Current News
Free Internet Security Classes Offered by PowerNET
Do you ever wonder if you are at risk of an internet hack or online identity fraud? Every day thousands of hackers may be attempting to steal your personal information. But you can stop them. Benton REA and PowerNET want you to be confident in your ability to be aware of and prevent internet and…
District 4 Welcomes New Trustee
The Benton REA members of District 4 are represented by a new Trustee. Ron Johnson was appointed to the Benton REA Board of Trustees on October 31, 2018, to fill the position left vacant when Mark Platt retired in June. Ron moved to his home in West Richland after retiring as Fire Captain from the…
Giving Back to Co-op Members – Capital Credits Mailed in December
Check your mailbox this month because you may receive a check from Benton REA. When you signed up to receive electric service from Benton REA you became a member-owner in the equity of the cooperative. Other businesses return profits to investors and stakeholders. Benton REA is different. We belong to the communities we serve, so…
City of West Richland Saves $41K with Energy Efficiency
In two years, the City of West Richland saved $41,092 and reduced their energy use by 637,450 kilowatt hours at its Wastewater Treatment Plant, earning them an additional incentive from the Benton Rural Electric Association. Most of the savings were achieved by installing equipment on existing HVAC units and aeration and blower controls which provides…
Where’s My Calendar?
1,000 copies of Ruralite’s 2019 calendar are available to be picked up at either Benton REA office located in Prosser or West Richland. To save on the cost of printing and mailing a calendar to every Benton REA member, Benton REA’s member services department chose to not insert calendars into Ruralite magazines this year. By…
Members Rate Benton REA Higher than National Satisfaction Score
For the second year in a row, you gave Benton REA an ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) score of 89 out of 100. You rated Benton REA 12 points higher than the cooperative utility industry in the 2018 ACSI report. In July, Benton REA hired an independent company to survey 250 members. Members who responded…
6 Ways to Protect Yourself in the Digital Age – Safe Email
Every day, countless emails are sent all over the world that attempt to steal your information, get you to send money, install malware or otherwise scam you. These emails are called phishing emails—the worst of the emails we collectively call spam. PowerNET uses a spam filter to help catch these bad emails and help keep…
Benton REA and PowerNET Expand Office Hours
Starting October 1, Benton REA and PowerNET will open earlier in Prosser and will remain open during the lunch hour in West Richland. The expanded office hours will allow members to speak with a member service representative as early as 7 a.m. on the phone and in person at the Prosser office. The West Richland…
Now Accepting American Express
Along with Visa, Mastercard and Discover Card, American Express has joined the list of debit/credit payment options available to Benton REA members and PowerNET customers. Automated Payments To update your automated payments with your American Express card, simply log in to your SmartHub account or speak to one of our member service representatives. Signing up…
Electric rates remain stable
On Wednesday, September 19, 2018, a news reporter incorrectly stated that Benton REA will raise rates $10 per member to cover the cost of the spill over the Columbia and Snake River dams. Benton REA will NOT be raising rates due to the 2018 spill. In April 2018, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) was ordered…