Electric co-ops operate on an at-cost basis.
Co-ops return their profits to its members.
Choptank Electric is an electric cooperative, owned by the members we serve. As a not-for-profit entity, any revenues remaining over and above the cost of doing business are considered margins or "capital credits." When Choptank Electric's Board of Directors deems it appropriate, capital credits are then returned to you, our member-owners.
Your membership with Choptank Electric activates your capital credit account and no additional action on your part is required. Capital credits are calculated for every member who purchased electricity during a year in which the cooperative earned margins.
Yes. Additional information concerning annual notification will be printed in an issue of the Live Wire Choptank Electric's monthly member newsletter. If you are an active member, it will advise you which month you will find a message printed on your billing statement showing your previous year's capital credit allocation. If you are an inactive member, you will be mailed a separate notice.
The amount of capital credits you earn is based upon the amount of electricity purchased in a given year.
Not necessarily. The Choptank Electric Cooperative Board of Directors will analyze the financial health of the cooperative every year and will authorize a refund if it is in the best interest of the membership.
When a capital credit retirement is approved, depending on the amount of your individual refund, you will either receive a credit on your billing statement in the month selected for the refund, or you will be mailed a check.
Your capital credits remain in your name until they are retired. This is why it is important that you ensure Choptank Electric has your current mailing address so that a check can be mailed to you.
Upon the death of a member, capital credits are refunded to that member's estate.
If you or someone you know are or were a member, please call 1-877-892-0001 ext. 8573 (toll free) or email Capital Credits with the following information: the name in the listing and a current name if the name on the listing has changed. If it is your name, include your past and current mailing address and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If it is the name of someone you know include any contact information you might have for that individual along with your name and contact information.