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Currents Suwannee Valley

JANUARY 2026

TO THE RESCUE

UNDER THE SURFACE Silver Springs’ glass-bottom boats are a clear standout

New FEMA bill would speed up aid after storms

AROUND THE COMMUNITY SVEC celebrates the Christmas spirit

CEO’S MESSAGE Suwannee Valley

Rebuilding better I’m always thankful to be part of a cooperative family. I’m grateful that I get to enjoy the same safe and reliable electricity that all of our consumermembers share. I love that if the money we bring in for that power is more than what we need to keep the system running, we return it to you in the form of capital credits. And I’m proud that each of you has a voice in how our cooperative runs when you cast a vote for the trustees who represent you. All of these strengths make a cooperative fundamentally different from other utilities in our industry. But we can’t do everything on our own. When storms strike our system, we rely on cooperative partners to help us respond. And when those storms cause historic amounts of damage, like Hurricane Idalia did in 2023, and the May North Florida Tornadoes, Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene did in 2024, we require the help of organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency to rebuild. Executive VP/CEO MICHAEL S. McWATERS Unfortunately, that process can be lengthy and challenging. Two years since Idalia, SVEC is still awaiting FEMA funds, while additional expenses, like interest, continue to impact our consumer-members. That’s why the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act, a bipartisan bill that is currently working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, is so important. It addresses many of those problems and helps expedite the process of securing emergency funds so cooperatives like SVEC can get back on their feet faster. You can read more about that important legislation in this month’s newsletter, as well as what steps you can take to make sure your representatives know it is important to you. I hope you will take a few minutes to learn about how this bill impacts our system and consider reaching out to your lawmakers to make your voice heard. You can also find more information about how to register any medical needs you may have with the health department in your area and see some photos from SVEC’s participation in the Suwannee County Christmas Parade. Joining the celebrations is one of our favorite holiday traditions, and it was a blast to see everyone who came out to share the Christmas cheer. Finally, as we look forward to the new year, I would like to wish all of you a very happy and healthy 2026. Last year came with its fair share of challenges, but I’m very proud of the progress we made as both your electric co-op and with Rapid Fiber Internet. I look forward to all that we can accomplish together in the year to come. And, as always, you can count on us to be your hometown power provider. ■

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Currents January 2026

WE BELONG TO THOSE WE SERVE Business Office: 800-447-4509 11340 100th St. Live Oak, FL 32060 Lobby Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Drive-thru Kiosk: Open 24 hours 24/7 Power Outage Reporting: 800-752-0025 svec-coop.com facebook.com/sveccoop instagram.com/sveccoop SVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act aims to help organizations like SVEC recover from major storms and natural disasters, like Hurricane Idalia in 2023. Read more on Page 4. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY ITZA

Suwannee Valley Currents

SVEC NEWS

Office to close on

PRESIDENTS DAY

The SVEC office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents Day and our annual employee training day. Consumer-members can still contact SVEC through the 24-hour outage reporting system, and our drive-thru payment kiosk is always open for use.

Don’t get left in the dark Register medical necessities with SVEC Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative recognizes many of our members have unique medical needs. For those who require the use of medical equipment and devices dependent on electricity, please inform SVEC so we can tell you about planned or extended outages. Make sure SVEC has your current contact information on file. To register your medical needs and update your information, please visit our office or download and provide us with the Medical Necessity Form available at svec-coop.com/member-services/medical-necessity. Register with your county health department The Florida Department of Health encourages citizens with special medical needs to register with their county’s health department. Information submitted to the registry will only be used for planning and, if necessary, to provide emergency or disaster services. Florida residents can register using the online Florida Special Needs Registry, snr.flhealthresponse.com. Residents of Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties can also request a special needs registration form by visiting or calling their local health department: Columbia County Health Department 217 NE Franklin St. Lake City — 386-758-1068

Lafayette County Health Department 140 SW Virginia Circle Mayo — 386-294-1321

Hamilton County Health Department 209 Central Ave. SE Jasper — 386-792-1414

Suwannee County Health Offices 915 Nobles Ferry Road Live Oak — 386-362-2708

• No contracts

WITH

• No data caps • No installation fees • Fast, reliable and affordable Speeds up to 2 Gigs available. Visit rapid-fiber.com for more details. /rapidfiberinternet @rapidfiberinternet @rapidfiberinternet

