Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility. As such NNEC’s electricity rates (which are approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia's State Corporation Commission) are set to cover operating expenses, make payments on existing loans and provide an emergency reserve. At the end of each calendar year, the cooperative subtracts operating expenses from the total amount of money collected during the year and this balance is called “margins.” These margins are allocated back to each member that year in proportion to their patronage (how much electricity they paid for during the year).
Annually, NNEC’s Board of Directors make an independent decision on the financial condition of the cooperative. When the cooperative is strong enough financially and the member equity level is high enough, the Board determines the amount and percentage of the years to be refunded. Prior to refunding capital credits, NNEC invests capital credits in the poles, wires, transformers, substations and other equipment used throughout the system to deliver reliable electricity every day. The Cooperative tracks your investment over the years of your membership.
Capital Credits Fund Ongoing System Improvements
Capital Credits are used to improve the distribution system and should be viewed as the member's equity investment in the Cooperative. The equity investment minimizes the amount the Cooperative has to borrow.
Capital credits are somewhat similar to the dividends paid to shareholders of investor-owned utilities except the cooperative’s “shareholders” are also the members that it serves and the “dividends” (capital credits) are distributed to NNEC’s member-owners. The process of member capital credits fulfills the third cooperative principle, Member Economic Participation.
NOTE: Capital credits are reserved for each member even if they move out of NNEC’s service area or deceased. NNEC will make a diligent effort to send a check by mail. Members are asked to keep NNEC informed of forwarding addresses.
View the 2023 Unclaimed Capital Credits (Please note that the names are sorted by "State" and then "Name" in alphabetical order):