SMECO: Legislative Energy Relief Is Coming
Many residential Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative members saw a credit on their August bills, thanks to the Legislative Energy Relief Refund, a statewide effort to help offset high energy costs. This refund was created through Maryland House Bill 1035, enacted by Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly in 2025.
The Maryland Public Service Commission has been working with utilities across the state, including SMECO, to distribute the credits in two phases: summer 2025 and winter 2026.
Summer and winter tend to be the most expensive times of year for energy use due to extreme temperatures. Distributing the credit in two seasonal installments helps reduce the impact of high bills when members need it most.
The winter 2026 credit will be applied automatically to eligible January bills.
For more information, including eligibility requirements and refund tiers, please visit SMECO.coop/Relief.
SMECO – The Cooperative Difference
SMECO was incorporated in 1937 and is one of the 15 largest electric cooperatives in the United States with more than 170,000 member accounts in Charles County, St. Mary’s County, southern Prince George’s County, and most of Calvert County.
Electric cooperatives are shaped by the communities they serve, because co-ops are owned by their customers. Co-op members elect the men and women who serve on the Board of Directors. Members share the responsibility of ownership by financing the cooperative’s operations, but they also share its rewards.
At the end of each year, SMECO’s margins (profits) are allocated to members’ capital credit accounts. SMECO uses its profits to invest in new construction, system improvements, and facility upgrades. The Board of Directors regularly evaluates the financial condition of the co-op and determines when members will receive a refund. Since 1937, SMECO has refunded more than $128 million.
As a cooperative, SMECO will always put its members first and be responsive, reliable, and resourceful — the power you can count on.
Follow SMECO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SMECO.coop and on X at www.twitter.com/somdelectric.
The SMECO 24/7 mobile app is available at www.smeco.coop/247. To learn more about SMECO, visit their Leader Member Page.
