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SECO News, September 2017

 

Duncan’s Digest

MEGAWATTS & MILLIONS

 

On November 12, 1938, the first employees of Sumter Electric Cooperative electrified 400 homes at the crossroads of Sumter, Lake and Marion Counties. Sumter Electric has since evolved from a small, rural electric cooperative into our d/b/a name of SECO Energy, and has grown into a regional, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving members across Central Florida.

 

SECO’s growth during its 80-year history is impressive. Continued economic development in our service territory, keeps us investing in new infrastructure and upgrading our existing system. When I joined the SECO team in 1979, the cooperative served less than 39,000 members. Upon becoming CEO in 1990, we served almost 70,000 members. Since then, SECO’s membership increased to almost 200,000 members – a growth rate of 186%.

 

SECO News, September 2017 - Duncan's Digest, Megawatts and Millions

 

Population booms create a greater demand for power. To keep pace, SECO makes investing in its electric system a top priority. As of July 31, SECO’s system wide facilities investment is $817.8 million, which equates to an investment of $2.77 million per month in SECO’s system.

 

Sumter County is growing with The Villages of Fenney and Southern Oaks, future home to 8,000 houses and numerous retail spaces. As a result, SECO is upgrading that area’s substation (called “Federal” because it serves the prison) from 12kV to 25kV and building additional feeders to increase capacity.

 

In its current configuration, the substation can serve 5,000 members. The upgrade brings the capacity to 25,000 members. The substation is currently equipped with a 34-megawatt power transformer. The upgrade adds two 56-megawatt power transformers with space for another 56-megawatt power transformer if/when needed. The Federal substation upgrade investment is approximately $3 million.

 

This system upgrade also gives SECO the ability to backfeed power to members served by other substations in the event of an outage.

 

In south Lake County, crews have already upgraded equipment at our Big Creek substation. In Marion County, crews are upgrading the relay equipment at our Oak Run substation that serves members in the western State Road 200 area. In northwest Marion County, work has begun to upgrade our Blitchton substation to increase its operating voltage and capacity.

 

Future power supply development by our wholesale provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative is a topic you’ll hear about in more detail soon. Seminole supplies power to 1.6 million Floridians, and the company’s plans for the future ensure an adequate power supply with a fuel portfolio that keeps costs and rates low but also expands the use of renewable energy. That said, SECO will continue to provide reliable power to current members and be ready to serve future members.

 

It is our pleasure to serve your family’s energy needs. Thank you for being a SECO member.

 

SECO News, September 2017 - Lightning Buzz

 

Lightning Buzz

 

Florida is deemed the “Lightning Capital” of the nation. It comes as no surprise that lightning is the leading cause of outages in SECO’s service area, and it creates a host of problems for our electric system. Lightning can strike power lines directly, causing a sudden increase in the electrical field. This sudden increase causes outages by tripping fuses, reclosers and breakers installed along the lines to protect the circuit. Lightning also plays a role in the second and third leading causes of outages – trees and equipment failures. Lightning strikes trees, causing damage to tree branches, trunks and roots. Branches and entire trees fall onto lines, bringing down poles and lines, causing outages. Lightning interrupts the normal operation of transformers, cabinets, fusers and breakers, and lightning can spark fires that damage electrical equipment.

 

SECO News, September 2017 - Lightning Buzz, Branches and entire trees fall onto lines, bringing down poles and lines, causing outages.

 

Squirrels, birds and bears – oh my – they wreak havoc on SECO’s facilities. Bears use SECO poles as scratching posts, creating a weakened pole that could break and cause lines to fall. Squirrels, birds and snakes travel on SECO lines and cause outages. Birds build their nests on SECO poles and woodpeckers drill into wood poles to hollow out nests.

 

System maintenance is a constant and costly battle. During hurricane season and beyond, SECO is Storm Ready, equipped to respond quickly and safely to major weather events and occasional outages. If you experience an outage, use your tablet or smartphone to report it through Storm Center at SECOEnergy.com.

