Cooperative

There’s a quiet transformation happening across the nation.

America’s growing communities are changing in remarkable ways—while holding steadfastly to the values that, for generations, have made them the places people choose to build a better life for themselves and their families.

To embrace the beauty of a simpler lifestyle. To live independently; yet, to also be part of a community that looks out for neighbors. To grow in new ways, in new directions. To feed the world, change the world, build the future.

Because America’s suburban and rural communities may seem quiet—but scratch below the surface and you’ll find a whole lot happening. There’s a new energy here to go along with the more affordable, down-to-earth way to live that’s been here all along. And the opportunities to create something new have never been greater. 

These are the communities served by America’s electric cooperatives. You might think of us as the local electric company, and you’d be right: We’re led by members like you, created by and for the communities we serve. Electric cooperatives are community-focused organizations who work to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to our members. And every co-op is as unique as the community that shaped it, changing over time as our communities grow and change.

We’re local and we’re independent. But together, we’re mighty: across the country, local cooperatives work together and learn from one another to develop new technologies and infrastructure. And in the process, we bring electricity to one in eight Americans and over 19 million homes, businesses, farms, and schools in 47 states. Co-ops themselves provide 71,000 great jobs, invest billions in local economies every year, and are a driving force in helping attract and grow business and industry the communities we serve.

And America’s electric cooperatives aren’t just economic engines. They’re innovators, developing new ways to incorporate the benefits of cooperative solar, wind, and other sources of renewable energy into a balanced energy mix. And we’re always looking for new ways to help our members save energy, save money and take advantage of the technology that’s changed the way we live.

It’s all part of the cooperative spirit that’s always been one of the best things about living in our community. Neighbors looking out for neighbors. People working for the common good. Even as we celebrate our differences and our individual achievements, knowing that we can’t do everything alone—we’re all in this together. And we are stronger and better for it.

That’s community. That’s what fueled the co-op movement so many years ago—and it’s the source of our new energy today. The power of community is what being an electric cooperative is all about. 

The Cooperative Basics

  • A Cooperative is a voluntary contractual organization of persons having a mutual ownership interest in providing themselves a needed service on a non-profit basis.

  • A Cooperative is democratic member control which implies the principle of an open, voluntary membership with control exercised on the basis of one vote per customer-owner rather than multiple votes according to capital investment in the organization.

  • A Cooperative operates on a cost of doing business basis. This is the fundamental reason for co-op existence. We meet the needs of the people at the lowest practicable net cost.

As the explanation of a Cooperative implies, Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation receives purpose and legitimacy from two different directions. First, the State of Georgia passed laws that allow Central Georgia EMC to incorporate as a Cooperative. This state activity provided the charter which enabled the customer-owners to form Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. Second, the Board of Directors exercises democratic control, as authorized by the membership. Every year, customer-owners elect 2-3 directors for three-year terms. Customer-owners participate in major decisions and run the corporation through the Board of Directors. Central Georgia EMC customer-owners elect directors at the Annual Meeting, which is usually held the first Wednesday of each August.

 

Capital Credits are a Major Benefit

It pays to be a member of a cooperative! As a not-for-profit organization, CGEMC returns excess revenue to members annually.

Learn more!

Retired Capital Credits

Members of cooperatives such as Central Georgia EMC receive a benefit that is unique. At the end of each year, after all expenses are paid, any remaining funds are assigned to customer-owners accounts in the form of capital credits. Customer-owners can then begin to receive payments that represent funds that would otherwise be paid to stockholders of an investor-owned corporation.

$114,146.59 paid in 1986 for years 1951-1955;

$175,337.05 paid in 1987 for years 1956-1959;

$192,701.54 paid in 1988 for years 1960-1963;

$319,857.83 paid in 1989 for years 1964-1969;

$419,886.00 paid in 1990 for years 1970-1973;

$504,272.00 paid in 1991 for years 1974-1975;

$776,580.49 paid in 1992 for years 1976-1977;

$405,888.88 paid in 1993 for years 1978-1979;

$771,540.49 paid in 1994 for the year of 1980;

$556,232.73 paid in 1995 for the year of 1981;

$341,797.24 paid in 1996 for the year of 1982;

$624,068.33 paid in 1997 for the year of 1983;

$1,297,488.81 paid in 1998 for the year of 1984;

$1,599,296.99 paid in 1999 for the year of 1985;

$956,467.02 paid in 2000 for one-half the year of 1986;

$971,164.26 paid in 2001 for the balance of the year of 1986;

$1,279,814.36 paid in 2002 for one-half the year of 1987;

$1,279.633.52 paid in 2003 for the balance of the year of 1987;

$2,177,511.84 paid in 2004 for the year of 1988;

$2,234,846.35 paid in 2005 for the year of 1989;

$920,596.88 paid in 2006 for one-half of the year of 1990;

$924,877.11 paid in 2007 for the balance of the year of 1990;

$819,580.87 paid in 2008 for one-half of the year of 1991;

$825,673.01 paid in 2009 for the balance of the year of 1991;

$969,758.01 paid in 2010 for one-half of the year of 1992;

$974,754.51 paid in 2011 for the balance of the year of 1992;

$2,195,754.51 paid in 2012 for the year of 1993;

$2,175,056.09 paid in 2013 for the year of 1994 and for one-half the year of 1995;

$1,984,781.70 paid in 2014 for the one-half the year of 1995 and one-half the year of 1996;

$1,842,055.40 paid in 2015 for one-half the year of 1996 and one-half of 1997;

$2,392,988.97 paid in 2016 for the remaining margins from 1997 and majority margins 1998;

$2,405,076.38 paid in 2017 for the remaining margins from 1998, the entire year of 1999, and a portion of the year 2000;

$2,454,271.93 paid in 2018 for the remaining margins from 2000 and a majority of 2001.

$2,541,218.04, paid in 2019 for the remaining margins for 2001 and a portion of 2002. 

$2,676,810.00 paid in 2020 for the remaining margins for 2002.