August 2022 SECO News

AUG UST

In June SECO News, I shared details about our current infrastructure expansion and reliability projects in Lake County. This month, I have an update on facilities projects and development in Marion County.

|

2022

this area, Timberwood, is increasing. Currently, this substation has a single power transformer and four distribution feeders. The footprint expansion will add a second power transformer and increase the number of distribution feeders to six.

In Marion County, 22 new or expanding neighborhood developments are adding residential homesites. The proposed number of homesites for these projects tops 8,000.

In 2021, SECO Energy welcomed 2,124 new accounts in Marion County. This total Along with residential growth, Marion accounted for 37% of the 5,770 Co u n t y i s ex p e r i e n c i n g WE ARE PROUD new services added last year. commercial development.

TO PARTNER WITH The influx of new residents Th e F l o r i d a C ro ss ro a d s THE COMMUNITIES and businesses in our area Industrial Commerce Park on WE SERVE TO MAKE requires SECO to build new Highway 484 is expanding.

CENTRAL FLORIDA infrastructure to meet the The new footprint will include THE THRIVING increasing demand for reliable three distribution centers, REGION IT IS. energy. We also pledge to apartments, homesites and maintain our existing system a new shopping center with to serve members reliably. outparcels. Winding Oaks, located south of State Road 200 near SW 66th Street, A project nearing completion on the south side proposes over 600,000 square feet of retail of Marion County is the rebuild of our Dallas and automotive sales space. With an additional substation located on Highway 301 near The 400,000 square feet of office/retail space Villages. This state-of-the-art redesign allows and over 3,000 homesites, Winding Oaks will for multiple transmission sources with eight be an impressive development that will bring total distribution feeders to serve members jobs and families to the area. in Summerfield, Oxford, Dallas and portions of The Villages. The Dallas substation will serve as a backfeed source for our Villages Continued on page 2 substation. The rebuild is on schedule for completion in early fall.

Members who live in Stone Creek, On Top of the World and nearby expanding areas will be pleased to know the substation that serves

• Winners' Circle • SECO Energy Foundation • Swim Into Savings AUGUST 2022 | SECO NEWS

1

The future Calesa phases are new additions to On Top of the World and include almost 600 single-family homesites. A new high school is also underway in the location. The World Equestrian Center continues to grow by adding a second hotel that will feature 400 larger suite-like rooms.

Also proposed is a new 80,000-square-footrestaurant complex, a grab-and-go marketplace, a WEC Florida Health Building and future apartment space.

provide safe, affordable and reliable electric service to over 220,000 Central Florida homes and businesses. We are proud to partner with the communities we serve to make Central Florida the thriving region it is.

Curtis Wynn

At SECO Energy, I, along with our Board of Trustees and nearly 400 colleagues, strive to

SWIM INTO SAVINGS REDUCE YOUR POOL PUMP’S RUN TIME AND DIVE INTO ENERGY EFFICIENCY! According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at energy.gov, Florida homeowners can reduce energy costs by cutting their pool pump run times almost in half.

Reduce your pool pump’s daily run time to 3 to 4 hours. If the water isn’t clean, increase the run time in 30-minute increments until the quality improves. That is the optimal pool pump run time.

Pool pumps circulate your pool’s water to mix chemicals and remove debris. Circulate while adding chemicals to evenly distribute throughout the water. Increased circulation doesn’t reduce algae growth – proper cleaning and chemicals do. Screened-in pools gather less debris than pools in the open.

To reduce SECO Energy’s peak load, run your pool pump in the morning – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or at night after 7 p.m. Also, install a pool pump timer to set the run times. Minor changes to reduce your pool’s energy use will lead to lower energy costs.

In a study by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University, participants reduced their pool pump run time to less than 3 hours per day. Most participants reported they were satisfied with the pool's water quality.

2

AUGUST 2022 | SECO NEWS

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN TRANSITION SECO ENERGY IS ENHANCING ITS LONGSTANDING PENNIES FROM HEAVEN PROGRAM IN 2023. The current Pennies program provides bill payment assistance to members and funding for other local worthy causes. In 2023, the Pennies from Heaven “program” will change to the SECO Energy Foundation. The SECO Energy Foundation’s goal is to generate more funds for projects that align with SECO members’ needs and the company’s strategic initiatives. This alignment will include increased bill payment assistance for your fellow members, as well as projects focusing on energy-efficiency, education/STEM, environmental, veterans' initiatives and public safety.