 

SECO News, September 2017 - Energy Efficiency, Curb the Silent Demanders

 

Energy Efficiency

 

Curb the Silent Demanders

 

According to energy.gov, a home’s water heater accounts for about 12% of monthly energy use. Follow these simple, easy tips to increase the energy efficiency of your water heater.

 

  1. Install a timer that turns off the unit at night or when not in use.
  2. Lower the temperature to 120º F.
  3. Wash and rinse clothes in cold water.
  4. Wash only a full load in your dishwasher on the shortest cycle.
  5. Replace showerheads and faucets with low-flow fixtures.

 

SECO News, September 2017 - Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR reports savings of $135 a year by replacing a washer that’s over ten years old.

 

It may be time to consider purchasing a new water heater, clothes washer or dishwasher. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label. Tankless water heaters use less energy, but the up-front costs are higher. ENERGY STAR reports savings of $135 a year by replacing a washer that’s over ten years old. ENERGY STAR-qualified dishwashers use 31% less energy and 33% less water than older models – a double-win for efficiency.

 

Searching for additional energy-saving advice? SECO’s Energy Services Specialists are available to answer your questions. Visit our website to schedule an Energy Audit appointment at your home or business today.

 

SECO News, September 2017, Congrats to the Surge Protection $300 bill credit winner

 

Surge Protection Bill Credit Winner

 

Margaret Locke from Umatilla is the winner of SECO’s $300 Surge Protection Bill Credit. Congratulations Margaret!

 

You too can add a layer of protection to your home’s appliances with SECO’s meter-based surge protection. Enroll online today!

 

Read the full September 2017 SECO News here.

 

Invest 92L Trekking East of SECO’s Service Area

SECO Energy continues to monitor developing tropical disturbances that could impact its service area.

 

Early this week, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicted the disturbance named Invest 92L could douse Central Florida with rain and occasional gusty winds. As of Wednesday afternoon, the odds of Invest 92L developing into more than a low-pressure trough are lessening. The system is predicted to move slowly northwest and north over Florida beginning Thursday before clearing the state this weekend.

 

SECO members should prepare for heavy rains, gusty winds and thunderstorms in the coming days while Invest 92L moves off into the Atlantic Ocean. There is a medium chance for the system to gain intensity and develop into a tropical depression or weak tropical storm, but the tropical storm force winds will remain offshore and not affect SECO’s service territory.

 

SECO’s employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur. SECO is prepared for inclement weather and reminds members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

If you have a portable or backup generator, now is the time to test that it is running properly and you have an adequate supply of fuel on hand. Members can visit SECO’s website for storm preparation tips and view an emergency checklist. For members with smartphones or tablets, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center for easy outage reporting and updates.

 

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

SECO Monitoring Ever-changing Tropical Forecast

SECO Energy continues to monitor this week’s ever-changing tropical forecast on Monday. With the peak of Atlantic Hurricane season fast-approaching, SECO encourages members to pay close attention to tropical weather alerts.

 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to track Invest 92L also known as Disturbance 2. Invest 92L is located a couple of hundred miles north-northeast of the southern Bahamas and continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms extending toward Puerto Rico. Invest 92L is expected to continue moving west-northwestward at 15 to 20 miles per hour during the next few days.

 

Invest 92L’s current prediction cone encompasses all of Florida except for the panhandle. It is unlikely that Invest 92L will develop into a tropical storm or hurricane, but forecasters predict the system will bring rain and occasional gusty winds to SECO’s service area Thursday morning. Parts of SECO’s service area have been inundated with heavy amounts of rain and the ground is already wet. This saturation can lead to flooding and falling trees.

 

Forecasters are also watching Tropical Storm Harvey, which is breaking up near the Yucatan Peninsula and Disturbance 3, which has zero percent chance of cycle formation over the next five days.

 

SECO employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur. SECO is prepared for inclement weather and reminds members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

If you have a portable or backup generator, now is the time to test that it is running properly and you have an adequate supply of fuel on hand. Members can visit SECO’s storm preparation page for storm preparation tips and an emergency checklist. For members with smartphones or tablets, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center for easy outage reporting and updates.

