Your Member-Owned Cooperative

Serving Members in Benton, Yakima and Lewis Counties with

Electricity, Internet and IT services

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Outage Center

If your home or neighborhood is experiencing an electrical power outage, please report it by calling 800-221-6987 or 509-786-1626. You may also click the "Report an Outage" button below. To view all current outages that are affecting more than 10 members, click the "View Outage Map" button. 

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Featured News and Services

Photo of Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River

Benton REA

A New Threat to the Snake River Dams

Rep. Simpson of Idaho has proposed drafting legislation that would breach the four dams on the lower Snake River. Benton REA has questions and serious concerns about the feasibility of the plan and questions the benefit of a plan that would ask taxpayers to spend $34 billion to significantly increase carbon emissions at a time when our region is taking drastic steps to reduce carbon emissions. Click to learn more.

A pile of U.S. coins and a crumpled one dollar bill

Benton REA

Power To Care Bill Assistance Available

Power To Care allows members to round up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar, donating the spare change to a fund that helps fellow members pay their past-due electric bills. Qualifying residential members who need assistance paying their electric bill may apply for up to $275. Click to learn more.

Welcome Back, We've Missed You, Masks Required, Maximum Occupancy = 2 Guests

Benton REA & PowerNET

Welcome Back - Offices Now Open!

Benton REA and PowerNET offices are open. Masks are required for unvaccinated guests. We look forward to seeing you again! Benton REA and PowerNET personnel are still available at 800-221-6987, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outages can be reported by calling 800-221-6987.

An electric car charger plugged into a Chevy Bolt

Benton REA

EV & Plug-In Hybrid Purchase Incentive

Benton REA offers up to $100 to members who purchase an electric vehicle and $25 for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Click here for details and the application. 

Also, receive $300 when you install a Level 2 smart, in-home charging station. Click to learn more about our electric vehicle programs. 

Recent Co-op News

David Hanson, executive director, and Ken Trainor, director of operations for Sunrise Outreach Center food banks accept a check for $3,000 from Benton REA Board President Connie Krull (center).

Benton REA Donates $15K to Local Food Banks

July 19, 2021
Fifteen thousand dollars is helping feed local families thanks to Benton REA and matching funds from CoBank, one of the utility’s lenders. Benton REA received a $7,500 matching grant from the CoBank Sharing Success program. Together, the $15,000 donation will help families through three organizations within the Benton REA member...
A mother holds a tablet while she looks at her pre-teen-age daughter. Both are wearing pink shirts and a lamp is on between them. PowerNET's managed router service helps families and businesses manage their internet network.

A Lot of Security for Less Than a Latte

July 5, 2021
PowerNET's managed router service helps families and businesses manage their internet network For the cost of one large latte, have peace of mind about your home internet network. PowerNET’s managed router service helps families and businesses maximize their internet use while helping protect everyone connected for just $5 a month,...
Snake River Sockeye

Anti-Hydro Narrative Misses the Big Picture of Climate Change, Equity and Salmon

June 28, 2021
I recently participated in a panel for the CleanTech Alliance on the future of the lower Snake River dams. Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners The panelists had diverse viewpoints, which is a good thing. However, one statement by a co-panelist who advocates for breaching...
Computer Repair and Support , cyber security

4 Ways to Stay Cyber-Secure

June 17, 2021
The internet can be dangerous and scary. We’ve seen the lists of ideas for better cybersecurity. The problem is, the tips aren’t helpful unless we act on them. We know we should use long passwords and change them regularly. But do we? Here are three reasons to encourage you to...
an image of the sun shining a bright yellow and orange light on the clouds, solar energy

Solar Equipment 101

June 12, 2021
If a person had a Rip Van Winkle moment and fell asleep under a tree a decade ago, they would be amazed at how far solar photovoltaic systems have come. Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Once the most expensive form of electricity generation, economies of scale in...
a mother and her child, about 10 months old, pose for a photo on a path with tall grass on either side of them

Benton REA Members Pay Neighbors’ Electricity Bills

June 4, 2021
Benton REA members who need assistance paying past-due electric bills may qualify for help from fellow co-op members through the Power to Care program. To receive Power to Care funds, you must: Be a residential member of Benton REA, Have a past due balance on your electric account, or have...
Electric vehicle Level 2 charging stations can be installed inside or outside a home. This one is installed outside. Register your electric vehicle with Benton REA before you install a Level 2 charger and receive $100

Register Your EV, Get $100

May 28, 2021
Benton REA members can receive up to $100 from Benton REA toward the purchase of an electric vehicle when they register them with the co-op. Members will receive $100 for electric vehicles purchased before a Level 2 charger has been installed in their homes or businesses where the vehicles will...
Chevy Bolt electric vehicle charger is plugged in and charging the battery

How Long Will an EV Battery Last?

May 27, 2021
How long will an electric vehicle battery last, and what is the price to replace it? The response is often “it depends.” Many electric vehicle models come with an eight-year/100,000 mile warranty, but some do not. While there is little agreement in the EV industry as to how long a...
a professional tree trimmer prunes branches near a power line. He is wearing a hard hat, safety vest and ear protection.

Tree Pruning Improves Services for All

May 20, 2021
We are fortunate to have so many trees offering beauty, shade, and a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Benton REA strives to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings with a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights-of-way. A right-of-way is the land Benton REA uses to construct, maintain,...
A Tesla electric vehicle is parked on a grassy area next to a gravel road with evergreen trees and blue sky behind it. Photo courtesy of Tesla

The Thrill of Electric Vehicles

May 10, 2021
Electric vehicles aren't just for city driving anymore If you want a really powerful car—one that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in fewer than 3 seconds—consider the NIO EP9 electric vehicle. Be prepared to open your wallet, though. It costs more than $1 million. Modest versions of electric...