SECO News
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JULY 2017
MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE PENNY AT A TIME SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program was established to make a difference in local communities. SECO members enroll in the program to donate to Pennies from Heaven each month. Once enrolled, SECO will round your monthly energy bill to the nearest dollar. The extra pennies fund local social service agencies and other causes that offer assistance to your fellow SECO members in need.
These funds assist other SECO members – who might be your neighbors, friends or even family – with paying an electric bill or recovering from a unique hardship such as fire, tornado or hurricane damage. Through the generous contributions of SECO members who participate in the Pennies from Heaven program, members who are struggling will not have to choose between paying their electric bill or purchasing food or medicine. The average annual donation per member is small – about six dollars per year – but collectively, members who enroll in SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program make a big difference in our communities. 362905
DUNCAN’S DIGEST Jim Duncan, CEO
contribute to the Pennies from Heaven program. That is just four percent of SECO’s total membership. If all SECO members contribute their extra pennies each month, the funds would add up to almost 120 million pennies. That $1.2 million would be used to fund local charitable organizations, purchase equipment for first responders, support local school and youth programs, fund teacher endowments and other worthy causes right here in our local communities. Again, the annual cost is small – about six dollars per year – but collectively, members who enroll DIGEST cont. on page 2…
Together, SECO is almost 200,000 members strong. Currently, less than 8,000 members
“HIDDEN” ACCOUNT NUMBERS
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 restaurant gift card.
SURGE PROTECTION SECO’s meter-based surge protection can help you protect your home’s large-motor appliances from damaging power surges during storm season and year-round. Lease this valuable protection for only $5.95 a month, plus $25 installation charge, or purchase the product for $349. 180011
Enroll in surge protection before August 15 for a chance to win a $300 bill credit! Members who already have SECO’s surge protection are automatically eligible to win. Enroll online at SECOEnergy.com>Energy Solutions>Surge Protection, and have fun with our Surge Protection Word Search below.
SURGE PROTECTION WORDSEARCH
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in SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program make a big difference – one penny at a time. If you or someone you know has an unforeseen financial setback and doesn’t know where to go for help, advise them to dial 211. United Way of Central Florida operates 211 and provides resources for financial assistance, healthcare, job programs, food pantries, crisis support and more. Would you like to join your fellow SECO members and contribute your monthly pennies to Pennies from Heaven? To enroll, sign-up online at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op>Pennies from Heaven or give us a call.
SAFETY CORNER
DON’T END UP IN THE DARK Portable Generators: When storms and hurricanes threaten our area, having a portable generator on-hand for occasional power interruptions may be a good plan. Here are five safety tips to keep in mind: 1. Read and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual. 2. Always run the generator outdoors away from windows, vents and doors. 3. Portable generators emit carbon monoxide (CO) a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that if inhaled can be fatal to humans and pets. 4. Do not attempt to use a generator when it is wet, as this poses a risk for electrocution and death. 5. Never fuel a generator while it is running and store gasoline in approved containers, out of the reach of children. Permanent Generators: Are you thinking of installing a generator at your home or business for use during power interruptions? If so, heed these tips before purchasing and installing: 1. Installing a permanent generator is not an average do-it-yourself project. 2. A qualified electrical contractor must perform the installation of the emergency generator, as well as the disconnect and transfer switchgear. 3. Do not attempt to connect the generator directly to your electric panel. 4. Always properly disconnect from SECO’s service before starting your generator. 5. Before use, read and follow the safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual. Improperly installing or using a generator can lead to property damage, injuries or even death. Visit SECOEnergy. com>Safety>Generator Safety to learn more. 480016
SECO Energy Operations employee Ron Summers and intern Megan Elliott
WELCOME TO OUR SUMMER INTERN SECO Energy’s decades-long scholarship program has paid off for the cooperative and the local community. Megan Elliott, a 2016 SECO Energy scholarship awardee, has accepted a summer internship in our Operations department. Megan graduated from Tavares High school in 2016, and is currently studying mechanical engineering at UCF. Megan is excited to jump in and get her feet wet with the real-world engineering experience she will receive at SECO. Join us in welcoming Megan to the SECO family, and visit our website to learn about our scholarship program
HURRICANES & WILDLIFE Where do wild animals go in a hurricane?
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lorida’s wildlife is well adapted to the state’s weather extremes. Their early warning system lies in the ability to sense any change in the barometric pressure and move to safer locations. Members of the animal kingdom seem to find places to hide from a storm’s wrath. Water birds and shorebirds move inland during storms. Many birds will fly to the outer edge of a storm and find a safe place to hunker down – sometimes hundreds of miles away. Birds have the ability to tighten their grip and hold on during high winds, just as they do when sleeping. Cavity nesters, like woodpeckers, will often ride out the storm in a tree. Many species of wildlife know areas of the forest where they will be best protected from the worst winds. Chicks in a twig or ground nest are at the highest risk for injury. Natural disaster disrupts and affects everything in its path, including wildlife. Livestock and pets are not always able to get out of harm’s way on their own. A sad fact is that there is usually some loss to wildlife and habitat as a result of severe storms. The good news is that wildlife in general is amazingly resilient. 006403 While we can never place animal life above human life, it is important to be sensitive to the needs of both
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wildlife and domestic animals as much as we can before and after a natural disaster. Following the 2004 hurricanes, FEMA brought in veterinarians from other states to help rescue and treat the thousands of domestic animals that resided in the Florida counties that were declared federal disaster areas. The Humane Society collected pets found disoriented and wandering aimlessly and gave them food and shelter until the rightful owners could be found. Those unclaimed pets were later offered for adoption. Volunteers from area wildlife rehab centers were busy with rescue and treatment of injured, displaced and orphaned animals following the hurricanes. Biologists from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) monitored the impact to wildlife for weeks following the storms. Research shows that most of Florida’s ecosystems and wildlife populations recover, or adapt, quickly after even the severest storms. Column & photos by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com
BOARD OF 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
Richard J. Belles District 3
Richard Dennison District 4
Earl Muffett District 6
Bill James
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, July 24, 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, Aug. 28, 2017. 2 4 / 7 Jo b Ho tl i n e: (855) 483-2673 www.secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: (800) 732-6141 www.secostormcenter.com
District 8
SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.