What It Means to Be a Bluebonnet Member
When you belong to an electric cooperative, you're not a customer. You are a member — and a co-op owner. Our members decide who governs the co-op, they receive a share of annual profits and they belong to an organization that's deeply involved in their community.
How the Co-op Works
Bluebonnet is a nonprofit distribution cooperative. This type of co-op buys electricity from wholesale providers, arranges for its transmission and distributes the power to members through the co-op's power lines.
Capital Credits
Bluebonnet's members are also owners. The co-op shares its excess revenue – money it collects above what is required to run the business – with its members. Similar to stock dividends paid to a company's shareholders, capital credits represent Bluebonnet's members' share of ownership in the co-op.
- Who gets a capital credit? Everyone who buys, or has bought, electricity from Bluebonnet during the year.
- How are the funds paid? Active members receive the credit on their May electric bill; former members who are owed a capital credit receive a check.
- Who determines the amount? Bluebonnet's Board of Directors decides how much to pay, taking into consideration such factors as the impact on electric rates and financial strength of the co-op.
In the last 10 years, Bluebonnet returned more than $43.36 million in capital credits to its members. Learn more about capital credits.
Deciding Who Runs the Co-op
Members have a say in who leads Bluebonnet. That's because at our Annual Meeting every May they elect the people who sit on the 9-member Board of Directors. Those representatives are neighbors from your community and, like you, are directly impacted by the governance of the co-op.
Learn more about the Board election process.
Annual Meetings
Our Annual Meeting each May normally provides an opportunity for Bluebonnet members to gather for a festive event where they elect directors, hear a state of the co-op report, socialize and qualify for prize drawings. Due to COVID-19, the event will look a little different in 2021.
Learn more about the 2021 Annual Meeting.
Community Investment
While our focus is on providing affordable power, we also have a proud tradition of community service. That's why you'll find our members and employees working to make a difference in the lives of people in our community and in developing our local economy. Learn more about: