SECO Energy Foundation

SECO Energy Foundation Approves $5,319 Grant for Marion County Fire Rescue

The newly established SECO Energy Foundation approved a grant of $5,319 to benefit public safety for Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR). MCFR requested $5,319 to equip three MCFR fire engines with updated material.

The new equipment for the three MCFR fire engines consists of line pressure gauges, gate valves and three-way ball valves. The improved equipment prepares the local fire rescue team to respond to emergency calls, provide service to citizens and protect its team of first responders who put their lives in danger to assist the community in fire, rescue and medical emergencies.

According to the Marion County Fire Rescue’s website (www.marionfl.org), MCFR is a progressive, professional fire rescue department dedicated to the community’s health, safety and well-being providing excellent service, education and prevention in partnership with the citizens of Marion County.

The SECO Energy Foundation Board of Directors President James LaMotte is excited to begin the process of approving grants that align with the SECO Energy Foundation’s goals and objectives. Mr. LaMotte stated, “The SECO Energy Foundation was founded to improve quality of life and expand services within the communities in SECO Energy’s service territory in the areas of public safety, educational STEM projects, environmental projects, scholarships, Veterans’ initiatives, health and human services, energy-related projects and bill payment assistance. Safety is SECO Energy’s most important Core Value and funding public safety initiatives is one of the Foundation’s goals. I am extremely pleased that my fellow Directors and I were able to unanimously approve a grant that will improve safety for Marion County citizens through the Marion County Fire Rescue team.”

Marion County Fire Rescue Lieutenant Henry Herrera is thankful for the grant award. Lieutenant Herrera stated, “The Marion County Fire Rescue team is thankful for the grant award that will help MCFR to respond to and provide service and protection to Marion County residents. The grant will purchase needed equipment to meet new challenges the MCFR team faces in responding to fire, rescue and medical emergencies.”

The SECO Energy Foundation is a nonprofit 501c3 entity that is funded largely through SECO’s electric bill round up program and will be supplemented by grants the Foundation applies for through other local, state and federal funding programs that align with the SECO Energy Foundation’s goals. Participating members’ extra pennies are donated to the Foundation to fund grants and bill payment assistance that make a difference in the lives of members across the communities served by SECO Energy.

SECO Energy’s CEO Curtis Wynn stated, “Concern for community is a key co-op principle and remains a high priority. Surveys tell us that members want to be part of an organization that does more for their consumers and communities than profit from the goods/services it sells. Our ability to support public safety, is one example of the Foundation’s focus to help improve the quality of life in and around SECO’s service territory.”

To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation, visit SECOEnergy.com >  Your Co-op >  Foundation. “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 reliability and expansion projects in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit SECOEnergy.com  >  Your Co-op  >  About.

SECO News March 2023

Dear Members,

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative operated for and owned by its members. Our business model requires and encourages member participation in District and Annual Meetings. One of the seven cooperative principles is Democratic Member Control which gives members a voice in the cooperative’s governance process.

Our service area covers 2,100-square miles and is divided into nine Districts. SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees is a nine-member Board. One member from each District is elected by the members in that District to serve a three-year term.

Collectively, the Board of Trustees represents the membership as a whole and meets monthly to monitor the cooperative’s financial status. The Board provides fiduciary and policy-making oversight to serve the best interests of the membership at large.

This year SECO Energy held three District Meetings (Districts 2, 4, and 6) for members to elect a Trustee to serve on the Board.

In District 2, four candidates submitted letters of intent to run. From those candidates, members re-elected incumbent Joyce Anderson as the District 2 Trustee. Mrs. Anderson has been a SECO member since 2017 and was first elected to the Board in 2020. She has earned the Director Gold Credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which is its highest Trustee accreditation. Mrs. Anderson also currently serves on the Board as Secretary-Treasurer.

In District 4, members re-elected incumbent Richard Dennison as the District 4 Trustee. Mr. Dennison was first elected to the Board in 2015 and has been a SECO member since 1999. He too has earned the Director Gold Credential from the NRECA.

Mr. Dennison has served previously as Board Vice President and President.

In District 6, members re-elected incumbent Mike Muffett as the District 6 Trustee. Mr. Muffett was first elected to the Board in 2020 and has been a SECO member since 1984. He also has earned the Director Gold Credential from the NRECA.

Please join the SECO team in congratulating Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Dennison and Mr. Muffett on their re-elections to the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. We look forward to continuing to support SECO Energy’s Mission, Vision and Core Values through the execution of our Strategy Map.

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Gerald Anderson

President, Board of Trustees

In January we launched the SECO Energy Foundation as an enhancement to our existing Pennies from Heaven. The Foundation is funded by members who round up their bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation is $6 annually.

The enrollment mode changed in January from opt-in to opt-out. This decision was made with much forethought, research and more than anything, with strong consideration for improving the quality of life in the communities we serve. Like Pennies from Heaven, the Foundation will be funded largely through SECO’s electric bill round-up program. As a tax exempt nonprofit 501c3 entity, the Foundation can also apply for grants through other local, state and federal funding programs that align with SECO Energy’s and the Foundation’s goals.

Just like Pennies from Heaven, participating members’ pennies are donated to the Foundation to fund grants and bill payment assistance that make a difference in the lives of members across the communities we serve. The SECO Energy Foundation will have more funding for our United Way partners and social service agencies to apply toward bill payment assistance for members in need and will also fund the scholarship program starting this year. Equally important, the Foundation will also be able to accept a variety of grant applications that support SECO Energy initiatives outlined in our Strategy Map.

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees voted in March 2022 to create the Foundation and change the enrollment method. SECO Energy incorporated the SECO Energy Foundation, Inc. and it has complied with IRS and Florida’s Check a Charity registration requirements. Foundation Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were filed appropriately and are posted on our website. Our research showed that an opt-out enrollment is becoming more mainstream.

Contributions are tax-deductible for members who donate and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers.

Helping people in need and reducing costs are critical in today’s economic environment but we understand that supporting the Foundation is a personal choice. Any Pennies unknowingly/unintentionally donated will be fully refunded upon member request.

If you want to stop your bill from rounding up to donate the extra pennies to the Foundation, visit SECOEnergy.com > Contact > SECO Energy Foundation. You can log into SmartHub and change your enrollment status, email CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com, call (352) 793-3801 or write to SECO Energy, Attn: Corp Comm, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

Our ability to help disadvantaged members, to reduce our carbon footprint and lower costs for all members will be impacted by the Foundation’s focus on supporting SECO’s energy-efficiency initiatives.

Read the full March 2023 SECO News online.

SECO News January 2023

Happy New Year! As we welcome in 2023, I want to introduce you to SECO Energy’s new Strategy Map. The energy industry itself is changing. In the past, power was distributed from centralized bulk generation and sold as energy to consumers – this was a one-direction transaction. In the future, consumers and businesses have the potential to be both users and creators of energy. This could be in the form of electric vehicles (EV), self-managed demand responsive smart buildings, variable sustainable resources, homes that are more energy efficient driven by consumer choice and an electric grid that is self-healing, self-optimizing and secure.

The future is here. Member-owned solar arrays and EVs are examples of how the energy industry has already changed. Protecting and securing the electric grid and reducing outage times through self-healing measures is paramount for member satisfaction. Members want to be as efficient as possible.

A new buzz word in the industry is beneficial electrification which means finding the best energy source while replacing fossil fuels with electricity in a way that reduces carbon emissions and cost. An example of this would be EVs. We recently installed EV charging stations at our Sumterville headquarters for our employees’ use.

For SECO Energy’s strategy to take us into the future, we will focus on our core business; continue to meet the demands of increasing homes and businesses in our area and overcome the labor and supply chain shortages that I have shared with you in prior editions of Wynn’s Wire.

SECO Energy must also maintain competitive rates and member satisfaction while gaining efficiencies and reducing operating expenses. We aim to modernize the distribution system – read about our investment in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) on page 2. We are also committed to reducing wholesale power costs, which in turn reduces costs for the entire membership.

Our strategy encompasses a new Mission, Vision and Core Values. Mission: As a not-for-profit cooperative, SECO Energy provides reliable and innovative energy services to our members and communities. Vision: SECO Energy will lead the industry in member satisfaction and engagement and be the preferred employer in our region. Values: Safety, Member Commitment, Honesty & Integrity, Strong Work Ethic, Inclusive Culture, Accountability and Teamwork.

As we execute our strategy and implement our Mission, Vision and Values, we want you to know that SECO Energy is reliable and a good value. SECO Energy helps you manage your energy usage. And finally, SECO Energy is your trusted source for energy solutions. Visit our website to read the full Strategy Map and our Balanced Performance Scorecard to see our future plans from 2023 to 2025, at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-Op > Strategy Map.

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Advance Metering Infrastructure

SECO Energy is excited to announce we are embarking on a systemwide AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) metering project in 2023. The AMI meter will provide detailed usage data and other energy-saving tools to help members save money on their bills.

We began investigating the possibility of integrating an AMI system in 2020 with the first of two AMI Pilot programs. First, we replaced aging prepaid meters with new Honeywell AMI meters that used cellular data to obtain daily interval readings. For the second pilot, we chose Landis+Gyr as the manufacturer to test that AMI meter’s capabilities. Both pilots occurred over a 12-month span to obtain data for all seasons. SECO analyzed data from both pilots, made a recommendation to the Board of Trustees and sought approval to move forward integrating AMI throughout our service area.

After much data evaluation and Board approval, SECO Energy has chosen Honeywell as its AMI vendor to build a hybrid system to best serve both our dense suburban areas and rural locales in our service area. The Honeywell meter is highly accurate and offers many benefits to members. The meter communicates with SECO Energy to reduce the costs of monthly meter reading and supplies members with 15-minute reading interval data. Members will have access to this energy-usage data through SmartHub.

We have invested in additional technology called Bidgely that uses an algorithm of your usage data to estimate how much energy – and when – your home’s appliances are using based on the interval readings to help you identify potential energy wasters in your home. If there’s an HVAC, water heater or other large energy use device malfunction, you’ll know sooner rather than later. Bidgely can’t view your actual in-home behavior. Its software assesses your home’s load profile and estimates usage of items that use electricity based on average consumer usage and behavior.

During the meter exchange, you will experience a short outage. There is no need to be home. To ensure accurate billing, Honeywell will take a photo of the previous meter’s out reading. This work is linear in nature, contractors are following established routes within substation and feeder boundaries. Due to operational needs with a linear installation/integration plan, we are unable to offer appointments in advance for meter exchanges.

This is an investment that will pay off over time. Each year the cooperative will save millions of dollars in reduced costs to physically read more than 225,000 meters in our 2,100 square mile service territory.

Once the AMI meter at your location has been installed, data integration with the new meter may take up to 60 days. To view your 15-minute interval usage data, compare historical usage, set usage alerts, schedule a payment, enroll in bank draft, or pay your bill with a stored form of payment, make sure you’re enrolled in SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com.

While the AMI project begins in 2023, full completion will take three to four years for all locations in our service area to receive a new AMI meter.

SECO Energy’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 Fast Charger Lease/Purchase

Save Money, Save Gas, Charge Fast

Lease or purchase a ChargePoint Level 2 EV Fast Charger from SECO Energy!

For a limited time, we’re waiving the $50 installation fee – lease for only $14.50 per month plus tax or purchase for $699 plus tax.

Visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > EV Charger Lease/Purchase to learn more about how EVs offer long term fuel and maintenance cost savings. If you have questions, send an email to EVCharger@SECOEnergy.com.

District 5 Trustee Shannon Wright Earns Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate

Congratulations to SECO Energy Board of Trustees District 5 Trustees Mrs. Shannon Wright on earning her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate from the NRECA. Earning the CCD is the initial step in the NRECA’s Director Education program that is designed to assist cooperative Trustees to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives.