Suwannee Valley Currents

JANUARY 2026 | 3

Fixing FEMA for good What the 2025 FEMA Act Means for Emergency Response When Hurricane Idalia tore across North Florida in the summer of 2023, it delivered the most devastating blow SVEC has ever faced. The area’s electric system was crippled on a historic scale as the storm left behind snapped poles, miles of mangled line and critical equipment that was heavily damaged or destroyed. Damage and recovery expenses totaled more than $70 million. As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, SVEC does not have shareholders to absorb losses from catastrophic events. Every dollar spent restoring the system ultimately affects our conusmer-members, heightening the need for timely, predictable support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help fund recovery efforts after natural disasters. SVEC’s recovery costs in Idalia’s wake are still working their way through the FEMA system today as the agency’s processes have proven to be unpredictable and a challenge to navigate. That’s why SVEC has joined cooperatives nationwide in rallying behind a bipartisan bill in Congress

called the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025, or H.R. 4669. If passed, it would modernize FEMA to fix long-standing inefficiencies and help ensure rural communities are not left financially vulnerable after major storms.

The need for reform

In a recent interview, Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, explained why H.R. 4669 is so important to the 900 electric cooperatives across the country. “Electric cooperatives are owned by the consumers we serve,” Jim says, “so when a natural disaster strikes and there’s significant damage, every cost ultimately flows to the members unless FEMA helps cover restoration expenses.” While co-ops and FEMA have worked together for decades, Jim notes the agency has become increasingly difficult to work with, causing long delays and unnecessary hurdles at a time when rural communities can least afford them.

Make your voice heard

Congress is expected to consider the H.R. 4669 soon. We appreciate the leadership of our elected officials, including area Representatives Kat Cammack and

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ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY TIMON

Suwannee Valley Currents

Restoration work during Hurricane Debby involved flooded areas. PHOTO BY SVEC

Streamlined approval for permanent repairs Today’s rules often require co-ops to rebuild lines and poles exactly as they were, even if the old location or design contributed to repeated failures. The new legislation would allow smarter rebuilding. “If you’ve got a pole in a floodplain that goes down every couple of years, you should be able to move it,” Jim says. “This bill lets us build back better.” Improved access to resiliency funding Co-ops could strengthen vulnerable infrastructure before storms hit, reducing outages and long-term costs. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JILLIAN CAIN

“The good news is we have a chance to make it better,” he says. President Donald Trump has expressed support for FEMA reform, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have signaled willingness to improve the system. H.R. 4669, introduced by Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in early September 2025 with strong bipartisan support. Now, supporters aim to push it through Congress quickly.

Better, stronger, faster

The reforms in H.R. 4669 would provide real, measurable benefits for rural electric systems and the people they serve, including: A 120-day deadline for FEMA reimbursement decisions Currently, this process can take months or years. “Predictability is essential,” Jim says. “We want FEMA to make quick decisions on when they can provide funding for disaster relief.”

Neal Dunn, who co-sponsored this important legislation. SVEC members can help shape the future of disaster response for rural America by expressing their support via the Voices for Cooperative Power website at voicesforcooperativepower.com/femareform. Sending a message takes just minutes and can help ensure faster disaster recovery, smarter, more resilient rebuilding, lower long-term costs for rural Suwannee Valley Currents

Reimbursement for interest on loans When reimbursement is delayed, co-ops often need to borrow millions of dollars to complete repairs, accruing interest never meant for members to carry. Under the new bill, FEMA would cover those interest costs. These changes would help ensure essential services are restored faster, reducing the financial impact on rural communities and protecting taxpayer dollars by eliminating waste and repeated repairs.

Putting you first

SVEC serves a large, rural territory with fewer consumers per mile of line than urban utilities. That means the cost of storm restoration is shared among fewer people. Similar co-ops also serve 92% of the country’s persistent poverty counties, making affordability a critical concern. Without improvements to how FEMA assistance is delivered, major disasters can force co-ops to raise rates simply to survive. SVEC is committed to keeping power reliable and affordable. FEMA reform will help keep that promise when major storms strike. ■

communities and a stronger electric system for SVEC members. When natural disasters strike, SVEC is on the front lines restoring power for its neighbors and communities. With the help of its customers, the co-op can have a stronger and more reliable partner in FEMA.

