SECO News, February 2020

Duncan’s Digest – Solar & Battery Project Pilot

SECO Energy’s Engineering department recently embarked on a solar and battery energy storage pilot project. If you travel County Road 470 near our Sumterville headquarters, you may have noticed the new 6,000-watt solar array installed just outside the fence on the southeast corner of our Sumterville substation.

The goal of the project is to learn more about solar arrays, battery storage and how battery-stored energy feeds back into our system. This knowledge will also prepare SECO employees assisting members who are interested in solar and battery storage investments at their homes or businesses.

We contracted with local solar array vendor Solar Trek to construct the 6,000-watt ground-mounted solar array and battery storage system. The panels are positioned to face south for maximum sun exposure.

The array was built to offset the utility-supplied power that is required to serve the load in the substation’s switchgear enclosure. You can see the solar array from the road, but the energy storage batteries are housed in a cabinet outside of the substation switchgear.

Solar systems – whether installed residentially or commercially – produce energy from the sun in the form of direct current (DC). Inverters are installed on each solar panel to convert the DC power produced by the panels to alternating current (AC) that is usable in homes and businesses.

The solar panels will produce an anticipated average of 25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day or approximately 750 kWh per month. Each panel is connected to a micro-inverter that maximizes efficiency by converting DC to AC power at the panel. The battery storage is configured for charge by the solar system.

This stored energy is released onto SECO’s electric system twice per day, at 9 a.m. and before 6 p.m.

The pilot project offers a variety of data for SECO’s Engineering staff to collect and study. SECO will measure the amount of AC power produced by the panels and the amount of energy the battery inverters will use to convert AC to DC then back to AC voltage. Also, SECO will assess the amount of energy required to charge the batteries and how much energy the battery inverter uses to convert DC to AC voltage.

Ultimately, we will monitor the collected data to compare the costs and benefits of energy storage and the impact of possible investments in future large-scale solar enterprises.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

SECO Champion – Surgeo The Surge MitiGator™

Length of Warranty: 15 Years

Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and sensitive electronics. The common cause of power surges is lightning, but small animals, trees, birds or vehicles crashing into SECO Energy poles or lines also cause surges.

For just pennies a day, SECO’s Surge MitiGator™ helps take the bite out of damaging power surges and spikes that can occur at your home. The Surge MitiGator™ is installed at the electric meter to help prevent high voltage spikes and surges from entering your home and sending voltage into your large appliances.

Sign up online before March 31 and receive $25 off installation. Lease the Surge MitiGator™ for only $5.95 per month plus tax with free installation for 200-amp residential services. For services over 200 amps, installation is reduced to $75. Or you can purchase the protection for $349 to $399 with free installation for online enrollments.

This valuable protection is “Made in the USA” and includes a beastly warranty. Sign up for the Surge MitiGator™ protection online to receive $25 off installation.

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF LOVE! Are you planning a wedding? The Old Farmer’s Almanac has chosen the best days to get married in February 2020 are 12th and 13th just in time for Valentine’s Day on the 14th. Take your new spouse on a honeymoon camping trip on the 16th and 17th. Thinking of buying a new home? The best days to buy are the 2nd and the 7th. If you are selling a home, the best days to sell are the 28th and 29th. The best days to ask for a loan are the 11th and the 15th.

Area Light Out?

SECO Energy’s online StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform also includes LightFinder – our easy, convenient area light outage reporting tool. Use LightFinder to report area light malfunctions including a light outage, a day burner, flickering light or another issue.

LightFinder is available 24/7 at SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter. Choose the LightFinder tile. In the search bar, find the area light by entering the pole number or near address to locate. An icon represents each SECO-served area light. Click on the icon to report the light malfunction. Review the light’s details and add comments if needed. Include your email address in the submission to receive updates about the light’s repair status.

A green light icon indicates there is no known area light issue. When an area light trouble ticket is issued, the icon turns red. Lights represented by an orange icon have been repaired in the last 24 hours. Member-owned lights are shown as a blue icon and inactive lights are indicated by a gray icon.

SECO repairs most area light issues in less than 24 hours.

Energy Estimator

Are you interested in determining the energy use per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of the electronics and appliances in your home? Our online Energy Estimator calculates the amount of energy and associated cost.

With spring around the corner, are you thinking of adding a new hot tub, buying an electric golf cart/car or building a new swimming pool? Use the Energy Estimator for an estimate of how your energy usage and costs may change.

To use the Estimator, gather information about your home’s electronics’ wattage and hours per day usage. Don’t forget about water heating, refrigeration, laundry, cooking, lighting and miscellaneous electronics. The Energy Estimator will break down the energy costs for each item annually and monthly. Calculations are based on 1,000 kWh usage with SECO’s current Power Cost Adjustment (PCA/Hot Bucks) credit applied.

