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SECO News October 2025

The Value of Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Electric Service

 

DEAR MEMBERS,

 

We often take the electricity that powers our homes and businesses for granted. Yet less than 100 years ago, Central Florida was largely without electric service – investor-owned utilities considered it too expensive to extend lines to rural homes and farmsteads. During the Great Depression, neighbors came together to build electric cooperatives, bringing electricity to rural communities when it was needed most.

 

Electricity keeps your home comfortable, your food fresh, your laundry clean, and your devices charged. It powers schools, local businesses, and fuels community growth, connecting you to every corner of the world.

 

When compared to other household expenses, electricity remains one of the best values in your budget. The average SECO Energy home consumes roughly 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. Through careful long-term planning, efficient operations, and a commitment to cooperative principles, SECO’s rates have remained relatively stable. At today’s rates, most homes spend less than $5 per day on electricity – an exceptional value even as the costs of other essentials continue to rise.

 

Behind every flip of a switch is a dedicated team ensuring your family’s comfort and safety. SECO maintains more than 14,000 miles of electric infrastructure across our service area. When storms or outages occur, we respond quickly, understanding the vital role electricity plays in our daily life.

 

SECO’s mission is to deliver reliable and innovative energy services to our members and communities. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is one of many innovative solutions SECO has developed that gives you insight and control over your energy usage. The AMI driven Smart Connect program works with your in-home devices, such as your smart thermostats and electric vehicle chargers to reduce peak energy demand and help lower SECO’s wholesale power costs. Additionally, our home energy reviews can help you identify common sense ways to reduce electricity consumption and maximize the value of every kilowatt-hour.

 

SECO Energy delivers the electricity that powers your life and your community. It supports your quality of life, drives the local economy, and strengthens neighborhoods. We are proud to provide you safe, reliable, and affordable electric service – and we will continue working diligently to keep it that way.

 

Sincerely,

 

CURTIS WYNN

Chief Executive Officer

 


SECO News October 2025: The 2026 Youth Tour Application is Open!

 

SECO Energy is seeking student delegates for the 2026 Florida Youth Tour in Tallahassee. This program is open to high school juniors living in SECO-served homes. Twelve students will be selected, with one from each of our nine Districts and three additional candidates.

 

Delegates will be sponsored by SECO to join over 100 peers on February 4 – 5, 2026, for tours of the State Capitol, Florida’s Supreme Court, and other local attractions. From the chosen students, four will have the chance to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., where they will learn about electric cooperatives and engage with elected officials. This experience aims to deepen understanding of rural electrification and foster networking and leadership opportunities.

 

To qualify for the SECO Energy Youth Tour, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Students must be currently enrolled as a high school junior or be home-schooled at the junior level within one of our nine service Districts.

  • The student must live with a parent or guardian whose home is served by SECO Energy and must have an active account at the time of application and during the tour dates.

 

Applicants must submit a short essay on the future of the energy industry and a letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher, administrator, or community leader.

 


SECO News October 2025: Safety Corner Beware of Energy Vampires

 

Energy vampires or phantom loads can haunt your electric bill. Many appliances and electronics drain electricity even when turned off or in standby mode, contributing to a “phantom load.” Microwaves, TVs, computers, gaming consoles, phone chargers, and remote-control devices are common energy vampires.

 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, phantom loads account for 5 to 10% of residential energy use, costing the average household up to $100 a year.

 

TIPS TO REDUCE ENERGY VAMPIRES:

  1. Use Power Strips: Plug devices into a surge or timed power strip with switches to turn them off completely when not in use.
  2. Unplug Unused Devices: Disconnect appliances like coffee makers and phone chargers after use.

 

Be mindful to keep these energy drains at bay to avoid inflated bills. For more energy efficiency tips, visit SECOEnergy.com.

 


SECO News October 2025: Free Surge Installation!

 

Protect your home from damaging power surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ program. Power surges are sudden, intense increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and electronic devices, including televisions, computers, cordless telephones, and more.

 

Safeguard your home’s appliances with SECO’s meter-based surge arrester. This device is designed to prevent unnecessary financial loss by protecting large appliances (such as motors and compressors) by reducing surges at the meter before they enter your home.

