May 2016 SECO News by SECO Energy

May 2016

If you were one of the over 3,000 SECO members and guests who attended SECO Energy’s 2016 Annual Meeting of the Membership, you will probably agree that our 78th Annual Meeting was one of the most comprehensive in recent memory. Members joined us for breakfast biscuits, cookies, coffee and donuts; and they danced to hits by Margo Rochelle and the Rodeo Drive Band. Several hundred SECO employees arrived before dawn to prepare for a very large crowd. The light rain didn’t deter attendees from enjoying breakfast biscuits, browsing energy saving displays at the Energy Showcase, receiving gifts, winning door prizes, hearing an update on the business side of the cooperative and enjoying the renowned hospitality of SECO employees. The meeting boasted new products and displays designed to save energy and lower electric bills. The revamped Energy Showcase tent displayed a working rooftop and ground mounted solar panel system along with a touchscreen tool to estimate the amount of utility-supplied energy a home might offset using a rooftop solar system. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is operated for and owned by its members. SECO does not share dividends with investors or stockholders. Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting to learn how your cooperative is meeting the challenges occurring within the industry and controlling costs. SECO’s Board of Trustees, senior staff and 400+ employees are committed to successfully managing the challenges SECO faces while continuing to offer members low rates, reliable power and excellent customer service. continued next page

Just in time for summer, SECO is again lowering the price of power using the Power Cost Adjustment - known to members as Hot Bucks. The latest decrease is effective June 1. Be sure to check your bill for the savings.

Decrease Lowers Bills

JAN ’14

$127.75

NOV ’14

$120.70

JUN ’15

$118.20

(1,000 kwh)

AUG ’15

OCT ’15

DEC ’15

$117.20

$116.20

$115.60

MAR ’16

JUN ’16

$114.60

$113.60

efforts.

Annual Meeting

CONTINUED

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ARE YOU? Whether it is an afternoon thunderstorm, tropical storm or hurricane, SECO Energy members can count on us to be Storm Ready. SECO Energy’s System Operations Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and uses the latest technology to track weather patterns. A brigade of employees stand ready to respond to power outages. They jump when called, brave the storm and work quickly and safely to restore power. SECO is Storm Ready, and as a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are committed to being our members’ first source for accurate storm communications and updates. SECO utilizes today’s mainstream communication channels to inform members when inclement weather is approaching. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and follow us on T witter to stay in touch with SECO and receive instant updates on storm activity and news releases. As a member, you can be Storm Ready and stay up-to-date on the latest restoration efforts in the event a storm takes down lines and poles. If you haven’t already, invest in a smartphone or tablet and battery-operated or solar charger. Pack the charger in your emergency supply kit with water, flashlights and other emergency items. Bookmark SECOEnergy.com on your desktop browser and smartphone for quick access to SECO’s Storm Center to report a power outage and stay updated on restoration

SECO Energy is expanding its presence on social media. These communication channels save the co-op money and improve satisfaction. Members who “liked” SECO’s Facebook page and uploaded a photo to or commented on the Annual Meeting status update during the event were entered in a drawing to win a $300 electric bill credit. The photos make it clear that members had a good time with the Facebook Help Squad and were treated to our one of a kind SECO hospitality. You can “like” SECO’s Facebook page today for outage information, company news and future chances to win. A number of members voiced concerns about how the EPA’s Clean Power Plan may affect reliable service and low rates. These members pledged $25 annually to The Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE). This committee funds candidates who support the interests of electric cooperatives such as SECO. Prize winners and event photos are posted on SECO Energy’s Facebook page. A video of the business meeting is available at SECOEnergy. com. Next year’s meeting date of March 25 was approved by the Board of Trustees recently. I invite members to come for breakfast and stay for the band. From the number of line dancers and two-steppers who kicked up their heels this year, SECO may need a larger dance floor next year! Thanks again to all who attended. It is our privilege to host this event every year for you.

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TRIVIA WINNER Winner, Winner!