Explore the Energy Estimator tool online. Input the wattage and daily hours used for each electronic and appliance in your home. To receive energy-savings suggestions via email, provide your email address and submit.

Read the full February 2020 SECO News online.

SECO News, October 2019

Duncan’s Digest Keep It Clear – We Work Here

At SECO Energy we take pride in our expertly designed and well-maintained electric system that provides reliable power to almost 210,000 homes and businesses in our service territory. As the fastest-growing electric cooperative in the state (by meter count), SECO invests upwards of $50 million annually to construct new facilities to meet the growing demand for power and to upgrade aging infrastructure. We regularly inspect and stringently maintain our facilities. Within our 2,100-square mile territory, crews inspect substations, overhead and underground lines, poles, transformers, cabinets and more. We spend about $20 million annually trimming or removing thousands of trees that encroach on lines and threaten reliability.

SECO personnel routinely audit and perform work on equipment such as transformers and meters on members’ property. Field employees often find it challenging to safely access padmount transformers and underground facilities because shrubs or fencing have been placed in close proximity to the front and sides of the equipment despite the large warning labels. In maintenance and outage situations, the obstacles cause the work to take longer than necessary and most important, pose safety risks to our employees.

A few members also restrict SECO’s access to the meter with locked gates, fences, animals, overgrown landscaping, added rooms or porches and other obstructions. This results in unsafe conditions for employees and contractors and can cause readings to be estimated rather than actual – resulting in an inaccurate electric bill.

Per our Terms & Conditions, these obstructions are simply unacceptable and our cooperative is taking a firm stand on such violations. To raise awareness and draw attention to the safety issue, we have developed a communications campaign called Keep It Clear – We Work Here. The campaign renews SECO Energy’s commitment to employee safety in the field. As a SECO member, you are responsible for adhering to our Terms and Conditions of Service that include providing SECO personnel with safe, unimpeded access to our equipment located on your property.

Keep fences, shrubs and lawn ornaments at least ten feet away from the front of the transformer and three feet away from the back and the sides. Open gates, clear obstructions and relocate animals that restrict SECO’s access to metering equipment. Trim landscaping that blocks the meter face. If SECO is unable to obtain a clear view of the meter and record an accurate meter reading, the member may receive an estimated (and inaccurate) bill for that reading cycle.

In the spirit of customer service, we have practiced diplomacy and patience with members who have refused to comply with our safe clearance requirements. The Keep It Clear campaign changes our approach. Unimpeded, safe access to SECO’s transformers and metering equipment is a necessity.

As SECO personnel conduct equipment audits across our service territory, members with equipment obstructions on their property will be asked to clear the obstructions or trim the landscaping that impedes safe access. Our Keep It Clear campaign provides affected members with letters, door hangers, emails and other notifications advising members of the need for obstruction removal. If those notices are ignored, disconnection of service is a last resort but a step that will be taken in extreme cases.

The vast majority of our members follow the clearance rules and respect the reasoning. I thank you kindly. If you are planning a landscape project please be sure you maintain that compliance. If you buy a house in our area or if the service is in your name as the renter, you bear responsibility for access to the electric equipment on the property. I’m asking you to keep our employees safe by ensuring access to SECO’s equipment.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Greg Lovett – T&D Line Supervisor

Length of Service: 14 Years

“WE SAFELY RESTORE POWER.” Greg Lovett is a 14-year SECO Energy employee who is a T&D Line Supervisor working in Citrus, Hernando and Sumter Counties. Greg and his team help construct and maintain SECO’s $900 million electric infrastructure that delivers reliable power to members. A lifelong Sumter County resident, Greg and his family enjoy fishing and water sports. His family has come to expect the late-night phone calls to restore power outages. His family understandably worries about him, but Greg is confident in the expanded safety measures that SECO has adopted that protect him and his crew. When unexpected outages occur, Greg is often called to supervise responding crews. Safe restoration is always given the highest priority. During restoration, crews inspect and confirm that all equipment is safe and that lines are clear and in good working condition before re-energizing services.

Atlantic hurricane season’s busiest month is September, but the season remains active until November 30. Don’t let the cooling temperatures and fall decorations fool you – the threat of hurricanes and tropical storms remains active.

Visit StormCenter to familiarize yourself with its features. On the StormCenter outage map, you can view current outages in SECO’s service area, search for and bookmark your address on the map and view the current weather radar.

To enroll in outage notifications, click on “Manage Notifications” to add an email address or phone number. You can choose to receive outage notifications via email, text, voice or all three. Set times that you would not wish to be disturbed for each communication type chosen.

