SECO News – Page 2 – SECO Energy

SECO News February 2023

Dear Members,

SECO Energy’s 85th Annual Meeting is being brought to you live via virtual webcast on Thursday, March 23, at 6 p.m. Tune in to learn about our new Strategy and new Mission from me and Board of Trustees President Gerald Anderson. Watch to find out if you are one of 100 prize winners.

Look for your Official 2023 Annual Meeting Notice enclosed in billing statements from mid-February through early March. Your Notice will provide further details on the meeting and voting instructions.

To access the meeting, click on the Virtual Business Meeting homepage banner on SECOEnergy.com at 6 p.m. on March 23. Links to the webcast will be published on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

As SECO Energy’s member count increases, Virtual Annual Meetings allow us to reach more members through our live webcast, Member Engagement Panel (via phone and email) and interactions on social media. The Board of Trustees has voted to continue the practice of holding Annual Meetings virtually for cost-saving reasons and to make the meeting more inclusive.

Once you receive your Official Notice, we need your vote on Annual Meeting business (and voting is how you enter the prize drawing as well)! This year the Board of Trustees has developed a short Bylaws Revision for membership vote. We also need approval of the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes. Review the Bylaws Revision and the 2022 Annual Meetings by visiting SECOEnergy.com. Vote from February 10 until the start of the Annual Meeting on March 23 at 6 p.m.

After February 10, members without Internet access may pick up a copy of the proposed Bylaws Revision and 2022 Meeting Minutes at one of our five Member Service Centers and ask a Member Services Representative to cast their vote that enters them in the prize drawing.

Members can vote by mail or phone once they receive their Official Annual Meeting Notice. Voting opens on SECOEnergy.com on February 10, 2023. Click the Vote Now homepage banner. All members who cast a vote are counted as present in person for the determination of quorum as stated in the Bylaws Article III, Section E, #4.

We have 100 prizes up for grabs! All members who vote on Annual Meeting Business (Bylaws Revision and 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes) are eligible to win one of 100 prizes. The grand prizes are two golf carts, three $1,000 cash prizes, three Generac 7117 generators and two ChargePoint Level 2 EV Fast Chargers. Other prizes include SECO Energy electric bill credits, Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, smart power strips and more! Winners are announced at the close of the Annual Meeting and posted on the website that evening.

Mark your calendar to tune in to our Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 23, at 6 p.m. If you miss it, the meeting’s video will be posted on YouTube in April.

Sincerely,

Curtis Wynn

Chief Executive Officer

Official 2023 Annual Meeting Notice

Starting after February 10, watch your billing statement for your Official 2023 Annual Meeting Notice. You’ll find details about SECO Energy’s 85th Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 23. The meeting will be webcast at 6 p.m.

Listed in the Official Notice is the full list of 100 prizes that are up for grabs for members who vote on the Bylaws Revision that is proposed by the Board of Trustees and approve the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes. Voting begins on February 10, until the meeting start time on March 23.

Also included in the Notice is the Meeting Agenda, voting ballot, a summary of the proposed Bylaws Revision, information about the Live Member Engagement Panel and more!

Official 2023 Annual Meeting Agenda

Virtual Engagement Panel Opens for Questions

5 p.m.

Business Meeting

6 p.m.

Welcome and Call to Order

Gerald Anderson President, Board of Trustees

Pledge of Allegiance

Scott Boyatt Vice President, Board of Trustees

Invocation and Trustee Introductions

Kathryn Gloria Vice President of Corporate Communications

Quorum Determination/2023 Notice Certification

Joyce Anderson Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Trustees

President’s Report

Gerald Anderson

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Curtis Wynn, Chief Executive Officer

Member Vote Results & Certification

Scott Gerken, Cooperative Attorney

Old Business/New Business

Curtis Wynn

Adjournment

Gerald Anderson

Virtual Prize Drawing

Kathryn Gloria

Bylaws Revision Summary

This year, the Board of Trustees has proposed a Bylaws Revision and is requesting member votes for approval.

In order to better serve the membership, the proposed Bylaws revision would allow the Board of Trustees to make adequate plans and preparations for the Annual Meeting. Although the Board of Trustees has the authority to provide for a virtual Annual Meeting, the proposed revision would expressly set forth that provision in the Bylaws.

The full text of the proposed revision may be obtained on or after February 10 by reviewing the red-line version of the Bylaws revision at SECOEnergy.com or visiting any SECO Energy Member Service Center or calling to request a mailed packet.

