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SECO News October 2021

SECO Energy CEO, Jim DuncanWithout question, your electric service is supported by an extensive, robust and well-maintained infrastructure that distributes power generated by our wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative. Like SECO Energy, Seminole is a not-for-profit cooperative owned collectively by nine Florida electric distribution cooperatives.

 

Each distribution co-op’s CEO serves on the Seminole Board – myself included. In addition, select Trustees from each distribution co-op’s board have seats on the Seminole Board. Our Trustee representatives on the Seminole Board are President and District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison and District 8 Trustee Bill James.

 

In late September 2017, Seminole announced its plan to build a new, natural gas-fired generating plant next to the existing Seminole Generating Station (SGS) facility in Putnam County. This new, highly efficient generation facility is currently named the Seminole Combined Cycle Facility or SCCF. The new generating capacity is approximately 1,050 megawatts (MW).

 

The new SCCF plant is on schedule and budget. The major components of the plant have been delivered to the site, and construction is 50% complete. Seminole projects the plant to be commercially operational in the fall of 2022. Construction has continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, with personnel ensuring that work moves forward safely.

 

When Seminole’s plan to build SCCF was first announced, the board decided to take the environmentally friendly step to shutter one of its coal-fired units at the SGS facility once construction of the new natural gas-fired plant is complete.

 

Seminole is also taking steps to add a higher mix of renewable energy into its fuel portfolio. The cooperative will add 300 MW of additional solar power to its fuel mix by entering into purchased power agreements. Removing the SGS coal-fired unit from service and the addition of the 300 MW of solar, Seminole projects that it will decrease its carbon dioxide emissions in 2024 by 48% from 2005 levels.

 

Florida’s population is growing. According to the U.S. Census, between 2010 and 2020, Florida’s population grew from 18.8 million to 21.5 million. The growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Sumter County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida.

 

In fact, The Villages recently earned the title as the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation over the last decade per new 2020 census data with a Sumter County growth rate of 39%. Lake and Marion counties’ growth rates continue to climb at 29% and 13%, respectively. Stocking ever-more-expensive and hard-to-procure construction material to build new and maintain existing electric infrastructure is daunting in today’s economic environment as we continue to feel the effects of the pandemic.

 

SECO Energy and Seminole must work together to plan for future energy supplies to meet the growing demand for safe, affordable energy.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

SECO News October 2021 Advice From The Old Farmer's Almanac

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

 

With winter fast approaching, Florida will soon be welcoming our human snowbirds and our annual aviary migrating snowbirds, too. Read on for interesting facts about avian migration from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Some migrating birds plump up for maximum energy in preparation for a long flight. In other birds, their reproductive organs shrink to trim excess weight while hemoglobin in their blood increases for aerobic efficiency. Other changes happen too. New feathers grow to improve flight efficiency; these feathers are often less colorful than the birds’ summer feathers. Every avian order has a long-distance migrator. No matter what time of the year, there are always birds on the move.

 

Read this month’s Florida Fauna and Flora to learn more about the American kestrel.

 

 

 

 

SECO News October 2021 Surge Mitigator Helps American Cancer Society

SURGE MITIGATOR HELPS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. You can help too by enrolling in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection product. From October 1 until November 15, for every new MitiGator lease or purchase, SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society.

 

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with our Surge MitiGator. Surges are often associated with lightning, but other causes are vehicles crashing into SECO poles, small animals and birds contacting SECO lines or falling trees. Household appliances and sensitive electronics such as televisions and computers can be damaged or destroyed by power surges and also require point-of-use devices for adequate protection.

 

Our made in the USA meter-based surge arrester helps prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The 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.

 

October is breast cancer awareness month, so the timing is perfect to aid cancer research and support cancer patients by enrolling in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection product. To enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com.

 

 

 

 

SECO News October 2021 Area Light Out?

AREA LIGHT OUT?