Check the status of an existing outage and a seven-day outage history using the “Check Status” tile. Choose “Report Outage” to report a current power outage. Locate your service location using the account holder’s last name and house number, or search by phone number or account number.

Use LightFinder to report an area light that is off or a light that shines all day. Search for either the pole number or address. Each light is represented by a light bulb icon. Green indicates the light is working. A red icon is a light that has been reported as malfunctioning. If the icon is orange it has been repaired in the last 24 hours. Inactive lights are represented by a gray icon. A blue icon is a member-owned light.

Have a question? “Contact Us” allows you to complete a web form in just a few clicks.

Overhead power lines and poles are easy to see, but you can be injured or killed by digging into an underground electric line. Before putting a shovel in the ground, the law requires you to dial 811 to request all underground utilities be properly marked so you don’t dig into a buried utility line.

Know what’s below – call 811 before you dig to avoid making contact with an energized underground line risking injury or an outage. In Florida, call 811 or visit www.sunshine811.com to arrange free location of underground utility lines. In Florida – it’s the law.

In July SECO News, we encouraged members to learn more about energy efficiency with SECO Energy’s online energy audit tool theHome Energy Assessment. Members who completed the Home Energy Assessment and provided an email address to receive energy-efficiency tips tailored to their home were entered into a drawing to win one of three high-tech programmable thermostats.

Congratulations to Evelyn Graddy from Eustis who is the winner of the Nest Wi-Fi thermostat; the Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat was won by James Trimble from The Villages; and Frances Sciotto from Ocala is the winner of the Ecobee Wi-Fi thermostat.

In the August edition of SECO News, CEO Jim Duncan asked if SECO has your correct phone number or email address. Members who updated or verified their personal contact information by email, online or phone were entered in a drawing for a $300 SECO bill credit.

Jill Chandler from Paisley is the winner of the $300 SECO bill credit. Thank you to all who participated and watch for upcoming chances to win.

Read the full October SECO News online.

SECO Energy Tracking Tropical Cyclone Nine

SECO Energy is closely watching the track of Tropical Cyclone Nine that is expected to increase in speed and become Tropical Storm Humberto within the next 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Nine appears to be on a similar path as Hurricane Dorian that passed Florida earlier this month, but this current tropical system is much weaker.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Cyclone Nine is located over the central Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 25 mph. The current track continues to move further east of Florida posing less of a threat to SECO’s service area. SECO Energy members on the east side of I-75 may experience gusty winds around 35 mph on Saturday and Sunday with passing showers.

SECO Energy Vice President of Operations John LeSalva stated, “Currently, Tropical Cycle Nine is not expected to be a major weather threat for SECO Energy members. We will continue to monitor the cyclone’s track as it moves closer to Florida, but for now it appears that it will remain offshore and bring only rain and winds.”

September is the peak of Atlantic hurricane season and SECO Energy has created a new Hurricane Handbook to help members prepare before, during and after storms. Our Hurricane Handbook is available online at SECOEnergy.com.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO News, September 2019

Welcome to our new Hurricane Handbook. Named storms can cause extended outages even for a system like SECO’s that is well built, constructed and maintained. To prepare for the worst, review our people/pets preparation checklists, outage notification enrollment instructions, Florida Special Needs Registry details, restoration priorities, damage assessment warnings and lessons on hunkering down. Learn about generator safety by to watch our newest video. For the chance to win an 8,000 watt Briggs Stratton portable generator, click on the website’s home page banner to register at SmartHub (SECO’s online account platform) by October 15. All members with SmartHub accounts as of October 15 will be entered in the drawing.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

HURRICANE STRENGTH STATS

The Saffir–Simpson wind scale classifies hurricanes that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms into five categories distinguished by the intensities of sustained winds.

CAT 1 74 to 95 mph
CAT 2 96 to 110 mph
CAT 3 111 to 129 mph (major)
CAT 4 130 to 156 mph (major)
CAT 5 157 mph or higher (major)

Even tropical storms can cause significant damage and flooding. Most storm casualties are from drowning and not wind. Always heed weather warnings, evacuate as instructed and don’t drive into high water. Keep your family safe.

DISCONNECTING IN ADVANCE: MYTH OR FACT

Many years ago, it was a common practice for utilities to completely de-energize their electric systems ahead of a storm in an effort to proactively prevent damage during the storm. SECO Energy does not employ this practice.

RESTORATION PRIORITY – WHO’S FIRST?

SECO Energy provides world-class reliability to 200,000+ homes and businesses. Outages due to weather, vehicle accidents, equipment issues, animal or tree contact with lines result in utilities being unable to guarantee 100 percent uninterrupted electric service.