Live Member Engagement Panel

Do you have a comment or question for us? Engage with SECO Energy during the 2023 Virtual Annual Business Meeting, and your question or comment may be addressed live.

You can get in touch with us via email before the meeting at SECO2023AM@SECOEnergy.com. Or on the day of the meeting, give us a call at (352) 329-MEET (answered on March 23 after 5 p.m. only) or send a message on Facebook or Twitter starting at 5 p.m. on March 23.

If you have an account-specific question, please get in touch with Member Services at CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com. Our Member Services staff will follow up on any account-specific questions received.

Ways To Vote

Vote on Annual Meeting business for the chance to win one of 100 prizes! This year we have two items to vote on. The Board of Trustees has asked for the membership vote on a proposed Bylaws Revision. We also ask your approval of the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes.

To review the proposed Bylaws Revision and 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes, visit SECOEnergy.com. For members without Internet access, you can stop by any of our five Member Service Centers to pick up a copy of the proposed Bylaws Revision and 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes.

Voting opens on February 10. To cast your vote online, visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Annual Meeting, or text “VOTE” to (352) 320-2200.

The mail-in ballot will be included in the Official 2023 Annual Meeting Notice starting February 10.

We look forward to seeing you virtually on Thursday, March 23, at 6 p.m. for our 85th Annual Meeting!

Read the full February 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 (855) 938-3432, 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
PO Box 70997
Charlotte, NC 28272-0997

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.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Zebra Butterfly

The zebra butterfly, formerly known as the zebra longwing butterfly, became Florida’s state insect in 1996. It is typically 3 to 4 inches in length with long wings that are black with thin yellow bands or stripes.

Zebra butterflies are found in Everglades National Park and throughout Florida. Its habitats include thickets, hardwood forests, hammocks and gardens. Most adult butterflies rely on flower nectar for food. They sip the liquid nectar using their proboscis that looks like a long, coiled straw.

Butterflies’ life cycle has four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and adult. Female butterflies lay eggs on or near a larval host plant, and within days the eggs hatch, and the larvae begin to feed on the plant. Its appetite is voracious, and it grows and sheds its skin often. The fully grown larva seeks shelter and attaches with silk under a leaf or twig. It then molts into a winged pupa before becoming an adult.

Fun Fauna Fact: Over 180 butterfly species live in Florida with 40 unique to the state. Florida’s butterfly species diversity is higher than any state east of the Mississippi River.

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension

Read the full February 2022 SECO News online.

SECO News, July 2021

Duncan’s Digest – Solar Investments – Sensible or Scam?

Dear Members,

Solar system Inquiries from members are on the rise. Currently, nearly 2,600 SECO Energy members have chosen to invest in member-owned solar systems. SECO is a reliable source of information about solar power for our members, but unfortunately, we hear from members who’ve been misinformed by a contractor or misunderstood the solar system’s generation capabilities and the financial investment.

Some solar contractors use misleading sales pitches – we’ve seen the ads: No-cost solar. No electric bill. Free solar panels. Power during an outage. Without question, investing in solar technology is costly. At an average of $2.73 per watt (per the NREL and dependent on the type of system), a 10-kW residential system costs $27,300.00 (offset by a current federal tax credit). If you finance the system, you will pay interest over the term of the loan. If you lease a system, the leasing company receives the federal tax credit rather than you. Before investing, crunch the numbers on pvwatts.nrel.gov to estimate potential generation capacity and financial performance.

Cost, however, is only one consideration. The Sunshine State is not always sunny. Members who own a solar system without battery or generator backup still consume (and pay for) utility-supplied power when the sun isn’t shining – at night, rainy afternoons and cold winter mornings.

If allowable by city/county ordinance, members can go completely off-grid if the system has a battery to store power generated while the sun is shining to use during times when the sun doesn’t shine. During utility outages, solar systems without a backup power source do not continue to generate power as most inverters require electricity to operate. By design, this requirement prevents power generated by a solar system from backfeeding onto the utility’s electric system – which in turn can cause damage, injury or death to unsuspecting lineworkers.

If you’re interested in solar, SECO is here to help. We recommend obtaining three quotes from reputable contractors. Review Better Business Bureau ratings and visit the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association at flaseia.org for contractor recommendations.

The name of the game is buyer beware. Recently, members reported solar representatives claiming they are working on behalf of SECO – this is untrue. One of the most appalling scenarios we encountered this year came from a Marion County family who financed a solar system and had already signed the contract before reaching out to SECO. Can you guess which home in the photo has rooftop solar panels?