 

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

SECO Watching Tropical Disturbances in Atlantic Basin

SECO Energy is keeping a close watch on the tropical disturbances forming in the Atlantic Basin as of Friday afternoon. The peak of Atlantic Hurricane season begins in September and seas are churning.

 

Invest 92 has the greatest possibility of impacting SECO’s service area, possibly early next week. This system is currently located 600 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands and is moving west-northwestward at 20 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports the upper-level winds are becoming less favorable for cyclone formation, but there is still a 60% chance that a cyclone will form within five days.

 

Another system forming is Disturbance 2. According to the NHC, Disturbance 2 is located in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean, moving west-northwestward at 20 miles per hour and chance of cyclone formation is only 40%. Forecasters do not believe Disturbance 2 will threaten Florida.

 

Tropical Storm Harvey is tracking west to Central America and Mexico at 21 miles per hour, and will make landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula early Monday morning.

 

SECO employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur. SECO is prepared for inclement weather and reminds members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

If you have a portable or backup generator, now is the time to test that it is running properly and you have an adequate supply of fuel on hand. Members can visit SECO’s website for storm preparation tips and view an emergency checklist online. For members with smartphones or tablets, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center for easy outage reporting and updates.

 

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

Tropical Storm Emily Heading to Central Florida

SECO Energy is monitoring Tropical Storm Emily as it passes through its service area today and Tuesday.

 

Tropical Storm Emily, formerly named Tropical Depression Six, formed off the coast of Tampa early Monday morning. The storm is heading east at 8 miles per hour and is expected to trek eastward across Central Florida today, impacting SECO’s service area.

 

The storm is predicted to produce heavy rains and winds less than 35 miles per hour. The forecast is still mostly uncertain, Tropical Storm Emily developed very quickly from a depression to a tropical storm overnight. The storm should make initial landfall near the Tampa Bay area.

 

The system is not expected to develop intensity and will be through Florida and into the Atlantic waters early Tuesday morning.

SECO Energy is Storm Ready, Tropical Storm Emily is predicted to produce heavy rains and winds less than 35 mph

 

SECO employees are Storm Ready and waiting to respond if outages occur from Tropical Storm Emily. Tropical Storm Emily will be the first storm to impact Central Florida during the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. SECO is prepared for the possibility of inclement weather and would like to remind members that it is best to be informed and prepared.

 

SECO offers storm preparation tips and an emergency checklist online. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being our members’ first source for accurate storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated about storms affecting our area.

Energy Insider – 2nd Quarter

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Avoid Taking the Bait When Hackers Phish

Avoid Taking the Bait When Hackers Phish

 

Online phishing emails are a very real and dangerous trend. According to Wikipedia, the annual worldwide impact of phishing was as high as five billion dollars as of 2015. Today, this number is substantially more.

 

Being aware of what phishing emails look like and how to avoid them can save a company a lot of money, damage, and stress. Computer hackers love to go phishing, but instead of baiting hooks, they’re sending emails. They disguise what looks like a trustworthy email in order to obtain sensitive information from companies and individuals. Phishing is a form of social engineering designed to trick people into clicking what appears to be a valid link but instead causes damage in one way or another.

 

The reason hackers phish is to obtain sensitive and profitable information. By clicking on the link in their email, you may be doing anything from installing a virus to allowing the hackers into your computer network. Either of these is to gain information to be used against the company or for access to sensitive information such as a social security number or password. For example, the hacker may obtain a company’s username and password to their bank account and start making money transfers. They may gain trade secrets or future plans. This vital information is up for grabs if someone is not careful when receiving a phishing email.

 

Phishing emails are designed to blend in with emails employees receive every day. For example, if you work in the accounting world and are accustomed to emails with invoices, you might receive the same type of email from a hacker with only a couple of variations. One may think that a small change isn’t a big deal, but that little detail could make all the difference. Often, the emails give a time frame or sense of urgency in order to prompt a quick click without thinking. For example, claiming your bank account is hacked and you need to click the link to reset your password. Phishing emails also often contain grammatical errors. A good example of a phishing email will look something like this:

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Avoid Taking the Bait When Hackers Phish, phishing email example

 

The easiest way to avoid falling victim to phishing emails is to always pay close attention. The “From” portion of the email address will often be similar to email addresses you would normally recognize. The slight difference could be as simple as an extra letter. Many times the sentences are not well written.