During emergency restoration with widespread damage, SECO Energy’s first responsibilities are shelters, hospitals, schools and government agencies like emergency ops centers, fire stations and law enforcement facilities. SECO’s next priority is large commercial accounts providing food, water and damage-recovery supplies. Feeders with the largest number of members served are next. Our goal is to restore service to the highest volume of members as quickly as possible.

FLORIDA’S SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY

Register with the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org before a storm hits to receive county specific lifesaving information. If an evacuation or emergency is declared, you will receive important options from local emergency management by signing up with your county’s emergency alert notifications (Alert Citrus, Alert Hernando, Alert Marion, Alert Levy, Alert Lake, Alert Sumter, Alert Pasco). Visit your county’s Emergency Operations online to sign up for the alerts you would like to receive.

MEMBERS USING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Residential members’ accounts coded as having medically necessary service are not the first priority after a storm with widespread damage. These members should prepare before storm season and anticipate the possibility of extended outages that could last for days. If you are dependent on electric-powered medical equipment, register with your county emergency management center’s Special Needs Registry. Most important, purchase a generator for use during power outages.

OUTAGE NOTIFICATION PREFERENCES

Visit us online and click StormCenter at the top right. Scroll down and select “Manage Notifications.” Log in with your account number or phone number. View and update your preferences for email, text or voice notifications. Set do not disturb parameters.

ADD STORMCENTER APP TO MOBILE DEVICE HOME SCREEN

On our website, click StormCenter. Select the Outage Map tile. Tap the Share Arrow. Select “Add to Home Screen” from options.

BOOKMARK DAILY RESTORATION PLAN MAP

SECO utilizes this interactive map when the Emergency Response Plan is activated. This map is different from the StormCenter outage map. The Restoration Plan Map displays the areas where crews are working each day and helps you know when you can reasonably expect service restoration. Access this map from the website home page banner during emergencies.

SUPPLY STOCK UP – SEVEN DAYS

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. Only open refrigerator and freezer doors when necessary. Move freezable foods into the freezer. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours after a power outage; a full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours. Move your emergency supplies into a secure room with no windows or fireplaces.

HUNKER DOWN – STAY INFORMED

During the storm, remain indoors and prepare to wait out the weather safely. Stay informed with a battery-powered weather radio. Be ready to re-locate your family and pets to a secure location in your home with no windows or fireplaces. Break out the family board games and preserve your phone’s battery power.

NO RESTORATION IN WINDS ABOVE 35 MPH

SECO Energy invests heavily in an aggressive vegetation management program to keep our overhead lines clear. Still, severe storms with high winds create tree-related outages. Once sustained wind speeds reach 35 mph, it is not safe to use bucket trucks or perform restoration. When wind speeds have fallen below 35 mph, SECO deploys employees and mutual aid to begin restoration efforts.

TORNADOES – WATCH VS WARNING

Tornadoes are vertical funnels of rapidly spinning air often referred to as nature’s most violent storm. Winds can reach speeds of 300 mph. Tornadoes are commonly associated with severe thunderstorms. It is extremely likely that during a hurricane you may experience a tornado.

TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in/near the watch area. Check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act fast if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching.

TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately to your safe room, interior room or hallway. Avoid windows.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE A TORNADO, stay clear of downed power lines and damaged buildings. Treat downed lines as if they are energized.

HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES: These supply power to SECO’s 48 substations which serve 200,000+ homes and businesses. If a storm damages a transmission line, substations also lose power. Much of the transmission serving SECO’s substations is owned/operated by Duke Energy. If Duke’s lines are down, SECO Energy cannot restore power to our members until these lines are repaired.

DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION: A substation serves thousands of members. Our line crews inspect substations to determine if problems stem from transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation itself, or if problems exist further down the feeders and lateral lines.

FEEDER DISTRIBUTION LINES: When problems cannot be isolated at a substation, distribution lines are inspected. These larger lines originate from substations and distribute power to large groups of members in our service area.

LATERAL DISTRIBUTION LINES: These smaller lines deliver power to transformers, either mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground service and deliver power to smaller groups of members in less densely populated areas.

SERVICE LINES: The service line is the line between a transformer and your residence or business.

STATIONARY GENERATOR: A permanently affixed generator installed by a licensed technician with an approved disconnect and transfer switch that isolates your home’s circuits from SECO Energy and eliminates the risk of backfeeding on utility lines.

PORTABLE GENERATOR: A common type of generator that does not require a licensed technician to install. Use extension cords to plug certain appliances into the outlets on the generator. Never operate indoors.

More lifesaving information on generator safety can be found on our website. Click on the generator banner for a chance to win a new 8,000 watt Briggs Stratton portable generator. Enter by October 15.

