January 2017 SECO News

SECO News

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JA N UA RY 2017

DUNCAN’S DIGEST TOYS FOR TOTS & UNITED WAY

Jim Duncan, CEO

The Christmas spirit was upon us all as we par ticipated in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. SECO’s employees helped me load hundreds of toys, donated by employees and members, for local children.

Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes as Christmas gifts to less for tunate children in the community. As a Marine myself before my hair turned gray, I know that Toys for Tots is a special program for children in need. Hundreds of children will wake up to Christmas presents under the tree, thanks to the generosity of our employees and members.

During SECO’s 2017 United Way campaign, employees opened their checkbooks and donated

generously. SECO employees pledged $50,171 for United Way’s campaign for local communities.

United Way improves the quality of life for millions of people. I am grateful to work with employees who have the power and goodwill to improve the communities we serve. SECO employees are a generous bunch of folks, and their effor ts are applauded.

From my family to yours, I wish you a healthy, Happy New Year! 696107

“ HIGHEST IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AMONG COOPERATIVES. ” For J.D. Power award information, visit jdpower.com.

NEW YEAR,

NEW EFFICIENCY Enter to win three great prizes including a $300 bill credit Happy New Year! What are your resolutions this year? Star t off on the right foot with SECO’s new online Energy Estimator tool.

The estimator helps members understand the amount and cost of the energy that appliances, lighting, and other electronics use in their home.

It calculates your monthly refrigeration costs, the price for each load of laundry, the annual amount of energy your oven uses and more. Submit your results and within minutes you will receive an email comparing your usage to the average Central Florida household and tips to save energy and money.

PROTECTION BEGINS AT THE METER Today’s appliances are sensitive to power surges caused by lightning, accidents, animals and more.

Surges can cause catastrophic damage or degrade appliance circuitry over time.

Protection begins at the meter. SECO’s meter base surge arrester reduces most surges to a safe level before they enter your home. The arrestor helps protect large motor appliances like the air conditioner, washer and dryer, refrigerator, stove and dishwasher.

Beat the upcoming storm season rush and subscribe to SECO’s meter-based surge protection

by February 15 for a chance to win a $100 Lowe’s

SECO has three great prizes up for grabs for members who explore the Energy Estimator and increase their energy efficiency IQ. After completing the Energy Estimator and emailing your results, your name will be entered into a random drawing to win a $300 bill credit, a package of energy efficiency tools that includes a $100 Lowe’s gift card, and a programmable Wi-Fi thermostat. Winners will be notified via email on February 16.

Make a resolution to reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bill. Here’s to an Energy 010012 Efficient New Year! gift card. All SECO members currently enrolled in SECO’s surge protection are also eligible to win.

Enroll online at SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > SurgeProtection or call us at (800) 732-6141. A random winner will be chosen February 15.

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DOES A FIREPLACE SAVE ENERGY?

SECO SCHOLARS

Wood burning fireplaces provide a soothing ambience and warmth, but can actually increase your energy usage. Fireplaces pull oxygen and heat from other areas within the home. Approximately 30% of heat goes up the chimney, creating a drop in temperature, prompting your central heating unit to cycle more frequently.

For over 20 years, SECO Energy has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships – launching young scholars on their path to a college education.

Once again, SECO’s Board of Trustees has approved up to $36,000 in scholarships for twelve deserving high school seniors.

To be eligible, the student must: Reside in a home served by SECO. Graduate high school by the end of the current school year.

Provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college, university or vocational/technical school by the end of 2017.

Plan to be enrolled as a full-time college student.

Applications are available beginning January 4, at SECO’s five Member Service Centers in Lake, Sumter, Marion and Citrus counties, area high school guidance offices, at the SECO corporate offices in Sumterville and online.

313510 To be considered, completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on March 31.

Applications may be dropped off at any SECO Member Service Center or mailed to: SECO Energy Attn: Youth Scholarship 330 South U.S. Highway 301 Sumterville, FL 33585-0301 Winners will be notified by phone or mail on or about April 28. If you have questions, visit SECOEnergy.com > YourCo-op > Scholarship or call Eneida Robaina at (352) 569-9561.

Installing glass doors or a fireback can increase your fireplace’s efficiency. Glass doors act as a barrier to reduce the amount of indoor air escaping through the chimney.

In the summer, glass doors help prevent warm air from entering into your home.

Firebacks are decorative, cast iron plates that when placed at the back of the fireplace absorb heat and radiate it back into the room.

Although glass doors and firebacks may improve a fireplace’s efficiency, your best course of action is to use your fireplace when it’s just a little chilly and forgo operating your central heating unit during that time.

For more information on how to save energy or about SECO Energy products and services, visit SECOEnergy.com.

WEST INDIAN MA NAT E E

A unique native Floridian

The West Indian manatee, (Trichechus manatus), is found throughout Florida’s shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays and coastal areas.

This large aquatic mammal with its innocent looking face reaches ten feet in length and weighs more than a thousand pounds. It has two flippers and a round elongated body that tapers to a flat, paddle-shaped tail.

Manatees spend most of their day traveling slowly, resting and eating five to ten percent of their weight per day. It breathes air through unique nostrils that close when it goes underwater and holds its breath for up to twenty minutes. Even when sleeping, manatees surface to breathe fresh air and submerge again without ever waking up.

Manatees shed their old teeth and regrow new ones, as needed.

Female manatees mature at five years of age, and males at nine years. On average, one calf is born every two to five years after a 13 month

gestation period. Mothers nurse their young for one to two years.

This plant-eating giant has no natural enemies and may live fifty to sixty years. Its friendly nature is its greatest threat. It associates the sound of boats and people with food and ventures too close to speeding boats. Manatee zones help to reduce watercraft collisions and provide better protection. They are protected by both federal and state laws making it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill this marine animal.

Sensitive to cold temperatures, manatees congregate in Florida’s springs where water temperatures remain constant and power plants that discharge warm water. Manatees can be killed or harmed by cold temperatures, ingesting fish hooks and line, litter, entanglement in crab trap lines, poaching and loss of natural habitat.

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

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ray F. Vick

Dillard B. Boyatt

Jerry D. Hatfield

Richard J. Belles

President, District 5 Vice President District 9

Robin R. Henion

District 2 District 3

Richard Dennison District 4

Secretary-Treasurer District 7

Earl Muffett

Scott D. Boyatt

Bill James

District 1

District 6 District 8

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, January 23, 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 Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

24/7 Job Hotline: (855) 483-2673 www.secoenergyjobs.com

Report an Outage: (800) 732-6141 www.secostormcenter.com

SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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