Individuals Impersonating SECO Employees Burglarize Marion County Residence

SECO Energy learned on Monday afternoon that a Marion County couple’s home was burglarized while they were distracted by an imposter representing himself as a SECO employee.

The scammer posed as a SECO worker assigned to assess a project to upgrade lines and transformers on the couple’s property. The male imposter was well-dressed, driving a white SUV and was seemingly educated about the local area and electric services. The couple discovered that while they were lured to the back of their property by the imposter, their residence was burglarized by an accomplice. The crime was reported to Marion County law enforcement and is being investigated.

CEO Jim Duncan cautions members, “If you are approached by an individual claiming to be a SECO employee or contractor, immediately request to see a SECO ID badge. The SECO logo should be visible on all SECO Energy-issued ID badges. SECO employee and contractor vehicles are required to display the SECO Energy logo. If a logo is not visible on the badge or vehicle, immediately disengage from the situation and contact law enforcement. Exercise caution and stay safe.”

Keep in mind that phone, online and in-person scammers continue to threaten disconnection of service if payment is not immediately rendered either by producing cash, credit card information or a money gram type card for payment. Do not fall for these scams. Check your account status at online or contact the cooperative by phone or email to verify.

If in doubt, close the door or hang up. Reach out directly to SECO. Read more about scams in our Newsroom blog to protect your family.

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates. Learn more about the Central Florida not-for-profit electric cooperative.

SECO News, August 2018

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

HOT BUCKS & CUSTOMER CHARGE

THE UPSIDE

Eight times since 2014, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the news that SECO Energy’s wholesale power costs have decreased, thus lowering your bills. This wholesale cost stability has allowed SECO to apply a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) – aka “Hot Bucks” – as a line item on your bill. SECO’s Board of Trustees recently approved a larger PCA credit – which lowers the cost of energy. Effective September 1, this reduction marks the ninth time in four years that SECO has applied a PCA that lowered members’ bills based on wholesale power cost.

THE DOWNSIDE

While wholesale costs remain stable, costs associated with maintaining the distribution infrastructure and actual power delivery continue to rise. These are represented by a line item on your bill titled “customer charge.” Residential members are currently charged $20.00 a month. Beginning September 1, that charge will be calculated on a daily basis rather than monthly to more accurately reflect the cost of providing service based on the number of days in your billing cycle. At the new cost of 83 cents a day, the customer charge equates to $24.90 for a 30-day billing cycle. The increase is less than 18 cents a day, and is also offset by the PCA credit I mentioned earlier.

THE WHY

Following the principles of prudent financial management, SECO conducts periodic cost studies to ensure proper alignment with our rates. Per our recent cost-of-service study, there are a variety of factors leading to the shift in greater reliance on the customer charge component of our overall rate. Delivering power that is affordable, safe and reliable to more than 200,000 families and businesses in Central Florida requires a well-maintained electric infrastructure and a vegetation management program that reduces tree-related outages before, during and after storms. These programs and storm hardening activities supporting an $855 million electric system come with a hefty price tag.

Storm hardening includes our pole inspection and replacement program and equipment upgrades/replacements in aging areas. The 2018 budget for upgrading existing infrastructure and constructing new facilities to meet growing power demand reached $45 million. In addition, SECO’s annual tree trimming costs have risen from $8 million to $10 million. The investment, in turn, has paid off by reducing tree-related outages by 50 percent over the last decade.

To maintain the high standard of customer service you expect and deserve, SECO does not outsource to other countries for cheap labor. Our Member Service Centers and Call Center are staffed with local employees dedicated to top-notch service allowing for these SECO investments to be retained in local communities.

Investments in new technology such as the new outage reporting, and communications platforms (StormCenter) add to the overall costs. SECO also absorbs the expense of convenience fees for debit/credit card payments in order to facilitate easier ways to pay for our members. With more members embracing these payment types by phone or online, that portion of SECO’s cost is rising faster than the savings from reduced Member Service Center traffic.

Speaking of storms, the total costs associated with the damage and recovery from Hurricane Irma topped $27.5 million. Hundreds of out-of-state contract crews worked for nearly a week at breakneck speed to restore power to the 139,000 members – almost 70 percent of our system – who lost power as Irma came directly through our area last September. Though FEMA reimburses cooperatives for a good portion of named storm costs, the percentage fluctuates and the process is slow, leaving SECO with carrying costs of that financial burden.

