Energy at this year’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Nearly 100,000 student delegates nationwide come together annually to represent their local electric cooperative community, and state, to explore our nation’s capital, learn about the cooperative business model, and gain leadership experience.

 

Selected for their academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership potential, Jayley and Lilly stood out in a competitive video essay contest after attending the Tallahassee Youth Tour earlier this year. Along with their fellow Youth Tour delegates, they toured iconic landmarks and engaged with lawmakers, including representatives from Senator Rick Scott’s office. These meetings offered firsthand insight into how cooperatives advocate for their members at the federal level.

 

 

 

 

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month: Energy Savings on a Budget

 

Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to be costly. The simple no- and low-cost changes listed below can help you reduce energy use and lower your bill.

 

NO COST TIPS:

• Wash clothes in cold water

• Air-dry dishes and laundry

• Use natural light

• Turn off lights, fans, and electronics when not in use

• Avoid oven use in the summer – grill outside or use small appliances

 

LOW COST TIPS:

• Switch to LED bulbs

• Replace filters regularly

• Seal window and door leaks

• Use blinds, window fi lm, and shade trees to control summer heat

• Install timers or photocells on outdoor lights

 

If you are considering making significant upgrades to ENERGY STAR® appliances or a new HVAC system, give us a call at (352) 793-3801 and ask to speak to the Energy Services team for advice on energy-efficiency upgrades. We are your partner in energy savings.

 

SECO News August 2025 Trustee Focus A Message From District 9 Trustee Morgan Hatfield

 

 

SECO Energy Foundation Update

 

SECO Energy established the SECO Energy Foundation to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. Through strategic grants and partnerships, the Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter Counties.

 

In the first half of 2025, the Foundation has awarded 38 grants totaling $524,581, allocated as follows:

  • Education & STEM Projects – $103,160

  • Energy Efficiency Projects – $9,780

  • Environmental Projects – $10,000

  • Health & Human Services – $316,841

  • Veterans Initiatives – $84,800

 

The Foundation is extremely thankful for the support of hundreds of thousands of SECO members who round up their monthly bills to contribute to this effort. Your small change adds up to make a big difference in our communities. With an average donation of only $6 per year, it’s a powerful reminder that there is strength in numbers. To learn more about the Foundation, view awarded grants, and explore funding guidelines, visit SECOFoundation.org.

 

 

When hurricanes or severe storms hit, power outages can leave you in the dark. If you have a portable generator, GenerLink™ can help you stay safely connected. GenerLink is a UL-listed transfer switch that is installed behind the electric meter – no rewiring or complicated setup is required. Purchase GenerLink early to be first on the list for installation. Learn more and sign up at SECOEnergy.com/Energy Solutions/GenerLink.

Purchase price is $1,200 (plus tax/installation included). Purchase must be completed before installation, which are estimated to begin in mid-August 2025 and installed by SECO’s authorized contractor.

 

Read the full August SECO News.

SECO Energy Celebrates 2025 Scholarship Awardees

The future is bright for SECO Energy’s 2025 Scholarship awardees. SECO’s Board of Trustees approved $36,000 in scholarships to high school seniors graduating this year who reside in homes served by SECO. These 12 outstanding local students exemplify academic excellence and leadership within their communities.  

 

On Monday, April 21, the SECO Youth Programs Committee hosted a special recognition event to honor this year’s 12 Youth Scholarship awardees. Each student was awarded a $3,000 scholarship to support their educational journey. 

 

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees President and District 3 Trustee Gerald Anderson congratulated the 2025 Youth Scholarship awardees. President Anderson stated, “Congratulations to this year’s exceptional student awardees and their families that have supported their education goals. Learning about their accomplishments, fields of study, and the accolades earned by these young men and women in our communities is truly impressive. SECO and other electric cooperatives are constantly seeking new talent, and I believe we can find that talent right here in our hometowns. I encourage these students to consider bringing their talents, skills, and abilities to SECO Energy when the time comes to begin their careers.” 

