J UNE
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2021
SECONEWS T h e 2 0 2 1 A t l a n t i c mid-November was the only named storm that hurricane season began directly affected SECO’s service area last year. June 1. SECO Energy One tropical storm or hurricane spinning through uses a unique and welltested response plan that our service area is all it takes to make this a memorable stands ready when typical season for SECO Energy members and employees. afternoon thunderstorms Part of storm readiness is our commitment to storm occur and when our service hardening our electrical system – valued at about area is affected by tropical $1 billion. Annually, we replace aging distribution storms or hurricanes. SECO poles and install concrete transmission poles to is StormReady, and I urge you and your family to replace older wooden poles. Our robust vegetation management program also plays prepare proactively for hurricane a key storm readiness role with a season. IF YOU OR A FAMILY goal of trimming vegetation back MEMBER RELY ON LIFEfrom the entire 12,000 miles of All signs point to the potential for SUSTAINING MEDICAL overhead line systemwide every a very active hurricane season this year. In April, The Department of 551404 EQUIPMENT AND CANNOT five years. Atmospheric Science at Colorado BE WITHOUT POWER If you or a family member State University (CSU) published FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, rely on life-sustaining medical its Atlantic hurricane season equipment and cannot be forecast. CSU predicts that this YOUR HOME SHOULD without power for an extended year’s Atlantic hurricane season HAVE A SECONDARY time, your home should have will have above-normal activity. BACKUP POWER SOURCE a secondary backup power source available. You may need These experts predict there will AVAILABLE. to relocate to a shelter to wait be a total of seventeen named out the storm in the event of an storms. Eight of these will develop into hurricanes and four of these will become major outage. As a start, register with the Florida Special Needs Registry at www.FloridaDisaster.org that hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5). provides local first responders with information Compared to the historical record between 1991 about your needs. and 2020, the projections for this year are higher than average. During this period, the Atlantic hurricane Continued on page 2 season averaged fourteen named storms. Seven of these became hurricanes, with three developing INSIDE THIS ISSUE into major hurricanes. • 2021 Youth Scholarship Awardees An above-average activity hurricane season was predicted for last year as well. The 2020 season broke records with thirty named storms. Frankly, we were extremely lucky that these storms veered away from Central Florida. Tropical Storm Eta in
• Safety Corner • Winners’ Circle Hurricane Handbook • •Florida Fauna & Flora JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
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SECO’s StormReady approach also includes our online StormCenter outage map and communications platform that is available 24/7 on your smartphone or tablet. Report an outage, view the outage map, check the status of a current outage and report an area light malfunction. Enroll or update your outage notifications through StormCenter today. We’ll send you an email, text, voice message or all three when the system detects an outage affecting your service. You’ll receive a follow-up communication when the outage is restored. Visit StormCenter at SECOEnergy.com and click on the Manage Notifications tab. It is critical to prepare before a storm arrives. Gather your emergency supplies early using this month’s Word Search on page 5. Supplies sell out quickly when a storm is approaching. Prepare your home in advance and make an emergency plan with your family. Sincerely,
097802 Jim Duncan Chief Executive Officer
Don’t forget to look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News. You can email us at customerservice@secoenergy.com or call if your number appears. Six winners will be drawn at random from all submissions. Winners receive a $25 gift card.
ADVICE FROM THE
Plan your summer fishing trips with The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s best fishing days. The sun, moon, tides and weather all affect fish activity. The best time of day to fish is when they are most active – fish often feed more in the early morning and late evening. It is believed that fish feed more during a full moon as well. This summer’s best fishing dates are June 10 – 24, July 9 – 23, August 8 – 22 and September 6 – 20. Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora to learn more about the sailfish, Florida’s state saltwater fish.