 

If an email is not one you’re expecting, question why it is being received. If the email is suspicious in any way, check with your company’s IT security team. If you receive an email asking to change a password for anything from a bank to a medical insurance site, call the company first or go directly to the website instead of clicking the link. Always check the legitimacy of the email before moving forward and warn others so everyone knows to be wary of a possible incoming attack.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - One-size-fits-all Does Not Apply

One-size-fits-all Does Not Apply

 

When it comes to surge protection, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Sometimes consumers spend a lot of money on surge products only to be disappointed. Typically this doesn’t relate to the product itself, instead, it’s because the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation have not been followed, contributing to poor product performance.

 

When contemplating surge protection think about multiple layers of protection. The goal should be to make sure the protector is installed as close as possible to the source you’re trying to protect. Let-thru voltages increase for every foot of excess wire used in an installation. This means additional unwanted surge energy can travel directly to your equipment/systems increasing the potential for damage. The rule-of-thumb is to use as little wire as possible, avoid loops and bends, and follow instructions as outlined.

 

Although installation is a key factor in ensuring success, without a properly connected ground at the service entrance, dollars spent on surge protection are spent in vain. Have a professional test your grounding effectiveness before you get started. Once grounding is confirmed, draw a circle around your facility. Take a look at all lines coming in such as the electric, phone, satellite, and cable. Then determine the best way to protect each point of entry.

 

Besides primary surge protector at your service entrance or before the first breaker in your main panel box, add protection at all subpanels. Pay careful attention not to forget panels feeding security systems, outdoor lighting, gates, fountains, etc. Utilize point-of-use devices on indoor equipment such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and phone chargers. Statistics show up to 80 percent of power surges are generated internally. Although these are not the surges that do the most damage, they degrade equipment over time.

 

For more information on how to protect your commercial/industrial facility from damaging surges contact your SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant. We’ll be glad to arrange for our surge vendor to help you formulate a plan to fit your company’s specific needs.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Member Spotlight, E.R. Jahna Industries

Member Spotlight: E. R. Jahna 474 Sand Mine, Clermont, Florida

 

E.R. Jahna Industries is American-owned and has been independently operated since 1934 from their headquarters in Lake Wales Florida. Building upon his construction and concrete background, Emil Jahna, Jr., started mining operations in 1946 supplying sand for local businesses producing concrete. Beginning in the late 1960s, E.R. Jahna’s Central Florida locations allowed them to flourish by supplying construction grade sands to Disney World, Interstate 4 and the surrounding building growth. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, E.R. Jahna Industries purchased and started several new mines to expand their Florida footprint.

 

Today, E.R. Jahna remains owned and operated by the second and third generations of family. They continue to grow in the mining industry currently operating four sand mines in Florida and one in Savannah, GA. The company is a leading producer of high quality and reliable aggregate products – specifically sand. However, the term aggregate applies to a broad category of either fine or coarse particulate material such as silica sand, gravel, slag or crushed stone. These products are mined and used in concrete, concrete products, construction and every day modern life applications. Drain fields, road base, materials for concrete, sand for golf courses, roof tile, power poles, pavers, concrete pipe, concrete block and beach replenishment are all typical uses of aggregates here in Florida.

 

Although sand mining may sound simple, it is not! It requires a huge investment and an involved process to ensure a high quality product to meet end-use expectations. At E.R. Jahna’s in Clermont, Florida (served by SECO Energy), a dredge is used to remove sand from a pit. The sand is then transported through a pipeline to the sand plant. The sand plant washes and separates material through different processes to meet the customer’s end-use requirements. During its journey through the plant, the sand is screened of foreign debris, washed, sized, and the water removed creating the final sand aggregate product(s). Because the sand is so hard and abrasive on the metal processing equipment, continuous maintenance is required to meet production schedules and customer needs. E.R. Jahna’s maintenance program is key to its reliable production capabilities and quality products.

