After paying for needed infrastructure, MPE returns margins based on our consumer-members' contribution to electric sales. Because we are debt financed, margins are returned approximately 25 years after they are earned. That's because MPE's initial start-up costs to electrify rural north central Colorado necessitated the borrowing of significant federal funds. As such, margins are returned when our loan covenants are favorable to do so. The MPE Board of Directors is committed balancing returning margins, maintaining and improving infrastructure, meeting financial requirements and maintaining affordable electric rates.

Capital credits are issued as account credits, or we mail a check. Because refunds are paid even after a consumer-member discontinues service, it is important that you inform MPE of address changes. Unclaimed capital credits are deposited in MPE's Education Fund, which pays for local student college/vocational scholarships and for other community educational investments.

As a consumer-member of MPE, you are a partial owner of our electric cooperative, and entitled to your share of the margins we earn. To date, since 1977, MPE has returned more than $15 million to its consumer-members. With rare exceptions, we refund capital credits annually. We call it your piece of the pie.