RETURNING HOME-ASSESS DAMAGE

If your home or business is damaged and it is safe, turn off your main breaker to prevent fires. If appliances are wet, turn off each appliance’s main breaker. Once you’ve turned the breaker off, unplug the wet appliance.

If fuses blow when your power is restored, turn off the breakers and contact a licensed electrician. Always call an electrician or an appliance repair service if in doubt.

DEBRIS CLEANUP

Once the storm has passed, ensure that you and your home are safe while power is being restored. Do not make piles that interfere with utility trucks. Keep piles away from power lines, transformers and downed lines for safety and speedy restoration. Call your county’s emergency operations center if public roadway debris prevents utility and emergency vehicle access.

• Move over a lane for law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility vehicles and tow trucks.
• If you can’t move over, slow to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
• If the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less, slow down to 5 mph.

#MoveOverFL

Read the full September 2019 SECO News online.

Local Counties Preparing for Hurricane Dorian

Additional shelters are opening in the counties served by SECO Energy to assist residents in need of shelter during Hurricane Dorian. SECO members who require uninterrupted electricity to power medical devices are advised to wait out Hurricane Dorian at a shelter that meets their special needs. Deadly Hurricane Dorian stalled over parts of The Bahamas on Monday destroying property and is responsible for a reported five deaths.

Hurricane Dorian is spinning at about 120 mph at a forward speed of just 2 mph. Hurricane force winds extend 40 miles and tropical storm winds extend 160 miles. Dorian is expected to pick up forward motion later today and bring rain bands and sustained winds of about 25 mph to the SECO service territory. Overnight and into Wednesday, SECO Energy members east of I-75 will likely experience sustained winds of 35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. SECO Energy is StormReady with 800 additional line and tree contractors from Rhode Island, Indiana, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and New Jersey.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Hurricane Dorian is forecast to move away from The Bahamas and move northwest with an eventual eastern turn that keeps it just off Florida’s coast. SECO Energy’s service area could begin to feel the hurricane’s effects late this afternoon. Members who live in homes or areas that are subject to flooding, suggested to evacuate, or need guaranteed power to sustain life should check in at a shelter today. If conditions deteriorate emergency personnel may be grounded and unable to help until the storm passes.”

Duncan added, “SECO Energy has been monitoring and preparing for Hurricane Dorian since early last week. The cooperative is prepared for power outages caused by Hurricane Dorian. Out-of-state crews began to arrive on Monday to assist. Please take this storm seriously and put your family’s safety first.”

Two shelters are open in Sumter County. A pet-friendly, general public shelter is available at the Sumter County Fairgrounds at 7620 SR 471, Webster. A special needs shelter is open in Wildwood at the Wildwood Community Center at 5600 Powell Road. Sumter County officials are concerned that flooding in the county will be worse than in 2017 with Hurricane Irma. Shelters are available for residents living in mobile homes, recreational vehicles and low-lying flood prone areas.

Six shelters are open in Lake County. The general public shelter is open at Mount Dora High School located at 700 N. Highland Street, Mount Dora. Two pet-friendly shelters are available at Round Lake Elementary 31333 Round Lake Road, Mount Dora and Spring Creek Elementary 44440 Spring Creek Road, Paisley. Three special needs, pet-friendly shelters are open at Leesburg Elementary 2229 South Street, Leesburg and Lost Lake Elementary 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont and Umatilla Elementary 401 Lake Street, Umatilla.

Marion County is opening four shelters. Two general population shelters are opening today at noon located at Fort McCoy Middle School at 16160 NE County Road 315, Ft. McCoy and North Marion Middle School at 20085 W Highway 329, Citra. A special needs only shelter is currently open at West Port High School at 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala. A pet-friendly shelter at Lake Weir High School at 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala opens at noon today.

Citrus, Hernando, Levy and Pasco Counties are not opening shelters at this time, but officials are closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian. Schools are closed on Tuesday (today) in Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Pasco and Sumter Counties. In Lake County, schools are closed Tuesday and Wednesday; in Marion County, schools are closed for the rest of this week.

SECO Energy’s Hurricane Handbook is available on SECOEnergy.com by clicking on the homepage banner. The Hurricane Handbook offers members tips for preparing before, during and after a storm. The cooperative has included tips on generator safety, downed power line safety, electric system 101, Florida’s Move Over Law and more.

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today at SECOEnergy.com>StormCenter and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. Once the hurricane has passed SECO’s area later next week, members should use our Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day. Visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the homepage banner to access the map.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

Shelters Opening in Preparation of Hurricane Dorian

Shelters are opening in the counties served by SECO Energy that will feel the effects of Hurricane Dorian. SECO urges members who are dependent on electricity to operate life-sustaining devices to seek refuge at a shelter or have a backup source for power before Hurricane Dorian’s high winds and rain cause lengthy power outages.