 

In order to compete in a competitive marketplace, E.R. Jahna continues to increase efficiency in extracting aggregates companywide. Many projects include sand plant re-configurations, efficient pump and motor upgrades, and an extensive geologic analysis of reserves and production yields. Over the next year, the E.R. Jahna 474 Independent Sand Mine will see drastic capital improvements including the total rebuild of the sand plant. With new technology and continued learning, E.R. Jahna can remain competitive and on the forefront of the aggregate mining industry.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - SECO Energy Is “Storm Ready,” Are You

SECO Energy Is “Storm Ready,” Are You?

 

Hurricane season began on June 1st and SECO Energy stands “Storm Ready.” Our System Operations Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and crews and support staff are available around the clock. Our Emergency Restoration Plan serves as a guide to ensure the timeliest restoration of service even under the most adverse circumstances. SECO Energy’s operating plan is continually evaluated and updated annually because we understand the importance of electricity to your business. However, this is only half the battle. You too must be storm ready.

 

For your business, being storm ready may not necessarily apply to a weather event or service interruption at your location. Depending on your operation, there could be a number of things with the potential to impact your bottom line. Having a plan in place to deal with concerns increases the chances of your business surviving. Statistics show that ninety percent of companies fail within a year unless they can resume operations within five days after a catastrophe.

 

In today’s world, businesses must prepare for the impacts of many hazards including natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados and flooding. Then there are human caused hazards, acts of violence and terrorism, technology-related issues and equipment failures. Whether the disaster is major or minor, anything that has the potential to cease operations at your location for a prolonged period of time can be crippling. A good plan is necessary to prevent this.

 

Many experts advise developing a preparedness plan consisting of the five steps as follows:

 

  1. STEP ONE-Program Management
    Assign an administrator to organize, develop and identify the regulations that establish the minimum requirements of your program.
  2.  

  3. STEP TWO-Planning
    Gather information and examine ways to identify, assess, prevent and reduce hazards and risks. Done correctly, this would include a business impact analysis.
  4.  

  5. STEP THREE-Implementation
    Create a written plan to address resource management, emergency response, communication, operational continuity, IT, employee assistance, incident management and training.
  6.  

  7. STEP FOUR-Testing and Exercises
    Evaluate your plan on an ongoing basis by conducting multiple types of training and exercises, using the results to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.
  8.  

  9. STEP FIVE-Program Improvement
    Establish a cycle of review and methods of evaluation and make the necessary changes to keep the plan current.

 

Related to your hurricane preparedness plan, be sure your plan includes actions to be taken before, during and after the storm. Keep the lines of communication open for everyone involved. It is imperative employees understand their assignments and reporting procedures. Be sure site issues, such as boarding up buildings, securing or relocating signs or equipment and removing loose debris, are done before the storm’s arrival. After the storm, wait until the area is declared safe before proceeding to survey damage. Then, survey the site for safety hazards, downed power lines, leaking gas or fluids and damage to foundations or piping. If you lose power, report the outage to your SECO Energy representative and visit our Storm Center and Facebook at SECOenergy.com for progress updates and to monitor restoration efforts.

 

Remember, you are not alone. There are many resources to assist you in preparing for disasters. FEMA, the State of Florida and the Small Business Administration all have resources available on-line including free sample emergency plans, preparedness checklists and templates.

 

 

 

SECO Energy Insider, 2nd Quarter - Energy Conservation Tips for Small Retailers

Energy Conservation Tips for Small Retailers

 

Saving energy makes good business sense. Not only is conserving energy good for the environment, but it’s also good for your bank account. Implementing a few simple energy conservation strategies can help reduce your monthly energy bill.

 

Historical Usage
By monitoring your energy usage on your monthly electric bill you can identify patterns and understand normal monthly consumption. Knowing how and where energy is consumed is a first step to reduce costs and lower consumption.

 

Energy Efficient Equipment
Whenever possible, upgrade or retrofit light fixtures to CFLs or LEDs and consider adding occupancy sensors to turn lighting off in storerooms or other seldom-used areas. Make it convenient to unplug all equipment, not in use, with the aid of a power strip.

