Big Bend Power Cooperative issues refunds

RITZVILLE — Big Bend Electric Cooperative, which provides electricity to customers in Adams and Franklin counties, announced Tuesday it will pay refunds of around $2.2 million to its members.

According to Kelly Haugh, manager of member services for Big Bend Cooperative Electric, the organization will be sending out 6,355 checks to current and former co-op members.

“They should begin hitting mailboxes this week,” Haugh said.

Haugh said the money will be going to current and former cooperative members who bought power in 2001, 2002 and 2020, and Big Bend sends out refunds to members every year.

“Co-ops all over the nation do this,” Haugh said.

Because Big Bend is a non-profit co-operative owned by its member-customers, Haugh said, the company is unable to keep any excess revenue once it pays its bills, performs maintenance and invests in system improvements and upgrades.

“We pride ourselves on this, always wanting to give back additional funds to our customers,” she said.

Big Bend Electric Cooperative serves 5,089 customers in Adams and Franklin counties.