Log in | Register |
StormCenter logo

Archive

Tag: thunderstorms

SECO News, June 2017

SECO News June 2017, Duncan’s Digest

Duncan’s Digest

 

Dear SECO Energy Members,

From the torch, to the oil lamp, to the Edison incandescent, to the CFL and LED, lighting has changed dramatically with the times. To “let there be light” today, SECO Energy must also change with the advancements of our industry. We must control costs and provide a high level of customer service. That’s what you expect and deserve, and we stand ready to fulfill your energy needs.

 

With our 2016 Annual Report and audit complete, I am proud and humbled to share strong fiscal results. Staying ahead of growing power demand is a challenge that is capital and expense intensive. It is a delicate balance of design, construction, maintenance and vegetation management.

 

Illuminating your homes and powering your appliances and electronics is a 24/7 responsibility. “Storm Ready” is SECO’s motto when Hurricane Season converges on The Sunshine State on June 1. If a storm blows through and on the rare occasion when the lights go out, you can bet that our crews and contractors are staged and on the move to restore power the moment it’s safe. Our Emergency Restoration Plan and investments in storm preparation ensure that you will not go without power for an extended period of time.

 

Our dedication to you over the last decade of service improvements has manifested in SECO Energy earning two consecutive J.D. Power awards for highest customer satisfaction in the nation in our segment. The cooperative’s ACSI score improved in 2016 to 89 – an outstanding rating, especially when compared to investor-owned and municipal utilities.

 

What distinguishes SECO from other providers is called the cooperative difference, and is made possible by our Board of Trustees’ governance, our executive team’s leadership and, most important, the dedication and hard work of the 400+ SECO Energy employees. Learn more in the online version of the 2016 Annual Report.

 

Thank you, members, for rating SECO so highly and for your loyal patronage. We are humbled and privileged to serve as your Central Florida energy provider.

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

SECO News June 2017, Surge Protection: Protect your Appliances and Win

 

Surge Protection: Protect your Appliances and Win

 

With Atlantic Hurricane Season in full swing, are your large appliances protected from harmful power surges? Would you like a chance to win a $300 bill credit? Read on to learn more about SECO’s surge protection program and a chance to win.

 

During the month of June, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts daily thunderstorms with an above average rainfall. That means Florida’s daily afternoon thunderstorms will likely bring large amounts of rain, high winds and damaging lightning.

 

In addition, birds, small animals, falling trees or vehicles crashing into SECO power poles can cause power surges. Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and other electronic devices in your home.

 

SECO’s surge protection is proudly “Made in the USA” and helps you protect large appliances from damaging power surges. A certified SECO contractor will install the meter base surge arrester behind your electric meter, no appointment needed. Members can lease the surge protection for $5.95 a month with a $25 installation fee, or purchase the product for $349 with installation included. The meter base arrester is just the first step to complete protection. Members should also purchase “point of use” devices from their local home improvement or hardware store to protect sensitive electronic equipment such as televisions, computers, cordless phones and more.

 

All members enrolled in SECO’s surge protection program will be entered into a random drawing for a $300 bill credit. Enroll by August 15 for your chance to win. Members who currently have surge protection are already entered into the drawing.

 

Learn more about SECO’s surge protection and enroll online. Good luck!

 

SECO News June 2017, Hot Bucks cooling down

 

Hot Bucks Cooling Down

 

Natural gas consumption in the power sector has risen 25% in recent years. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that natural gas prices will rise about 20% in 2017. That prediction is beginning to play out.

 

The overall natural gas price outlook for Q3-Q4 2017 and NYMEX futures prices indicate that rock bottom gas prices under $3/MMBtu are over. Utilities across The Sunshine State are filing for rate increases as a result.

 

SECO Energy members have benefitted from three years of steadily declining power costs – a decrease of about 12 percent during that timeframe. But now we must respond to the changing fuel market trends.

 

As a result, SECO must adjust the PCA – Power Cost Adjustment – component of your bill. Rather than paying $112.60 for 1,000 kilowatt hours, members will begin paying $114.90 for that same average usage beginning July 1 as approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

The SECO increase is $2.30 per 1,000 kWh. Comparatively, Duke Energy’s increase that took effect in January was $4.39 per 1,000 kWh, and Florida Power & Light’s was $7.00 – reflections of the changing market.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy’s financial stability in the 2016 Annual Report.

 

 

Read the full June 2017 SECO News here.

Strong Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Power Outages

SECO Energy was “Storm Ready” this weekend and has restored power to all members affected by lines of strong thunderstorms that passed through its seven Central Florida counties on Sunday. Tornado warnings and watches were in effect throughout the day Sunday.

 

SECO took steps before the weekend began, to prepare for the possibility of the thunderstorms and high winds creating power outages. Field crews, tree trimming contractors, warehouse and customer support employees worked overnight replacing broken poles, removing fallen trees and communicating with members.

 

The storm came in from the west and first reached northern Marion and Levy Counties just before 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. The high winds brought down a large oak tree near the Ocala Park area that destroyed three spans of lines and other equipment. That large outage began a series of wind and tree-related service disruptions that continued into the evening.

 

An additional line of storms brought the possibility of tornados and hail as it blew through Citrus, Marion and Northern Lake Counties before impacting Sumter and south Lake Counties around 9:00 p.m. Sunday. High wind speeds and heavy rain accompanied this second line of storms along with unconfirmed reports of tornados in the area.

 

The total outages during the storms per county were:

 

Marion and Levy: 5,342
Citrus: 2,239
Lake: 977
Sumter: 938

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services stated, “SECO’s system held up very well when the storms brought high wind and rains yesterday. Less than 9,500 members experienced an outage during the storms last night and early this morning. Field crews and tree trimming contractors are out in full force today inspecting the system for damage along with identifying and removing damaged trees that have the potential to cause outages in the future.”

 

Gloria added, “We are thankful that our employees returned home to their families safely after working in adverse conditions over the weekend. We appreciate our members’ patience and support during the disruptions, and we’re grateful that the storm caused only minimal damage in our service area.”

 

SECO Energy is Storm Ready. Visit our Reliability page to learn how to build an emergency kit and take steps to keep your family safe when storms blow through SECO’s territory.

 

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

SECO Continues Tracking Hurricane Matthew

SECO Energy continues to monitor and track Hurricane Matthew and its path to Florida. SECO is urging members to gather emergency supplies and be ready for service interruptions while the hurricane is passing through Florida and for a period of time thereafter.

 

As of Wednesday morning, Hurricane Matthew was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds up to 125 mph. The storm is currently located about 35 miles north-northwest of the eastern tip of Cuba and is moving north at 8 mph. The storm is still predicted to turn northwest Wednesday night and is expected to remain a major hurricane as it moves over the Bahamas Wednesday and Thursday. By Thursday evening, Matthew will be near Florida’s east coast – with the center located 25 to 30 miles off the coast. The state will feel its effects through Friday night.

 

The forecast for Florida includes rain bands and strong, potentially damaging wind gusts – especially within rain bands and thunderstorms. Members in SECO’s service area can expect heavy rain, gusty winds that may strengthen to tropical-storm-force.

 

SECO asks members to keep a close watch on the hurricane’s impact on the area and be prepared for the possibility of prolonged service interruptions. Members should check emergency supplies, fill vehicles with gas, stock up on non-perishables and check property for objects that could cause damage during high winds.

 

Make sure cell phones and tablets are fully charged – include extra chargers in your emergency supplies. Bookmark SECO’s Storm Center on your smartphone or tablet. It’s simple to report an outage using the account last name and house number.

 

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 Stands Storm Ready

With hurricane season beginning on June 1, 2016, and afternoon thunderstorms on the horizon, SECO Energy is assuring members that the cooperative and its employees are “Storm Ready.”

 

SECO remains Storm Ready by focusing on preventing outages throughout the year, not only during storm and hurricane season. Storm Ready is designing, building and maintaining a reliable system that delivers power to SECO members rain or shine. In 2015, SECO maximized its outage prevention efforts by inspecting almost 20,000 pieces of equipment, upgrading fiber optic lines to improve data communication and trimming or removing trees that could endanger overhead power lines.

 

When thunderstorms are approaching, SECO’s member services employees are ready to answer calls and assist members. SECO’s Corporate Communications department delivers updated storm and outage information to members via the website and social media channels.

 

SECO Stands Storm Ready

 

SECO’s System Operations Center is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week and uses advanced weather tracking to predict weather patterns affecting the area. They are ready to assist members outside of normal business hours and dispatch a cavalcade of employees and trucks to restore members’ power. SECO Operations employees work diligently to restore power quickly and safely – they are the good guys in the white hats.

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services encourages members to be Storm Ready as well. “As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are dedicated to helping our members’ prepare for storm season. Now is the time to assemble your emergency supply kit and update your contact information with SECO. SECO is committed to being our members’ first source for accurate storm communications and updates.”

 

To review a comprehensive emergency checklist, visit www.secoenergy.com. Bookmark SECO’s website in your desktop or smartphone browser to quickly report an outage through SECO’s Storm Center. Members who “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” us on Twitter have instant access to updates on storm activity, news releases and restoration efforts.