SECO Energy’s 2025 Scholarship Awardees are:  

Cayman Azis – Celebration High School – Marine Biology and Ecology  

Abigail Colon – West Port High School – Animal Science 

Cedrick Gener – Citrus High School – Electrical Engineering 

Maria Leon-Salazar – Real Life Christian Academy – Mechanical Engineering 

Suhani Nihalani – Vanguard High School – Biomedical Engineering 

Isabella Raistrick – West Port High School – Nursing  

Charles Randall – Foundation Academy – Nuclear Engineering 

Peyton Ressler – The Villages Charter High School – Political Science 

Jonathan Rodriguez – Lake County Home School – Mechanical Engineering 

Mittie Thomas-O’Brien – Umatilla High School – Health Services Administration 

Zachary Townsend – Belleview High School – Constructional Engineering 

Leslie Zavala-Guillen – South Sumter High School – Medicine 

 

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn shared similar sentiments. Wynn said, “As I reviewed the scholarship awardees selected by the Youth Programs Committee, I was inspired by their stories and achievements. Congratulations, students – you are on the path of success because of your hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence. As President Anderson mentioned, SECO and the energy industry as a whole are in need of young driven talent as we embrace emerging new technologies and navigate new industry challenges.” 

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn (left) and Board President Gerald Anderson (right) gather with the 2025 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship awardees.

 

“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 your 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 Restoring Power in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Panhandle Thursday evening as a Category 4 storm, causing damage to SECO Energy’s electric system and leaving many members without power. SECO crews and mutual aid line and tree crews worked throughout the night to restore electric service to members’ homes.  

 

As of 10 a.m. Friday morning, roughly 3,276 members are without electricity due to fallen wires, damaged poles, and severe flooding. Approximately 34,000 accounts have experienced service disruption from Helene, with 22,000 accounts at its peak. 

 

Hundreds of workers from multiple states have lined up to assist SECO in power restoration. SECO Energy’s electric system sustained moderate damage that affected many of the communities SECO Energy serves. Crews continued the restoration process this morning.   

 

“As we work to restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, I want to assure our members that SECO Energy is committed to getting the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible and will not stop until service has been restored to every member,” said Curtis Wynn, SECO Energy’s Chief Executive Officer.  

 

Wynn continued, “Crews never stopped working overnight. They worked through rain and wind gusts that reached 70 mph in our northern areas; making significant progress in the restoration effort that continues this morning. We are thankful for their assistance and are thinking of our neighbors in north Florida whose homes and properties are severely damaged.” 

 

SECO Energy urges members to stay safe in the wake of the storm, as conditions remain hazardous in many areas. Members are encouraged to follow the following safety tips:  

 

  • Stay away from downed wires. Always assume they are energized. Call 911 if you see a downed line.
     
  • Avoid flooded areas. Flooding is a major threat from Hurricane Helene. Flash flooding can occur suddenly due to intense rainfall. Long-term flooding along rivers and streams can persist for days following a storm. When approaching water on a roadway, remember: Don’t Drown. Turn Around.
     
  • Avoid crews working in the street. This will keep you and the crews safe and allow them to work on restoring your power.
     
  • If you plan to use a portable generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use only when necessary. Don’t overload it. Be sure to turn it off at night when you’re asleep or if you leave your home.
     
  • To avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, place portable generators outside in a well-ventilated area, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows. Never run a generator inside, not even in your garage. Do not connect the generator directly into your home’s main fuse box or circuit panel.
     
  • Protect food and refrigerated medicine with ice in an insulated cooler. If you are without power for more than two hours, refrigerated foods should be placed in a cooler. Foods will stay frozen for 36 to 48 hours in a fully loaded freezer if the door remains closed, and a half-full freezer will generally keep frozen foods for up to 24 hours. Check foodsafety.gov to learn more about when to throw out or keep food after a power outage.
     
  • Tune in to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information. 

 

For more storm safety tips, visit Ready.gov or download the American Red Cross’s Emergency Severe Weather App by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999.