The solar panels are not even visible due to the dense tree coverage. Unless the homeowner incurs the expense of cutting the trees down, their solar system will not generate productively. And if they cut the trees down, their home will not receive the cooling benefit of tree shade. Don’t let this happen to you. Do your homework BEFORE you sign a contract.

Visit our Solar website section. You’ll learn about the capabilities and limits of solar power. Email our Solar team and an Energy Services Specialist will conduct a Solar Assessment to determine your home’s conduciveness to solar. We’ll also answer your questions about panels, inverters, insurance, net metering and more. Becoming an educated consumer is your best protection.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Whether you live in an urban or rural area, predatory animals may be closer than you think. The number of Floridians encountering bears in populated areas is increasing. The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists what to look for to determine if a bear has visited your home and how to deter it. If you suspect bear activity: Look for fur left behind, crushed vegetation, teeth and claw marks and hindfoot tracks like a human footprint. Bears are attracted to food. To deter bears: Use bear-proof containers for garbage or items with a strong scent, cover compost, change lever doorknobs (which bears can open) to round knobs. Clean outdoor cooking or fish-scaling areas.

Turn to page 7 to read about the Florida black bear in this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora.

Pennies Change Lives

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program was established to make a difference in our local communities one penny at a time. Every cent collected is distributed for the benefit of your fellow members.

Members enrolled in Pennies from Heaven allow SECO to round up their bill to the nearest dollar automatically. As an example, if the bill is $97.72, you will pay $98.00. The extra 28 pennies go directly to Pennies from Heaven.

SECO Energy employees also contribute to Pennies from Heaven through individual donations and corporate fundraisers.

Enroll today to be a part of this worthy program. Visit our Pennies from Heaven website section and fill out the webform to enroll.

SECO Energy absorbs any small administrative costs associated with the Pennies program. Just a few cents every month can change lives. If you’d like to provide a donation* by check instead, please mail it to us at: SECO Energy Pennies from Heaven 330 S US Highway 301 Sumterville, FL 33585

Requests for bill payment assistance are administered through several area agencies. Call 211 or reach out to a social service agency that offers utility assistance.

*Pennies from Heaven donations are not tax deductible.

Enroll in Surge Protection for a Monthly Chance to Win a New Generator

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is here, and forecasters predict there will be above-normal named storm activity this year. According to the National Weather Service at weather.gov, a typical lightning flash is about 300 million volts and 30,000 amps – and carries enough energy to power a 100-watt incandescent light bulb for three months. Florida storm season brings almost daily thunderstorms with high-voltage lightning.

To prepare, SECO is giving away three new portable generators! We’ll pick one winner each month in July, August and September. To be eligible to win, lease or purchase SECO’s Surge MitiGator™ meter-based surge arrester. Members in a current surge lease or prior purchase will automatically be eligible.

Lightning is the most common cause of power surges that can damage or destroy your home’s appliances or electronics. Other causes of surges are vehicle accidents involving SECO facilities, small animals or birds contacting electric lines or fallen trees.

SECO’s Surge MitiGator helps prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The Surge MitiGator has a beastly 15-year warranty and is designed to protect your home’s large-motor appliances.

You can lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus a $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included.

Enroll in SECO’s Surge MitiGator to take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes and be eligible to win a generator. Members currently enrolled in surge are also eligible as winners are drawn from all current surge protection enrollees. Visit our Surge MitiGator website section and click on the enroll icon to complete an enrollment webform.

For members without internet access, call (352) 793-3801 to enroll.

Surgeo Loves Pets Donation Total

Thank you, members, for making our Surgeo Loves Pets charitable initiative an outstanding success! For each new Surge MitiGator™ sign up between February 1 and June 15, your not-for-profit electric cooperative donated $5 from the Pennies from Heaven program to a local shelter or rescue on the member’s behalf in Citrus, Lake, Marion or Sumter County.

2,461 members enrolled resulting in donations totaling $12,305 to the shelters listed below:

CITRUS COUNTY – $1,800

• Critterville Inc. $200

• Citrus County Animal Services$500

• Humane Society of Citrus County$500

• Precious Paws Rescue, Inc. $200

• St. Francis’s Sunny Side Up Farm Animal Rescue $200

• Ziggy’s Haven Parrot Sanctuary$200

LAKE COUNTY – $3,405

• AFHAR-A Forever Home Animal Rescue, Inc. $200

• Florida Boxer Rescue $200

• From Trails To Happy Tails $200

• Hoffmeyer Animal Rescue $200

• Howey Horse Haven Rescue $200

• Humane Society of Lake County$1,000

• Lake County Animal Shelter $605

• Leesburg Humane Society $200

• Sugarloaf Mountain Ranch, Inc. $200

• The Animal League $200

• The Cat Protection Society $200

MARION COUNTY – $4,100

• Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue Inc. $200

• Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary $200

• Forest Animal Rescue $200

• Front Range Equine Rescue $200

• Fur Kids Pet Rescue Inc. $200

• Humane Society of Marion County $1000

• Kindred Spirits Sanctuary $200

• Marion County Animal Services $500

• Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary Inc.(Owls Ocala Inc.) $200

• Pets in Distress Inc. $200

• Quality of Life Rehab and Foster $200

• Sheltering Hands $200

• SPCA of Marion County $200

• SPCA of Ocala $200

• Vocal (Voices of Change Animal League) $200

• Forest Animal Rescue $200

SUMTER COUNTY – $3,000

• Sumter County Animal Control $1,000

• YOUR Humane Society SPCA of Sumter County, Inc. $2000

EV Charger Winner

Michael Underwood from Ocala is the latest winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV website pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, an EV and PHEV model finder and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section for more details.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

Winners’ Circle

Have you engaged with our virtual assistant Electra who can answer thousands of calls without missing a beat? Ask Electra for assistance instead of waiting to speak with a representative. Each week, we’ll draw one winner who will receive a $25 gift card. Winners are drawn from all members who called and successfully took care of business with Electra.

Winners Are:

Jan Chapple from Oxford

Jacquelyn Thomas from Eustis

Anna Hazel from Floral City

Byron Lowe from Ocala

Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft incentive

Wendy Albertson from The Villages is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Bexaida Martinez from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Scott Evans from Tavares is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners. Want to win next month? Visit SECOEnergy.com and scroll through the homepage banner arrows to view our drawing promotions.

Safety Corner – #MoveOverFL

What do emergency or law enforcement vehicles, sanitation vehicles, wreckers or tow trucks and SECO Energy utility vehicles have in common? Florida’s Move Over law or Statute 316.126 requires drivers to move over a lane – safely – when these vehicles are parked on the side of the road.

What should I do if I’m unable to change lanes? If unable to move over safely, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph less than the posted speed. For example, the speed limit posted on the roadway is 55, which means you are required to reduce your rate of speed to 35 or less. When the posted speed is 25 mph, drivers must slow down to 5 mph.

Failure to Move Over puts defenseless workers and yourself at risk. You can strike a worker or a parked vehicle. Drivers will be ticketed and pay a fine and incur points on their driving record.

For safety, #MoveOverFL – it’s the law.

Read the full July 2021 SECO News online.

SECO News, June 2021

Duncan’s Digest – StormReady: Hurricane Season Warning

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1. SECO Energy uses a unique and well-tested response plan that stands ready when typical afternoon thunderstorms occur and when our service area is affected by tropical storms or hurricanes. SECO is StormReady, and I urge you and your family to prepare proactively for hurricane season.

All signs point to the potential for a very active hurricane season this year. In April, The Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) published its Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will have above-normal activity.

These experts predict there will be a total of seventeen named storms. Eight of these will develop into hurricanes and four of these will become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5).

Compared to the historical record between 1991 and 2020, the projections for this year are higher than average. During this period, the Atlantic hurricane season averaged fourteen named storms. Seven of these became hurricanes, with three developing into major hurricanes.

An above-average activity hurricane season was predicted for last year as well. The 2020 season broke records with thirty named storms. Frankly, we were extremely lucky that these storms veered away from Central Florida. Tropical Storm Eta in mid-November was the only named storm that directly affected SECO’s service area last year.

One tropical storm or hurricane spinning through our service area is all it takes to make this a memorable season for SECO Energy members and employees. Part of storm readiness is our commitment to storm hardening our electrical system – valued at about $1 billion. Annually, we replace aging distribution poles and install concrete transmission poles to replace older wooden poles. Our robust vegetation management program also plays a key storm readiness role with a goal of trimming vegetation back from the entire 12,000 miles of overhead line systemwide every five years.

If you or a family member rely on life-sustaining medical equipment and cannot be without power for an extended time, your home should have a secondary backup power source available. You may need to relocate to a shelter to wait out the storm in the event of an outage. As a start, register with the Florida Special Needs Registry at FloridaDisaster.org that provides local first responders with information about your needs.

SECO’s StormReady approach also includes our online StormCenter outage map and communications platform that is available 24/7 on your smartphone or tablet. Report an outage, view the outage map, check the status of a current outage and report an area light malfunction.

Enroll or update your outage notifications through StormCenter today. We’ll send you an email, text, voice message or all three when the system detects an outage affecting your service. You’ll receive a follow-up communication when the outage is restored. Visit StormCenter and click on the Manage Notifications tab.

It is critical to prepare before a storm arrives. Gather your emergency supplies early using this month’s Word Search on page 5. Supplies sell out quickly when a storm is approaching. Prepare your home in advance and make an emergency plan with your family.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Plan your summer fishing trips with The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s best fishing days. The sun, moon, tides and weather all affect fish activity. The best time of day to fish is when they are most active – fish often feed more in the early morning and late evening. It is believed that fish feed more during a full moon as well. This summer’s best fishing dates are June 10 – 24, July 9 – 23, August 8 – 22 and September 6 – 20. Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora to learn more about the sailfish, Florida’s state saltwater fish.

Safety Corner – Vehicle Accidents and Utility Lines

A report by the National Safety Council (NSC) finds that over 42,000 people died in vehicle crashes in 2020. This statistic is an increase of 8% from 2019. Most alarming is the number of miles driven last year was much lower than the year before.

In SECO Energy’s service area, 91 separate vehicle crashes occurred that involved utility poles or other infrastructure in 2020. These crashes alone interrupted electric service to over 31,000 accounts.

Accidents involving downed power lines are extremely dangerous. Always assumed downed lines are energized and dangerous – and can kill. Stay in the vehicle if possible. Inform the 911 dispatcher that power lines are down near the crash site.

If you smell smoke or the vehicle catches fire, follow these steps to safety:

• Open the vehicle door but do not touch exterior metal that may be energized.
• Jump clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet on the ground at the same time.
• Again, do not touch the metal on the vehicle while touching the ground.
• Walk in a shuffling motion or bunny hop to safety.

If you witness an accident involving downed lines near or on the vehicle, stay away from the car and its occupants and call 911 immediately. Try your best to get the occupants’ attention and warn them to stay in the car if safe to do so.

Share this information with your family – especially younger drivers. For more tips on how to be safe around electricity, visit our Electrical Safety section on our website.

EV Charger Winner

Paula Stewart from Tavares is the latest winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

2021 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Awardees

For decades, SECO Energy has awarded scholarships annually to deserving high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. Over the years, we have provided over $500,000 in scholarship funds to over 300 students to help fulfill their dreams.

This year, we awarded nine students interested in a career in the energy industry and planning to attend a Florida college, university or vocational/trade school.

Join us in congratulating our 2021 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees:

LEIGHTON LEE BAKER
Eustis High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study electrical engineering. Leighton took part in the Eustis High School swim team, robotics and debate club.

LANDEN CARTER
The Villages Charter High School: Seeks an AAS degree in electrical distribution technology from Lake-Sumter State College. Landen played baseball and enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family.

AUSTON CHISENHALL
South Lake High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study business. Auston likes to fish, and while in school, participated in baseball and business classes.

ASHLEY DELEZENNE
The Villages Charter High School: Majoring in finance at Stetson University. Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society and spends time tutoring and volunteering at sporting events.

SHANIA DELPINO-LITTLE
The Villages Charter High School: Will attend the University of South Florida and major in accounting. Shania served as Secretary of the Science National Honor Society Club, the Vice President of the Student Activities Club and is a member of the National Honor Society.

SEBASTIAN LOAIZA
Belleview High School: Will major in computer science at the University of South Florida. Sebastian plays soccer and is a member of the Interact Club and the Robotics Automation Design (RAD) Club.

MICHAEL M. MARVIN, JR.
The Villages Charter High School: Plans to complete the electrical lineman program at Northwest Lineman College. Michael attended advanced placement courses in high school and enjoys football and weightlifting.

BRENDAN SIMONS
The Villages Charter High School: Is attending Florida Atlantic University to major in business. Brendan played baseball and participated in the Engineering Club and Rho Khappa.

COLIN B. SORENSON
South Lake High School: Is majoring in biological sciences at Florida State University. While in high school, Colin played baseball, basketball and is a member of Business Professionals of America.

Good luck, students, in reaching your education and future career goals!

Emergency Supplies Word Search

SECO Energy is StormReady and stands prepared for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Gather the list of emergency supplies below. Have enough on hand for each person for at least three days.

Connect with Electra

We invite you to connect with our virtual assistant Electra through our easy-to-use interactive voice response phone system.

Electra can assist thousands of members at the same time. Without waiting for a live agent, Electra can help you check your balance, find billing due date, disconnect service, report a power outage or service problem, check the status of a current outage or complete a payment arrangement.

To reach out to Electra, give her a call at (352) 793-3801. This number takes the place of any local numbers to Member Service Centers that were previously used.

If you request to speak to a live agent and call volume is high, Electra can save your place in line and arrange a callback during our regular business hours.

Read the Winners’ Circle article below for our latest winners.

Winners’ Circle

Four lucky winners who have completed a call with Electra won a $25 gift card. Congratulations, winners!

Carmen Linzey from Wildwood

Angela Medina from Ocala

Audrey Reed from Howey-in-the-Hills

Nola Jenzen from Lady Lake

Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft incentive.

Jade Greene from Tavares is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Matthew Ketchum from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Judy Robertson from Lady Lake is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners.

Summer HVAC Check-Up

In Central Florida, the largest energy user in your home is the HVAC system. HVAC use accounts for about 35 to 40% of your energy use (energy.gov). Florida’s high humidity levels also make high temperatures feel hotter. Using a dehumidifier during the summer months and a humidifier in the colder months may increase your comfort level.

We recommend scheduling an HVAC check-up with a qualified technician annually. Preventative maintenance will help your unit to operate more efficiently. Yearly maintenance will also help you avoid unexpected and often costly repair bills. Change or check HVAC filters each month or as directed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Weather plays a significant role in your energy usage. Try the Home Energy Assessment for a complete online energy audit that is tailored to your home and lifestyle. Our Energy Estimator shows you the math behind your monthly kilowatt hour (kWh) usage. We publish a monthly weather blog called Sunshine State Stats on our website and social media. Find these tools and more energy-efficiency ideas on the Energy Solutions section of our website.

Read the full June 2021 SECO News online.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Florida Manatee

One animal that is uniquely Floridian is the manatee. Florida manatees are native to Florida and are a sub-species of the West Indian manatee. These gentle giants grow to 9 – 10 feet long and weigh in at about 1,000 pounds. This gray aquatic mammal has two fore-limb flippers and a paddle-shaped tail that help it steer and propel through the water. Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes. When active, they rise up to breathe every 3 to 5 minutes.

Manatees are herbivores who spend up to 8 hours a day grazing on aquatic plants and seagrass, and eating about 10% of their body weight daily. They have no front teeth – only molars in the back of their mouth that are replaced when a tooth is lost.

Scientists are concerned about the number of observed manatee deaths this year. In 2021, there are 539 recorded deaths from January 1 through March 19, compared to 637 total deaths for 2020. This is an alarming trend that is on the rise. Manatee deaths can be attributed to a decline in seagrass and added pollution.

Fun Fauna Fact: Manatees have been a protected species in Florida since 1893. They feed and rest in shallow waters which makes them an easy target for boats.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

Read the full May SECO News online.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Roseate Spoonbill

One of Florida’s most unique and colorful birds is the roseate spoonbill. This species is the only spoonbill that is native to the Western Hemisphere. It has pink wings, long pink legs and a white neck and back. There is no color difference between males and females of the species.

Spoonbills get their name from their spoon-shaped bill. This bird uses its bill to sweep side to side to capture prey in shallow water. The bird’s pink color comes from the organisms they eat that are full of organic pigments called carotenoids.

Roseate spoonbills have a wingspan of 50 to 53 inches and grow to a length of 30 to 40 inches. Males retrieve nest-building materials while females build the nest. Females lay no more than 3 eggs, and both parents help with incubation duties while waiting about 24 days for the eggs to hatch.

Fun Fauna Fact: Roseate spoonbills were once threatened by hunters for their feathers. Because this practice is now illegal, the population has rebounded. The bird is still protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is a Florida Threatened species.

Read the full April 2021 SECO News online.

SECO News, April 2021

Duncan’s Digest – Inverness Substation Upgrade

SECO Energy’s service territory covers 2,100 square miles, which is about the size of Delaware. At year-end 2020, we were serving 216,477 homes and businesses in seven Central Florida counties. The bulk of our members live in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, with smaller numbers of members in Hernando, Levy and Pasco Counties.

Our cooperative purpose is to provide exceptional service to our members, co-workers and communities. That exceptional service is reflected in SECO Energy winning coveted J.D. Power awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017 when our satisfaction scores topped all utilities in the nation. In 2020, we upheld our position as an American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) frontrunner in Florida and nationally with a score of 91.