 

You can lease this protection for only $5.95 per month, plus tax, or purchase it for $349, plus tax. From October 1 to November 15, 2025, SECO will waive the $40 installation fee.

 


SECO News October 2025: Member Q&A: You Asked; We Answer

 

Question from Member: 

Will a programmable thermostat really help me reduce energy costs?

 

You Asked: We Answer: 

Absolutely! A programmable thermostat helps you take control of your energy use by automatically adjusting temperatures when you’re asleep or away from home. When used correctly, a programmable thermostat can reduce your annual energy costs by up to 10 – 15%, according to the Department of Energy (Energy.gov). That’s money back in your pocket while still keeping you and your family comfortable.

 

WANT TO TAKE YOUR SAVINGS A STEP FURTHER?

 

Earn rewards by enrolling your smart devices (such as a thermostat, EV charger, or battery backup system) in our Smart Connect program. To learn more about the program and eligibility, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Smart Connect.

 


SECO News October 2025: Trustee Insight Board-Led Initiative Provides Payment Relief After Summer Heatwave

 

BOARD – LED INITIATIVE PROVIDES PAYMENT RELIEF AFTER SUMMER HEATWAVE

 

Following an extreme summer heatwave that pushed energy use to record levels, SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has championed a major change to its residential deposit procedure. Qualifying residential members will now have their deposits automatically credited to their electric bill – no request needed.

 

TO QUALIFY, YOU MUST: 

  • Have paid a deposit when opening a residential account with SECO and still have an active deposit balance on the account
  • Have completed 24 consecutive months of excellent SECO payment history.

 

“This change reflects our commitment to putting members first,” said Gerald Anderson, President of SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. “After this summer’s extreme heat, we wanted to find tangible relief for those eligible for a deposit refund and thank them for their loyalty and good payment history.”

 

District 6 Trustee Mike Muffett, an early advocate for automatically refunding member deposits, shared, “We know our members work hard, and many have been stretched thin. These steps show that SECO is their trusted energy provider, especially in challenging times.”

 

In addition, through a partnership with FloridaCommerce, eligible SECO members will receive payment assistance funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The federal program assists income-qualified households with energy costs. Normally, members must apply for LIHEAP support, but thanks to this partnership, qualifying member accounts will automatically receive federal energy assistance credit on their SECO electric bill – no application required.

 


SECO News October 2025: New Podcast Alert: Power Chat In the Electric Lounge

 

FIRST EPISODE PREMIERES OCTOBER 9

 

We’re always looking for better ways to communicate and connect with you—our members. That’s why SECO Energy is launching a new podcast! 

 

Episode 1: “Who We Are & Why We Serve” with CEO Curtis Wynn and VP of Communications, Community & Member Experience, Kathy Judkins. Learn more about your cooperative, how we serve our community, and how we’re finding new ways to stay connected with you. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

 


Read the full October 2025 SECO News.

 

SECO News, January 2020

 

Duncan’s Digest – 2020 SECO Scholarship Program

 

Your SECO Energy Board of Trustees recently approved our 2020 SECO Scholarship Program. A total of $36,000 is available for 12 recipients to receive $3,000 each.

 

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

This year we are adjusting the eligibility requirements to better align with our corporate goals. The focus of the scholarship program is shifting to a recruitment tool to spark an interest in energy industry careers. Our goal is to attract local students who want to come to SECO Energy for internship opportunities during breaks and begin their careers with us after graduation.

 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that almost 2 million people are employed in jobs related to electric power generation and fuels. In that group, nearly half a million people are employed in jobs directly related to electric power generation, transmission and distribution.

 

The DOE also reports the number of jobs in the energy sector is increasing – thus the demand for a skilled workforce follows. New careers are evolving that focus on renewable energy, natural gas and information and communications technology. But the energy industry workforce is aging. Almost thirty percent of energy industry employees are on the cusp of retirement or between the ages of 51 and 60. Furthermore, thirty-three percent of energy industry workers are between the ages of 41 and 50.

 

An aging workforce and the need for employees interested in highly-skilled careers in the energy industry are driving the eligibility change in SECO’s 2020 Scholarship Program.