Report an area light outage or malfunction online through LightFinder on our StormCenter platform. Whether the light is always on, completely off or flickering, you can report the malfunction 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on weekends.

 

To report an area light issue, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and choose LightFinder. Enter the pole number or closest address in the search bar in the upper left. Each light is represented by a lightbulb icon. Green indicates the light is working, and a red icon is a light that has already been reported as malfunctioning. If the icon is orange, it has been repaired in the last 24 hours. Inactive lights are represented by a gray icon 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.

 

 

 

 

SECO News February 2021 Winners' Circle

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Engage with our virtual assistant Electra on the phone for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Winners who self-served using Electra are:

 

Donna Vail from Ocala

Jennifer Mears from Webster

Richard Reddy from Deland

Jane Lomont from Clermont

 

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Harry Farrish from Minneola. 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.

 

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

John Utegg from Ocala is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

Stephanie Eck from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Susan Douglas from The Villages is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

 

William Guffey from Clermont is our final winner of a portable generator – drawn from the list of all members enrolled in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection program. Though our generator giveaway has concluded, from October 1 through November 15, for every new Surge MitiGator lease enrollment or purchase SECO will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society. To learn more or enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator.

 

Congratulations to our recent winners!

 

Read the full October 2021 SECO News online.

 

SECO Trustee Muffett Recognized for Seminole Board Service

SECO Energy’s wholesale provider Seminole Electric, Inc. commended SECO’s District 6 Trustee Earl Muffett for his willingness to serve as a Seminole Trustee. Seminole’s CEO Lisa Johnson lauded Mr. Muffett’s Board service with a commemorative plaque and a letter of recognition. Mr. Muffett completed his 16-year tenure as a SECO Energy delegate on the Seminole Board in March 2017.

 

Mr. Muffett lives in Summerfield and is actively self-employed. After first becoming a SECO member in 1979, Mr. Muffett was elected to the SECO Board of Trustees in 1990. During his 27 years of service, Muffett was appointed as the Board’s Vice President, and was named a Seminole Voting Delegate, Seminole Alternate Delegate and Statewide Voting Delegate. Muffett was re-elected as District 6 Trustee by SECO members in February 2017.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO’s nine Board of Trustees are members themselves who collectively serve as the members’ representatives within SECO. Through his work on SECO’s and Seminole’s Board, Mr. Muffett has devoted much of his free time in overseeing policies and procedures that allow SECO and Seminole to provide safe, reliable, affordable power to SECO members.

 

Seminole CEO Lisa Johnson states, “On behalf of Seminole, I express my most sincere gratitude for your service to Seminole as a member of our Board. It is so important for Seminole, and all cooperatives, to have willing, engaged individuals, like you, to serve in the critical role of Board Trustee to carry out the governance and fiduciary responsibilities required in support of our cooperative business model.”

 

Trustee Muffett states, “I am proud to have played a role in Seminole’s success and growth during my long-term service on Seminole’s Board. As a local business owner myself, I understand the complexity of business ownership and leadership, and how local businesses enrich the economy. It is refreshing to work with SECO Energy and Seminole cooperatives that believe offering members affordable, reliable power and excellent customer service are a top priority.”

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to SECO’s William James

SECO Energy’s Board Member, William “Bill” James was presented with Pearl River Community College’s (PRCC) Lifetime Achievement Award. James, who lives in Leesburg, has been a SECO member since 2002 and has served in SECO’s District 8 on SECO’s Board of Trustees for seven years.

 

James graduated from PRCC, located in Poplarville, Mississippi, before earning his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1958. James began his career in the electric utility industry, spending eighteen years at Florida Power & Light (FPL). For ten years, James worked as an evening adjunct professor at Manatee Junior College. After FPL relocated James to Miami, he joined the University of Miami as an evening adjunct professor.

 

After leaving FPL in 1976, James moved to Kentucky and worked as a Vice General Manager at a generating and transmission not-for-profit electric cooperative there. While working in Kentucky, James was an evening adjunct professor at University of Kentucky and University of Evansville. In 1979, James was awarded the prestigious Kentucky Colonel honor.

