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Contact:  575-744-5231        Outages:  1-888-336-3380

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Capital Credits

Capital Credits

Capital Credits are your share of ownership in Sierra Electric and one of your benefits of membership,  As a not-for-profit business, Sierra Electric exists to make sure your needs are met, not to make a profit.  When you pay your energy bill each month, you are paying towards the operational costs of the cooperative.  When the cooperative realizes a positive margin above and beyond operating expenses, the margins are allocated through a capital credits system according to each member's usage.  Capital Credits are refunded (retired) periodically when the Board of Trustees determines that it will not jeopardize the financial condition of the cooperative. 

For more information, please refer to Article IX of the Sierra Electric Bylaws.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between an allocation and a retirement?

Allocations are made annually for each member, based upon the amount of electricity purchased the previous year.  An allocation is the amount set aside into a separate account to be used as operating capital for reliability improvements and maintenance over a period of years.  

A retirement is the amount you receive back as a capital credit refund.  It is a percentage of your total capital credit balance.  The percentage to retire is decided by the Board of Trustees annually, based upon the financial condition of the cooperative.

Can I use my capital credit allocation to pay on my bill?

No.  The allocation is used as the operating capital of the cooperative.  However, if you receive a retirement capital credit check, you may endorse the back and send it with your bill statement payment coupon and request it be applied to your bill.  Retirements are always paid in the form of a check.

What happens to my capital credits if I move?

Capital credits cannot be refunded when you move because they are used for long term investments and operating the cooperative to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric service to its consumer-members.  Because capital credit retirements are paid a number of years after the credits are earned and allocated to your account, always keep the cooperative informed of any address and telephone changes.

What happens to the capital credits of a deceased member?

In a Joint Membership, the membership continues in the name of the surviving spouse or legal partner, so the capital credits remain with the membership.  In the case of a deceased single membership, the membership should be terminated and the capital credits in the member's account become part of the estate. Upon the request by the personal representative or documented heirs of a deceased member, the Board of Trustees will consider retiring the capital credits.  Specific legal documentation and written request is required.  Contact our office for more information.

What happens if I don't cash my retired capital credits check?

The retired capital credits are held in unclaimed status for three years.  Prior to marking the check as abandoned, we publish a list of names in the enchantment magazine with a deadline date to contact us to claim the check.  If not claimed, the money is donated to the Sierra Electric Cooperative Education Foundation which awards college scholarships for students who are attending a New Mexico accredited college or technical school.  

Can I donate my capital credits?

Yes, you can donate your capital credits to the Sierra Electric Cooperative Education Foundation.  We have forms that are required to do this.  Please contact the office for more information.

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Statement of Non-Discrimination

In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).  Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.  To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail:  US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410

2. Fax:  (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

Sierra Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

 

©2023 Sierra Electric Cooperative. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

  • Consumer-Member Info
    • The Co-op
    • Membership
      • Residential Rights and Responsibilities
      • Bill Payment
        • Information for Members Experiencing Financial Hardship
      • Understanding your Bill
      • Capital Credits
      • By-Laws
      • Paperless Billing
      • Energy Efficiency Rebates
      • Operation Round Up
      • Co-op Connections
      • Budget Payment Plan
      • New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
    • Together We Save
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Outage Center
    • Reporting an Outage
    • Outage Safety & Tips
  • Service
    • Start, Stop, or Transfer Service
    • Rates, Fees & Charges
    • Solar & Net Metering
    • Surge Protection Device
    • Safety
  • Co-op Community
    • Youth & Education Programs
      • Government-in-Action Youth Tour
      • Safety Coloring Contest
      • Sierra Electric Cooperative Education Foundation & Scholarships
      • Safety Education Programs
  • Announcements & Forms
    • Quick Forms
    • Job Openings
    • Sierra County Broadband Updates