SMPA Sends Out  Over $1 Million in Member Dividends

At its November 2021 meeting, the Board of Directors of San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) approved the return of $1 million in Member Dividends to the consumer-members. This move completes the process by which excess revenues get shared back with consumers over time.

In a typical year, SMPA has money left over after paying its expenses. The excess revenue, called “margins” is allocated to each consumer in proportion to their contributions for that year. For a period of time, these margins are used by the cooperative as capital to finance operations and construction. This helps keep rates at an affordable level by reducing the need to turn to lenders for funds to maintain and enhance SMPA’s existing electric system.

When the Board determines the time is right, allocations for a given year or combination of years are repaid to members as “Member Dividends.”

This month, many SMPA members received checks in the mail. The dividends represent allocations from the year, 1993. The majority of members received dividend checks between $20 and $250. Some large power users, including towns, counties, and schools received checks over $5,000. “Giving member dividends back to you is one of the ways we distinguish ourselves from investor-owned, for-profit utilities,” said Board President, Rube Felicelli. “It’s a commitment that is absolutely foundational for an electric cooperative like SMPA.”