 

Control Your Thermostat
Many offices seem to have ongoing thermostat wars that can actually decrease your energy efficiency and lead to higher energy bills. Prevent this by investing in a programmable thermostat. According to ENERGY STAR® you can save $180 annually. Additional savings can be achieved if you program a more conservative setting during unoccupied hours.

 

Keep the Heat Outside
Ensuring your business is properly insulated and taking steps to reduce drafts can help lower your monthly bill. Door seals, window coverings, and door closers are just a few examples of low-cost ways to conserve energy.

 

For more information on how to save, contact your SECO Energy representative and arrange for a free personalized energy assessment of your facility.

 

 

 

 

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 Prepared for 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project predicts 11 named storms developing this year, with four storms affecting the Atlantic Basin. On the eve of 2017’s Atlantic Hurricane Season, SECO Energy is prepared for the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes affecting its service territory. As a foundation, the company’s system is expertly designed, solidly built and well maintained.

 

SECO’s motto during storm season is “Storm Ready.” SECO’s System Control Coordinator’s monitor the weather 24/7. Operations crews and support staff are on-call to leap into restoration action day or night. SECO’s local Call Centers and Member Service Centers are fully staffed to help members weather the storm.

 

SECO reminds members and their families to prepare for the upcoming storm season as well. Now is the time to assemble your emergency supplies – don’t wait until a storm threatens, supplies sell out quickly. Visit SECOEnergy.com to find a list of emergency essentials for hurricane and storm season. Bookmark SECO’s Storm Center application on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly using your last name and house number.

 

For the most up-to-date storm and restoration information available, “like” SECO Energy’s Facebook page and “follow” the cooperative on Twitter. SECO uses its social media channels to warn members of upcoming storms and to send updates about the restoration process after major events. If you haven’t been in touch with SECO in recent memory, log into your SmartHub account on SECOEnergy.com to update your contact information.

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services stated, “Please prepare in advance for this year’s storm season. Don’t be caught off-guard, as once the storm is upon you it is too late. One storm or weather event can damage your home, leave your family without access to food, water and power. It can change your life forever. At SECO, we want our members to take the necessary precautions to wait out storms safely, while our Operations crews are restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.”

 

Tropical Storm Colin and Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew, brought inches of rain, lightning and high winds to SECO’s area during 2016’s Atlantic Hurricane Season. Before each weather occurrence, SECO jumped into action requesting additional contract line crews and tree trimming crews. Utilizing SECO’s emergency plan, the SECO team is a well-oiled restoration machine, each SECO employee is “Storm Ready.”

 

Learn more about storm preparation and print an emergency checklist online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

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.

SECO Crews Worked Overnight Restoring Power After Storms

In the early morning hours Thursday, a band of powerful storms hovered over SECO Energy’s service area. The storms brought soaking rain, lightning, high winds and a tornado warning in our territory.

 

SECO is “Storm Ready” and was well prepared for the overnight storm. All SECO locations were fully staffed by 2:00 a.m. on Thursday morning with the company’s Operations crews, contract line crews and tree crews ready to respond to outages. System Operations and the company’s local call center were staffed as well. The fast-moving storm arrived in Marion County at 2:30 a.m. and traveled southeast through SECO’s service territory. The storm cleared the area around 6:30 a.m.

 

The outages were mostly small, isolated incidents involving downed trees and poles. Marion, Sumter and Citrus Counties were hardest hit, causing almost 1,500 members to lose power overnight. As of 7:30 a.m., crews are working to restore power to 254 members who remain without power. Crews are still out in full-force working the remaining outages, which should be restored by noon on Thursday.

 

John LaSelva, SECO’s Vice President of Operations, stated, “SECO’s well-designed, solidly-constructed system continues to perform well during storms. We continuously inspect, upgrade and conduct maintenance on our system to better serve our members. A well-maintained system with a comprehensive vegetation management program means less outages for members, and when storms hit, it makes for a shorter restoration time.”

 

Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1. Learn more about SECO’s storm readiness by visiting SECO’s Reliability page. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates about SECO’s new Storm Center platform that is scheduled for launch this summer. The new system will include text, email and phone outage notification options.

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.

 
Crews travel to Clay Electric

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.