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Capital Credits

Capital Credits ProgramThe power of coop membership - powerlines

One of the advantages of being a member of a not-for-profit electric cooperative is you have a stake in the financial success of the cooperative through capital credits. Each year, Chugach Electric Association, Inc. allocates annual operating margins, revenues remaining after expenses are paid, to members receiving service during the year. These margins are allocated based on the amount of electric service a member purchases each year, compared to the total electric service purchased by all members.

The allocated amounts are called capital credits, and they are used by Chugach to keep the cooperative financially sound and able to provide safe, reliable electric service by investing in substations, poles, lines, and other critical infrastructure. In other words, they are used as operating funds until they are paid back to our members when the financial condition of the cooperative permits, as determined and approved by the Chugach Board of Directors.

By putting money back in the pockets of our members, and not paying profits to distant shareholders, we are keeping money in the local economy. Chugach is proud to support our communities and our members in this way.

In 2023, the Chugach Electric Board of Directors approved the retirement of more than $3.3 million in retail capital credits for Chugach Electric members.  To date, Chugach has paid out over $100 million in capital credits to its members. 

 

Allocations

Chugach sends Capital Credit Allocation notices to members annually.  In August 2023, Capital Credit Allocation notices were mailed to Chugach members who received electric service in 2022. Additionally, this amount was printed on the August or September billing statement.

Please Remember:

  • Your Capital Credit Allocation Notice is not a bill.  The amount represents your equity in Chugach and the amount is not payable now

 

Retirements

Capital Credits may be retired (paid) at the discretion of the Chugach Electric Board of Directors when the cooperative has met certain financial requirements and other obligations.  A retirement cycle is the period of time between the allocation and retirement of the Capital Credits. 

In 2023, Chugach Electric retired over $3.3 million in capital credits to members through a combination of mailed checks and bill credits issued on the member’s billing statement.  Your annual Capital Credit retirement is a tangible benefit your ownership stake in the electric cooperative. 

Please Remember:

  • In order to receive a Capital Credit retirement refund in 2023, you needed to be a member receiving electric service in 1991.
  • Current members received a bill credit on their December billing statement. Members with more than one account, or receiving a check over $600.00, and former members were mailed a check.
  • Members leaving the Chugach system should leave a forwarding address and keep Chugach updated on future moves until all of their allocated capital credits have been retired.

 

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