THE BILL

These factors along with cost-of-service study calculations and changing market projections are clear indicators of a customer charge increase which SECO’s Board of Trustees approved. I share the Board’s opinion that the daily calculation is a more accurate recovery of the true cost of providing residential service – regardless of usage. A sample bill is provided for you to recognize these line item adjustments when you receive your bill.

Though total operating expenses increased by nearly $6 million from 2016 to 2017, I can wholeheartedly assure you that SECO is fiscally sound and healthy. We continue to operate responsibly in the interest of high-quality service. Growth continues at a manageable pace, our equity position remains in line with loan covenants and we continue to retire Capital Credits to members annually. You’ll find a testament to this financial health on our website in our 2017 Annual Report.

For more information on the Hot Bucks and Customer Charge adjustments, view our newly produced “Hot Bucks & Customer Charge” video on our YouTube channel.

I realize the news I’ve shared is mixed but assure you our responses to changing financial conditions are appropriate and necessary. Thank you for the opportunity to serve your family’s energy needs.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

SOLAR SOLUTIONS

Considering an investment in solar power generation? Do you have questions about solar generation but are finding few answers? Our Energy Services Specialists can help.

Before committing to purchase a solar system, contact SECO first. A trained Energy Services Specialist will visit your home to determine its conduciveness to solar. Our Specialist will review your historical energy consumption which can help you determine your desired solar system size, and provide an overview of SECO’s interconnection agreement, timeline and process.

SECO facilities including substations, transformers, lines, poles, meters and peak time power supply still serve solar-producing members when the sun isn’t shining… at night, on cloudy days, during Florida’s daily summer thunderstorms and on cold winter mornings before sunrise.

Additionally, solar systems don’t typically provide your home with power during an outage. Solar systems are installed with an automatic shut-off that activates during power outages. This is a safety feature to prevent a member’s system from generating energy and backfeeding energy to the grid and injuring utility workers. There is an exception to this rule – solar systems that include battery back-up or high-tech inverters may operate during a power outage.

LOG IN & WIN!

According to the National Hurricane Center, September is traditionally the peak month for tropical storm and hurricane activity in the Atlantic. Don’t get left in the dark! Update your contact information today for the chance to win a $500 SECO bill credit or an iPad Air.

First Chance to Win:

SMARTHUB – BILLING/PAYMENT CONTACT INFO

Earn an entry into the drawing for a $500 SECO bill credit or iPad Air by establishing an online account or login to an existing online account – called SmartHub. Once you’ve logged in, verify that SECO has your current email address and phone numbers associated with billing/payment. SmartHub is also available as an app for your smartphone or tablet. Search for SmartHub in your mobile device’s app store and follow the instructions to download.

Second Chance to Win:

STORMCENTER – OUTAGE NOTIFICATION CONTACT INFO

As an added bonus, earn a second entry in the drawing by updating your contact information associated with outage communication. From our home page, click on StormCenter and choose “Manage Notifications.” Use your account number and zip code to update preferred outage communication delivery methods – email, text and/or voice notifications.

Simply logging into these two tools enters you in the drawing twice. Do so by September 15 for a chance to win a $500 bill credit or an iPad Air. Good luck!

Read the full August SECO News online.

Sunshine State Stats, March 2018

March 2018 was slightly cooler on average than March 2017. The average temperature was 65°, while March of 2017 had an average temperature of 67°. Rainfall for March of 2018 was 2.03 inches compared to last March at 0.80 inches.

There were 84 cooling degree days and 67 heating degree days for March 2018, while last year there were 135 cooling degree days with 61 heating degree days. The Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler the average temperature at a particular location is than 65°F. In other words, if the average temperature is 60° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

April 2018 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last year with average temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. The hot and humid summers are around the corner, so keep in mind that every degree above 78 degrees will save you 6%-8% on your cooling costs. Per ENERGY STAR, you can save up to $180 annually by using a programmable thermostat.

If you want to check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator. If you want a member of our Energy Services team to come to your home to perform a free energy audit, contact us today to book an appointment.

Sunshine State Stats, February 2018

February 2018 was much warmer than February 2017. In fact, per the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida broke the record for the warmest February in history. Temperatures started out near normal in early February. Beyond that, well-above-normal temperatures generally persisted over the region for the remainder of the month as a strong ridge of high pressure locked in place over the Sunshine State.