In Sumter County, two pet-friendly shelters will open at 10 a.m. The Sumter County Fairgrounds at 7620 SR 471 in Webster will be available for the general population. The Wildwood Community Center at 5600 Powell Road in Wildwood is open for citizens with special needs. Sumter County officials will determine if additional shelter openings are necessary. Shelters are available for residents living in mobile homes, recreational vehicles and low-lying flood prone areas and east-coast evacuees.

Lake County is scheduled to open six shelters at noon today. The general public shelter is at Mount Dora High School located at 700 N. Highland Street in Mount Dora. Two public, pet-friendly shelters are opening at Round Lake Elementary 31333 Round Lake Road, Mount Dora and Spring Creek Elementary 44440 Spring Creek Road, Paisley. Special needs and pet-friendly shelters are opening at noon at Leesburg Elementary 2229 South Street, Leesburg and Lost Lake Elementary 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont and Umatilla Elementary 401 Lake Street, Umatilla.

At this time, shelters are not opening in Citrus, Hernando, Marion or Pasco Counties. Levy County is prepared to open shelters as needed. Schools are closed Tuesday in Citrus, Marion and Sumter Counties. In Lake County, schools are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hurricane Dorian remains a CAT 5 storm with 165 mph sustained winds and has slowed to a 1 mph crawl. It is expected to maintain this slow speed for the next 24 hours. This pace will result in SECO Energy’s service area feeling the first effects around 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning and lasting through noon. The area will experience 25-30 mph sustained winds with 35-60 mph gusts.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Forecasters predict Hurricane Dorian will skirt Florida’s east coast and not make landfall in Florida. That track does not put SECO’s service area in the clear. SECO Energy is StormReady and prepared to begin what may be a lengthy restoration event. Crews from out of state begin arriving today to assist. Do not jeopardize your family’s safety – seek shelter in your county if needed.”

SECO Energy’s Hurricane Handbook is available on SECO’s homepage by clicking on the homepage banner. The Hurricane Handbook offers members tips for preparing before, during and after a storm. The cooperative has included tips on generator safety, downed power line safety, electric system 101, Florida’s Move Over Law and more.

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today at SECOEnergy.com and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. Once the hurricane has passed SECO’s area later next week, members should use our Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day. Visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the homepage banner to access the map.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy Preparing for Out-Of-State Crew Arrivals Next Week

SECO Energy is StormReady and preparing for Hurricane Dorian’s effects on its service area next week. Line and tree crews from out of state begin arriving Monday and throughout the remainder of the week as needed to assist with restoration efforts.

Hurricane Dorian has strengthened to a CAT 5 hurricane and is moving west at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. A slower westward motion should occur over the next days or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest. Dorian should move closer to Florida’s east coast late Monday through Tuesday night. Currently, the eye is predicted to stay about 110 miles off the Treasure Coast.

For SECO Energy members, the current forecast means that the service territory will begin experiencing 30-35 mph sustained winds and 55 mph gusts starting Tuesday morning through Tuesday night. These conditions will undoubtedly result in outages. Trees will fall in already heavily saturated areas – bringing down lines and toppling poles. SECO has planned in advance for the storm. Crews from out of state begin arriving Monday and throughout the remainder of the week as needed from Alabama, New Jersey, Texas, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania.

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Hurricane Dorian’s track has been unpredictable, and the latest forecast may offer members a false sense of security. SECO’s service territory and Central Florida remain in the cone which puts us at risk of tropical-storm force winds and heavy rain. We are StormReady and caution members to remain on guard for this storm.”

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. Once the hurricane has passed SECO’s area later next week, members should use our Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day. Visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the homepage banner to access the map.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

Test Generators Today for Safe Operation Next Week

SECO Energy continues to monitor Hurricane Dorian’s uncertain track as it nears the Florida peninsula. Hurricane Dorian is now a Category 4 hurricane, but its track shifted to the east overnight. Forecasters predict Dorian may not make a Florida landfall. Instead it may travel along Florida’s east coast as a powerful CAT 3 or 4 hurricane, but hurricane-force winds extend for 30 miles and tropical storm force winds extend 105 miles. Even an off-coast path of a CAT 3 or 4 hurricane will impact SECO’s service territory – likely on Tuesday evening into Wednesday.

Major weather events often cause extended power outages. SECO Energy asks members using a generator to operate the equipment in a manner that promotes safety for yourself, SECO employees, its contractors and the public. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) that is odorless and colorless. Thousands of people die each year from CO poisoning. Never operate a generator in an enclosed space including a garage. Always place the generator at least 15 to 20 feet away from your home and never in proximity to open windows.

