June 2015

Dear SECO Energy members,

It is my pleasure to let you know the “Hot Bucks” credit that appears on your bill is getting “hotter” starting June 1st. Unless you’re a used car salesman, it’s rare these days to tell a consumer that the cost of anything is dropping, so I’m proud to deliver this message to you, our members, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and employees of SECO.

The term “Hot Bucks” actually represents a decrease in one of the components of your bill – the PCA or Power Cost Adjustment. The PCA provides SECO with a factor to accurately bill you for the fluctuating cost of wholesale power. When power costs are high, the PCA is typically a positive factor, calculated on your actual usage to determine your bill amount. When power costs are low, as they have been over the last 18 months, the PCA is a negative factor, creating a decrease on your bill.

In order to provide stable and low rates to our consumers, SECO takes a conservative approach to any PCA changes. As you can see from the chart below, SECO Energy members have realized significant decreases in bills (based on 1,000 kilowatt hours or kWh) since early 2014. You’ve experienced a 7.5 percent decrease in your bill over the last 18 months due largely to a lower cost of wholesale power from our “generation and transmission” provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative.

To give you the bigger picture, Seminole generates power for more than 1.4 million cooperative members of nine distribution cooperatives (like SECO Energy) across 42 counties in Florida. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy’s average residential rates are lower than Florida municipal utilities’ average rates and are among the lowest of the investor-owned utilities in the state.

SECO employees play a role too, as they are keenly focused on controlling costs so that your rates remain low. We are also committed to an extremely high level of reliable energy delivery and customer service. We do the right thing, and we don’t cut corners. Our expertly designed, soundly constructed and well-maintained electric infrastructure is built to stand up to adverse weather conditions. And our front-line employees – whether answering phones, calculating usage or braving storms to restore power during rare disruptions – are local people who care about the quality of service you receive. These folks are your neighbors, friends, coworkers and in some cases, family members. We live, work and play in the communities we serve.

We stand ready to help when you need us. Though the SECO system spans more than 2,000 miles across seven Central Florida counties and distributes power to more than 190,000 meters, our employees and members are a tight-knit community of people who care about each other’s well-being and pocketbooks. Keeping your bills low, satisfaction high and power on are SECO’s highest priorities.

Thank you for the privilege of serving your family’s energy needs.

Best regards,

Jim Duncan, CEO

are getting “hotter”!

3875

00

Based on 1,000 kWh

Bill DecreaseBill Decrease$130$128$126$124$122$120$118$116$114$112

JAN 2014 OCT 2014 JUNE 2015

$ 118

.20

$ 120

.70

$ 127

.75

SECO Energy gives $5,000 to Marion Disaster Recovery Network for tornado victim assistance!A number of SECO Energy’s members were affected by the tornado that touched down in western Marion County in late April. Recognizing the need to assist the members affected by this disaster, SECO approved a $5,000 donation from the SECO Angel Fund to provide emergency assistance that is administered by the Marion Disaster Recovery Network.

SECO Energy’s CEO Jim Duncan said, “For years, SECO Energy’s members have been contributing to the Angel Fund through a program called Pennies From Heaven that rounds up their electric utility bill to the nearest dollar for such emergency assistance needs as this one. In late April, we approved a $5,000 Angel Fund donation to help SECO members recover from the tornado and storm that hit on April 20th.

Partnering with Marion Disaster Recovery Network, a United Way affiliate, makes perfect sense.”

Board of Trustees President Ray Vick said, “The decision was easy because community support is a key cooperative principle. SECO Energy stands ready to respond when storms blow through our territory, and the Angel Fund is designed to help members in need when disaster strikes. And because the Angel Fund is supported by the generosity of fellow members who participate in Pennies from Heaven, this disaster recovery donation is even more meaningful.”

Applicants should dial 2 – 1 – 1 and mention that they are SECO members seeking help from the Marion Disaster Recovery Network. Visit www.secoenergy.com or our Facebook page to learn more about SECO

Energy’s community involvement.

Pictured (left to right): Kathy Judkins – Deputy Director of Community Affairs – presents $5,000 check to Marion Disaster Recovery Network board members Chris Cotter, Tracy Monroe and Jill Dilorenzo.

