You set up your electric service account with Santee Electric Cooperative, and you think to yourself, 'That's done. Now I just have to pay my monthly bill.' But the truth is we're more than just a utility provider that you pay each month for electricity. We have more to offer-and we want you, our members, to know about these benefits.

There are more than 900 electric cooperatives in the U.S. that serve 42 million members. Santee Electric, your local co-op, serves 34,150members with lines stretching across a 2,005 square mile territory. So what makes being a member of an electric cooperative unique?

We're all in this together. You are a member of Santee Electric-not just a customer. And that means you have a voice when it comes to the way we do business. Each April, you have the option to vote for your board of directors. These directors play a key role in making important decisions for our co-op, which is why members' voices must be heard.

We're local. It's likely that you know an employee of Santee Electric. Our employees-your friends and neighbors-share the same concerns for our community that you do.

We're not-for-profit. Santee Electric doesn't offer profits to investors-we return money over and above operating costs to you, our members, based on electricity consumption. Annually, electric co-ops nationwide return millions of dollars to members through this capital credits process. This year, Santee Electric members received $1.8 million in the form of capital credits.

We're here for you. At Santee Electric, our mission is to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. We care about our members' quality of life, which is why our employees are continuously finding innovative ways to improve our service.

These are just a few facts about electric cooperatives that make us unique. For more information about Santee Electric and the services we offer, visit santee.org.

Floyd L. Keels
President and Chief Executive Officer