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JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND UTILITY LINES
SAFETY CORNER
A report by the National Safety Council (NSC) finds that over 42,000 people died in vehicle crashes in 2020. This statistic is an increase of 8% from 2019. Most alarming is the number of miles driven last year was much lower than the year before. In SECO Energy’s service area, 91 separate vehicle crashes occurred that involved utility poles or other infrastructure in 2020. These crashes alone interrupted electric service to over 31,000 accounts. Accidents involving downed power lines are extremely dangerous. Always assumed downed lines are energized and dangerous – and can kill. Stay in the vehicle if possible. Inform the 911 dispatcher that power lines are down near the crash site. If you smell smoke or the vehicle catches fire, follow these steps to safety:
• Open the vehicle door but do not touch exterior metal that may be energized. • Jump clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet on the ground at the same time. • Again, do not touch the metal on the vehicle while touching the ground. • Walk in a shuffling motion or bunny hop to safety. If you witness an accident involving downed lines near or on the vehicle, stay away from the car and its occupants and call 911 immediately. Try your best to get the occupants’ attention and warn them to stay in the car if safe to do so. Share this information with your family – especially younger drivers. For more tips on how to be safe around electricity, visit SECOEnergy.com > Safety > Electrical Safety.
Paula Stewart from Tavares is the latest winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner at SECOEnergy.com. Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV website pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, an EV and PHEV model finder and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section for more details. 763401 Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner. JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
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For decades, SECO Energy has awarded scholarships annually to deserving high school seniors who live in a home served by SECO. Over the years, we have provided over $500,000 in scholarship funds to over 300 students to help fulfill their dreams. This year, we awarded nine students interested in a career in the energy industry and planning to attend a Florida college, university or vocational/trade school.
SHANIA DELPINO-LITTLE The Villages Charter High School: Will attend the University of South Florida and major in accounting. Shania served as Secretary of the Science National Honor Society Club, the Vice President of the Student Activities Club and is a member of the National Honor Society.
SEBASTIAN LOAIZA
Join us in congratulating our 2021 SECO Energy Scholarship awardees:
Belleview High School: Will major in computer science at the University of South Florida. Sebastian plays soccer and is a member of the Interact Club and the Robotics Automation Design (RAD) Club.
LEIGHTON LEE BAKER
MICHAEL M. MARVIN, JR.
Eustis High School: Plans to attend LakeSumter State College and study electrical engineering. Leighton took part in the Eustis High School swim team, robotics and debate club.
LANDEN CARTER
The Villages Charter High School: Plans to complete the electrical lineman program at Northwest Lineman College. Michael attended advanced placement courses in high school and enjoys football and weightlifting.
The Villages Charter High School: Seeks an AAS degree in electrical distribution technology from Lake-Sumter State College. Landen played baseball and enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family.
BRENDAN SIMONS
AUSTON CHISENHALL
COLIN B. SORENSON
South Lake High School: Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College and study business. Auston likes to fish, and while in school, participated in baseball and business classes.
ASHLEY DELEZENNE The Villages Charter High School: Majoring in finance at Stetson University. Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society and spends time tutoring and volunteering at sporting events.
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JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
The Villages Charter High School: Is attending Florida Atlantic University to major in business. Brendan played baseball and participated in the Engineering Club and Rho Khappa.
South Lake High School: Is majoring in biological sciences at Florida State University. While in high school, Colin played baseball, basketball and is a member of Business Professionals of America.
GOOD LUCK, STUDENTS,
i n re a c h i n g yo u r education and future career goals!
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES SECO Energy is StormReady and stands prepared for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Gather the list of emergency supplies below. Have enough on hand for each person for at least three days.
Batteries Books Cleaning Clothing Food Gas Games
Identification Insurance Medical Non-perishable Paper Pens Prescriptions
Radio Sanitation Sweets Tableware Vitamins Water
JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
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We invite you to connect with our virtual assistant Electra through our easy-touse interactive voice response phone system. Electra can assist thousands of members at the same time. Without waiting for a live agent, Electra can help you check your balance, find billing due date, disconnect service, report a power outage or service problem, check the status of a current outage or complete a payment arrangement.
To reach out to Electra, give her a call at (352) 793-3801. This number takes the place of any local numbers to Member Service Centers that were previously used. If you request to speak to a live agent and call volume is high, Electra can save your place in line and arrange a callback during our regular business hours. Read the Winners’ Circle article below for our latest winners.
Four lucky winners who have completed a call with Electra won a $25 gift card. Congratulations, winners! WINNERS ARE: Carmen Linzey from Wildwood Angela Medina from Ocala Audrey Reed from Howey-in-the-Hills Nola Jenzen from Lady Lake
Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft incentive. Jade Greene from Tavares is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit. Matthew Ketchum from Clermont is the winner of a NEST thermostat. Judy Robertson from Lady Lake is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa. 244400
Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners. 6
JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
SAILFISH
SUMMER HVAC
CHECK-UP In Central Florida, the largest energy user in your home is the HVAC system. HVAC use accounts
O
ne of the most popular game fish in Florida is the sailfish – which is also the official state saltwater fish. Sailfish are known for the large, blue first dorsal fin that looks similar to a sail. It has a long, thin spear-like upper jaw. The upper part of the fish is blue-black with brownish sides and a white or silver underbelly. Sailfish grow up to 11 feet and can weigh as much as 220 pounds. They grow quickly and feed voraciously on squid and smaller fish. In the summer, sailfish move closer to the southeastern Florida shores to spawn in shallow waters. Sailfish may swim alone or in small groups. If you hook a sailfish, be ready for an acrobatic fight while it tries to escape. These fish are powerful, and they will jump and shake their heads to remove a hook. Look for schools of squid, mullet, pinfish, blue runners and scad that attract sailfish. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends reviving and releasing sailfish. 168513
In one year, a SAILFISH will grow to 4 – 5 feet. The state record sailfish weighed in at 126 pounds.
for about 35 to 40% of your energy use (energy.com). Florida’s high humidity levels also make high temperatures feel hotter. Using a dehumidifier during the summer months and a humidifier in colder months may increase your comfort level. 190805 We recommend scheduling an HVAC check-up with a qualified technician annually. Preventative maintenance will help your unit to operate more efficiently. Yearly maintenance will also help you avoid unexpected and often costly repair bills. Change or check HVAC filters each month or as directed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Weather plays a significant role in your energy usage. Try the Home Energy Assessment for a complete online energy audit that is tailored to your home and lifestyle. Our Energy Estimator shows you the math behind your monthly kilowatt hour (kWh) usage. We publish a monthly weather blog called Sunshine State Stats on our website and social media. Find these tools and more energy-efficiency ideas on our website at SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions.
Source: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
JUNE 2021 | SECO NEWS
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MORGAN HATFIELD DISTRICT 9 TRUSTEE _____
District 1 Trustee Scott Boyatt has served on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees since 2013. Trustee Boyatt resides in Clermont and has been a SECO member since 2004. In February, Mr. Boyatt completed his continuing education credits through the NRECA to maintain his Director Gold Credential.
GERALD ANDERSON
JOYCE ANDERSON
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY/TREASURER
District 4 Trustee Member since 1999 Resides in Ocala
District 3 Trustee Member since 2013 Resides in The Villages
District 2 Trustee Member since 2017 Resides in Sumterville
SCOTT BOYATT
RAY VICK
MIKE MUFFETT
District 1 Trustee Member since 2004 Resides in Clermont
District 5 Trustee Member since 1974 Resides in Inverness
District 6 Trustee Member since 1984 Resides in Summerfield
JOSEPH KUSIAK
WILLIAM JAMES
MORGAN HATFIELD
District 7 Trustee Member since 2002 Resides in Dunnellon
District 8 Trustee Member since 2002 Resides in Leesburg
District 9 Trustee Member since 2019 Resides in Paisley
RICHARD DENNISON
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, June 28, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville. A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, July 26, 2021.
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SECO Energy.com JUNE 2021 SECOopportunity NEWS SECO Energy is an |equal provider and employer.
Report an Outage: stormcenter.secoenergy.com 24/7 Job Hotline: secoenergyjobs.com