2015 Scholarship Winners SECO Energy honored 12 graduating seniors from its service territory during a scholarship celebration on May 18th held at our headquarters. Each recipient won a $3,000 scholarship.

SECO’s scholarship program began in 1996 when the Board of Trustees first approved it. Since then, including this year’s winners, SECO has awarded 245 scholarships valued at a total of $458,000 to deserving high school seniors.

Duncan said, “SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric co-op, and one of our key operating principles is community support. Investing in today’s youth in our area helps develop future leaders and gives hope to families that may struggle to pay for college education. This year’s award winners from across our service territory are all promising scholars with outstanding potential.”

SECO’s Board of Trustees President Ray Vick shares Duncan’s enthusiasm for this year’s scholars’ capabilities. He stated, “I was honored to present the $3,000 checks to each student, as the funds are well-deserved. I also hope that these students will consider employment at

SECO in the future. They can live near family and earn a good living working for SECO.” 855021

This year, 156 qualified applicants from throughout SECO’s service territory were evaluated by area teachers and administrators. Winners were chosen based on their scholastic achievements, school and community service activities, and financial need.

Left to right: Ray Vick - Board President, Brianne Miller, Chyanne Hill, Daniel Towers, Michelle Le, Joseph Hafling, Ashiana Ogiste, Jazmine Houston, Kevin Bayas, Amanda Hutchings, James Brannock III, Catalina Mejia-Molina, Jim Duncan - CEO, and Alec Gazader.

Nature’s reflectionsFlorida’s Bobcat An elusive feline named for its short, bobbed tailFlorida’s Bobcat (Lynx rufus floridanus) is one of 12 sub-species of the bobcat found throughout most of North America. Of Florida’s two native wild cats, the bobcat is the smaller and seen more often than the Florida pan-ther. At 15 to 35 pounds, it is still one big kitty. It stands about 39 inches tall and 30 to 43 inches in length. The bobcat is easily identified by its short five to six inch tail bearing a black tip on the upper side, and white patches outlined in black located on the back of its tufted, point-ed ears. The head is broad with a ruff of fur extending from the ears to the jowls, which looks like bushy side-burns. The fur is soft, dense and dark tawny brown with black spots and bars. Its razor-sharp claws retract.

Although seldom seen, bobcats are found in every coun-ty of the state. It is not endangered or threatened, but classified as a fur-bearing game animal that can be hunt-ed or trapped for a short period of time during winter.

The bobcat is an excellent, opportunistic hunter. It is entirely carnivorous favoring small mammals like rabbits, squirrels or rodents, but will also eat snakes, lizards or birds. Its sensitive whiskers allow it to “feel” prey in complete darkness, such as a mouse moving at night. Unlike most cats, it is not afraid to leap into the water to grab a meal. 214511

Males are territorial and highly mobile with a home range of up to 25 square miles. Males do not mate until their second year. Females reach sexual maturity at about one year of age. The bobcat uses multiple dens such as a hollow log, fallen tree, or some other protected place for concealment from predators, (like panthers, coyotes or other bobcats), or for use by the female for her young.

During late fall, courtship and mating are marked by bouts of romantic squalling and screeching that last only a few days. During this time, the pair will travel, hunt, and eat together. After mating, they separate and return to their solitary lifestyle. Gestation lasts about 60 days, after which a female gives birth to one to four kittens. The mother bobcat will nurse her kittens for a couple of months, wean and feed them on solid food for a few months, and teach them to hunt. After 8 to 11 months, she will drive them away to establish their own territories. Bobcats live 10 to 12 years in the wild. In captivity, they have lived as long as 32 years. Column and photo by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

tips & quips about our

environment and its

inhabitants

ABCs of Storm Readiness

Storms are inevitable. Florida hurricane season begins June 1st and the key to overcoming them is preparation for whatever may come our way. With today’s weather technology, forecasters have a good idea on what to expect. Keep posted! More importantly, we need to be proactive. For safety and comfort sake, consider the following:

A Before the storm comes - put together an emergency preparedness kit. Include first-aid and medical supplies; review your family’s emergency plan; stock up on non-perishables and drinking water; gather batteries and flashlights; fill tanks with gas; fill bathtubs with water for flushing; make plans for pets; and secure property against wind. Also, if a family member needs electricity for medical reasons, secure an alternative emergency power generation source. Be prepared to leave home well ahead of time if necessary.