Trustee Wright lives in Lake Panasoffkee and was elected to the SECO Energy Board of Trustees in 2022. She has been a SECO member since 2014. Learn more about the Board of Trustees, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Board of Trustees.

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

As of January 2023, the SECO Energy Pennies from Heaven program officially transitioned to the SECO Energy Foundation. Unless you notified us previously, your account has automatically been enrolled in the Foundation.

The Foundation rounds up your bill to the nearest dollar. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to increase community outreach with an emphasis on increased member bill payment assistance, energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental projects, veterans’ initiatives and health/public safety.

Contributions are tax-deductible and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers.

Foundation dollars may assist in purchasing smart thermostats for members who can’t afford one or other energy-efficiency improvements that lower consumption. Investments that help members reduce energy usage, lead to lower bills and reduce SECO Energy’s peak demand. A reduction in demand reduces SECO’s wholesale power bill, lowers costs for all members and decreases the need to build new power plants.

Local organizations in SECO Energy’s service territory can begin applying for grants in early January 2023.

If you would like to unenroll and stop your bill from rounding up to donate the extra pennies to the Foundation, visit SECOEnergy.com > Contact > SECO Energy Foundation. You can also send an email to CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com, call (352) 793-3801 or write to SECO Energy, Attn: Corp Comm, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

Thank you, members, who support the SECO Energy Foundation and our local communities.

Read the full January 2023 SECO News online.

SECO News December 2022

Dear Members,

‘Tis the season for giving and sharing the magic of the holidays. I commend our SECO Energy employees who generously support our corporate giving efforts and other worthy charitable causes.

One cause close to many SECO Energy employees’ hearts is our annual United Way Employee Giving Campaign. Many of our employees pledged a portion of their 2023 earnings to local United Ways. Next year, United Ways across our Central Florida counties will benefit from these generous pledges.

SECO Energy employees pledged $38,843 to local United Ways through the employee-led 2023 United Way Pledge Drive. Our employees have been actively supporting United Way for almost 20 years. During that time, employees have pledged over $1,083,287 to support local families through the United Way.

Most of our employees live in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, receiving the highest dollar amounts in donations. The 400+ SECO Energy employees choose the county and the program their donated dollars will benefit.

UNITED WAY PLEDGES BY COUNTY:

Lake and Sumter Counties: $15,929
Marion County: $14,257
Citrus County: $4,182
Other Counties $4,476
The total pledge for 2023 is $38,843

Not only do our employees assist local communities through United Way, but they also help fill Santa’s sleigh with donations for our corporate Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots donation drive. Starting in November, employees brought new, unwrapped toys for the drive. All toys donated are dispersed in the local area where they were collected.

Many of our members joined in the effort by dropping off toys at our Member Service Centers. Thank you for your generosity. Retired Marines and other volunteers picked up donations in early December to distribute to children in need in time for the holidays. Members who want to register to receive toys donated through Toys for Tots can visit ToysforTots.org > Request a Toy.

From the SECO Energy family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Electric Safety

Everyone who uses electricity should be aware of its risks and dangers. Over 51,000 American homes are damaged or destroyed by fire caused by electrical failures each year, and 500 lives are lost (Electrical Safety Foundation International).

Adults over 65 and young children are at the highest risk of injury or death from a home fire.

You should learn the basics of your home’s electrical system and how to prevent electrical fires. Outdated wiring is a common culprit of electrical fires. Flickering lights, tripped breakers, or a burning smell could indicate overloaded circuits. Hire an electrician to investigate. If the home’s wiring is outdated, the electrical outlets are as well. Outlets are as well. Outlets that are damaged, loose or warm to the touch must be repaired or replaced.

Home wiring and troubleshooting is a job best left to a professional. Contact a reputable electrician who is licensed, insured and adheres to local code requirements. Electricians can update breaker panels and add extra electrical outlets that will avoid circuit overload.

Electrical safety extends outside the home. Never touch utility equipment such as underground transformers or overhead power lines. Always consider power lines to be energized and dangerous. Stay away from downed lines and call 911 and SECO Energy to report immediately.

Teach children electrical safety as well. Never allow children to play on or near electrical equipment or climb a substation fence. Children should not climb trees near energized lines. Keep remote-control toys, hobby drones and kites away from overhead lines.

Learn more about electrical safety at SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Electrical Safety.

Winter HVAC Service – A Message from District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison

Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit is likely the largest energy user in your home. Before winter’s cold temperatures arrive, schedule an HVAC service call to ensure your unit is operating efficiently.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter 2022 – 2023 will be cold with above-normal rainfall. The forecast calls for temperatures 1 to 4 degrees below average, with the coldest temperatures in January.

Preventative maintenance and routine filter changes extend the life of your HVAC unit. A qualified technician will thoroughly inspect the unit and recommend maintenance or repairs. A well-working HVAC unit operates more efficiently and uses less energy.

Set a calendar reminder to change your unit’s air filter monthly or follow the manufacturer’s suggested filter change schedule.

For more ways to reduce energy usage, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions and complete the Home Energy Assessment and Energy Estimator. The Home Energy Assessment is an online energy audit that provides energy efficiency advice tailored to your home’s features. The Energy Estimator calculates the energy used and associated costs for your home’s electricity users. Submit your answers with your email address to receive immediate low-cost energy-saving advice.

12 Ways to Pay

SECO Energy offers members 12 Ways to Pay their monthly energy bills. Most payment options are available with no convenience fee.

PAY ONLINE – Our account manager SmartHub allows you to view and pay your bill, enroll in bank draft or eBill and compare energy usage by month or year.

BANK DRAFT – Draft your monthly amount from a bank account of your choice – the ultimate in convenience. Enroll in bank draft with SmartHub.

IN PERSON – Five Member Service Centers open in Eustis, Groveland, Sumterville, Ocala and Inverness with walk-in, drive-thru facilities and kiosks.