Per the Leesburg Airport weather station, their average temperature for February of 2018 was 71°, while February of 2017 had an average temperature of 67°. The average high was a balmy 81°.

February was not only much hotter than normal – it was also drier than normal. Rainfall for February of 2018 was 0.49 inches compared to last February at 1.55 inches.

There were 193 cooling degree days and 11 heating degree days for February 2018, while last year there were 84 cooling degree days with 32 heating degree days. The Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler the average temperature at a particular location is than 65°F. In other words, if the average temperature is 60° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

March 2018 is forecast to be similar but heavier rainfall than normal as compared to 2017. Since spring begins in March, it would be a good time to have your HVAC system serviced to be ready for a Sunshine State summer.

Sunshine State Stats, October 2017

October 2017 was slightly warmer than the previous October, so members’ usage and bills may be slightly higher than in October 2016. The average temperature came in at 77°, while October 2016 had an average temperature of 75°. Rainfall in October 2017 came in at 2.63 inches compared to last October at 1.90 inches.

There were 379 cooling degree days and 15 heating degree days for October 2017, while last year there were 332 cooling degree days with 0 heating degree days. The Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler the average temperature at a particular location is than 65°F. In other words, if the average temperature is 70 degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Cooling Degree Days for that day in that location.

Degree days are measures of how cold or warm a location is. A degree day compares the mean (the average of the high and low) outdoor temperatures recorded for a location to a standard temperature, usually 65°Fahrenheit (F) in the United States. The more extreme the outside temperature, the higher the number of degree days. A high number of degree days generally results in higher levels of energy use for heating or cooling. Learn more about temperature’s effect on energy usage.

November’s temperature forecast is fairly close to normal with an average of 68 degrees. Precipitation is forecast to be higher than normal compared to last year. Consider keeping your heating thermostat between 68 to 70 degrees or lower during the cooler months of the year to lower your energy use.

SECO News, April 2017

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.

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.

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.

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.

SECO Employees Aid in Power Restoration for Clay Electric Members

Late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, a strong line of thunderstorms swept into SECO Energy territory. Heavy rains soaked the area causing downed trees, poles and electric lines.

Central Florida has been the target of powerful winter thunderstorms this year, and SECO’s system continues to fare very well. This stability is attributed to solid design, quality construction, consistent maintenance and balanced vegetation management protocol.

At the height of the storms, almost 4,000 SECO members in Marion and Levy Counties experienced a service interruption when a Duke Energy transmission line failed. A second large-scale outage occurred when a tree fell into a line, affecting the Westwood Acres and Rainbow Lakes communities. SECO Operations employees were immediately dispatched to the affected area and worked throughout the night. Service was restored to all members by 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Clay Electric Cooperative’s members were affected by widespread outages due to the strong late night storms and asked SECO for aid. SECO was fortunate to have recovered quickly from the storm and was more than willing to lend a hand to a fellow electric cooperative. The SECO Operations team jumped into action. In just over an hour, the cooperative sent 20 of SECO’s employees to help restore power and also sent released 11 of its contracted line crews to Clay’s service area that afternoon.

John LaSelva, Vice President of Operations, stated, “SECO is always willing to assist our neighbors when possible. We have answered the call to assist fellow cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and municipalities, and understand our duty to render aid when needed. SECO’s efforts to storm harden its system continue to pay off. A well-designed system that includes comprehensive vegetation management is key to not only preventing outages but is paramount to restoring outages quickly and safely when they occur.”

LaSelva added, “The most important consideration is the energy consumer. Power is necessary for SECO members, and all consumers for that matter, to maintain their quality of life. SECO supports cooperation among cooperatives and stands Storm Ready when weather conditions turn volatile in The Sunshine State.”

Learn more about preparing your family’s emergency kit online. Bookmark SECO’s Storm Center so you can quickly report an outage using just your last name and house number. Establish a SmartHub account or download the app to update your phone number. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Energy Insider – 2nd Quarter

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Metro Steel & Pipe, Inc., 470 County Road 448, Tavares, Florida

Member Spotlight: Metro Steel & Pipe, Inc.

Metro Steel & Pipe Supply is an independently owned metal service center. They offer a full line of steel, aluminum and stainless steel products and provide “value added” fabrication services allowing for customization to meet a variety of needs.

