August 2016 SECO News

August 2016

In 2015, the J. D. Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study ranked SECO Energy “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Midsize Utilities in the South.” Words cannot express the gratitude our Board of Trustees, leadership team and employees felt after winning such a prestigious, humbling award. The entire cooperative was inspired, setting our sights on a repeat performance with continued improvement in serving our members.

This increase reflects significant efforts by our employees to improve the level of service you receive from SECO.

JIM DUNCAN, CEO

Our Operations & Engineering employees focused on reducing outage durations and improving facilities to deliver safe, reliable power.

Member communications have been modernized through our redesigned website, online “Contact Us” web form and stronger social media usage. SECO News is more interesting – promoting energy efficiency, safety and ways for members to win bill credits and prizes.

You, our members, ranked SECO highly again in 2016, honoring us with “Highest in Customer another J.D. Power trophy. We are Service folks answered more Satisfaction Among Customer referring to the pair as our “Dynamic than 300,000 phone calls in the last year Duo.” This year’s ranking placed Electric Cooperatives” and handled nearly 250,000 transactions SECO Energy in a segment with the in our Service Centers. Our Billing team toughest competition – all cooperatives generated nearly 2.5 million billing across the nation with over 100,000 meters. statements in the last 12 months.

On July 12, J.D. Power announced that SECO Energy has been ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Electric Cooperatives.”

SECO’s sound financial management allowed us to retire $4.6 million in Capital Credits to members in 2015 ($47.3 million since inception). And most important, we dropped the cost of electricity again on June 1st – the 8th decrease of members’ bills in the last three years.

J.D. Power’s six scored factors are: ◆ power quality and reliability ◆ price

Historically, electric cooperatives rank the best of the best in customer satisfaction compared to municipal and investor-owned utilities.

Electric cooperatives are owned by the members they serve, which means our Board of Trustees, leadership team and employees focus on our most important asset: you, our member.

◆ billing and payment ◆ corporate citizenship ◆ communications ◆ customer service SECO’s 2016 overall customer satisfaction score this year is an astonishing 769, which is a 20-point increase from our 2015 score.

Thank you, members, for ranking YOUR electric cooperative as the best in the nation. It is our privilege and pleasure to serve as your electric provider.

2015

2016

For J.D. Power award information, visit jdpower.com.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT Red Nose Day SECO Energy employees and members brought the laughs and raised $1,181 to support FUN-raising on Red Nose Day. Wearing big, red noses may be fun, but Red Nose Day is serious support for many global charities. Donations contribute to meals for children in homeless shelters, antibiotics to treat pneumonia, eye exams, medical supplies and support homeless shelters for children.

Trees Donated to Habitat This summer, SECO added to the beauty of the urban forest and energized the community by donating trees and shrubs to Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter. For nine years in a row, SECO has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Line USA utility. The collection of cypress trees, loropetalum bushes, bougainvillea and lily hybrids will be planted at various Habitat projects in Lake and Sumter Counties.

Trees beautify communities and save energy when planted in the right place. Shade from trees can reduce cooling costs and trees block wind in the winter to reduce heating costs. To learn more about planting the right tree in the right place and saving energy, visit our website at www.secoenergy.com>Reliability.

Community Action Luncheon SECO Energy representatives attended the Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA) Annual Awards Luncheon. As a Diamond level sponsor, SECO joined community leaders in honoring the CFCAA board members, staff and area residents who dedicate their time to enrich the lives of Alachua, Levy and Marion county citizens. The CFCAA’s purpose is to reduce poverty and help low income individuals and families become self sufficient. Photo inset: CFCAA CEO, Charles J. Harris Jr., with the Honorary Senior Judge Sandra E. Champ.

Partner with SECO to help your neighbors in need.

SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program rounds up your electric bill to the nearest dollar. The pennies donated are used to assist fellow SECO members with bill payment and to help members in dire and unique circumstances. Sign up online at www.secoenergy.com>Your Co-op>Pennies from Heaven.

New Fleet Look

Have you seen our new look?

Our entire fleet’s branding has been redesigned to display SECO Energy’s new logo.

We think it looks pretty snazzy; do you? 050023

376501

Extra Pennies?

COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECT In June, SECO Energy’s wholesale power provider Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. began construction on its 2.2 megawatt solar facility. SECO members will have the ability to live a greener lifestyle and reduce their carbon footprint by enrolling in this upcoming Cooperative Solar Project. The enrollment process is slated to begin October, and the project should be operational by 2017. Watch for more details on our website.

Energy Efficiency

Cash-saving Splash Florida summers are long and hot. One of the best ways to beat the heat is in the family pool. Although the cost of running a pool adds a little to your electric bill, there are ways you can save.

Variable-speed pumps are the best energy saver. They are much more energy efficient than traditional, single-speed pool pumps.