Before operating a generator, thoroughly read and review the owner’s manual. Never plug a generator directly into an electrical outlet. This current flow is deadly for utility personnel. Keep children away from an operating generator and store fuel in approved containers. Do not smoke while fueling a generator. Always operate a generator in a dry space. If it is raining, use a canopy or cover. Test it today before the wind and rain hit next week. SECO Energy’s new Hurricane Handbook includes generator safety tips and preparation for before, during and after a storm.

CEO Jim Duncan warns members to remain vigilant. Duncan stated, “Hurricane Dorian’s track has shifted slightly to the east; however, SECO Energy’s service area will experience the effects of Dorian. Members should prepare for tropical-storm force winds and more rain in an already wet summer. Saturated ground will cause trees to fall on lines and may topple poles. Stay away from downed lines. Our members should prepare for the possibility of widespread and lengthy outages. If Dorian does not stay further offshore, we expect that damage may be significant and the restoration process lengthy.”

StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter today and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily. Once the hurricane has passed SECO’s area later next week, members should use our Daily Restoration Plan Map to identify if crews are working in their area that day. Click on the homepage banner to access the map.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy Preparing for Hurricane Dorian

SECO Energy is watching Hurricane Dorian’s progress as it makes its way closer to a Florida landfall. Dorian traveled over Puerto Rico on Wednesday and quickly accelerated from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane. Forecasters predict the hurricane will make landfall as a CAT 3 or higher hurricane.

SECO Energy is watching the progress of Hurricane Dorian as it makes its way closer to a Florida landfall. Forecasters predict that Dorian will make landfall as a CAT 3 or higher hurricane. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Dorian’s current sustained wind speeds are 85 mph and the system continues to move northwest at 13 mph. Overnight Hurricane Dorian’s center became defined and the environment is favorable for significant strengthening. Models are trending slower and landfall predictions are mixed.

With a landfall between Daytona Beach and West Palm Beach between Monday night and Tuesday morning predicted as a CAT 3 or higher, SECO’s service area will begin experiencing tropical storm force winds Sunday night or Monday morning dependent on the speed of the storm. The likelihood of the storm impacting SECO Energy’s service territory is high.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28. County Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter County are monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s impact as well. Sandbag locations have been established in Lake and Marion County. Sumter County advises it will likely begin opening shelters on Saturday.

CEO Jim Duncan assures members that SECO Energy is prepared for Hurricane Dorian. Duncan stated, “We are closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s probable track and how it will affect our service territory. SECO is concerned that Hurricane Dorian will travel directly through our area as a major Category 2 or 3 hurricane. Pick up supplies before shelves are empty. Continue to watch Dorian’s track and prepare for the distinct possibility that you will lose power when Dorian enters Central Florida.”

SECO has designed a new Hurricane Handbook to help members prepare before, during and after a storm. The Hurricane Handbook is available online.

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO News, August 2019

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

DO I HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER? In early July, the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project updated its 2019 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts six major hurricanes will develop before the end of the season. A major hurricane is categorized as a CAT 3, 4 or 5.

Peak hurricane season is typically in September. Are you ready? Does SECO have the ability to contact you? Have you updated your seldom-used landline number to your cell phone number if you use it primarily? If you call us during peak volume and the phone number doesn’t match an account, your service options may be limited.

How do you update or verify your contact information for account/billing purposes? The easiest way is to visit our homepage and log into SmartHub. Choose “My Profile” then “Update My Billing Address & Contact Information.” Make any necessary changes and choose “Save.” Or, you can email Customer Service. Include name, account number, service address, the last four of the member’s SSN and the updated contact information. You can also call us at (352) 793-3801 or contact us through Facebook private message or Twitter direct message.

Our StormCenter and outage notifications system houses separate contact information that conducts outbound, proactive communications and must be updated as well. Did you know StormCenter will send you an email, or voice message when an outage is detected at your service address? StormCenter will also notify you when the outage is restored as well as cause.

Members have expressed appreciation for the enhanced communications when we are working in your area. Using the StormCenter communications system, SECO notifies you of pre-planned outages, upgrades, tree trimming and system improvement projects scheduled to occur in your neighborhood.

To check your communications preferences, gather a recent bill to find your account number and zip code – you will need both. Then visit SECO Energy and choose StormCenter on the top menu. On the StormCenter page, select “Manage Notifications,” input your account number and zip code or the phone number on file and zip code associated with the account.

Determine your preferred notification whether its email, text or voice message or a combination, add the phone number or contact email. Set “do not disturb” times during the hours you don’t want to be notified. Select notifications for each account if you have multiple accounts.