Although Metro Steel & Pipe Supply is new to the Tavares area, they are not new to Central Florida. For years their business operated out of Leesburg. In mid 2015 they chose to relocate to the former G & T Conveyor facility. It was a good move, allowing the company to quadruple its size related to warehousing, fabricating, and shipping. In addition, the new site offers safer, more efficient highway access for the company’s delivery fleet.

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Metro Steel & Pipe, Inc., 470 County Road 448, Tavares, Florida

The family-operated business, established in 1974 by Chuck Sheperd, is currently run by his son Bryan. The company employs 60 workers and operates multiple shifts. Metro offers an unparalleled experience by providing quality stock or custom steel, aluminum and stainless steel products fabricated to the exact specifications. The company’s goal is to get the job done right and shipped to your location in a timely fashion. According to Adam Nesmith, Vice President, “No job is too small or too big and if we don’t have what you need, we know where to find it.”

So if you have metal needs, Metro Steel & Pipe Supply stands ready to help with angles, plates, beams, structural channels, metal rounds and strips, steel squares and flat bars, square and rectangular tubing, pipe, sheet metal, and expanded metal grating. Metro’s employees can saw, cut, machine, shear, break, punch, roll, flame cut, HD plasma burn and laser cut to precision with CNC equipment. Metro’s Central Florida location makes it easy for it to be your one-stop shop for all your metal and fabrication needs.

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - SECO Energy Website snapshot

Have you checked out SECO’s new website?

How long has it been since you visited SECO Energy’s website? If you have to think about the answer, it’s been too long and you’re missing out on a wealth of information.

Earlier this year the SECO Energy website underwent a major redesign. Our focus was to make the site more user-friendly and ensure compatibility with a multitude of communication devices. We’ve made it easier to report an outage or area light in need of repair. You can purchase discounted HVAC filters (free delivery), learn more about solar arrays and find ways to save energy. Visit the Contact Us page to request a speaker for your next gathering. Signup for SmartHub to access billing archives and pay your monthly electric bill online. So if you haven’t already, take the time to check out the quick links below.

When visiting our website don’t forget our social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram.

Our purpose is to provide exceptional service to our customers, co-workers and communities. This means keeping the lines of communication open. SECO Energy’s website is one more way we’re doing just that. Join in the conversation today!

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Seminole Electric’s solar power community project

Let the Sunshine in…

There’s just something about a warm sunny day that has a way of putting grins on our faces. The experts say sunshine can improve mood and lessen stress, but these days solar rays are doing so much more. The sun’s energy is powering everything from electronics to supplemental energy for factories. This renewable source of energy is one of the fastest growing forms of generation nationwide.

Although SECO Energy is a distribution cooperative and does not generate power, we are a member-owner of Seminole Electric, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Seminole is a generation and transmission cooperative providing wholesale power to SECO Energy and eight other not-for-profit electric cooperatives throughout the state. Together, we serve more than 1.6 million residents and businesses. Just recently Seminole Electric hosted a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the cooperative’s commitment to build a 2.2 megawatt solar system in Hardee County near the organization’s existing natural gas-fired power plant.

The solar project will feature a large-scale array with more than 8,000 single-axis tracking photovoltaic panels. This type of panel, selected over fixed panels, are up to 20 percent more efficient. The increased output is because tracking panels automatically rotate and follow the sun. Although Seminole already has a diverse generating portfolio including waste-to-energy, landfill gas-to-energy, biomass and one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the nation, the solar initiative is the first project of its kind.

For some time, solar generation has been a very expensive technology but in recent years the cost of solar has decreased. Lower equipment prices, higher quality components along with continued government support through subsidies and tax incentives are making solar more attractive. This is especially true for large-scale projects like the Seminole project.

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Seminole Electric Power plant

Large utility projects and community projects typically offer a much lower cost per watt. They are attractive because solar investments are not economically prudent for everyone, even though some third-party vendors would like to make you think so. The fact is, a number of consumers have adverse shading and/or a shortage of roof or ground space, making solar a not-so-efficient choice for their location. In addition, many cannot afford the upfront costs nor can they maintain a solar system over time. For others, trying to restructure their energy use to gain the maximum system output is difficult if their load profile peaks at a time when solar output isn’t high.

For those members, and others interested in solar who don’t want the hassle of installing and maintaining their own generation, the Seminole project is good news. Once complete, the project will allot to SECO Energy a specific amount of panels for members who wish to invest in renewable energy. Watch for details in upcoming issues of SECO News and periodically visit our website at www.secoenegy.com to learn more about solar and other happenings at your cooperative.

