When you signed up to receive electricity from Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative (CCEC), you became a member of the cooperative. A cooperative is a business that is owned and controlled by the members who use its services. Members share the costs and benefits of operating the business.
Other businesses and utilities return profits to investors and shareholders. A member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative returns profits—or margins—to members as capital credits.
Members invest in CCEC when they buy power. Each year, after all expenses have been paid, any remaining margins from providing electric service are allocated to members as capital credits in proportion to each member's electric use.
Why Do I Have to Wait for My Allocation to Be Paid?
The board of directors is responsible for planning and maintaining the long-term financial integrity of CCEC. This requires the board to determine the most cost-effective method for generating adequate funds for operating and capital construction needs. Capital credit allocations, electric rates and borrowing provide that funding.
The board of directors determines the right balance to provide financial stability, ensure system reliability and plan for future growth. Capital credits retained by CCEC are reinvested into the cooperative to maintain and upgrade the electric distribution system that serves members.
Each year, the CCEC board evaluates the financial conditions of the co-op to determine if capital credits can be retired and returned to members.
2025 Capital Credit Retirement
In October 2025, the CCEC Board of Directors approved the general distribution of approximately $700,000 in capital credits to co-op members. This capital credit distribution is 50% of the remaining capital credits allocated to members who purchased electric service from CCEC in 1996. In December 2025, eligible members were sent checks in the mail. Amounts under $25 were credited directly to active member accounts.
Are Capital Credits Taxable?
CCEC suggests seeking the advice of a tax professional for specific questions.