As an incentive, view or update your contact information on both SmartHub and StormCenter and be entered twice into a drawing to win a $300 bill credit. If you don’t have online access, just call us or note your primary phone number on your payment coupon when paying your bill.

Good luck! The timeframe for the $300 SECO bill credit drawing runs to September 15. We’ll draw a winner on September 16. Stay in touch with SECO and update your contact information today.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Paying your bill has never been easier! Whether it’s online, by phone or in person, SECO Energy offers 12 convenient ways to pay – most without convenience fees.

PAY ONLINE AT SMARTHUB – View and pay your bill, sign up for bank draft, enroll in eBill and compare energy usage by month or year.

PAY BY BANK DRAFT – Simplify your life – draft your monthly bill amount from a bank account of your choice. Register for bank draft with SmartHub.

PAY IN PERSON – Member Service Centers are located in Eustis, Groveland, Sumterville, Ocala and Inverness with walk-in and drive-thru facilities.

PAY AT A KIOSK – Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at all Member Service Centers. Kiosks accept cash and most credit cards.

PAY BY PHONE – 1-(877) 371-9382, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, debit card or electronic check.

PAY NOW – Pay instantly with just your account number and form of payment through SmartHub – no registration required.

PAY BY MAIL – SECO Energy (Dept # 3035), PO Box 850001, Orlando, FL 32885-3035

MYWAY PREPAY – Pay for energy before you use it with MyWay PrePay. View daily usage and receive phone or text notifications.

FIDELITY EXPRESS – Locations accept cash, check or money orders. $1.50 processing fee. Not recommended for MyWay PrePay members.

MONEYGRAM – Available at many convenient retail locations. MoneyGram is available for MyWay PrePay enrolled members. $1.50 processing fee.

WESTERN UNION – In-person payments received in real time. Convenience fee is $1.50. Maximum amount per transaction is $1,000.

BUDGET BILLING – Levels out bills by averaging most recent 12 months usage. Debit/credit balances accumulate based on seasonal usage.

StormCenter is available on your smartphone or tablet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bookmark your address on the outage map, view the weather radar, find crew status, outage cause and estimated restoration time. Report a new outage, check the status of an existing outage, manage your communication preferences (email, text or voice message), report an area light outage or contact us.

SECO News August 2019 SECO Champion Mark Bowling

MARK BOWLING – T&D LINE SUPERVISOR/ACTING DISTRIBUTION SUPERINTENDENT

LENGTH OF SERVICE – 30 YEARS

“WE LOVE OUR PEOPLE.” SECO Champion Mark Bowling is a T&D Line Supervisor who is currently serving on a rotational assignment as a Distribution Superintendent in the Groveland office. In his Supervisor role, Mark oversees the field crews that respond to outages, construct line and complete work requests in south Lake County. Mark’s family members are life-long residents of Lake County, and he is proud that his children attend the same schools he did growing up. The family enjoys football and baseball games and his children play school sports. Living in Lake County, Mark’s restoration work after the deadly 2007 Groundhog Day tornadoes was especially emotional. He remembers consoling SECO members whose homes were blown away by the destructive tornadoes. Mark describes his crew as “a good group of guys who are dedicated to SECO Energy, the community and safety.”

SECO News August 2019 Kids' Coloring Contest

CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDDOS – Enter the SECO Energy Kids’ Calendar Coloring Contest. We are looking for 13 creative, colorful drawings depicting Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency in a fun way to publish in our 2020 SECO Energy Calendar! The 13 chosen artists will have their artwork, photo and name published in next year’s calendar. Even better, the winners will each receive a $100 prize. The artwork submission form is available online look for Calendar Coloring Contest on our Contact Us page. Print the submission form and include it with the artwork. Mail submissions to: SECO Energy P.O. Box 301 Sumterville, FL 33585-0301 or drop it off at one of our five Member Service Centers.

Need Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency ideas? Visit our website to find tips.

To be eligible, the child must be between the ages of 5 and 12 and live in a home served by SECO Energy. Artwork submissions must be received by September 30, 2019.

Read the full August 2019 SECO News online.

MY ACCOUNT

AMI

MEMBER PERKS

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

SOLAR

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

SAFETY

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

RELIABILITY

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

MEMBER PERKS

YOUR CO-OP

MEMBER PERKS

COMMUNITY

Archive

Duncan’s Digest – Solar & Battery Project Pilot

SECO Champion – Surgeo The Surge MitiGator™

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Area Light Out?

Energy Estimator

Duncan’s Digest Keep It Clear – We Work Here

Greg Lovett – T&D Line Supervisor

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US