Keys News

Keys Energy Services (KEYS) advises its customers that a helicopter-based survey of the Transmission Line (TIELINE) will be conducted throughout KEYS’ service area starting on Monday, March 9, through months end, from 8:00A-4:00P – weather permitting. Traffic will not be impacted while this work is taking place.

KEYS’ customers should be aware of a helicopter flying near TIELINE poles along US-1 Highway between Stock Island and Marathon. Additionally, residents are advised to drive safely while this survey is in progress, and keep their focus on the road and not the helicopter flying overhead.

Chesapeake Bay Helicopters, Inc. was selected as the vendor for this project, at an estimated cost to KEYS of $102,000.

Florida has strengthened protections for Keys Energy Services (KEYS) crews by enforcing strict assault and roadside safety laws. Together, these laws ensure the workers maintaining our critical infrastructure are protected from both physical harm and traffic hazards.

The Utility Worker Protection Act strengthens protections by enhancing criminal penalties for assault or battery against utility workers maintaining critical infrastructure. Additionally, Florida’s Move Over Act requires motorists to protect roadside crews by moving over one lane for stopped law enforcement, emergency, utility, and sanitation vehicles. If moving over is unsafe, drivers must slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Compliance is mandatory and failure to do so can result in fines and license points.

"Our utility crews work in high-risk environments every day to maintain our system," said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. "The Utility Worker Protection Act and the Move Over Act send a clear message, the safety of utility workers statewide is a top priority."

For more information visit www.leg.state.fl.us.

Representatives from Keys Energy Services (KEYS) and the Utility Board traveled to Washington D.C. this week to meet with members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate and their staffers to discuss issues relevant to the public power sector and KEYS’ customers. The meetings were part of the annual American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally.

The APPA Legislative Rally allows public power utility representatives from around the country to converge on the nation’s capital to address issues confronting the public power industry. Issues discussed during the 2026 Legislative Rally included:

• FEMA Reform: Advocacy efforts focused on expediting federal fund disbursement and improving response processes based on Hurricane Irma recovery challenges. This included seeking support for the Loan Interest Payment Relief Act to allow reimbursement of interest on recovery loans and the Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience (POWER) Act to enable rebuilding infrastructure to modern resiliency standards.

• Maintaining Affordable and Reliable Power: Priorities discussed included addressing reliance on natural gas and urging Congress to pass permitting reform to streamline new energy projects. Additionally, public power industry members advocated for continued full funding of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure energy remains affordable for all community members.

• Protecting Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds: Congress was urged to maintain the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds to ensure essential infrastructure projects receive low-cost financing. Eliminating this tax exemption would increase borrowing costs and lead to significant rate hikes for utility customers.

The APPA is a collection of approximately 2,000 community-owned electric utilities, serving 55 million people across the United States and its territories.

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Keys Energy Services' (KEYS) employees recently traded their utility gear for hammers and saws to support local workforce housing through its Days of Giving program. In a hands-on partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys, KEYS’ volunteers spent Thursday, February 19, refurbishing a deck and painting fencing for a residential unit in Key West.

“As the local power provider, we know how vital our workforce is to the spirit of the Keys,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. “We are incredibly proud of our employees for stepping up to ensure that those who work in our community can also afford to live and thrive here.”

KEYS’ Days of Giving program was launched in 2023 and connects employees with local nonprofit organizations in the Lower Florida Keys needing assistance with special projects and events.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, please visit HabitatLowerKeys.org.

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The Utility Board approved Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) annual audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year (FY) ending September 30, 2025, at their regular meeting on February 11, 2026.

Per Bond Covenants, the Board engages an independent accounting firm to perform an annual audit of the financial statements of the Utility within 210 days after the close of the FY. Tiffany Mangold CPA, partner with Utility Board auditor’s Purvis, Gray, & Company LLP, explained that the Independent Auditor’s Report states that, “in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the business-type activities of KEYS as of September 30, 2025, and the respective changes in financial position, and cash flows thereof for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.” Mangold went on to add that, “this is the highest level of assurance an auditor can provide.”

The regular meeting of the Utility Board took place at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 11^th, in the Board Room of Keys Energy Services’ Service Building, 1001 James Street, Key West.

In observance of Presidents’ Day, Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) offices will be closed on Monday, February 16. KEYS’ offices will re-open for regular business on Tuesday, February 17, at 8:00A.

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Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday for Mylar/metallic balloon sales. Not surprisingly, it is also the same day utilities across the country experience numerous balloon-related power outages. Over the past decade Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) customers have experienced 75 power outages directly caused by balloons.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, KEYS reminds its customers that Mylar/metallic balloons which are allowed to drift away can strike power lines and electrical substations, potentially disrupting the lives of thousands.

KEYS recommends these safety tips for handling Mylar/metallic balloons:

• Keep Mylar/metallic balloons indoors and never release them outside.

• Secure helium-filled balloons with a weight heavy enough to prevent them from drifting away.

• Never tie a balloon to a child’s wrist. If the balloon comes in contact with electricity, the electricity could flow through the balloon to the child, which could cause serious injury or death.

• Never attach metallic streamers/string to a balloon.

• When the celebration is over, puncture the balloon in several places and dispose it to keep it safely away from power lines and electrical equipment. Partially-inflated balloons can easily become airborne.

• Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, or any object, tangled in power lines. Instead call KEYS at (305) 295-1010 to report the problem.

“Our job is to keep the lights on and we’ll do a better job of that if we can keep Mylar/metallic balloons from contacting our lines,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. “We ask that our customers show good judgment and never release a Mylar/metallic balloon outside,” she added.

