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SECO News, May 2017

SECO News, May 2017 - Duncan's Digest, Storm Ready

Duncan’s Digest – Storm Ready

 

Atlantic Hurricane season is just around the corner – beginning on June 1. The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises us to watch for tropical storm threats in mid-May, predicts a rainy summer and forecasts the possibility of hurricanes in September. Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology study was recently released and it calls for the number of named storms and hurricanes to be slightly below historical averages. Still, per NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division, the U.S. averages one to two hurricane landfalls each season, so we have to prepare even with a below average hurricane forecast.

 

“Storm Ready” isn’t just a slogan. We invest in and prepare for the worst, but hope and pray for the best. “Storm Ready” is using social media to update members about severe weather and its possible impact to our service area. “Storm Ready” is SECO’s System Operations Center that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “Storm Ready” means that Operations crews and support staff are available for restoration around-the-clock. “Storm Ready” means that local Call Centers and Member Service Centers are fully staffed to help you weather the storm.

 

SECO can help you get your family “Storm Ready” as well. Visit our website’s Storm Preparation section for an Emergency Checklist. Before inclement weather arrives, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center page on your smartphone or tablet in case you need to report a power outage, and update your primary contact phone number and email address through your online account (called SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com). “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the cooperative on Twitter for weather information and warnings.

 

It’s time to check your emergency kit – now. Make sure your supplies are fully stocked and that medicines, water and foodstuffs aren’t out-of-date. Remember, emergency supplies sell out quickly when storms and hurricanes are imminent.

 

SECO News, May 2017 - Duncan's Digest, Storm Ready

 

During the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Florida Governor Rick Scott engaged with utility leaders collaboratively and encouraged us across the state to work together to restore all consumers’ power as quickly as possible. “Storm Ready” also applies to SECO’s willingness to lend a hand to assist our fellow cooperatives, as well as state municipal and investor-owned utilities when possible. In February, SECO assisted Clay Electric Cooperative when its members were affected by widespread outages due to a strong storm. Since SECO’s system held up well in that storm and the few members who experienced outages had their service restored the same day, the SECO team jumped into action and sent 20 employees to help restore power to Clay members.

 

SECO News, May 2017- Annual Meeting Recap

 

Annual Meeting Recap

 

Attendance boomed at SECO Energy’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 25. Thousands of members, guests, vendors and VIPs enjoyed hot breakfast biscuits, sweet treats, energy efficiency displays, live entertainment, gifts and a chance to win grand prizes and various door prizes. Members received a copy of SECO’s 2016 Annual Report and a gift bag with two commemorative insulated steel tumblers. SECO and its wholesale power provider Seminole Electric distributed over 6,000 LED bulbs to members. Members visited SECO’s vendor-partners who were on hand to display their energy-saving products and services in the Energy Showcase.

 

Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive provided live entertainment, playing current country tunes and old favorites while members sang along and line danced. A special character, LED Lucy, brightened the day with her antics and smiles.

 

Members took home loads of door prizes. The grand prizes up for grabs were four cash prizes, a refurbished Dodge Dakota truck, and a refurbished electric golf cart.

 

SECO News, May 2017- Annual Meeting , pictures form 79th annual meeting of SECO Members

 

This year’s grand prize winners are:

  • Michael Niemiec from Inverness won the refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota truck.
  • Lake Panasoffkee’s Shannon Jessup was the winner of the refurbished electric golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts.
  • The Villages resident Edward Maffuccio was the happy winner of the $1,500 cash prize.
  • Clark Smith from Webster won the $1,000 cash prize.
  • Christine Bartow from The Villages and Edward James from Leesburg both won a $500 cash prize.

 

Congratulations to all winners, and thank you for attending the event. Mark your calendar, as next year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2018. Hope you can join us for our 80th Annual Meeting!

 

SECO News, May 2017 - Save Money Save Energy

 

Save Energy, Save Money

 

Summer is almost here – set your HVAC thermostat at 78 or higher in the summer and always keep your fan setting on “Auto.” Invest in a programmable thermostat and save $180 annually per ENERGY STAR®.

