O CTO BE R 2026 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Infrastructure Built to Keep the Lights On
• 2027 Tallahassee Youth Tour • Member Q&A
DEAR MEMBERS, When you flip a switch, you expect the lights to come on. At SECO Energy, maintaining and strengthening our electric infrastructure is how we keep that promise. Every day, the SECO team focuses on inspecting, maintaining, and improving the system that delivers reliable power to more than 270,000 homes and businesses across Central Florida. From substations and power lines to vegetation management and new Operating Facilities this work is centered on one priority: keeping your electric service safe, reliable, and ready when you need it. Most of this work happens behind the scenes. Our team of dedicated experts manages complex infrastructure needs every day so we can continue providing the reliable service our members depend on. The heart of SECO Energy’s electric infrastructure is our network of substations. These facilities receive high voltage power from transmission lines, reduce the voltage, and safely distribute electricity throughout our service area. To keep this equipment operating at peak performance, SECO conducts monthly inspections at every substation. Crews inspect equipment, perform diagnostic testing, and use infrared cameras to identify unusual temperature changes that could indicate a developing issue. When a concern is found, equipment can often be repaired or replaced before it affects service. SECO also conducts annual diagnostic testing at each substation. Each piece of equipment is carefully tested to provide a deeper understanding of its health and operating condition. In addition, every eight years each substation undergoes major maintenance and extensive testing.
• Trustee Insight
Trees and vegetation that grow too close to power lines are a common cause of power outages. That is why SECO proactively inspects and trims vegetation along thousands of miles of power lines to address vegetation encroachment before it causes a power outage. Our Vegetation Management program is guided by ISA-certified arborists and is designed to help prevent outages while following the highest standards of arboriculture. We are also investing in new Operating Facilities in Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties, all with the goal of better serving you. These updated facilities will feature modern and functional workspaces that will improve safety, logistics and efficiency, allowing our team to work more efficiently and respond faster when our members need us most. I am proud of the SECO employees and authorized contractors who perform this important work every day. Whether they are inspecting substations, maintaining power lines, trimming vegetation, using technology to improve system performance or responding after an outage, their dedication helps keep our system strong and our members served. As a SECO member, you count on us to provide essential electric service. Maintaining the reliability you expect is important to us because it is important to you. These investments help ensure that SECO is prepared to serve our members today and well into the future. To follow the progress of our new Facilities, visit Future.SECOEnergy.com. Sincerely,
CURTIS WYNN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JULY 2026 | SECO NEWS
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CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS –
APPLY FOR THE 2027 TALLAHASSEE YOUTH TOUR Are you a high school junior looking for an opportunity to explore Florida government, meet other students and build your leadership skills? SECO Energy is seeking twelve student delegates for the 2027 Florida Youth Tour in Tallahassee. This program is open to high school juniors living in SECO-served homes. SECO will sponsor the selected delegates to travel to Tallahassee on February 10 and 11, 2027. Students will tour the State Capitol, visit Florida's Supreme Court, and explore other local attractions while learning more about government and electric cooperatives. From the chosen students, four will have the chance to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., where they will learn about electric cooperatives and engage with elected officials. This experience aims to deepen understanding of rural electrification and foster networking and leadership opportunities. To qualify for the SECO Energy Youth Tour, applicants must meet the following criteria: 1. Students must be currently enrolled as a high school junior or be homeschooled at the junior level within one of our nine service Districts. 2. The student must live with a parent or guardian whose home is served by SECO Energy and must have an active account at the time of application and during the tour dates. To apply, visit SECOEnergy.com/Youth-Programs or scan the QR code. Applicants must submit a short essay and a letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher, administrator, or community leader.
TREAT YOURSELF TO A
SAFE HALLOWEEN Halloween decorations can make your home festive and fun, but a few simple safety steps can keep the spooky season from becoming scary for the wrong reason. • Use outdoor-rated extension cords outside. If your decorations are headed to the yard, porch, or driveway, make sure the cords are labeled for outdoor use.
• Do not overload outlets. Too many lights, inflatables, and decorations plugged
into one outlet can create a fire hazard. Spread decorations across different outlets when possible.
• Choose LED lights. LED lights stay cooler than traditional bulbs, making them a safer choice for pumpkins, pathways, and porch displays.
• Keep cords out of walkways. Avoid running cords across sidewalks,
driveways, or porches where trick-or-treaters could trip. Use cord covers when needed.
• Check decorations before plugging them in. Look for cracked sockets, frayed wires, or damaged plugs. If it looks worn out, it is time to replace it.
A safe Halloween is the best kind of treat. Keep decorations bright, cords secure and outlets protected so your family and neighborhood can enjoy the fun.
Q& A Member
HOW DO SMART DEVICES SAVE MONEY?
SMART HOME DEVICES CAN MAKE LIFE MORE CONVENIENT AND HELP YOU REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILL. Smart home technology isn't energy efficient on its own, but it can help you be more efficient and save money. Smart devices and hubs send and receive messages to optimize usage settings and reduce waste by enabling sensors, timers, and smart devices. Although they can be used just like any traditional device, smart home automation systems can automate tasks to reduce or adjust energy usage. One of the most popular tools is a smart thermostat that can be programmed to reduce heating and cooling use based on your schedule. Smart lights can be turned off remotely, or on a schedule, to prevent waste. Smart appliances have sensors inside to end cycles when the job is done without using more energy than necessary. SECO’s Smart Connect program allows you to enroll eligible smart devices and earn incentives. Enroll an approved smart thermostat today and receive a $50 enrollment credit – scan the QR code below. Devices connected to smart plugs can have their power cut when not in use, saving you up to $100 a year in wasted energy from devices in standby mode. You can review your daily energy use through our online account manager, SmartHub. Build a home profile to better identify your appliances and electronics for even better insights into your energy use – visit SECOEnergy.com to learn more.
JULY 2026 | SECO NEWS
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TRUSTEE INSIGHT SMALL CHANGES MAKE A DIFFERENCE A Message from Mike Muffet District 6 Trustee
October is National Energy Awareness Month, which makes it a good time for each of us to take a look at how you use energy at home and identify simple ways to improve energy efficiency and lower your monthly SECO Energy bill. You may hear terms like energy efficiency or energy conservation. Energy efficiency means using appliances, electronics, or technologies that require less energy to operate. This is especially important for equipment that runs often and uses a significant amount of energy. Energy conservation refers to everyday actions we take to use less energy, such as maintaining a consistent thermostat setting or turning off lights when you leave the room. Before making any large investments in your home, I encourage you to consider weatherization first. Sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors can reduce strain on your heating and cooling system and help your home maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature. Before investing in a new HVAC unit, doors or windows, weatherizing your home may be a practical first step. When it is time to replace an appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STARcertified products meet established energy-efficiency requirements and can help you use less electricity while still getting the performance you need. You do not have to make big changes at all times. Start with one improvement around your home, then build from there. Small changes in how you use and manage energy can add up to meaningful savings over time.
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The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, October 26, 2026, 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, November 16, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
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SECO Energy earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2026. Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with SECO Energy in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org/badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.
JULY SECO 2026 |Energy SECO NEWS is an equal opportunitySECO provider Energy.com and employer.
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