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Time to take a drive down the Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway (SSHB)

Time to Take a Drive

Sumter County is home to one of only twenty-four scenic byways in the entire state of Florida. It is part of the Florida Scenic Highway System created to promote the beauty and awareness of Florida’s heritage and intrinsic resources. The Byway, officially known as the Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway (SSHB) promotes a cultural experience that showcases Sumter County. It is part of a community vision to boost tourism and enhance the traveling experiences of visitors to the state. Other benefits of the Byway include promoting economic development, protection of natural resources, and improving the quality of life. For locals it is also a sense of pride.

The vision for a nationally recognized byway began back in 2009 when a handful of community members formed the Sumter Corridor Advocacy Group. These individuals set the vision and goals of establishing a byway. They worked through a series of meetings with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials to receive the state’s scenic designation of a road network within the County. It was during these meetings, and with consensus among local leadership, that the byway would travel through Tarrytown, Webster, Bushnell, Sumterville and Lake Panasoffkee through a variety of landscape changes. The route takes you by The Van Fleet Trail, The Sumter County Farmers Market, Withlacoochee and Richloam Forests, The National Cemetery, Dade Battlefield and Lake Panasoffkee. The byway showcases the diverse environments throughout Sumter County to help highlight its history.

The new byway is enjoyed annually by a number of visitors, and committee efforts are ongoing. It has created the Corridor Management Group aimed at keeping the byway clean. The committee is also in the process of fundraising to add information kiosks along the route.

“The group is working hard to spread the awareness of the byway and hopes that all residents and visitors find the county’s treasures and resources an enjoyable family experience. We are always looking for volunteers to help us with our various projects” according to Dawn Cary, Byway Secretary/Treasurer. “We are going to be erecting our first kiosk shortly at Rutland County Park and have implemented a donor brick program for those wanting to commemorate loved ones, businesses or families to help offset the costs. Sponsors are needed to make this happen and more information is available on the website at www.sumterbyway.com.”

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Power Outage? Steps to restoration

Power Outage? Steps to Restoration

Contact your SECO Energy Rep and provide the account or meter number of the facility that is out of power.
Your rep will report the outage for you and relay information related to your concern as it becomes available.
In the event you cannot reach your account rep, call 1-800-SEC0 141. You may also report an outage at www.secostormcenter.com using your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest outage information.

BARBIE SHAW

Manager of Key Accounts & Energy Services
OFFICE: (352) 569-9787
CELL: (352) 303-3567
barbie.shaw@secoenergy.com

Hank Bolduc, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

HANK BOLDUC

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9789
CELL: (352) 303-3546
hank.bolduc@secoenergy.com

Ryon Meyers, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

RYON MEYERS

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9781
CELL: (352) 636-9593
ryon.meyers@secoenergy.com

J.D. Simmons, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant

J.D. SIMMONS

Key Accounts Consultant
OFFICE: (352) 569-9790
CELL: (352) 303-3183
jd.simmons@secoenergy.com

SECO News, April 2016

As you opened your March billing statement, I hope you were pleasantly surprised to see that SECO Energy’s “Hot Bucks” are hotter than ever. In fact, as of March 1st, residential members are now paying $114.60 based on 1,000 kWh, which is average usage for residential members in our area.

Over the past 27 months, SECO Energy has lowered the cost of electricity seven times; this latest reduction equates to a 10.3% decrease over this time frame. The reduction appears as a credit on your bill under the line item “Hot Bucks.” The term refers to the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) portion of your bill.

We work closely with our wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric, to ensure that we offer members the lowest rate possible and still eke out a small margin (required of us as a not-for-profit electric cooperative).

When the wholesale price goes down, usually due to reduced fuel costs, SECO Energy lowers the PCA factor and members see their bills decrease.

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, when wholesale power costs are lower, SECO Energy shares the savings with members. Lowering the cost of power is a joint effort between SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees, our employees and our wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative. Controlling costs is essential for members and the communities we serve. I know how carefully many of you track your expenditures. I want to assure you that our company’s management team and employees work diligently to keep costs down and control expenses to match your effort.