 

To be eligible to apply, the student must be interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector. The student must be a graduating senior who lives in a home served by SECO Energy. Awardees must be enrolled full-time in an accredited Florida college, university or vocational/ technical school by the end of 2020. Students should also be pursuing a degree or certification in technology, engineering, math or business.

 

Applications are available beginning January 2, 2020 online. For those without Internet access, applications are also available in all Member Service Centers. The application must be received in our corporate offices on or before Friday, March 27, 2020.

 

If you have questions about the scholarship program, email Communications. Or you can call and visit with Eneida Robaina in the Corporate Communications group. Eneida manages the scholarship program and is also this month’s SECO Champion. Read about her next and watch her video on YouTube.

 

In addition to transforming into a viable recruiting tool, our Scholarship Program embraces two of the seven cooperative principles observed by SECO: Concern for Community and Education, Training and Information. I wish our applicants the best and look forward to meeting our scholarship winners at the awards banquet on May 18, 2020.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 


 

January 2020 SECO News SECO Champion Eneida Robaina

 

SECO Champion – Eneida Robaina

 

Length of Service: 10 Years

 

 

“MY FAMILY IS SUPPORTIVE WHEN DUTY CALLS.” Eneida Robaina is a Senior Staff Assistant in Corporate Communications. Eneida also coordinates SECO’s Scholarship Program and has implemented the program changes to cultivate our future workforce. Eneida organizes the applications, answers scholarship inquiries and arranges the yearly awards banquet for recipients and their families.

 

Eneida moved to Sumterville from South Florida in 2001 with her family. She is a world traveler and also enjoys spending weekends on the family boat. Her family is understanding when Eneida works long hours or overnights in her role in the Emergency Restoration Plan during major weather events like Hurricane Irma. Eneida believes she is incredibly fortunate to work at SECO and is proud to represent a utility that truly puts its members first. Eneida is a SECO employee and a member, too.

 


Advice from the Old Farmer's Almanac January 2020 SECO News

 

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Many of us ring in the new year with a list of resolutions. The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers guidance on the best date in January 2020 to begin some of the most popular resolutions. The best day to quit smoking is January 6 or 11. Best day to color your hair on January 4 – 6, straighten your hair is January 20 or 21 or wait until January 24 – 26 for a new perm. Start your diet on January 14 or 19 and travel for pleasure on January 11 or 12 – before starting your New Year diet!

 


January 2020 SECO News Winter Heating

 

Winter Heating – Wood-Burning Fireplaces

 

During winter months, will a wood-burning fireplace heat your home more efficiently than your HVAC unit? SECO’s Energy Services experts report it’s not likely.

 

A wood-burning fireplace pulls oxygen and heat from other areas in your home. As much as 30 percent of that heat goes up the chimney creating a drop in your home’s temperature. When the temperature drops, your HVAC unit cycles more frequently.

 

To increase fireplace efficiency, consider installing glass doors or a fireback. Doors will serve as a barrier that reduces the amount of warm indoor air that escapes through the chimney. In the summer, glass doors will help prevent warm outside air from entering your home through the chimney. A fireback is an iron or steel often decorative plate that is installed at the back of the fireplace. Not only does this protect the fireplace masonry, it absorbs the heat and reflects it into the room.

 

Your best bet for fireplace energy efficiency is to not use the fireplace in conjunction with your HVAC unit. The glow from a wood-burning fire adds a lovely ambiance to a room and is perfect for times when it is only a little chilly.

 


January 2020 SECO News Safety Corner Kids' Electrical Safety Tips

 

Safety Corner – Kids’ Electrical Safety Tips

 

Children are innately curious and enjoy learning about the word they live in. Teach children and grandchildren to be cautious around energized equipment inside and outside the home.

 

Install outlet protectors in rooms where children can reach electrical outlets. Children and adults can be shocked or injured by placing foreign objects in outlets. Teach children to never operate appliances without a responsible adult present. Water and electricity don’t mix – never place electronics near water.

 

Inspect trees where children are playing to ensure that branches are far away from overhead power lines. Do not let children climb trees growing close to electric lines. Never touch outdoor wires with any part of your body, toys or other objects. Keep kites, balloons, drones and toy planes away from poles and wires. Children should never be allowed to play near substations or underground transformers.

 

Find more electrical safety tips on our electrical safety page.

 

Read the full January 2020 SECO News online.