 

James returned to Florida in 1980, and as Seminole Electric Cooperative’s first Vice President of Operations, he played a major role in building and staffing Seminole’s first coal-fired power plant in Palatka. James’ next career step took him to Indiana in 1983 to ultimately become President and CEO of the largest, fastest growing electric cooperative in northern Indiana, until his first retirement in 1998.

 

James’ first retirement didn’t last long. In 1999, James became the initial President and CEO of the first energy cooperative in Massachusetts. Retirement once again called, but didn’t stick when James worked as a consultant to the CEO and Board of a large Texas electric cooperative. James retired for the third and final time in 2002 and moved back to Florida.

 

Board service called to James and SECO members agreed, voting him to represent their interests on SECO’s Board of Trustees in 2010. James also serves on the Board at Seminole Electric Cooperative, lending his experience and unique perspective to his former employer.

 

James was honored as an outstanding Pearl River Community College alumni and was inducted into the PRCC Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame. James’ successful career and memorable achievements show him as a positive role model for future PRCC students.

 

James is proud to receive the PRCC Lifetime Achievement Award, stating “I was very humbled to receive an award like this. Pearl River set a pattern. I’ve been a big supporter of the community college for years and credit them as the foundation of my education.”

 

James also encourages students to never stop learning. “People graduating from college today have to be thirsty learners…because the world is changing at a tremendous pace.”

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its Board of Trustees online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO News, April 2017

SECO News, April 2017, Duncan's Digest Substation Buzz

Duncan’s Digest: SUBSTATION BUZZ

 

When I first started working in the energy industry, I was convinced that the linemen had their own language and it wasn’t English. As a financial guy, industry terms like “feeder,” “backfeed,” and “step-up and step-down,” frankly didn’t make much sense. But, as my career continued and I became engrossed in energy, I now use these terms and more on a regular basis. I thought it might be interesting for you to have more insight into the energy industry at SECO.

 

Substations are a visible and integral part of our nation’s electric grid. If you think of a generating plant as the brains of the operation, then substations are the heart. Substations serve many functions, transforming high-voltage to low-voltage or vice versa as power flows through them – almost instantaneously.

 

Substations are an essential component of the grid’s connection as the link between the transmission and distribution portions of an electric system. Substations are key to performing electric system maintenance and balancing the flow of power during irregular operations.

 

How do the components of the grid work together? As a SECO member, the electricity you use is created at Seminole Electric (a generation and transmission cooperative) power plant and then supplied to a transmission substation near the plant.

 

The transmission substation increases or “steps-up” the voltage in order for the generated power to travel hundreds of miles via large transmission lines to a SECO substation. Upon arrival, voltage is decreased or stepped-down and sent on its way in multiple directions through SECO’s distribution lines. Along the distribution lines, additional transformers decrease the voltage again before it is ready to energize the homes and businesses SECO serves.

 

The SECO and Seminole connected electric grid can be thought of as a highway system. Generating plants, transmission lines, substations and distribution lines are all connected – which is a benefit to you. Interconnection allows other substations to pick up load when another substation or distribution line is in high demand. This keeps the energy flowing freely and uniformly on the grid.

 

Interconnected substations in our service area allow SECO’s Operations crews to restore power quickly and safely to members. When a substation or major line (that we refer to as a feeder) suffers an outage, SECO’s System Control Coordinators can use the interconnected grid to program another substation to pick up the load or “backfeed” service to the meters that lost power. System Control Coordinators also use backfeeding to keep SECO members in service when a substation, transmission or distribution line requires routine maintenance.

 

At the heart of SECO’s 2,000-square mile territory, are the 48 substations that supply power to almost 200,000 SECO members. SECO owns, inspects and maintains over 12,000 miles of electric lines that represent an almost 800-million-dollar investment.