BY PHONE – 1 (877) 371-9382, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, debit card or electronic check.

PAY NOW – Instant payment using your account number and form of payment through SmartHub – no registration required.

BY MAIL – SECO Energy (Dept. 3035), P.O. Box 11407, Birmingham, AL 35246-1407

MYWAY PREPAY – Pay for energy before you use it. View daily usage and receive phone or text notifications.

FIDELITY EXPRESS – Locations accept cash, check or money orders. Not recommended for MyWay PrePay members. $1.50 processing fee.

MONEYGRAM – Available at many retail locations and for MyWay PrePay enrolled members. $1.50 processing fee.

WESTERN UNION – In-person payments received in real time. Max amount per transaction is $1,000. $1.50 processing fee.

BUDGET BILLING – Levels out bills by averaging most recent 12 months usage. Debit/credit balances accumulate based on seasonal usage.

VANILLADIRECT PAY – Pay with cash at thousands of locations. Barcode required via SmartHub. $1.50 processing fee.

Winners’ Circle – Generator

Congratulations to our three members who enrolled in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator Surge Protection program and won a generator!

SEPTEMBER – Jack Bonniwell from The Villages

OCTOBER – Barney Newbern from Leesburg

NOVEMBER – Kenneth Christensen from Clermont

The Surge MitiGator takes the bite out of damaging surges and spikes. Members can lease the protection for $5.95 per month plus tax and $25 installation fee or purchase for $349 to $399 plus tax and free installation. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator and fill out our handy web form.

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program transitions to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023.

The SECO Energy Foundation will expand community outreach and member bill payment assistance. The Foundation is funded by SECO Energy rounding enrolled members’ bills up to the nearest dollar and donating the pennies to the Foundation. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

At year-end, all SECO members will be automatically enrolled in the SECO Energy Foundation unless they have proactively advised us over the last five months that they wish to unenroll. There are multiple ways (see below) to unenroll from the Foundation’s electric bill round-up program. Please update your SECO Energy Foundation enrollment status before December 31, 2022.

To update your SECO Energy Foundation enrollment status, visit SECOEnergy.com > Contact > SECO Energy Foundation. Send an email to CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com, call (352) 793-3801 or write to SECO Energy, Attn: Corp Comm, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 by December 31, 2022.

Read the full December 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News November 2022

Dear Members,

Your SECO Energy Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Capital Credits retirement of $2.9 million to current and former members. Look for your Capital Credits retirement amount on your November billing statement.

Sumter Electric brought electricity to rural residents of Central Florida through the Rural Electrification Act (REA). In 1938, the cooperative energized its first 400 meters. Now doing business as SECO Energy, we have grown into a regional utility that serves over 225,000 homes and businesses in seven Central Florida counties. We pay tribute to our cooperative founding – rooted in serving impoverished, disenfranchised and hard-to-reach residents who were not provided with electric service by investor-owned utilities.

Capital Credits are a unique financial component of cooperatively structured, not-for-profit businesses. As a member, you are a partial owner of the cooperative. Since our founding, we have regularly retired/returned a portion of the cooperative’s equity to current and former members. SECO Energy has retired over $80 million to its membership.

Your monthly energy purchases build patronage capital – you 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 annual amount of electric service purchased by each member.

After the co-op meets its operating costs and expenses, the prior year’s revenues are accumulated as Capital Credits. These credits are allocated pro-rata to each member’s account as Capital Credits. Yearly, SECO examines the cooperative’s financial position and recommends the “retirement” of Capital Credits. Your Board of Trustees reviews the recommendation and determines the approval of the Capital Credits return. This year’s $2.9 million retirement means SECO is returning a portion of the cooperative’s equity to its membership.

A line item appears on November billing statements labeled “Capital Credit Ret.” 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 retirements to your new address.

SECO Energy is one of the fastest-growing cooperatives in the nation. We are the third-largest distribution cooperative in Florida and seventh largest in the country. Though we are no longer a rural utility, we remain consistent in the not-for-profit practice of returning Capital Credits to our members.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for your SECO Energy membership.

Sincerely,

Mike Muffett

District 6 Trustee

Safety Corner-Decorating Safely

Members who live in neighborhoods with area light posts and poles must refrain from using these to display your holiday decorations. This is a safety hazard. Light poles and posts are not made for or rated for the added weight of decorations, signs or banners.

Do not affix signs, advertisements, banners and sports equipment to SECO poles. Nailing, stapling or tacking items to poles increases wear and degrades their structural integrity. Protrusions can injure or puncture an employee or contractor’s protective equipment. The pole’s ground wire can also be damaged. Most important, we don’t want our members injured while hanging lights or decorations from a pole not meant to support the weight of the décor or ladder leaned against it.

Learn about our “Keep It Clear – We Work Here” safe clearance requirements around poles, meters, transformers and secondary enclosures at SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Keep It Clear.

Area Light Outage Reporting

If you notice an area light that is out, flickering, or on during the day, report the malfunction online using LightFinder on our StormCenter platform. LightFinder is available to report outage light issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on weekends.

To report, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and choose LightFinder. Enter the pole number or closest address in the search bar in the upper left. An icon represents each light. Working lights are shown as a green icon, while a red icon is a light that has already been reported as malfunctioning. The icon is orange if the light has been repaired in the last 24 hours. A gray icon represents inactive lights 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.

Vehicle Accidents And SECO Energy Facilities

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates over 46,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. Deaths have increased by 8 percent from 2020 (42,338) and 17 percent from 2019 (39,107). This trend is going in the wrong direction.

Vehicle accidents affect electric service as well. Between January and August this year, vehicle accidents accounted for 52 separate outages, interrupting electric service for 22,576 accounts. Car accidents involving SECO facilities occur almost twice a week on average in our service area.

In 2020, the number of car versus pole/facilities accidents began to rise. That year, 91 separate outages caused by vehicle crashes affecting our facilities interrupted service to 31,170 homes and businesses. In 2021, the number increased again to 99 separate outages affecting 37,907 homes and businesses.

The NSC finds that drivers’ behavior must change to save lives. Drivers may be distracted by passengers or their phones or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

SECO pursues reimbursement for property damage caused by vehicle accidents through our insurance carrier. But these accidents cost the cooperative and its members. Extensive damage to facilities or a law enforcement investigation creates longer restoration times and member satisfaction suffers. Cooperation with law enforcement and emergency services at a crash scene is a priority.

If you are involved in a crash with downed power lines – stay in the vehicle, if safe to do so, and wait for rescue. Downed lines may be energized and can kill. If you must exit the car, jump away from downed lines, land with both feet on the ground then shuffle and walk away.

DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC. For more ideas on how to be safe around electricity, visit SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Electrical Safety.

Santa’s Coming!

SECO Energy employees are lending a hand to spread Christmas joy and cheer to local children. Our employees generously take part by donating new, unwrapped toys for our annual corporate Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive.

Members can donate new, unwrapped toys as well. Our five Member Service Centers in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala and Sumterville serve as public drop-off locations between November 1 to December 2.

Retired Marines and other volunteers operate Toys for Tots and pick up donations to distribute the toys to children in need. All donated toys are distributed in the local area where they were collected. Members who want to register to receive toys donated through Toys for Tots can visit ToysforTots.org > Request a Toy.

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program has pledged $5,000 this year to complement employees’ Toys for Tots donations. Our Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. We are excited to expand the giving in our communities.

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

Update your SECO Energy Foundation enrollment status before December 31, 2022. The Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation. All SECO members will be automatically enrolled in the Foundation at year-end unless they have pro-actively unenrolled.

The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to increase community outreach and member bill payment assistance. The Foundation will round enrolled members’ bills up to the nearest dollar. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978

PURPA was enacted to encourage investments in conservation, efficient use of facilities by electric utilities and equitable electric rates. In 2009, PURPA required qualified electric utilities to consider three new 111(d) standards pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA).

Recently, the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) requires non-regulated cooperatives (such as SECO Energy), municipal utilities, and state regulators (for regulated utilities) to consider adopting two new standards under Section 111(d) of PURPA.

Following direction from NRECA, SECO does not presently intend to conduct a live hearing but will, via its comment and response periods, along with the opportunity for member attendance at Board meetings where they are allowed to be heard on matters affecting the Cooperative, enable our members to be heard throughout this process. Consideration of standards need to focus on how implementation is consistent with the purpose of PURPA:

the promotion of energy conservation
optimization of the efficiency of use of facilities and resources, and
equitable rates to electric consumers

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees approved a Resolution at the October 24 Board Meeting to enact the process to consider the two new standards and to engage in a public comment period to consider our members’ input on the topic.

SECO will seek public comments online or via USPS from members beginning April 1, 2023.

Read the full November 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News October 2022

Dear Members,

I am honored to serve as your Board President. As our CEO Curtis Wynn has highlighted in previous articles, we remain committed to maintaining our electric grid and keeping up with the growth we are experiencing system-wide. I want to highlight some of those specific activities.

Members who live in Sumter County know the growth in our area has been incredible over the last decade. Last year, SECO energized 1,443 new services in Sumter County – representing 25 percent of SECO’s total new service count. This year between January and August, we have already energized 2,257 new meters in Sumter County, bringing the total service count in the county to 82,173.

You can’t help but notice the construction all over Sumter County, and SECO Energy has many projects in various design and construction stages. SECO is actively focused on improving the reliability of its existing infrastructure in Sumter County and building new facilities to meet increasing demand.

Currently in the Belmont area, new commercial development is happening around County Road 466A to include new restaurants, retail space and a hotel. In Belmont Phase 3, SECO recently energized electric infrastructure for 57 residential lots. A 100,000-square-foot self-storage facility is currently in the engineering design stage.

New single-family residences are proposed at the Keys at Wildwood Phase II and the Villas at Wildwood. The Wildwood Cottages subdivision is also in development near County Roads 134 and 426. These 70 new units have no age restrictions. The community will include a clubhouse, pool, dog park and community garden.

A new nursing center is planned for Trailwinds Villages. SECO’s Engineering team has completed the electric design for an assisted-living facility of 160 units at Lumin Park in Lady Lake. Another new senior assisted-living facility in Wildwood on County Road 472 will have 132 units and is in the electrical design stage.

Sumter County is also welcoming new commercial growth. An adhesive plant is in construction on 82nd Avenue west of County Road 127. In the same area, SECO has completed the electric design of a 170,000-square-foot building. A 7,000-square-foot retail building is being designed in the Fenney Professional Plaza. Near the corner of Buena Vista and Parr, a proposed 2,300-square-foot facility for a new Sprouts grocery store is in the works.

This long list helps emphasize our area’s robust residential development and commercial growth. Keeping pace with the growth while continuing to maintain our existing infrastructure to serve our current members is a high priority for every SECO Energy employee. Visit SECOEnergy.com > Newsroom > System Improvement Map to see reliability and expansion projects across our entire service territory.

Unfortunately, we continue to battle supply chain and labor shortages as a not-for-profit cooperative trying to keep pace with unprecedented growth. Our members continue to feel the crunch in their electric bills as the price of natural gas – the primary fuel used to generate electricity – increased 52% in July compared with June per the Energy Information Administration depicted in the graph to the right. The Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) component on your bill reflects these ongoing increases.

Members who need financial help should visit SECOEnergy.com > Contact and click on the Find Bill Payment Help map to locate a social service agency in their area. These agencies receive funding from SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program for the specific purpose of helping members who have difficulty paying their electric bill. Florida 211 is also a resource for residents who need resources related to food, addiction, housing and healthcare. Call 211 or visit 211.org today.

Sincerely,

Gerald Anderson

Board Trustee President

Surge MitiGator – Win a Generator Reminder!

Enroll in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator program by November 15 for a chance to win one of three portable generators! Members in a current lease or prior purchase are already eligible to win.

