La Plata Electric Association customers in La Plata and Archuleta counties are due for a credit during the November billing cycle if they have paid an electric bill since at least 2013.

The customers will share $4.5 million, the LPEA board decided Wednesday. Any refund of more than $100 will be paid in check.

Capital credits represent the amount of money remaining after LPEA pays all its bills.

This year, LPEA is returning $1.25 million to people who paid electric bills in 1993 and 1994; $1.25 million to people who paid bills from 1993 through 2013; and $2 million to active customers through 2013.

Capital credits are made in proportion to what customers have paid in bills.

LPEA tries to find customers who have moved out of the service area since they are eligible for capital credits.

In the past, LPEA has retired capital credits during the summer. But board members reasoned that extra money before the holidays would be more welcome.

Since it was incorporated in 1939, LPEA has returned nearly $40 million to customers in capital credits. credits.

daler@durangoherald.com