We definitely have a strong reputation to uphold. Another example of our exceptional service is a meticulous inspection and maintenance schedule that ensures day-to-day reliability while expanding an electric system that meets both current and future members’ energy needs.

In the July 2020 SECO News edition, I communicated about the Marion Oaks substation rebuild underway in Marion County. That project, including the demolition of the older adjacent substation, is almost complete.

A new project in the works is the Inverness substation rebuild in Citrus County. The Inverness substation was reconstructed in 1982. Due to its age, the substation needed a complete rebuild. This substation serves just under 6,000 members. The rebuild includes a high-side ring bus and steel structures that support the heavy, high voltage transmission line. The high-side ring bus will increase service reliability for all members served by the Inverness sub by creating redundancy through looped service.

The Inverness substation rebuild also improves reliability for members served by the nearby Floral City substation as well. Both substations are looped in with two separate Duke Energy transmission lines. Currently, members served by both substations experience an outage if even one of the Duke transmission lines experiences a fault or operates. When the new ring bus is in place at the Inverness substation, members served by our Floral City sub will no longer experience an outage if the fault occurs between the transmission line and the Inverness substation.

Along with the ring bus on the high side, we’re working to re-gasket the existing power transformer, install a new metering package and implement a state-of-the-art relay schematic. The new foundation is in place, the fence surrounding the substation has been installed, and a new control house is being constructed on-site. The Inverness substation rebuild is on schedule for completion in early summer, just in time for storm season to arrive.

The total value of our electric facilities systemwide is inching closer to the $1 billion mark. At year-end 2020, the value of SECO’s utility plant was $955.9 million. We’re spending about $3.2 million per month to improve existing members’ service reliability and to build new infrastructure to meet the growing demand in our area.

Without question, your electric service is supported by an extensive, robust and well-maintained infrastructure.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends the best days in April and May to complete indoor and outdoor projects. Ready for spring cleaning? Wash windows on April 10 and 11 and May 7 – 9, and wash floors on April 8 and 9 or May 5 and 6. The best days to bake are on April 18 and 19 and May 15 and 16. If spring yard work is on your list, the best days prune to encourage growth are April 20 and 21 and May 17 – 19. Prune to discourage growth on April 1, 2, and 10 and May 7 – 9.

Call 811 Before You Dig

Longer days and sunny weather make spring the perfect time to tackle your honey-do list. April is Safe Digging Month and Florida law requires you to call 811 or visit www.call811.com online before you dig.

811 is a free service that will locate and mark underground utilities on your property or in the area you plan to dig. Never install a fence, plant a garden, add new landscaping or trees before contacting 811. Are you working with a contractor on a project? Make sure your contractor has connected with 811 before beginning the project on your property.

Wait for the flags! Keep shovels out of the ground until the 811 locating service has responded to your request and flagged the approximate area where underground utility lines (electric, water, gas, communications, etc.) are located.

Know what’s below – call 811 before you dig. In Florida – it’s the law.

EV Charger Winner

Pamela Gladd from Minneola is the March winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

Spring for Energy Savings

The Department of Energy (DOE) at energy.gov estimates the energy used to cool and heat your Central Florida home is 35 to 40% of your total energy consumption. You control how and when you use electricity. The condition and age of your home’s HVAC system, insulation, roof, windows, ducts, appliances and lifestyle also affect your energy consumption. Newer, well-insulated, properly weatherized homes with double-pane windows and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances consume less energy.

The number of people living in your home and weather also affect energy consumption. More people living in the house create more laundry, heating, cooling, cooking and increased hot water and electronics use. Central Florida is known for scorching summer temperatures that cause your HVAC to work overtime to keep the home cool. During a cold snap, the heating system also runs more frequently to warm the house.

Want help to reduce your energy consumption and lower your monthly energy bill? SECO Energy’s online energy-efficiency tools can help you spring for energy savings with low-cost and no-cost tips and ideas to help you reduce your energy use.

Home Energy Assessment

Our Home Energy Assessment is an online energy audit that you can complete from the comfort of your home. Fill out the assessment based on your home and lifestyle. Submit your answers and email address, and in just minutes you’ll receive energy-savings advice tailored to your home and lifestyle. Complete the energy-saving ideas, and you’ll be on your way to consuming less energy – and saving money.

Energy Estimator

Are you interested in seeing the math associated with your energy usage? Visit our Energy Estimator online to calculate the estimated costs for each of your home’s appliances and electronics. Submit your email address to receive no-cost and low-cost energy-savings suggestions via email.

