DEC E MB E R
|
2020
SECONEWS The bulk of our employees live in Citrus, Lake, SECO Energy employees have been exceptionally Marion and Sumter Counties, and these counties generous this year. Their received the highest dollar amounts in donations. philanthropic spirit is fostered The breakdown by county is: by one of our Cooperative Lake and Sumter: $29,508 Principles: Concern for Marion: $20,885 Community. Many employees, Citrus: $6,023 some who are not members themselves, have joined me in Other (Gilchrist, Hernando, Levy, Orange, Pasco and Polk): $5,017 supporting SECO’s Pennies from Heaven charitable fund. Employee and member TOTAL: $61,433 donations to Pennies from Heaven Join SECO employees in their have funded member bill payment effort to promote the United assistance and provided funds for Way’s mission to improve lives local food banks experiencing by mobilizing the caring power critical shortages. Employees SECO EMPLOYEES of communities to advance have also donated generously the common good. Education, to our yearly Toys for Tots PLEDGED $61,433 TO income and health care are United donation drive. Way’s key focuses. To donate/ UNITED WAYS IN TEN volunteer, visit UnitedWay.org. SECO employees recognize LOCAL COUNTIES. that local community help is I am grateful for our employees’ needed year-round and not only generosity and dedication to our during the Christmas season. members and the communities For this reason, employees take we serve. From the SECO family part in an annual employeefunded United Way Pledge Drive. This year has to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! been challenging for some local families who have Sincerely, struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The need may well extend into next year. For our 2021 United Way Pledge Drive, employees willingly pledged $61,433 to United Ways in ten local counties. This donation makes a big difference in the lives of local families. SECO’s 400+ employees live in or near the counties we serve, and employees choose the county where their donated dollars will benefit.
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Jim Duncan Chief Executive Officer
INSIDE THIS ISSUE • Engage With Electra To Win • StormCenter • Old Farmer’s Almanac • Florida Fauna & Flora Hurricane Handbook DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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ENGAGE WITH ELECTRA
TO WIN Earlier this year, SECO Energy upgraded its phone system to a new, user-friendly interactive voice response (IVR) system. Our virtual agent’s name is Electra, and she is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Engage with Electra to win! Starting December 1, members who interact with Electra virtually and don’t request a SECO member service representative will be eligible to win a $25 gift card. We’ll draw one winner each week. Electra is multi-functional. She can answer thousands of calls virtually and save you from waiting on hold for rep assistance.
BILLING INQUIRIES: Ask Electra “What is my balance?” or ask her “What is the due date?” Need more billing information? Electra can answer questions such as “What was my last payment amount?” or “When was my last payment date?” PAY YOUR BILL: Tell Electra “Pay my bill,” and she will transfer you to our PayNow payment processor. You can pay your bill by phone using a credit or debit card or electronic check without a convenience fee.
PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT*: Ask for a “Payment Arrangement” or an “Extension.” Electra will schedule terms – all without you having to speak with a rep. DISCONNECT SERVICE: If you’re moving out of SECO’s service area and need to disconnect service, tell Electra to “Disconnect Service.” Please provide Electra with a forwarding address for future Capital Credit returns. DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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REPORT A POWER OUTAGE/UPDATE OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS: Call Electra to report a power outage. Say the word “Outage,” and she will guide you through easy prompts to report the outage for you. To update your outage notifications, say “Update Notifications.” If you’re calling from a cell phone, Electra will ask if you want her to text you a link to StormCenter to update your outage notification preferences on your smartphone or tablet.
CHECK OUTAGE STATUS: Electra can give you details on the status of a current outage. Just say “Check Status,” and Electra will provide the crew status, estimated restoration time and outage cause if known.
REPORT AN AREA LIGHT OUTAGE: Find an area light issue? Just locate the pole number, call Electra and say “Report an Area Light Outage.” Read page four to learn how you can report area light outages online 24/7 with SECO Energy’s LightFinder tool on StormCenter. SERVICE TROUBLE: Experiencing a service problem such as partial power or a wire down? Call Electra and say “Service Trouble.” Electra will automatically create a service trouble ticket. Call Electra at (352) 793-3801 and let her assist you virtually for a chance to win a $25 gift card each week. Winning account must be active at the time of the drawing. Look for the first month’s weekly winners in February 2021 SECO News. Good luck!
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*Electra can schedule a payment arrangement for eligible accounts only.
ELECTRA is multifunctional. She can answer thousands of calls virtually and save you from waiting on hold for rep assistance. DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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AREA LIGHT OUT? REPORT IT ONLINE Need to report a malfunctioning area light?
search bar, then click on the light icon to report the lighting issue. Review the light’s details and add comments if needed. Include your email address in the submission to receive updates about the light’s repair status.
Report a light that is completely off, flickering or staying on during the day using our easy and
A green light icon indicates there is no known
convenient online tool called LightFinder, which
area light issue. When an area light trouble ticket
is available through SECO Energy’s StormCenter
is issued, the icon turns red. Lights represented
platform.
by an orange icon have been repaired in the last 24 hours. Member-owned lights are shown as a
Visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter 24/7 to report power outages, report area light
blue icon, and a gray icon indicates an inactive light.
malfunctions, update your communications preferences and more. To report an area light outage, choose the LightFinder tile. Enter the
SECO repairs most area light issues in less than 24 hours.
area light pole number or near address in the
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 gift card.
Richard and Jill Nash from Clermont are the November winners of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV website pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, an EV and PHEV model finder and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Electric Vehicles page for more details. Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner. DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage and communications platform is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Report power outages, area light malfunctions and update or enroll in outage notifications. Visit StormCenter at SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter.
Communications
Outage
Energy
Power
Enroll
SECO
LightFinder
Service
Notifications
StormCenter
Online
157819 DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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Give yourself the gift of energy savings this holiday season. Invest in an ENERGY STAR rated smart thermostat to take the guesswork out of indoor temperature settings and to reduce your energy costs. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi-enabled devices controlled with your smartphone, tablet, smart speaker or other device connected to the internet. Installing a smart thermostat allows you to schedule your home’s temperatures for comfort. Some units learn your habits and preferences. Smart thermostats will provide you with data on your home’s energy use and other features. The recommended thermostat setting for energy efficiency is no lower than 78 degrees in the summer and no higher than 68 degrees in the winter. You can save 6 to 8% annually for each degree higher you set the thermostat during the summer and reduce your heating costs by 3 to 5% in winter for each degree you lower the thermostat. Bright Idea: If you’re going on vacation, set the thermostat to 82 degrees in the summer or 55 degrees in the winter.
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ADVICE FROM THE
SAY GOODBYE, 2020, AND HELLO TO 2021. THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC SHARES IDEAS FOR US TO EMBRACE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. Make a 2021 resolution to spend at least 120 minutes outdoors each week, schedule doctors’ visits and add online aerobics classes to your workout routine. Give your health a boost by adopting a dog or cat. 92% of dog owners believe their dog makes them healthier, and 85% of cat owners feel the same. Some of the fun trends for 2021 are restaurants using edible tableware, paperless menus and local farmers selling produce and veggies in traditional supermarkets. Also making a comeback are houseplants and native plant designs in outdoor landscapes.
DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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Congratulations, Harriette Lowrey from The Villages who won a free oneOCALA NATIONAL FOREST
year Surge MitiGator lease! We chose Ms. Lowrey’s name at random from all members subscribed to SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator protection on or before October 31.
fauna & flora
T
Ta ke S u r g e o ’s a d v i c e and
enroll
in
S EC O E n e r g y ’s
he Ocala National Forest is located in SECO
Surge MitiGator
Energy’s backyard. This national landmark was
protection to take the
established in 1909 and is the southernmost forest in
bite out of damaging
the United States. In the forest’s beautiful 383,000
surges and spikes. Our
acres, you’ll find over 600 lakes, rivers and streams,
meter-based surge
as well as trails, animals, recreation areas and outdoor
arrester helps prevent
activities.
unnecessary financial
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the core of the Ocala National Forest is the Big Scrub that was first placed under protection by President
loss by reducing surges BEFORE they enter your
Theodore Roosevelt, making it the first National Forest
home through the
east of the Mississippi River. Most of the forest is in
meter. The Surge
Marion County, with smaller portions found in Lake
MitiGator is designed
and Putnam Counties. The Florida Trail is a 1,300-mile
to protects your home’s large-
United States National Scenic Trail that travels through
motor appliances.
the Ocala National Forest.
You can lease the MitiGator for When visiting the Ocala National Forest, look for various wildlife, including alligators, coyotes, white-tailed deer, wild boar and small animals such as squirrels, gopher tortoises, bats, river otters, bobcats and more. Within the forest boundaries, you’ll also find the highest concentration of wild Florida black bears.
The 1946 movie THE YEARLING
only $5.95 plus tax per month plus $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included. To enroll online or review
starring Gregory Peck and Jane
the MitiGator warranty, visit
Wyman based on Marjorie Kinnan
SECOEnergy.com > Energy
Rawlings’ novel of the same
Solutions > Surge MitiGator.
name was filmed in the Ocala National Forest.
110902 *source: USDA.gov DECEMBER 2020 | SECO NEWS
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BOARD BIOS MEET THE TRUSTEES RAY VICK DISTRICT 5 TRUSTEE _____
District 5 Trustee Ray Vick was first elected to the SECO Energy Board in 1980. During his 40 years of Board service, Mr. Vick has been elected as Board Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and President. From 1998 to 2018, he served on the Florida Electric Cooperative Association’s (FECA) Board. Mr. Vick lives in Inverness and has been a SECO member since 1974.
JERRY HATFIELD
GERALD ANDERSON
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY/TREASURER
District 4 Trustee Member since 1999 Resides in Ocala
District 9 Trustee Member since 1970 Resides in Umatilla
District 3 Trustee Member since 2013 Resides in The Villages
SCOTT BOYATT
JOYCE ANDERSON
RAY VICK
District 1 Trustee Member since 2004 Resides in Clermont
District 2 Trustee Member since 2017 Resides in Sumterville
District 5 Trustee Member since 1974 Resides in Inverness
MIKE MUFFETT
JOSEPH KUSIAK
WILLIAM JAMES
District 6 Trustee Member since 1984 Resides in Summerfield
District 7 Trustee Member since 2002 Resides in Dunnellon
District 8 Trustee Member since 2002 Resides in Leesburg
RICHARD DENNISON
The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, December 14, 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, January 25, 2021.
24/7 Job Hotline: secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: stormcenter.secoenergy.com
8 SECO Energy.com DECEMBER | SECO NEWS SECO 2020 Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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