 

According to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), electricity moves almost as fast as the speed of light – about 173,000 miles per second. When you turn on a light in your home, the power to run that light was actually created less than one second ago.

 

Last year, you and your fellow members consumed over 3.239 billion, yes billion, kilowatt hours. Providing safe, reliable electric service to members is one of our top priorities. And our expertly designed, soundly built, well-maintained, sophisticated system allows us to do just that. On behalf of myself and 400+ SECO employees, it is our pleasure serving as your energy provider.

 

SECO News, April 2017, Ways to pay

Ways to Pay

 

SECO offers members several convenient ways to pay your monthly energy bill. Whether you stop by, drive-thru or log in – SECO has a payment option that is right for you.

 

Pay online with SmartHub – available online or via mobile application, SmartHub is a tech savvy member’s preferred payment choice. Using SmartHub, members can view and pay their bill, enroll in bank draft, update account information and compare energy usage by month or year.

 

Pay by Bank Draft – Seasonal members appreciate the convenience of having their monthly bill automatically drafted from a bank account of their choice. Thousands of others depend on bank draft to keep their account current with little effort on their part. Sign up through SmartHub today.

 

Your Bank’s Online Bill Payment – You can also choose to pay your energy bill through your bank’s online bill payment system. When setting up the payment, have your bill available to enter the key information like the account number and SECO’s payment address.

 

Pay in Person – SECO’s five Member Service Centers have walk-in and drive-thru access available. Some offices have payment kiosks available 24/7 that accept cash, debit and credit cards.

 

Pay by Phone – Call 1-877-371-9382 24 hours a day, seven days a week to pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, debit card or electronic check.

 

Pay Now – Need to make a quick one-time payment now? PayNow (a quick feature of SmartHub) is available for members to pay online without actually registering for a SmartHub account.

 

Pay by Mail – Members can mail their monthly payments to:
SECO Energy P.O. Box 31634
Tampa, FL 33631-3634.

 

My Way PrePay – The program is perfect for SECO members on a budget. Members who enroll in My Way PrePay pay for their energy before use. Register with SmartHub and pay online, by phone or through a kiosk. No deposit required.

 

Fidelity Xpresspay – Pay your SECO bill through a Fidelity Xpresspay location in Central Florida. For a list of payment centers call 1-800-621-8030 or visit www.fidelityexpress.com. Processing time is approximately two days. This payment option is not recommended for MyWay PrePay members or those who have received a disconnect notice. There is a $1.50 processing fee per payment.

 

MoneyGram – Another option available is MoneyGram. MoneyGram has locations in Central Florida and is recommended for MyWay PrePay members who aren’t using SmartHub. Visit www.moneygram.com to learn more or find a location near you. There is a $1.50 processing fee per payment.

 

Explore SECO’s ways to pay, find an office location or sign up for SmartHub.

 

SECO News, April 2017, Energy Estimator Winner

Energy Estimator Winners

 

Congratulations to our three Energy Estimator Contest winners. John and Barbara Gardner of The Villages are the winners of the $300 bill credit. Bruce McClain of Ocala is the winner of the energy efficiency tools and John Baccoli, also of Ocala, won the programmable Wi-Fi thermostat. Want to learn more about energy efficiency and lowering your bills? Calculate your monthly and yearly energy usage on a variety of appliances and electronics with the Energy Estimator. Interested in an in-depth audit of your home’s energy efficiency? On the website Contact Us page, request a free in-home energy audit with one of SECO’s trained Energy Specialists or if you are short on time, explore the Home Energy Assessment, a comprehensive online energy audit you can complete in the comfort of your home.

 

SECO News, April 2017, Safety Corner - Call before you dig

Safety Corner

 

Spring is here, the sun is shining and it’s time to update your landscaping. Before you dig, call 811 – it’s the law. 811 is a free service that locates and marks the underground lines on your property. Don’t be caught unaware, cause an accident or an outage – call 811 before you dig.

 

Read the full April 2017 SECO News here.

Trustees Attend Cooperative Solar Ribbon-Cutting

SECO Energy leaders and members of the Board of Trustees attended Seminole Electric’s ribbon-cutting event unveiling its Cooperative Solar Project. This Cooperative Solar Project is a 2.2-megawatt solar facility located in Hardee County, Florida.

 

The ceremony was presided over by Seminole Electric Cooperative’s CEO and General Manager, Lisa D. Johnson, and the President of its board of directors, Mr. William Hart. SECO Energy is a member-owner of Seminole Electric Cooperative as Seminole is SECO’s wholesale power provider.

 

During her remarks, Seminole CEO and General Manager Lisa Johnson highlighted the hard work of, and extensive collaboration between, personnel from Seminole, CoBank, Farm Credit Leasing and Radiance Solar, who together enable the construction of the renewable energy facility. Johnson noted, “Cooperative Solar, among other initiatives, has been one more way in which Seminole can secure our Members’ future while upholding cooperative values,” and continued, “we are careful about how we plan and use resources today, and we are working to embrace new resources for the future.”

 

The Trustees from SECO’s Board who attended the ribbon cutting are:

 

Robin Henion, Secretary/Treasurer District 7
Dillard Boyatt District 2
Richard Belles District 3
Richard Dennison District 4
Earl Muffett District 6
William James District 8

 

SECO Energy’s CEO, Jim Duncan stated, “Seminole’s Cooperative Solar Project is just that, a cooperative project between the nine-member owners of Seminole – one of which is SECO Energy. Cooperatives working together is a key Cooperative Principle. SECO is excited that Seminole is broadening its generation mix to include solar energy, allowing SECO to introduce its Solar Life program to members.”

 

SECO Energy is offering members exclusive access to its allocated share of the Seminole solar array – its program is called “Solar Life.” For a flat monthly fee of $32, members’ utility-supplied power cost will be offset by the monthly output of four panels of the 2.2-megawatt array.

 

With Solar Life, members can begin living a greener, hassle-free lifestyle that requires no upfront investment. Subscribe to Solar Life today.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO “Hot Bucks” are Hotter than Ever

Once again, SECO Energy’s “Hot Bucks” are hotter than ever. As of March 1st, SECO is lowering the cost of electricity again. Residential members will now pay $114.60 based on 1,000 kWh used, which is average residential usage in our area.

 

In the past 27 months, SECO has lowered electric rates a record seven times; this latest reduction equates to a 10.3% decrease over that timeframe. This decrease reinforces SECO’s commitment to keeping electric rates low for members. The reduction will appear on SECO bills under the line item “Hot Bucks.” The term refers to the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) portion of your bill.

 

SECO “Hot Bucks” are Hotter than Ever

 

Seminole Electric is SECO Energy’s wholesale power provider. SECO works closely with Seminole to ensure it offers our members the lowest rate we can; when the wholesale purchase price goes down, usually due to a reduction in fuel costs, SECO lowers the PCA and members see their bills decrease.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, when wholesale power costs are lower, SECO shares the savings with its members. Decreasing the current electric rate is a joint effort between SECO, Seminole Electric, and SECO’s employees. SECO employees and management work diligently to keep costs down and control expenses.

 

CEO Jim Duncan is pleased to announce this latest decrease, “We at SECO realize that many of our members carefully track their expenditures. Like our members, SECO carefully plans its expenses; we are mindful that controlling costs is beneficial for our members and the communities we serve.”

 

Duncan continued, “I believe SECO’s continued commitment to low electric rates is just one of the reasons why our members are satisfied with the service they receive from our cooperative. When our members open their electric bills, instead of being surprised by higher rates, they are continually pleased to see SECO’s cost of power falling.”

 

Currently, SECO is ranked by J.D. Power as highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the south. The latest rate decrease reinforces SECO’s position as one of the most affordable electric utilities in Central Florida.