 

SECO News, May 2017 - Safety Corner, Downed Power Lines

 

Safety Corner – Downed Power Lines

 

Always assume overhead power lines are live and dangerous – even when lines and poles are downed during storms or accidents. Warn children to never touch a downed line with any part of their body or another object such as a stick or bat. Instruct children to leave the area immediately and call for help if they see a downed line.

 

Read the full May 2017 SECO News here.

Scammers Target Business Owners in The Villages

Just this week, several SECO members in The Villages recognized and reported scam phone calls.  SECO Energy is warning its members about scammers on the loose on the phone and in person in its service area.  Members have reported threatening phone calls from persons masquerading as SECO employees and employees of other utilities.  Small business owners in the area seem to be a prime target.

 

Owners receive a phone call, during business hours, from an individual claiming to be a representative of SECO.  The individual then threatens a service disconnection if the member does not pay immediately by credit card over the phone.  Scammers have even demanded owners meet with them at an off-site location and pay cash.

 

Please be advised: SECO will not call members – either residential or commercial – and demand credit card payment over the phone.  SECO uses an automated robo-call phone call system after hours to remind members of late payments.  A live person will never call and harass a SECO member for immediate payment.

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services, cautions members to be wary of payment demands.  “Scammers can be sophisticated thieves – they use threatening language to create a sense of urgency in their victims.  Scammers choose their victims carefully, they call businesses during busy times, looking for a distracted person who may fall for their scheme.”

 

Gloria adds, “Above all, be cautious about sharing personal information with callers or making utility payments over the phone.  If you receive a phone call and question its legitimacy, hang up immediately and call SECO.”

 

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

SECO Braced for Tropical Storm Hermine

On Thursday morning, Tropical Storm Hermine turned northeast and is moving at 12 mph. Hermine’s maximum sustained winds are 60 mph with higher gusts, and tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 140 miles east of the center. Current models show the track to our west. Hermine is forecast to hit the Florida coast as a hurricane tonight or early Friday morning between Apalachicola and Cross City. Once inland, Hermine should diminish in intensity and track across northwest Florida into southeast Georgia by Friday morning.

 

SECO Energy is Storm Ready and is braced for Hermine’s impact on its service area. Members should expect 4-8 inches of rain during the event with isolated higher totals. Strong winds will occur on Friday and will have more of an impact on SECO’s service territory than before Hermine makes landfall. Isolated tornado threats remain a concern until Hermine passes away from the state on Friday.

 

SECO has enacted its emergency restoration plan in preparation for Hermine’s effects. Bucket trucks and line work cannot withstand winds in excess of 35 mph. Once winds subside, SECO’s Operations crews and additional contractor and tree trimming crews will work together to restore power quickly and safely. Additional reinforcements are on standby.

 

The company’s emergency restoration plan determines the system’s restoration priority of each affected feeder. Essential services such as shelters, hospitals, fire/law enforcement facilities, schools, and government agencies are the highest priority. Line repairs that will restore power to large groups of members are next, and then individual electric services in less populated areas. SECO urges members to continue tracking Hermine and prepare to wait out the storm as it passes through Central Florida.

 

Use these practical suggestions:

  • If using a landline, have a non-electric phone for emergencies.
  • Invest in and charge a battery-operated cell phone charger.
  • Buy a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
  • Keep flashlights and extra batteries handy.
  • Dig out your first aid kit and refill prescription medications.
  • Stock a three-day supply of bottled water.
  • Fill bathtubs with water to flush toilets.
  • Purchase canned or packaged nonperishable food.
  • Buy an old-fashioned crank can opener.
  • Review your homeowners and flood insurance policies.

 

If neighbors have power but you do not, check your panel for tripped breakers, as this is common. If the breakers aren’t tripped, report the outage using your smartphone or tablet through the SECO Storm Center – or call us.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being its members’ first source for storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated.