Are Portable Space Heaters Efficient?

A woman and cat sit on a couch with a blanket. A space heater is on in front of them.

Small space heaters are meant to do exactly as their name says: heat a small space. Unfortunately, many people use portable space heaters to heat their entire home, which takes a toll on their energy bills. Whether you should use space heaters depends on your home’s efficiency and energy needs. If you’re using a space…

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Claim Your Ownership Cash

A hispanic woman with curly hair holds several $20 bills in her right hand. She is wearing a red t-shirt and the background is orange.

Benton REA members, you may have money on the table. Each year the Benton REA Board of Trustees chooses to pay back ownership credits to members, and thousands of those checks go uncashed. After one year, uncashed checks become unclaimed and the funds are transferred to Benton REA’s Education Fund. Benton REA can use money…

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Be A Fam With A Plan

A mother, son, father and daughter sit at a couch looking at a map for their family emergency plan. Emergency supplies and food are on the coffee table. Backpacks and clothes are on the couch and floor.

It’s not pleasant to think about worst-case scenarios, but a little planning can make a big difference if the worst happens. Follow these tips to avoid feeling helpless during a disaster. Before Communicate:  Talk with your family about who to call, where to go and what to do if disaster strikes.  Educate: Plan different strategies…

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Dams: One Structure, Many Benefits

Dams provide irrigation water and electricity to run irrigation pumps north of West Richland, Washington. Photo of irrigated corn and alfalfa fields near a Benton REA distribution power line north of West Richland.

At first glance, dams look like they hold back and store water, but they actually do so much more. Dams protect communities from floods, provide water to irrigate farmland, enable safe passage for boats and barges, create places to play on the river and provide the Northwest with renewable, carbon-free electricity. While not all dams…

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