Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) was incorporated in 1937 and is one of the 15 largest electric cooperatives in the United States with more than 175,000 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 $116 million.
As a cooperative, SMECO will always put its members first and be responsive, reliable, and resourceful—the power you can count on.
Vision Statement
Sustainably energize Southern Maryland.
Mission
Put members first by delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity and related services that exceed expectations.
Purpose
To lead sustainably in providing reliable, competitively priced electricity and related services that enhance the quality of life in Southern Maryland.
Culture
SMECO champions a culture where people are valued and the employee experience is driven by innovation, collaboration, inclusion, safety, and trust.
Cooperative Principles
As a non-profit cooperative owned by its customer-members, SMECO adheres to the seven Cooperative Principles.
Customer Satisfaction
Each year, JD Power publishes the results of their electric utility residential customer satisfaction study. To see how SMECO and other large utilities compare, the most recent results are linked below:
JD Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Studies
- 2021 JD Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction
- 2020 JD Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction (PDF)
- 2019 JD Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction (PDF)
- 2018 JD Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction (PDF)
- 2017 JD Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction (PDF)