Maryland Corporations and Associations Section 5-610

      (a)      (1)      Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the name of a cooperative or foreign corporation doing business in the State under this subtitle shall include:

                  (i)      The words "electric" and "cooperative"; and

                  (ii)      The abbreviation "Inc.".

            (2)      A cooperative need not use any word specified under paragraph (1) of this subsection if:

                  (i)      The cooperative wishes to do business in another state and is or would be precluded from doing business in that state because of the inclusion of the word in its name; and

                  (ii)      An affidavit stating the cooperative's reason for not using the word is:

                        1.      Made and filed with the Department by the cooperative's chairman or vice-chairman; or

                        2.      Made by a person who signs articles of incorporation, consolidation, merger, or conversion for the cooperative and filed, together with the articles, with the Department.

      (b)      The name of a cooperative shall be distinguishable on the records of the Department as provided under § 1-504 of this article.