Chomp down on voltage spikes and surges with SECO Energy surge protection. The meter-based surge arrester blocks damaging surges and voltage spikes that come in through the electric line before they damage appliances and cause financial loss. Surges are caused by lightning, vehicle accidents, small animals, fallen trees and more.

You can lease the protection for only $5.95 plus tax per month with a $25 installation fee. Purchase prices range from $349 to $399, and installation is always free. The product carries a 15-year warranty.

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator program (lease or purchase) for a chance to win one of three portable generators. To enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator and submit the web form.

The arrester at the meter is the first step in protection. You should invest in point-of-use surge devices to protect electronics and appliances. Purchase at local big box or hardware store.

Scare Away Phantom Load

Did you know that many everyday electronics consume electricity when plugged into an outlet? Electronics such as TVs, DVD players, computer equipment, gaming or audio systems, cable boxes and device chargers are the most common culprits. This phenomenon is called phantom load, and it leads to increased energy bills.

Phantom load may be responsible for 10 to 20 percent of residential electricity use in the United States alone. Studies report that homes may have 20 to 40 sources of phantom load.

How do you scare away phantom load? The Department of Energy’s (DOE) website at energy.gov recommends using power strips instead of plugging items directly into outlets. Power strips enable multiple devices to be plugged in at one time and can be turned “on” or “off.” Smart plugs are also available for devices such as cell phones that stop using electricity when the battery is charged.

Scare away phantom load by identifying and eliminating energy wasters in your home. TVs and DVD players in a guest room? Multiple chargers plugged directly into outlets and not being used? A computer, printer or gaming system plugged in and not in use?

SECO offers a variety of ways to search out energy wasters in disguise. Find the Energy Estimator and the Home Energy Assessment at SECOEnergy.com to receive energy-efficiency advice tailored to your home.

SECO Energy Employees Donate to Relay For Life

For decades, SECO Energy employees have donated to and participated in The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life which is the largest peer-to-peer fundraising event dedicated to saving lives affected by cancer.

SECO Energy is proud to announce that its employees collectively donated $4,640 to Relay For Life teams in SECO’s service area. SECO Energy has committed to matching employees’ donations from our Pennies from Heaven fund. The total contribution totaled $9,280 for the American Cancer Society.

Want to join SECO Energy’s charitable endeavors? Enroll in our Pennies from Heaven program that is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation. Your bill will be rounded up to the nearest dollar each month. These donations assist your fellow members with bill payment assistance and other local worthy causes. Read more on page 4 about SECO Energy Foundation enrollment changes that take effect in January 2023.

SECO Energy Foundation Reminder

In January 2023, SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to increase community outreach in our service area. The new Foundation will generate grant funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and SECO’s strategic initiatives. The Foundation will also provide increased bill payment assistance for SECO members.

SECO members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation at year-end unless they have proactively unenrolled. The Foundation enrollment rounds up monthly bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

Update your SECO Energy Foundation enrollment status by visiting SECOEnergy.com > Contact > SECO Energy Foundation. You can send an email to CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com, call (352) 793-3801 or write to SECO Energy, Attn: Corp Comm, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 by December 31, 2022.

We are so thankful for our current Pennies from Heaven enrollees. We look forward to expanding our community outreach with the new SECO Energy Foundation.

Contributions to the SECO Energy Foundation will be tax-deductible.

Read the full October 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News September 2022

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Thankfully, at print time for this edition of SECO News, the season has been inactive, and the forecast revised. But it only takes one powerful tropical storm or hurricane to bring widespread damage to transmission and distribution electric infrastructure, so don’t let your guard down. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the possibility of a hurricane forming is highest during September.

Earlier this year, the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team called for a well-above-average 2022 hurricane season. In August, the CSU experts decreased the season forecast to potentially above-average. Warmer tropical sea temperatures and cooler subtropical sea temperatures indicate a high probability that a major hurricane (Category 3, 4 or 5) will make landfall in the U.S.

CSU now predicts 18 named storms and 4 major hurricanes, which is by no means below average. Between 1991 and 2020, the average number of named storms was 14.4, and major hurricanes was 3.2.

SECO Energy is StormReady and prepared to respond to outages caused by summer thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes. SECO’s StormReady approach includes our investment in our outage reporting and communications platform StormCenter. Report a new power outage and check the status of a current outage using your smartphone or tablet 24/7 (or call our IVR and use the automated system that offers outage details). With your account enrolled in notifications, we’ll send proactive outage alerts via email, text, voice or all three – depending on your enrollment preferences. These notifications generate when our system detects a feeder outage affecting your location. Manage your notification preferences at SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter.

Your county Emergency Operations Centers offer storm-related services. If you or a loved one have special needs, add your name to the Special Needs Registry at www.FloridaDisaster.org and review shelter, evacuation and emergency services details. SECO Energy’s restoration priorities in a named storm recovery are feeders that serve shelters, schools, hospitals and government/public safety facilities. Then we focus on restoring service to feeders with the largest number of accounts. If you or a loved one require electric service for life-sustaining medical equipment, invest in a generator or prepare to go to a shelter if a named storm heads our way.

Essential supplies fly off the shelves when a hurricane is en route. Need help getting started with a supply plan? Read our Hurricane Handbook at SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Hurricane Handbook to learn what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Stop A Scam In Its Tracks

The adage is true: If it’s too good to be true, it usually is. Common scams include a threat to shut off electricity, “free” solar equipment or a stranger knocking on your door to supposedly change your meter. Millions of Americans fall victim to scams each year. Scammers try to create a sense of urgency or offer something too good to be true, so you’ll comply first and regret later.

One popular scam is a phone call that your energy provider will disconnect power in 30 minutes if you don’t pay your bill. The scammer wants your credit card information or suggests you meet in a public place (not the utility’s approved payment location) and hand over cash or a gift card. Don’t fall for the scam – SECO Energy will never call you and threaten to disconnect power within minutes. We will not ask for cash, gift cards or other internet forms of payment such as Zelle or Venmo. Check your billing balance and payment history through our online account manager SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com > Your Account.

