The non-profit, cooperative concept of supplying electricity and other services to member-owners at cost is a unique benefit not offered by other types of energy suppliers.

During the first week of October 2007, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative returned $3,527,000 in capital credits to member-owners.  Capital Credits paid in the last decade total more than $42 million.

Capital credits are margins in excess of the cost of providing reliable electric power that are returned to member-owners based on the member-owner’s annual patronage for the scheduled year.

Unlike investor-owned utilities where dividends are paid to national and international investors, capital credit returns go to those who received electric service, providing an economic boost to the local economy.

These benefits spread out all over the Pee Dee, multiplying at least four times as member-owners and their families patronize local merchants, restaurants, entertainment entities, businesses, and banks…

In addition, the capital credits that Pee Dee Electric returns to commercial and industrial member-owners help these companies invest in growth and jobs for the people of the Pee Dee.

Capital credit returns reflect the efficient operation of the cooperative’s management and employees. With this efficiency of operation, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative continues to experience an excellent financial status.

Moreover, because Pee Dee Electric’s philosophy has always been, and continues to be, to operate efficiently on a daily basis, it has not been required to resort to drastic cost-cutting measures, such as laying off employees and closing offices, to remain competitive and maintain a strong financial position.