Energy Savings Word Search

After completing our Home Energy Assessment and Energy Estimator, sharpen your energy-saving knowledge with this month’s Energy Savings word search.

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Early Warning

Traditionally, the Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1. But the past six hurricane seasons have seen hurricanes and tropical storms form in mid-May. Because of this change, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will begin its Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook earlier on May 15 instead of waiting until June 1.

What does this mean for SECO Energy members? SECO is StormReady, and we encourage you to begin your preparations for hurricane season now. Don’t wait until a hurricane or tropical storm is heading our way to prepare.

Learn more about hurricanes and tropical storms in our Hurricane Handbook. You’ll find helpful information on emergency supplies for people and pets. We’ve also included tips for before, during and after a storm. Pick up a copy of our Hurricane Handbook at one of our five Member Service Centers or visit our Storm Preparation page.

Winners’ Circle

February’s Winners Are:

Mark Fagan from Clermont

Lynn Pulchano from Inverness

Don Whittigton from Dunnellon

Sandra Ennulat-Davis from Eustis

Congratulations to our three March winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft incentive.

Narasimha Murthy from Tavares is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Karen Chapman from Ocala is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

John Johnson from Summerfield is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners.

Thank a Lineman License Plate

Members can show their support for the thousands of Florida lineworkers and utility personnel who restore power to millions of Floridians after devastating natural disasters by ordering a “Thank a Lineman” license plate. The 2020 Florida Legislature approved the plate after Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1135 into law.

This cause is local and benefits a key SECO Energy employee recruitment partner. For every “Thank a Lineman” plate sold, $25 goes to Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) to support their Electric Utility programs. According to LSSC’s website (www.lssc.edu), the college is ranked in the top 150 Community Colleges nationally. Their student job placement or continuing education rate is 97%. The scholarship boost is an exciting opportunity for LSSC, utility personnel across the state and cooperative members.

Reserve your plate today by purchasing a pre-sale voucher. Purchase avenues vary from county to county. Contact your local county tax collector’s office for guidance or visit https://myfloridaspecialtyplate.com/lineman-order.html, where you can pay for the pre-sale voucher and process your order online. Learn more at www.thankalineworker.com.

The actual “Thank a Lineman” license plates will be available once the pre-sale threshold is met.

Read the full April 2021 SECO News online.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator snapping turtles look like a holdover from prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the earth. You can find this unique reptile throughout the southeastern United States and as far north as Iowa. It is the largest species of fresh-water turtle.

Alligator snapping turtles rarely venture onto land. Females lay eggs on the ground then quickly return underwater. This carnivore has a tongue with a bright-red piece of flesh that resembles a worm. The species lays on the bottom of a riverbed or lake with its mouth open to lure fish directly into its mouth. This turtle can hold its breath underwater for 40 to 50 minutes.

These turtles are giant – males may weigh up to 200 pounds. Alligator snapping turtles have no predators in the wild. They are not on the endangered species list, but their numbers are dwindling because humans like to trap them for their distinctive shells and meat. Many states have bans on killing these turtles.

Fun Fauna Fact: Prey has a hard time hiding from alligator snapping turtles. They can taste substances secreted by prey in the water that alerts them when a tasty meal is hiding nearby.

Source: The National Wildlife Federation

Read the full February 2021 SECO News online.

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Archive

Official 2023 Annual Meeting Notice

Official 2023 Annual Meeting Agenda

Bylaws Revision Summary

Live Member Engagement Panel

Ways To Vote

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

Florida Fauna & Flora – Zebra Butterfly

Duncan’s Digest – Solar Investments – Sensible or Scam?

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Pennies Change Lives

Enroll in Surge Protection for a Monthly Chance to Win a New Generator

Surgeo Loves Pets Donation Total

EV Charger Winner

Winners’ Circle

Safety Corner – #MoveOverFL

Duncan’s Digest – StormReady: Hurricane Season Warning

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Safety Corner – Vehicle Accidents and Utility Lines

EV Charger Winner

2021 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Awardees

Emergency Supplies Word Search

Connect with Electra

Winners’ Circle

Summer HVAC Check-Up

Florida Fauna & Flora – Florida Manatee

Florida Fauna & Flora – Roseate Spoonbill

Duncan’s Digest – Inverness Substation Upgrade

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Call 811 Before You Dig

EV Charger Winner

Spring for Energy Savings

Energy Savings Word Search

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Early Warning

Winners’ Circle

Thank a Lineman License Plate

Florida Fauna & Flora – Alligator Snapping Turtle

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