Less-than-honest solar contractors advertise “free solar” or “eliminate your electric bill.” Both claims are false. Solar equipment is costly and never free – especially if a scammer talks you into financing a system at a high interest rate. Watt for watt, solar power generation costs more than traditional power generation. Members who invest in solar will purchase utility-supplied power when the sun isn’t shining – unless they invest in a backup power system like battery or generator power sources. Also, you will not have power during a utility outage unless you’ve installed a backup power source with your solar system. Get the facts about solar. Visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Is Solar Right For You? Find facts on solar generation, types of panels and inverters, how net metering works, frequently asked questions and more.

Another scam is a stranger knocking on your door to check/change your electric meter, perform a home energy audit and sell products that will reduce your electric bill. This person may indicate SECO sent them, or they represent a SECO program. Don’t let them in the door unless you have prearranged the visit. Nefarious persons may offer products or services you don’t need. The situation may be dangerous if someone is trying to gain access to your home and property. A Marion County couple fell for this ploy. Their home was robbed while a scammer distracted them in the yard while claiming to examine the electric meter. SECO will only send authorized contractors to your home to read your electric meter or replace faulty equipment. SECO contractors carry company ID and will show you their badge upon request.

You’ll find a list of common scams that are perpetrated in-person, by phone or online by visiting FBI.gov > Scams and Safety. If someone at your door is demanding payment or access, call 911 to ensure your safety. If you have questions about a phone interaction that you believe is a scam, email CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com.

SECO Energy Board of Trustees Secretary/Treasurer and District 2 Trustee Joyce Anderson has successfully completed the requirements to earn the Director Gold Credential (DGC) from the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA). This Credential recognizes directors/trustees who demonstrate their commitment to advancing their knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best of their ability.

Trustee Anderson resides in Sumterville and was first elected to the SECO Energy Board of Trustees in February 2020. Ms. Anderson currently serves as the Board of Trustees Secretary/Treasurer and has been a SECO member since 2017.

SECO Energy Donates $10,500 for Public Education Foundations

School is back in session. As part of our ongoing commitment to education and the communities we serve, SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program has donated $10,500 to local public education foundations.

$1,000 to The Citrus County Education Foundation

Its mission is to provide resources to support the Citrus County School District to enhance the quality of education for present and future generations.

$3,500 to The Educational Foundation of Lake County

The Foundation will fund travel to the World Competition for Vex Robotics. With SECO’s donation, more teams will be able to compete.

$3,000 to The Public Education Foundation of Marion County

The Foundation will use the funds to support their Grants for Great Ideas program that provides teachers funding for innovation in STEM education.

$3,000 to The Sumter County Schools Enhancement Foundation

The Foundation serves students with incentives for achievement, helping students in need, and awarding scholarships to seniors to promote higher education.

This year’s collective donation is a continuing investment in public education in the communities we serve, and follows two of the seven Cooperative Principles of Education, Training and Information and Concern for Community. Read more about the Pennies from Heaven program and 2023 transition to the SECO Energy Foundation at SECOEnergy.com. Click the Foundation banner to check your enrollment status in the electric bill round-up program that funds these types of initiatives.

Surge MitiGator – Win a Generator

Win one of three portable generators! Enroll in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection product by November 15. Members in a current lease or prior purchase are already eligible to win.

The MitiGator chomps down on voltage spikes and surges before they damage appliances and cause financial loss. Surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO facilities, small animals, fallen trees and more. The Surge MitiGator is installed at the meter and reduces surges that come through the electric line. The product carries a 15-year warranty.

Lease the protection for only $5.95 plus tax per month with a $25 installation fee. Purchase prices range 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 September, October and November. To enroll, visit our Surge MitiGator website section and fill out the web form.

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 appliances. Purchase these at your local big box or hardware store.

SECO Energy Foundation Transition

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. The goal of the SECO Energy Foundation is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the cooperative’s strategic objectives including increased bill payment assistance for SECO members.

At year-end, all SECO members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation that rounds up monthly bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

We are so thankful for our current Pennies from Heaven enrollees, and we look forward to expanding our community outreach with the new SECO Energy Foundation.

Contributions will be tax-deductible.

Read the full September 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News August 2022

In June SECO News, I shared details about our current infrastructure expansion and reliability projects in Lake County. This month, I have an update on facilities projects and development in Marion County.

In 2021, SECO Energy welcomed 2,124 new accounts in Marion County. This total accounted for 37% of the 5,770 new services added last year. The influx of new residents and businesses in our area requires SECO to build new infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for reliable energy. We also pledge to maintain our existing system to serve members reliably.

A project nearing completion on the south side of Marion County is the rebuild of our Dallas substation located on Highway 301 near The Villages. This state-of-the-art redesign allows for multiple transmission sources with eight total distribution feeders to serve members in Summerfield, Oxford, Dallas and portions of The Villages. The Dallas substation will serve as a backfeed source for our Villages substation. The rebuild is on schedule for completion in early fall.

Members who live in Stone Creek, On Top of the World and nearby expanding areas will be pleased to know the substation that serves this area, Timberwood, is increasing. Currently, this substation has a single power transformer and four distribution feeders. The footprint expansion will add a second power transformer and increase the number of distribution feeders to six.

In Marion County, 22 new or expanding neighborhood developments are adding residential homesites. The proposed number of homesites for these projects tops 8,000.

Along with residential growth, Marion County is experiencing commercial development. The Florida Crossroads Industrial Commerce Park on Highway 484 is expanding. The new footprint will include three distribution centers, apartments, homesites and a new shopping center with outparcels. Winding Oaks, located south of State Road 200 near SW 66th Street, proposes over 600,000 square feet of retail and automotive sales space. With an additional 400,000 square feet of office/retail space and over 3,000 homesites, Winding Oaks will be an impressive development that will bring jobs and families to the area.

