La Plata Electric Association is seeking consumer-members, or former consumer-members, who are due to receive capital credits refund monies.
LPEA will publish in The Durango Herald and Pagosa Springs Sun and on its website, www.lpea.coop, a public notice naming individuals or businesses whose capital credit funds have gone unclaimed because of an invalid address, or whose capital credit checks have not been cashed.
"This is money that belongs to our members," said Dennis Svanes, LPEA chief financial officer. He said electricity payments made by members in excess of the cost of providing their electric service (called the "margin") is placed into a patronage capital account in each member's name.
"This capital, along with borrowed funds, is used to finance needed improvements to LPEA's system infrastructure," Svanes said. "The margins allow LPEA to maintain system reliability at its highest level and help keep rates lower. But when we find we have patronage capital in excess of what we need, we refund it to members."
To claim funds, individuals and businesses noting their names on the public notice are asked to contact LPEA's offices in Durango or Pagosa Springs, or call 247-5786. Identification will be required to claim the available funds.
Should individuals or businesses listed in the public notice not come forward to receive the unclaimed funds, the monies will be used for educational or charitable purposes as determined by the LPEA board of directors, as set forth in the LPEA Bylaws. Unclaimed Capital Credit funds currently support LPEA's annual scholarships, as well as contribute to educational and nonprofit community projects in La Plata and Archuleta counties.
For fmore information, contact LPEA at 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.
