Understanding Your Capital Credits With Big Bend Electric Cooperative
At Big Bend Electric Cooperative (BBEC), we’re all about you—our members. As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, we’re committed to providing electric service at cost. But what does that really mean for you?
How Capital Credits Work
BBEC operates on a calendar-year accounting basis. Once our financial statements are audited, we allocate the margins and send you a statement showing your share. If you have more than 1 account with us, you’ll get just 1 statement with the combined total.
How Refunds Are Decided
The amount refunded each year depends on our past margins and future needs. Our board of trustees decides how much to refund, and we’ve been doing this for 49 consecutive years, paying out over $55 million to our members. We’ve refunded all capital credits through the year 2006, and a portion of 2024.
The chart shows the cumulative capital credits returned to members over the past several years.
Simply put, margins are the difference between what you pay for your electric service and what it actually costs BBEC to provide it. Each year, any margins we have are allocated back to our members, based on how much electricity you’ve used. We call this allocation “capital credits” or “patronage capital.”
We use these margins to keep BBEC running smoothly—whether that’s improving electric lines, expanding services, or buying the equipment we need. When our finances allow, we start paying back those capital credits. It’s important to keep your address up-to-date with us, even if you move away. This way, we can send your capital credit payments to the right place.
If you’re an heir to someone with unpaid capital credits, please reach out to us to learn how to transfer them.
Stay Connected for Future Payments
- If you move, please let us know your new address so we can send future capital credits to you.
- Every year, thousands of dollars go unclaimed because former members don’t update their contact information.
- If you think you might have unclaimed capital credits, or if you’re an heir to an estate, please get in touch with us.
- You can check for unclaimed capital credits via the lookup tool below.
- If you know someone on the unclaimed list, please contact us at (866) 844-2363.
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions, or visit our FAQs page. You can also email us. If you can, have your member number handy when you contact us—it helps us serve you faster!
Unclaimed Capital Credit Lookup Tool
To search for your name, enter your last name first. If your name is on the list, please contact our office at (866) 844-2363.
Contact
Nicole Clavel
Energy Services Representative
(866) 844-2363
Email Capital Credits