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Keys Energy Services' (KEYS) has once again been made aware of a local scam that is “spoofing” the utility on caller ID and targeting utility customers.

These scammers are using various tactics, such as falsely claiming customers are illegally charging their electric vehicles (EVs) or insisting that a payment is overdue. Victims are threatened with immediate service disconnection and instructed to wire money or provide credit card information over the phone. While many have successfully spotted the fraud, all customers are advised to remain vigilant as the high-pressure nature of these calls is designed to catch people off guard.

Caller ID spoofing is the practice of causing a telephone network to display a number or name on the recipient’s Caller ID display that is not that of the actual originating station. Scammers can purchase “spoofing” software on the internet and perpetrate the scam from anywhere in the world. Because of the trust people tend to have in their Caller ID system, spoofing can cause even the most alert individuals to fall prey to the scam.

“If customers are unsure of the authenticity of a call and need to verify its legitimacy, they should hang up and contact KEYS directly at (305) 295-1000,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. She added that, “phone spoofing only works one-way, customers can be assured if they hang up and call KEYS directly, they will be speaking directly to the utility.”

In accordance with Florida Statute 252.355, Keys Energy Services (KEYS) wishes to notify residential customers with special needs that the Special Needs Registry is available through the Monroe County Emergency Management.

The registry helps Monroe County Emergency Management staff identify residents who would need assistance during evacuations and sheltering because of physical, mental, cognitive impairment, or sensory disability.

Residents with special needs are asked to call the Monroe County Special Needs Registry at (305) 292-4591 or log on to www.monroecountyem.com/specialneeds by May 31 to ensure they are accounted for in advance of Hurricane Season.

Keys Energy Services' (KEYS) Armando Rojas celebrates his 20th anniversary with the Utility on January 30th.Rojas is a Journey Lineman within the Transmission & Distribution department. In his current position he is responsible for constructing and maintaining overhead transmission and distribution lines, poles, and related infrastructure.

Elizabeth Franco has been named Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) Outstanding Employee of the First Quarter for 2026.

Franco has worked for the Utility since 2007 and currently serves as Staff Assistant for the Transmission and Distribution department. In her current position, she maintains department records and provides general support for the department. She previously served as a Customer Services Representative and Staff Assistant for the Human Resources department.

In recalling her favorite thing about KEYS, Franco said, “I get to help our amazing & hardworking Linemen & Substation Electricians.” Franco was born in Guanabacoa Havana, Cuba. She moved to Key West in 1980 and graduated from Key West High School. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Robert and daughters Kaitlyn & Jada at the beach.

The Employee of the Quarter Committee selects an employee four times a year for this award. Employees are considered for the award after being nominated by their peers. Final selection of the outstanding employee is based on several factors, which include attendance, attitude, efficiency, initiative, and job performance.

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Keys Energy Services (KEYS) has dispatched eight employees to assist the Greer Commission of Public Works with post-Winter Storm Fern power restoration efforts in Greer, South Carolina.

KEYS’ Winter Storm Fern crew will consist of six Linemen and two Tree Trimmers and include: Michael Domenech, Billy Drager, Joe Francis, Hernan Hernandez, Andy Perez, Garrett Pita, Andrew Rodriguez, and Juan Soza. KEYS’ crew, along with four bucket trucks and one digger derrick, departed for the storm zone on Thursday, January 22.

“Our crew looks forward to lending their storm restoration experience to help light the path to recovery for residents in Greer, South Carolina,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO.  KEYS’ eight-person crew is anticipating a six-day run as they assist with power restoration.

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Keys Energy Services' (KEYS) Michelle Adam will celebrate her 5th anniversary with the Utility on January 25th. Adam currently serves as the Assistant Director of Information Services within the Executive department. In her current post she is responsible for overseeing KEYS’ computing infrastructure, including the operating database, hardware systems, and communication network.

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Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) Kate Lansdown will celebrate her 5th anniversary with the Utility on January 19th. Lansdown currently serves as an Accounting & Financial Analyst within the Finance department. In her post she is responsible for maintaining timely accounting records and analysis for the electric utility and retirement system.

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In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) offices will be closed on Monday, January 19. KEYS’ offices will re-open for regular business on Tuesday, January 20, at 8:00A.

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Keys Energy Services' (KEYS) Joal Rivero will celebrate his 10th anniversary with the Utility on January 11. Rivero currently serves as a Substation Electrician within the Transmission & Distribution department. In his post he is responsible for substation maintenance, SCADA/relays, the installation and maintenance of underground facilities and transformers, and electrical troubleshooting.

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Enrollment for Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) discount program for qualifying Senior Citizens or Disabled American Veterans residential customers is now open. Customers who have previously participated in the program must re-qualify by March 31. Once qualified, customers will receive a $19.00 discount on their monthly energy bills in 2026.

In order to qualify for the Senior Citizen’s/ Disabled American Veteran’s Discount, senior citizens must be at least 62 years of age on the date of application and their annual household income must not exceed $49,824.00. Any disabled American veteran wishing to qualify for this program must be a 100-percent permanently disabled American veteran on the date of application, and their income cannot exceed the maximum annual dollar benefit based on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs benefit rate table. The service address must either be the Customer of Record’s homesteaded property or, if a rental, their full-time residence. The customer’s monthly consumption cannot exceed 2,000 kilowatt hours based on their previous 12-month history.  

All re-qualification applications for the discount must be completed, signed, and returned to KEYS no later than March 31.

Applications for this program have been mailed to all KEYS’ customers who have previously qualified. New applicants may download an application form at keysenergy.com/customer-service-requests, or by calling (305) 295-1090 to request an application be sent by mail.

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