Current News
Cybersecurity Starts With All of Us
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Did you know that you are your own first line of defense against cybersecurity threats? The energy sector continues to be a target for cyberattacks, and will continue to face threats that target utility employees, supply chains and partners. It is critical that Benton REA and its members stay…
New and Improved Rebates Starting October 1
New and Improved Rebates Starting October 1 Money Available for residential, commercial and agricultural improvements. Starting October 1, new rebates are available for Benton REA members who buy and install new, energy-efficiency home upgrades. Incentives have increased for the purchase of Energy Star clothes washers and dryers, heat pump water heaters, energy-efficient windows and insulation.…
A Moment of Truth for the Northwest
Northwest RiverPartners works to strike a balance between low-cost, efficient, reliable power production and protecting the essence of the Pacific Northwest By Kurt Miller I officially started at Northwest RiverPartners on March 11, 2019. Since then, I have been inspired every day by the opportunity to make a difference for people in the Northwest. It…
Youth Tour Applications Available Online
Applications for Benton REA’s Youth Tour are available online at BentonREA.org/youth. Benton REA will select two area students to represent the cooperative on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 18-25, 2020. Children of Benton REA members who are in their sophomore or junior year of high school and whose main residence is in Benton,…
Youth Tour Delegates Respond to Trip of a Lifetime
Youth Tour Delegates Respond to Trip of a Lifetime Nearly 2,000 children of electric cooperative members from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C., June 13-20 for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Nathan Shibley and Michelle Bolling, both of West Richland, represented Benton REA. Nathan was selected to represent Washington on the Youth…
Be Aware of Electric Shock Drowning
Be Aware of Electric Shock Drowning Despite being categorized as leisure activities, swimming and boating can quickly become dangerous. While water-safety behaviors such as wearing life jackets and maintaining safe boating speeds have become commonplace, a serious hazard remains that is often overlooked. This silent killer, classified as electric shock drowning, occurs in fresh water…
82nd Annual Meeting Draws 530 Attendees
82nd Annual Meeting Draws 530 Attendees For the first time since 1980, Benton REA held the annual meeting of members in West Richland. More than 530 attended the family event on July 13 at Leona Libby Middle School. Tethered hot air balloon rides began at 8 a.m., and 143 people rode the basket at least…
Balloon Rides for Charity
Balloon Rides for Charity The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives hot air balloon rose 50 feet in the air over and over again the morning of July 13. 143 members of Benton REA enjoyed an experience of a lifetime on a tethered hot air balloon ride at the 82nd Benton REA annual meeting. “Every day the Touchstone…
2019 Scholarship Recipients Announced
Five graduating high school students from West Richland were awarded $8,000 Benton REA academic scholarships to aid with their college tuition. Each year, when unclaimed capital credit checks are returned to Benton REA, the money is used to help fund scholarships for students whose parents are members of Benton REA. The scholarship committee looks at…
Local Utilities Support 100% Clean Energy and the Snake River Dams
Local leaders banded together to support the four hydroelectric dams on Eastern Washington’s lower Snake River and the role they play in maintaining reliable and affordable power to the state and region. The boards of Benton PUD, Franklin PUD, Benton REA and the Richland City Council unanimously approved resolutions firmly stating the removal of the…