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SECONEWS DUNCAN’S DI G EST
SECO Energy invests heavily in outage prevention. We spend about $10 million annually on vegetation management to reduce tree-related outages. Our storm hardening program includes diligent inspection and replacement of utility poles that won’t withstand heavy storms. We frequently upgrade the infrastructure that serves your energy needs so that you receive the most reliable service possible. Our reliability stats are, in my view, among the very best in the nation – despite the fact that we are a Florida utility subject to a storm season that spams from June through November. We humbly recognize that even the most stringently maintained electric system sustains occasional outages for a variety of reasons such as lightning, wildlife, vehicle accidents, unexpected equipment failure, etc. With this in mind, we realized it was time to invest in new technology to give our members high-tech communications options when outages do occur. We selected technology that was smartphone and tablet friendly – because
Jim Duncan, CEO
those devices continue to perform during an outage. 191500 SECO researched a number of outage map and communications vendors before contracting with Kubra – a customer experience solutions provider with a proven reputation in the utility industry. The products we have developed using Kubra’s software allow SECO Energy members to receive outage information via email, text and voice notifications. These products launched on June 1 – just in time for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. I encourage you to visit SECOEnergy.com and click on StormCenter to be familiar with these tools before the next storm. Continued on page 2
ALL-NEW
CENTER
Continued from page 1 The brand-new StormCenter software consists of four user-friendly platforms to communicate about outages.
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OUTAGE MAP INTERACTIVE MAP WITH ESTIMATED RESTORATION TIMES, CREW STATUS AND MORE!
REPORT/STATUS REPORT A NEW OUTAGE OR CHECK STATUS OF AN EXISTING OUTAGE.
MANAGE NOTIFICATIONS ENROLL IN EMAIL, TEXT AND VOICE NOTIFICATIONS.
LIGHTFINDER REPORT AN AREA LIGHT OUTAGE, DAY BURNER OR FLICKERING LIGHT.
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“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 $25 restaurant gift card.
ALL-NEW 996000
606601 If you’re a social media user, you will continue to find up-to-date outage information on Facebook and Twitter – enhanced by our new StormCenter tools. Keep in mind that these new tools are designed for outage communications only. Energy usage, billing and payment information will continue to be found in SmartHub, our online account portal. I hope you take the time to program your communications channel preferences and that the 2018 Hurricane Season leaves you little reason to use them!
JIM DUNCAN, Chief Executive Officer
SOUTHERN BLACK RACER
NATURE’S
FAST MOVING AND BUILT FOR SPEED, BUT HARMLESS
REFLECTIONS
The southern black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) is a common, non-venomous snake found in Florida and parts of the southeastern U.S. Its black body, gray belly and distinctive white chin are covered with rows of smooth dorsal scales. Adults are two to three feet long, although some reach six feet. It is believed to be color blind and like other snakes sheds its skin once a year.
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Southern black racers like tall grass, shrubbery, thick brush and wooded areas. Most active in the daytime – thus the need for speed – it is often seen in residential areas. It is shy and timid by nature, but is less alarmed by the presence of humans than other snakes. If threatened, it may vibrate its tail, mimicking the behavior of a rattlesnake. It does not like being handled, and can become aggressive. While its bite is harmless, its needlesharp teeth will hurt and may draw blood.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Black racers play a vital role in Florida’s complex ecology by eating small rodents, frogs, toads, lizards, eggs and other snakes as well. Unlike most constrictors, it does not coil itself around its prey. Instead, using its jaws, it overpowers its prey through suffocation or pressing its prey into the ground and swallowing it whole. Jerry D. Hatfield
Richard J. Belles
President District 9
District 3
Richard Dennison
Ray Vick
Vice President District 4
District 5
Bill James
Earl Muffett
Secretary-Treasurer District 8
District 6
Scott D. Boyatt
Robin Henion
District 1
District 7
Racers breed at two to three years of age. Breeding occurs from March through June. Females lay up to 20 eggs and forget them. Hatchlings are about six inches long, and gray with reddish brown blotches. Black racers are on their own at birth – just 40% survive the first year; survivors may live 10 years. Although it spends most of its time on the ground, the black racer is a good swimmer and great climber. It can often be found in trees or utility poles. The snake causes power outages by climbing up and onto overhead transformers or into an underground transformer. The black racer is sometimes mistaken for the indigo snake. Black racers have white chins; the indigo snake’s chin is dark to reddish orange. Hawks, eagles, raccoons and skunks are the black racer’s main animal predators. Vehicles take their toll while others are killed out of fear of snakes or a mistaken identity.
COLUMN & PHOTOS BY SANDI STATON SANDI.STATON@GMAIL.COM
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The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, June 18, 2018 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 23, 2018.
Dillard B. Boyatt District 2 SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
24/7 Job Hotline: (855) 483-2673 www.secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: (800) 732-6141 www.secostormcenter.com