EnergyUnited Capital Credits

Capital Credits

One of the benefits of being served by an electric cooperative like EnergyUnited is something called "capital credits." When EnergyUnited makes more money than it needs for operating costs, capital improvements and cash reserves, we return that money to you, our member-owners, in the form of capital credits.

Capital credits are allocated to each individual member based on how much the individual paid the cooperative during a particular period. Every customer who has an account with EnergyUnited is a member of the cooperative.

And after an annual review, if and when there is money left over and above the normal operating expense, and EnergyUnited is financially able to do so, the money is returned to members in the form of a capital credit refund. The amount of an individual capital credits refund depends on the length of time the member has been served by EnergyUnited and the amount the member has purchased from the cooperative.

In December 2009, EnergyUnited returned $1.8 million in capital credits to its members.

Because the formula for distribution is based on prior years of operation, often customers who are entitled to capital credits have moved. If the Postal Service returns a mailed check to the cooperative, we make every effort to locate that person. If we cannot establish the individual's current address, the money goes into what is called the "escheat" fund in the State Treasurer's office and is put toward the North Carolina education system.

To see if you have a 2009 capital credit check that was returned to EnergyUnited, click here.

Safe, reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost and Capital Credit Refunds - just another benefit of being a cooperative member.

FAQ

What are capital credits? EnergyUnited 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 is considered as margins or "capital credits." Any capital credits are then returned to you, our member/owners. How do I participate in capital credit refunds? Your membership with EnergyUnited 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. Will I receive a yearly notification of capital credits earned? Yes, printed on the July billing statement, you will find a message showing your capital credit allocation for the previous year. How are capital credit refunds calculated? The amount of capital credits you earn in a given year is based upon the amount of electricity purchased. Each member receives a credit based on a percentage for each dollar of electricity purchased. Will I receive a capital credit refund each year? Not necessarily. The EnergyUnited board of directors will analyze the financial health of the cooperative and will not authorize a refund if it is not in the best interest of the membership. How and when will I receive my refund? If a capital credit retirement is approved, a refund will appear on the December billing statement. What happens to my capital credit refund if I am no longer an EnergyUnited member? Your capital credits remain in your name until they are retired and it is important that you ensure EnergyUnited has your current address so that a check can be mailed to you. What happens to the capital credits when the member is deceased? Upon the death of a member, capital credits are refunded to that member's estate. If it is a joint account, and one spouse dies, we continue to retire capital credits to the surviving member. If both members pass away, we refund credits to the second estate.