The Cooperative Difference

It Pays to Be a Member

As a member, you, not a group of private investors, benefit from any margins produced by the Cooperative by earning capital credits.  Sometimes referred to as “patronage dividends” or “member equity,” capital credits are part of your investment in the Cooperative.  Here’s how they work:

1. PEC tracks the amount of electricity you buy throughout the year.
2. At the end of the year, financial matters are settled to determine whether there is excess revenue, called “margins.”
3. The Board allocates the margins to members as capital credits based on electricity they purchased during that year.
4. When financial conditions permit, the Board of Directors retires (pays out) capital credits from prior years.
5. PEC notifies you of how and when you’ll receive your capital credit retirements (generally paid out to members in October on your billing statement).  Updating PEC with your contact information is key in continuing to receive these payments after you move.