June 2017 SECO News

SECO News

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JUNE 2017

Dear SECO Energy Members, From the torch, to the oil lamp, to the Edison incandescent, to the CFL and LED, lighting has changed dramatically with the times. To “let there be light” today, SECO Energy must also change with the advancements of our industry.

We must control costs and provide a high level of customer service. That’s what you expect and deserve, and we stand ready to fulfill your energy needs.

With our 2016 Annual Report and audit complete, I am proud and humbled to share Jim Duncan, CEO strong fiscal results. Staying ahead of growing power demand is a challenge that is capital and expense intensive.

It is a delicate balance of design, construction, maintenance and vegetation management.

Illuminating your homes and powering your appliances and electronics is a 24/7 responsibility. “Storm Ready” is SECO’s motto when Hurricane Season converges on The Sunshine State on June 1.

If a storm blows through and on the rare occasion when the lights go out, you can bet that our crews and contractors are staged and on the move to restore power the moment it’s safe. Our Emergency Restoration Plan and investments in storm preparation ensure that you will not go without power for an extended period of time.

Our dedication to you over the last decade of service improvements has manifested in SECO Energy earning two DIGEST cont. on page 3…

We must control costs and provide a high level of customer service.

That’s what you expect and deserve, and we stand ready to fulfill your energy needs.

616404 “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:

Protect your Appliances and Win

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ith Atlantic Hurricane Season in full swing, are your large appliances protected from harmful power surges? Would you like a chance to win a $300 bill credit?

Read on to learn more about SECO’s surge protection program and a chance to win.

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During the month of June, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts daily thunderstorms with an above average rainfall.

That means Florida’s daily afternoon thunderstorms will likely bring large amounts of rain, high winds and damaging lightning. 174002

The meter base arrester is just the first step to complete protection. Members should also purchase “point of use” devices from their local home improvement or hardware In addition, birds, small animals, falling trees store to protect sensitive or vehicles crashing into electronic equipment such SECO power poles can as televisions, computers, SECO’s surge cause power surges. Power cordless phones and more. surges are sudden, powerful protection is increases in voltage that All members enrolled in can damage or destroy proudly “Made in SECO’s surge protection household appliances and will be entered the USA” and helps program other electronic devices in into a random drawing for your home. you protect large a $300 bill credit. Enroll

by August 15 for your SECO’s surge protection is appliances from chance to win. Members proudly “Made in the USA” damaging power who currently have surge and helps you protect large protection are already appliances from damaging surges. entered into the drawing. power surges. A certified SECO contractor will Learn more about SECO’s install the meter base surge arrester behind surge protection and enroll online at your electric meter, no appointment needed.

SECOEnergy.com>Energy Solutions>Surge Protection.

Members can lease the surge protection for Good luck! $5.95 a month with a $25 installation fee, or purchase the product for $349 with installation included.

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HOT BUCKS

atural gas consumption in the power sector has risen 25% in recent years. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that natural gas prices will rise about 20% in 2017. That prediction is beginning to play out.

The overall natural gas price outlook for Q3Q4 2017 and NYMEX futures prices indicate that rock bottom gas prices under $3/MMBtu are over. Utilities across The Sunshine State are filing for rate increases as a result.

COOLING DOWN

SECO Energy members have benefitted from three years of steadily declining power costs – a decrease of about 12 percent during that timeframe. But now we must respond to the changing fuel market trends. 293616

that same average usage beginning July 1 as approved by the Board of Trustees.

The SECO increase is $2.30 per 1,000 kWh. Comparatively, Duke Energy’s increase that took effect in January was $4.39 per 1,000 kWh, and Florida Power & Light’s was $7.00 – reflections of the changing market.

$114.90

$112.60

Oct 2016

July 2017

$113.50

$115.60

Dec 2015

June 2016

$116.20

$117.20

Aug 2015

Learn more about SECO Energy’s financial stability in the 2016 Annual Report.

Oct 2015

$118.20

June 2015

$120.70

Nov 2014

Jan 2014

$127.75

As a result, SECO must adjust the PCA – Power Cost Adjustment – component of your bill.

Rather than paying $112.60 for 1,000 kilowatt hours, members will begin paying $114.90 for

DIGEST from page 1… consecutive J.D. Power awards for highest customer satisfaction in the nation in our segment. The cooperative’s ACSI score improved in 2016 to 89 – an outstanding rating, especially when compared to investor-owned and municipal utilities.

What distinguishes SECO from other providers is called the cooperative difference, and is made possible by our Board of Trustees’ governance, our executive team’s leadership and, most

important, the dedication and hard work of the 400+ SECO Energy employees. Learn more in the online version of the 2016 Annual Report that is posted at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op.

Thank you, members, for rating SECO so highly and for your loyal patronage. We are humbled and privileged to serve as your Central Florida energy provider.

Jim Duncan, Chief Executive Officer

THE GREEN ANOLE This lively little garden critter is the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis), pronounced uh’no-lee, of the Iguanidae family. It is the only anole native to Florida and not to be confused with the non-native Brown Anole. Its long-pointed snout and smooth skin distinguishes it, as does its ability to change color from green to brown or gray as a camouflage technique and in reaction to temperature. When temps are above 70°F, it tends to be green. In cooler weather it turns brown. Following a territorial dispute, the winner turns bright green while the loser turns brown.

Although it is often called a “chameleon,” it is not.

Chameleons are natives of Africa and Madagascar, have eyeballs that move independently, and tails that curl into spirals.

Like all lizards, the Green Anole is equipped with moveable eyelids and external ear holes. Adults molt often, casting off skin in pieces. It has adhesive toe pads, enabling it to climb and cling to vertical surfaces.

Males grow to eight inches. Females are smaller.

Its long, slender tail makes up half of its length and

One of Florida’s best natural pest control experts

breaks off at the slightest pressure – allowing for a quick escape. The tail then grows back over several weeks.

Males have a brightly colored patch of skin called a throat fan or dew lap. It appears to inflate, but is actually displayed using a flexible rod of cartilage. The behavior is often accompanied by push-ups and head-bobbing maneuvers when courting a mate or defending territory. Breeding takes place from late March to early October. Females lay single eggs every two weeks in moist soil including the soil in flower pots. The tiny 1/4to 3/8-inch leathery eggs take five to seven weeks to hatch. 700301 Anoles feed on insects, but only live prey. Anoles have excellent eyesight and are frequently seen quietly stalking prey or basking in the sunlight. It is not unusual to see it gobbling up wood roaches or other bugs.

Amazingly, this little lizard can grab and swallow prey almost its size. Anoles and other lizards are valuable contributors to the environment and economically important as natural pest controllers – an essential element in the balance of nature.

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

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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, June 19, 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 24, 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.