Before spending the money on costly repairs for an older pump, consider upgrading to the newer technology. Regardless of the type of pump, install a pool timer and set to operate 6-8 hours daily during the summer and 3-4 hours daily during the winter.

If you’re thinking about heating your pool, think solar. Solar panels are the most economical way to heat the water. The next best energy-saving option is a heat pump pool heater. To reduce heat loss, utilize a pool cover. Covering your pool when not in use is the single most effective means of reducing heating costs and can save you as much as 70% in electric costs.

For more information on how to save energy or to learn more about (150010) SECO Energy products and services, visit www.secoenergy.com>Energy Solutions.

Nature’s reflections Florida’s Gulf Fritillary A member of the longwings, brush-footed family The Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a striking, bright orange, medium-sized butterfly common to Florida. Its wingspan is less than three inches. Its forewings are long and fairly narrow, orange above with black markings, and three black-encircled white or silvery spots at the front edge of the forewing. These spots are visible above and below. Underwings are pale brownish orange, with many large, iridescent silvery markings.

The Gulf fritillary gets its name from the fact that it migrates across the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, its range extends from South America north through Central America, Mexico and the West Indies to the southern United States.

The Gulf fritillary uses the passion flower vine for its larval food plant. Males patrol for females, who lay tiny yellow eggs on the host plant. The eggs usually hatch within a few days. The Gulf fritillary is considered a subtropical butterfly. This means it slows down when air temperatures drop and speeds up when it gets warmer regardless of what stage it is in. For example, an egg may hatch within three days in the heat of summer, but may take longer in cold weather.

The caterpillar is the immature stage of the butterfly. Its job is to eat, grow and avoid becoming food for a hungry bird. Caterpillars feed exclusively on parts of the host plant and grow through several stages called instars, shedding its skin each time. The last molt turns the caterpillar into a chrysalis, or pupa. Inside the silken cocoon it spins, the caterpillar changes into an adult butterfly and emerges as a beautiful new creature. This change from caterpillar to butterfly is one of the most remarkable events in nature and a memorable experience, if one is ever lucky enough to observe the transformation.

Adults spend their lives sipping nectar from a variety of plants including lantana, shepherd’s needle, bottle brush, and other tubular flowers. To attract these butterflies, cultivate any of the passion flower vines, except red which is toxic to the Gulf fritillary.

Column & photo by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

EXPRESSIONS On behalf of our troops, volunteers and board of directors of Operation Shoebox USA, Inc., thank you for supporting this organization with your donation of 200 pens from SECO for our troops. We really appreciated the help. It is through the efforts of generous people like you, that Operation Shoebox is able to accomplish so much.

Each care package that is sent shows our heroes that they have not been forgotten by those at home; they are foremost in our minds and in our hearts. In addition, we show them that we are extremely proud of their efforts. We are very grateful that you chose Operation Shoebox as a means of showing your support.

Sincerely,

TRUSTEES Ray F. Vick

President • District 5

Jerry D. Hatfield

Vice President • District 9

Robin R. Henion

Secretary-Treasurer • District 7

Scott D. Boyatt District 1

Dillard B. Boyatt District 2

Mary Harper

Richard J. Belles

Founder/President, Shoebox USA Belleview, FL

SLAM the DOOR ON SCAMS SECO is cautioning members to slam the door on utility scams. Exercise caution when answering the door - don’t get scammed. All SECO employees carry - company issued identification – don’t hesitate to ask to see an employee’s identification. All approved SECO contractors display an “Authorized SECO Contractor” sign on their trucks, and members can view the list of authorized contractors at SECOEnergy. com under the Reliability tab. 673102 If you receive a call threatening disconnection of service if the bill is not paid immediately, or have a question about an employee or contractor call SECO at (352) 793-3801. Prevent any bill payment confusion by enrolling in automatic bank draft today – call us or establish an online account at secoenergy.com. Don’t let scammers in – slam the door!

WINNERS Congratulations to SECO Energy member Mary Wimberly of Wildwood who correctly answered our three outage prevention trivia questions on Facebook. Mary was randomly selected as our winner of the $300 electric bill credit. Congratulations, Mary!

Scott Bidgood of Ocala is the winner of our “Dodged a Bullet” gift basket.

Scott posted photos and offered members additional storm preparedness tips on Facebook. Congratulations, Scott we hope you enjoy your goodies!

Be sure to “like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” us on Twitter for more chances to win. Also, look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News for a chance to win a $25 restaurant gift card. Call or email us at customerservice@secoenergy.com if your number appears. Good luck!

SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 699101

District 3

Richard Dennison District 4

Earl Muffett District 6

Bill James District 8

Jim Duncan CEO

Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, August 22, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices located at 330 South US Highway 301 in Sumterville.

A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on September 26, 2016.

587012 SECO 24/7 Job Hotline www.secoenergyjobs.com (855) 483-2673 SECO Outage Center www.secostormcenter.com (800) 732-6141