The future Calesa phases are new additions to On Top of the World and include almost 600 single-family homesites. A new high school is also underway in the location. The World Equestrian Center continues to grow by adding a second hotel that will feature 400 larger suite-like rooms. Also proposed is a new 80,000-square-foot restaurant complex, a grab-and-go marketplace, a WEC Florida Health Building and future apartment space.

At SECO Energy, I, along with our Board of Trustees and nearly 400 colleagues, strive to provide safe, affordable and reliable electric service to over 220,000 Central Florida homes and businesses. We are proud to partner with the communities we serve to make Central Florida the thriving region it is.

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Swim Into Savings

Reduce your pool pump’s run time and dive into energy efficiency! According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at energy.gov, Florida homeowners can reduce energy costs by cutting their pool pump run times almost in half.

Pool pumps circulate your pool’s water to mix chemicals and remove debris. Circulate while adding chemicals to evenly distribute throughout the water. Increased circulation doesn’t reduce algae growth – proper cleaning and chemicals do. Screened-in pools gather less debris than pools in the open.

In a study by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University, participants reduced their pool pump run time to less than 3 hours per day. Most participants reported they were satisfied with the pool’s water quality.

Reduce your pool pump’s daily run time to 3 to 4 hours. If the water isn’t clean, increase the run time in 30-minute increments until the quality improves. That is the optimal pool pump run time.

To reduce SECO Energy’s peak load, run your pool pump in the morning – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or at night after 7 p.m. Also, install a pool pump timer to set the run times. Minor changes to reduce your pool’s energy use will lead to lower energy costs.

SECO Energy Foundation – Pennies from Heaven Transition

SECO Energy is enhancing its longstanding Pennies from Heaven program in 2023. The current Pennies program provides bill payment assistance to members and funding for other local worthy causes. In 2023, the Pennies from Heaven “program” will change to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans’ initiatives and public safety.

The current Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. Contributions will be tax-deductible and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers.

Foundation dollars may assist in purchasing smart thermostats for those members who can’t afford one or other energy-efficiency improvements that lower consumption. These types of investments help members reduce energy usage – which leads to lower bills and reduces SECO Energy’s peak demand. A reduction in demand reduces SECO’s wholesale power bill, lowers costs for all members and decreases the need to build new power plants.

We’re revising the way members are enrolled in the program. See options to unenroll below if you choose not to participate. For those members already enrolled in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar – thank you! At year-end, you and your fellow members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation. Your bill will continue to be rounded up monthly, and the SECO Energy Foundation will devote the extra pennies toward initiatives like those listed above. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

There are five convenient ways to unenroll. Just let us know by December 31, 2022.

1. Email Customer Service
2. Call 352-793-3801
3. Write to us at P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 ATTN: Corp Comm
4. Use the opt-out slip below and mail it with your bill

To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation before making your decision, read the SECO Energy Foundation Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for the initiative categories beginning January 4, 2023.

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator for a Chance to Win a Generator

Florida’s afternoon summer thunderstorms pack a punch. These storms bring heavy rain and lightning that may lead to power surges entering your home from the electric line and through the meter.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team forecasts a well-above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. These experts predict 20 named storms in 2022 compared to an average of 14.4 named storms between 1991 and 2020.

Surges are powerful increases in voltage that can destroy your home’s appliances and electronics. Surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO facilities, small animals, fallen trees and more. SECO’s meter-based surge arrester, the Surge MitiGator, takes the bite out of damaging surges and spikes.

The MitiGator chomps down on voltage spikes and surges before they damage appliances and cause financial loss. The Surge MitiGator is installed at the meter and the product carries a 15-year warranty.

Lease the Surge MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month with a $25 installation fee. Purchase prices range 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. Members in a current lease or prior purchase are already eligible to win. We’ll pick a winner in September, October and November. To enroll in the Surge MitiGator program, visit our Surge MitiGator website section and fill out the web form. Good luck!

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.

Winners’ Circle

Congratulations to the five Watch and Win Annual Meeting video winners!

James Bowden | Belleview
$500 SECO Energy bill credit

Mary Lynn McKenzie | Tavares
$250 SECO Energy bill credit

Marvin Witt, Jr. | The Villages
Nest Learning Thermostat

Susan Sauer | Inverness
HoneyWell Wi-Fi Thermostat

Cristian Flores | Clermont
2021 Apple TV

The latest SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger winner is Frank Griswold from Ocala. 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.

Read the full August 2022 SECO News online.

SECO Energy Foundation – Pennies from Heaven Transition

SECO Energy is enhancing its longstanding Pennies from Heaven program in 2023. The current Pennies program provides bill payment assistance to members and funding for other local worthy causes. In 2023, the Pennies from Heaven “program” will change to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans’ initiatives and public safety.

There are four convenient ways to unenroll. Just let us know by December 31, 2022.

1. Email Customer Service
2. Call 352-793-3801
3. Write to us at P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 ATTN: Corp Comm
4. Use the opt-out slip below and mail it with your bill

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Archive

SECO Energy Foundation

Advance Metering Infrastructure

SECO Energy’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 Fast Charger Lease/Purchase

District 5 Trustee Shannon Wright Earns Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

Electric Safety

Winter HVAC Service – A Message from District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison

12 Ways to Pay

Winners’ Circle – Generator

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

Safety Corner-Decorating Safely

Area Light Outage Reporting

Vehicle Accidents And SECO Energy Facilities

Santa’s Coming!

SECO Energy Foundation Enrollment Change – January 2023

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978

Surge MitiGator – Win a Generator Reminder!

Scare Away Phantom Load

SECO Energy Employees Donate to Relay For Life

SECO Energy Foundation Reminder

Stop A Scam In Its Tracks

SECO Energy Donates $10,500 for Public Education Foundations

Surge MitiGator – Win a Generator

SECO Energy Foundation Transition

Swim Into Savings

SECO Energy Foundation – Pennies from Heaven Transition

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator for a Chance to Win a Generator

Winners’ Circle

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