JANUARY 2026 | 5

RECIPE and SAFETY

Baked Goulash INGREDIENTS

½ pound of bacon, cut crosswise into small pieces ½ small yellow onion, chopped Minced garlic, 1 or 2 cloves Salt, optional Pepper, optional 1 pound ground venison or lean ground beef 1 pound macaroni pasta 15-ounce can pasta sauce 24-ounce jar pasta sauce 6-ounce can tomato paste Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375 F. Grease a large oven-safe dish. Cook the bacon, drain fat and set aside. Add onion and garlic to the venison or beef and brown. Drain fat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, boil pasta according to the package until just done. Mix all ingredients except for cheese into the greased dish, also adding one can of water from the empty tomato paste can. Cover and bake for about 35 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes more to crisp the top. Top with Parmesan cheese. Cracked black pepper can also be added to top. ■

Safety first Electricity powers modern life, but it is dangerous if not handled carefully. Check back here each month for new tips on how to stay safe around electric power at your home or business. For those who work from home, now is a good time to take stock of home-office safety. Here are some recommendations from Electrical Safety Foundation International:

• Avoid overloading outlets. • Unplug appliances not in use to save energy and minimize the risk of shock or fire.

• Regularly inspect electrical and extension cords for damage.

• Use extension cords only on a temporary basis.

• Do not plug a

space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip.

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• Never run cords under rugs, doors or windows or where they can be tripping hazards.

• Keep papers and other potential combustibles at least 3 feet away from space heaters and other heat sources.

• Use proper wattage for lamps/lighting. • Make sure your home has smoke alarms.

Test them monthly, change batteries yearly and replace the unit every 10 years. ■

To learn more about building safe electric habits, click the Outages & Safety tab on svec-coop.com, and follow us on social media.

/sveccoop

@sveccoop

Suwannee Valley Currents

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA STATE PARKS

Silver Springs’ glass-bottom boats are clearly a treasure BY STEVE GRIFFIN, VISIT FLORIDA

It’s a Florida twist on the classic question: Is the glass-bottom boat half empty or half full? Well, if it’s a glassbottom boat at Silver Springs State Park, it’s full of people having fun. Just east of Ocala, Silver Springs is one of the world’s largest artesian springs, gushing up to 550 million gallons of clear water to form the Silver River, a 4.5-mile shorty that feeds the Ocklawaha River and eventually the St. Johns. Glass-bottom boats were invented and launched here in the 1870s, and in the 1920s a pair of developers created what became the Silver Springs theme park, considered by many as Florida’s first tourist attraction. Animal exhibits, rides and a water park joined the glass-bottom boats over the years. But when competition from a new theme park a few miles south caused visitor numbers and revenue to plummet, the state bought the land in the 1980s, created Silver River State Park and leased the springs and attraction to a private company. In 2013, state park officials took over, and Silver Springs State Park was born. Emphasis shifted to nurturing the land and restoring the springs’ former volume and clarity. Nature is the main attraction now, but the former theme park’s popular glass-bottom boats remain a star feature. Downstream, the rest of the 4,000acre Silver Springs State Park Suwannee Valley Currents

embraces the river itself. Hiking, camping and biking are popular, but the premier experience is canoeing or kayaking. Keep an eye out for the park’s critters. You might see nine-banded armadillos, white-tailed deer, wild boars, wild turkeys, foxes, American alligators, Sherman’s fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, coyotes, bobcats and even Florida black bears. Want to start an argument? Offer your story of how rhesus monkeys established a home in the park and its environs. One popular version says they escaped while Tarzan movies

Park details Silver Springs State Park is open seven days a week, including all holidays, from 8 a.m. to sundown. Glass-bottom boat tours of 30 minutes are available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Extended tours are offered Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are also available daily. You can bring your own kayak, as well.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDIO NONA

were being filmed here, as were TV shows such as “Sea Hunt” and the movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” Others say boat tour operator “Colonel Tooey” turned the monkeys loose on an island in the late 1930s and that the skilled swimmers quickly spread out. No matter who wins the argument, all visitors have a ball watching for the monkeys. Other interesting sites to visit at Silver Springs State Park include the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center, a late-1800s pioneer “Cracker” settlement and a 1930s oneroom schoolhouse in which African American students attended classes during the days of segregation. No fishing is allowed on the Silver River. But you can watch the fish and see fossils, turtles, alligators and myriad birds from your seat on a glassbottom boat. 

Two-hour paddling tours led by expert guides are also offered three times daily, at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For pricing and other details, call 352-261-5840 or visit silversprings.com.

JANUARY 2026 | 7

SVEC IN THE COMMUNITY

SVEC joins the parade As a longtime partner in the communities we serve, everyone at SVEC loves participating in local celebrations. Last month, we were excited to take part in four Christmas parades across our system.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTY TUCKEY

LIVE OAK

Live Oak’s Christmas on the Square celebration is always a local favorite for reminding everyone that Christmas is just around the corner. Our team also rolled out the mini bucket truck and a float to parades in Branford, Jasper and Mayo. We hope everyone who came out to these events enjoyed spreading holiday cheer as much as we did.

MAYO

BRANFORD

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Suwannee Valley Currents