$300 Electric Bill Credit! Congratulations to SECO Energy member Richard [Rich] Scheiterle from Center Hill. Rich’s name was randomly selected from those who correctly answered three trivia questions related to our 2015 Annual Report on SECO’s Facebook page. Do you want to be our next winner? Log in and head over to SECO’s Facebook page today. First, please “like” SECO Energy’s page. Second, correctly answer the three outage prevention trivia questions on SECO’s Facebook page for a chance to win a $300 electric bill credit. All answers can be found in SECO Energy’s 2015 Annual Report, available at SECOEnergy.com .

Outage Prevention Trivia Questions:

SECO Energy works diligently to offer members reliable power by inspecting and upgrading distribution and transmission poles, underground equipment and substation infrastructure each year. 723602 We invest in a comprehensive vegetation management program that dramatically reduces outages as well. 1 How much does SECO spend on vegetation management annually? 2 How many distribution poles were inspected in 2015? 3 What web address (URL) can members visit online to find SECO Energy’s website? Want to double your odds with another chance to win? “Share” the trivia post on your page for a second entry into the drawing. Not tech savvy? If you’re not a Facebook user, there’s a simple way to win every month. Just 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 certificate. You can email us at customerservice@secoenergy. com or call if your number appears. Good luck!

Nature’s reflections

Stinging Caterpillars

Curious? Stop! Severe pain follows just a touch Beware of beautiful caterpillars packing a powerful and painful sting. Four of Florida’s seven stinging caterpillars are common to this area. These caterpillars do not have stingers, but irritating hairs or bristled spines connected to poison glands that produce the stinging sensation, swelling and severe pain. Reactions are sometimes so severe that people often seek medical attention thinking they may be having a heart attack or life-threatening event. The io moth caterpillar (Automeris io), photo above, is a light green caterpillar with yellow and red stripes. It’s about two inches long. The nettling spines are usually yellow with black tips. They are often seen in groups raising the onlookers curiosity. The Puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis) in the inset photo to the right gets its name from its resemblance to a pussycat. At just one inch in length, it’s covered with light brown hairs. When touched, these hairs attached to its poison glands break off in the skin causing severe pain. It is commonly found in oaks and citrus trees, but may feed on a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs. The Saddleback caterpillar (Sabine stimulea) is brown and green with a brown oval on its back that looks like a saddle on a green horse blanket. It is also about an inch long with a stout body. Stinging spines and hairs inflict pain to the unwary. The Hag caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium) is light to dark-brown also with stinging hairs. Three less common stinging caterpillars in Florida are the buck moth caterpillar (Hemileuca maia), the spiny oak-slug caterpillar (Euclea delphinii), and the flannel moth caterpillar (Norape ovina). If stung, remain as calm and quiet as possible. Notify a companion in case assistance becomes necessary. According to the Poison Control Center, apply adhesive tape over the affected area and pull off to remove the spines from the skin. Ice packs, followed by a paste of baking soda and water may help reduce the stinging or burning sensation. If you suspect a serious reaction, it is advisable to seek medical assistance.i Column & photo by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com 584012

SAFETY

TRU ST E E S

Corner

Ray F. Vick

President • District 5

Jerry D. Hatfield Vice President • District 9

Portable Generators:

Robin R. Henion Secretary-Treasurer • District 7

During storm and hurricane season, a portable generator can come in handy if your power is interrupted, but portable generators must always be used with safety in mind. Read and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual. According to the National Safety Council, www.nsc.org, generators should NEVER be used in an enclosed space; always run the generator outdoors away from windows, vents and doors. Portable generator engines emit carbon monoxide (CO) that if inhaled can be fatal to humans and pets. CO is a colorless, odorless, invisible killer. Do not attempt to use a generator when it is wet, as this poses a risk for electrocution and death. 635302

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 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 to learn more about generator safety or email customerservice@secoenergy.com for additional assistance.

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 District 8

Jim Duncan CEO

SECO’s Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, May 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices located at 330 South US Highway 301 in Sumterville. 146301 A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on June 20, 2016. SECO 24/7 Job Hotline