B During the storm - listen to weather radio and/or television reports sharing advisable information from authorities. Regularly check for advisories on www.secoenergy.com and our social media platforms. Turn refrigerator controls up to the coldest settings just in case the power goes out. Freeze large plastic bottles filled with water for ice and/or water. Keep windows and doors closed and hunker down.

C After the storm - keep away from downed or dangling power lines. Report them to 911 and SECO Energy. Use caution and keep children safe. Drive only if necessary. If you cannot see the road from flooding, do not drive through it - the pavement may have washed away. Or worse, your car may be carried away by the current. If you use a portable generator, keep it outside due to carbon monoxide emissions and never connect it to the electric panel in your home. If rising water threatens your home, turn off the power at the electrical panel. 609602

Day or night, SECO Energy is here for you when/if your service is disrupted. You can find current outage information at www.secostormcenter.com. Our outage hotline is (800) 732-6141. Our automated outage management system will recognize your phone number. Our control center is staffed 24/7 and we will provide you with the excellent service that you expect.

Please ensure SECO Energy has your current primary contact phone number.

Update it online through your SmartHub account.

SECO TRUSTEESExpress Yourself

SECO Energy’s Corporate CommunicationsPO Box 301 • Sumterville, Florida • 33585-0301

webmaster@secoenergy.com Ray F. VickPresident • District 5

Jerry D. HatfieldVice President • District 9

Robin R. HenionSecretary-Treasurer • District 7

Scott D. BoyattDistrict 1

Dillard B. BoyattDistrict 2

Richard J. BellesDistrict 3

James D. HoltzDistrict 4

Earl MuffettDistrict 6

Bill JamesDistrict 8

Jim DuncanCEO

SECO’s Board of Trustees will meet on Monday,

June 22nd at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices located at 330 South US Highway 301

in Sumterville. 070010 A Trustees’ meeting will also

be held on July 27, 2015.

SECO 24/7 Job Hotline www.secoenergyjobs.com

855-483-2673

SECO Outage Hotline www.secostormcenter.com

800-732-6141

My Co-op DealsMembers’ source for discounts! Your SECO Co-op Connections Card is a money-

saving tool and the card connects you with a variety of discounts. Here are a few:

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Wildwood is offering $5 off a purchase of $25 or more or $3 off a purchase of $15. This restaurant is located at 840 S. Main Street in Wildwood, FL.

Need a water heater? Mike Scott Plumbing is offering $25 off a 40-gallon electric water heater installed. The company has been satisfying residential, commercial and industrial customers with plumbing services and repairs since 1987. Located in Hernando, FL, call 352-344-0322.

Contact Carol’s Trips, LLC if you are interested in a $50 “On Board Ship Credit” per stateroom to any destination on any 7-night cruise. Phone: 352-787-9253, email: caroltrips@yahoo.com or visit: www.carolstrips.com when “It’s Time To Go!”

For a local listing of other participating businesses and for the national deals, visit www.connections.coop and sign in or search for discounts using your zip code.

If you are a local business owner interested in participating in the Co-op Connections Card program, please call 352-793-3801 and ask to speak to Eneida Robaina.

Thank you [Gus Kornegay - Energy Services Specialist] for making the 2015 Big Springs Regional Science Fair a success! Your willingness to give your time and expertise is greatly appreciated, and the positive interaction between judges and student participants is a highlight of this annual event! Caring adults showing appreciation for student projects may very well influence our youth for years to come.

The Science Fair Committee joins me in extending sincere appreciation for your commitment to our students. I look forward to your help next year!

Sincerely,

Jacqua BallasDirector, Big Springs Regional Science Fair Marion County Public Schools Ocala, FL

Grassy Lake Elementary School would like to thank you [Lorie Mulholland - Energy Services Specialist, & David Kerns - line tech 1st class] for coming to visit us on our Careers on Wheels Day. The kids really loved seeing the bucket truck and hearing about all the ways it is used. Mr. Kerns was great with the students - he took time to explain how things work and answered their questions. The weather was on our side, too - it was a beautiful morning, although a little warm!

Thank you again for making this possible. We hope that we can count on you being with us again next year!

Sincerely,

Sara Lee SaundersSchool Counselor Grassy Lake Elementary School Minneola, FL 815800