Capital Credits As a not-for-profit organization, local electric cooperatives operate solely to provide electricity, not to increase profit for shareholders. Laurens Electric Cooperative provides electricity at-cost to our members. At the end of each fiscal year, we return excess funds in the form of Capital Credits to our members. These capital credit payments historically have involved refunds to every class of customer, both industrial and residential, and are prorated in accordance with the total amount paid for electricity. The third of the Seven Cooperative Principals is Member’s Economic Participation: Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership