Vol75-10 October 2025
Member newsletter for Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
SMECO holds 87th Annual Meeting
More than 8,300 members voted
On August 20, 2025, SMECO held its 87th Annual Meeting at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall. The Board of Directors election was conducted online and by mail prior to the meeting. Results were announced at the meeting.
The following SMECO members were elected to serve on SMECO’s Board for three years: W. Michael Phipps of Calvert County, George Heinze and Richard A. Winkler of Charles County, David A. Cross, Jr. of Prince George’s County, and Scott White of St. Mary’s County.
W. Rayner Blair, III, Chairman of the SMECO Board of Directors, welcomed SMECO’s members to the event and called the meeting to order. SMECO’s president and CEO, Sonja Cox, introduced the video version of the cooperative’s 2024 annual report. The video underscored the impact of the cooperative’s longstanding relationship with Southern Maryland, highlighting the cooperative’s dedication to supporting local and diverse businesses, advancing charitable initiatives, and protecting the environment, while also maintaining its high standards of reliability even in the face of quickly rising costs.
Cox also answered questions about Rider-G, a Standard Offer Service option available to cooperative members who choose to have 100 percent of their electricity supplied from renewable sources, as well as questions around community solar opportunities and the impact of data centers on SMECO members. She explained that SMECO is required to provide service to any person or business within its territory; however, any data centers that connect into the cooperative’s system will be responsible for covering the cost of system upgrades, the feasibility study to ensure adequate capacity, and the energy needed to power their operations.
Looking ahead, our focus is clear: provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity; balance member needs with long-term sustainability; and continue to invest in our people and our communities. Together, we will face challenges, embrace opportunities, and celebrate the successes that make this cooperative strong.
Watch the 2024 Annual Report video shown at the Annual Meeting.