I think it’s safe to say that SECO Energy is one of the most affordable, reliable electric utilities in Central Florida. Hands down, we offer the best customer service. I know this because in 2015, SECO Energy was ranked by J.D. Power as highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the south. I believe our continued commitment to offer members low electric rates, outstanding reliability and strong community support are just a few of the reasons why members are satisfied with the service they receive from their cooperative.

To read more about our commitment to members and our communities, visit SECOEnergy.com. Next month, look for a snapshot overview of our 2016 Annual Meeting of the Membership or watch the video on our website, Facebook or YouTube channel.

Win an iPad mini!

Click on “My Account” to sign up for SmartHub®. All SECO Energy members who register online with SmartHub by May 15 will be entered in a drawing to win an iPad mini!

Using a computer, tablet or smartphone, members can access and manage their SECO account(s) via SmartHub. Seasonal members can use SmartHub to change their mailing address and also gain instant access to current and previous bills. SmartHub allows members to track their energy use and is helpful for members on a budget.

Access these convenient features:

Access current bills – no need to wait for USPS
View and pay your bill online via debit or credit card
Subscribe to receive text or email alerts
Sign up for automatic bank draft or MyWay Prepay
Update mailing address and phone number
Access billing history and view previous bills
Compare yearly or monthly energy usage
View social media news feeds
Plot high, low and average temperatures against energy use
Record energy-saving events (appliance purchases, filter changes)

Give SmartHub a try.

Contact us at (352) 793-3801 or email customerservice@secoenergy.com for help with registering or with questions. Don’t forget, register by May 15 for a chance to win! Members currently using SmartHub are automatically entered.

Get the app for your mobile device – search for “SmartHub” in the App Store for iOS in the Google Play™ store for Android™.

Want a quick and easy way to reduce energy consumption? Change your HVAC filter regularly. Routinely changing your HVAC filter improves your home’s air quality and reduces energy costs. Also, remember to change the filter on your refrigerator. Clean refrigerator filters provide cleaner water and ice, which can reduce spending on bottled water.

Read additional energy-saving tips.

Vehicle accidents are scary, especially if the accident involves power lines or poles.

Remember these 5 steps to help you stay safe.

Stay in your car − only exit the car if it is on fire
Remain calm
Call 911 immediately. Tell the operator that a power line or pole is down
Warn bystanders to stay away
Warn first responders the line could be energized

Broken power lines can still be energized; touching these can be fatal. Please share this information with family and friends. It could save a life.

Read the full April 2016 SECO News here.

Win an iPad® mini!

Do you want a chance to win an iPad mini? Have you registered for a SECO Energy online account through SmartHub?

Visit our completely redesigned website at www.secoenergy.com today and click on “My Account” to sign up for SmartHub. All SECO Energy members who register online with SmartHub by May 15th will be entered in a drawing to win an iPad mini!

Using a computer, tablet or smartphone, members can access and manage their SECO account(s) via SmartHub. Seasonal members can use SmartHub to change their mailing address and also gain instant access to current and previous bills from any location. SmartHub will easily allow members to closely track their energy use and is especially helpful for members on a budget.

Registered members have access to these convenient features:

•   Immediate access to current bills – no need to wait for mail time
•   View and pay your bill online via debit or credit card
•   Subscribe to receive text or email alerts
•   ign up for automatic bank draft or MyWay Prepay
•   Update mailing address and phone number changes
•   Access billing history and view previous bills
•   Compare yearly or monthly energy usage
•   View social media news feeds
•   Plot high, low and average temperatures against energy use
•   Record energy-saving events (appliance purchases, filter changes)

Give SmartHub a try. We think you will find managing your SECO Energy account online has never been easier or more convenient. Please contact us at 352-793-3801 or email customerservice@secoenergy.com for help with registering or with additional questions. Don’t forget, register by May 15th for a chance to win! Members currently using SmartHub are automatically entered.

Get the app for your mobile device – search for “SmartHub” in the App Store ℠ for iOS or in the Google Play™ store for Android™.Re

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VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

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COMMUNITY

Archive

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

SOLAR SOLUTIONS

LOG IN & WIN!

Duncan’s Digest: SUBSTATION BUZZ

Ways to Pay

Energy Estimator Winners

Safety Corner

Member Spotlight: Metro Steel & Pipe, Inc.

Have you checked out SECO’s new website?

Let the Sunshine in…

Time to Take a Drive

Power Outage? Steps to Restoration

Win an iPad mini!

Read the full April 2016 SECO News here.

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US