The current Pennies from Heaven program is transitioning to the SECO Energy Foundation in January 2023. Contributions will be tax-deductible and allow the Foundation (as a nonprofit entity) to apply for grants from other local, state and federal sources. Grants may include investments in first responder equipment, energy-efficiency grants for low-income communities and senior/youth centers.

demand. A reduction in demand reduces SECO's wholesale power bill, lowers costs for all members and decreases the need to build new power plants.

We're revising the way members are enrolled in the program. See options to unenroll below if you choose not to participate. For those members already enrolled in Pennies from Heaven to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar – thank you! At year-end, you and your fellow members will automatically be transitioned to enrollment in the SECO Energy Foundation. Your bill will continue to be rounded up monthly, and the SECO Energy Foundation will devote the extra pennies toward initiatives like those listed above. The average donation per member whose bill is rounded up is $6 annually.

There are five convenient ways to unenroll. Just let us know by DECEMBER 31, 2022.

1.

Use the Pennies/Foundation form at SECOEnergy.com

2. Email CustomerService@SECOEnergy.com

Foundation dollars may assist in purchasing smart thermostats for those members who can't afford one or other energy-efficiency improvements that lower consumption. These types of investments help members reduce energy usage – which leads to lower bills and reduces SECO Energy’s peak

3. Call us at (352) 793-3801 4. Write to us at P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 ATTN: Corp Comm 5. Use the opt-out slip below and mail it with your bill

INITIATIVE CATEGORIES: If you want to learn more before making your decision, the SECO Energy Foundation Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation are available on SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-Op > SECO Energy Foundation/Pennies.

The Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for the initiative categories beginning January 4, 2023.

PLEASE UNENROLL ME FROM THE SECO ENERGY FOUNDATION. Member Name: Account Number(s): Service Address: Email Address: Phone Number:

Enclose with your billing statement or mail to: SECO Energy, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585 Attn: Corp Comm.

Member Signature: AUGUST 2022 | SECO NEWS

3

ENROLL IN THE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A GENERATOR Florida’s afternoon summer thunderstorms pack a punch. These storms bring heavy rain and lightning that may lead to power surges entering your home from the electric line and through the meter.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project team forecasts a wellabove-average tropical storm and hurricane activity for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

These experts predict 20 named storms in 2022 compared to an average of 14.4 named storms between 1991 and 2020.

Surges are powerful increases in voltage that can destroy your home’s appliances and electronics.

Surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO facilities, small animals, fallen trees and more. SECO’s meter-based surge arrester, the Surge MitiGator, takes the bite out of damaging surges and spikes.

The MitiGator chomps down on voltage spikes and surges before they damage appliances and cause financial loss. The Surge MitiGator is installed at the meter and the product carries a 15-year warranty.

Lease the Surge MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month with a $25 installation fee. Purchase prices range from $349 to $399, and installation is always free.

Enroll in the Surge MitiGator program (lease or purchase) for a chance to win a portable

Are the last six digits of your account number below?

Email customerservice@secoenergy.com if your number appears. Winners receive a $25 gift card.

706405 195601

953010 043602

generator. Members in a current lease or prior purchase are already eligible to win. We’ll pick a winner in September, October and November.

To enroll in the Surge MitiGator program, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator and fill out the web form. Good luck!

The arrester at the meter is the first step in protection. Point-of-use surge devices should be installed for a home’s electronics and other appliances that run on electric service. Purchase these at your local big box or hardware store. Install as directed.

WINNERS’ CIRCLE Congratulations to the five Watch and Win Annual Meeting video winners!

James Bowden | Belleview $500 SECO Energy bill credit Mary Lynn McKenzie | Tavares $250 SECO Energy bill credit Marvin Witt, Jr. | The Villages Nest Learning Thermostat https://secoenergy.com/electric-vehicles/

Susan Sauer | Inverness HoneyWell Wi-Fi Thermostat Cristian Flores | Clermont 2021 Apple TV

The latest SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger winner is Frank Griswold from Ocala. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

880017 581102

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, August 22, 2022, 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, September 26, 2022.

SECO Energy.com SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

4

VISIT OUR ELECTRIC VEHICLES WEBSITE SECTION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF OWNING AN EV.

AUGUST 2022 | SECO NEWS

Report an Outage: stormcenter.secoenergy.com 24/7 Job Hotline: secoenergyjobs.com