Economic Development
Co-op Connections App Offers Local Coupons Without Scissors
Co-op Connections is a free coupons program brought to you by Benton REA. Benton REA wants to help you stretch every dollar when running errands, planning a trip or taking care of you and your family. Your Co-op Connections Card will help you to save money at local restaurants, service providers and retailers. The card…
Wanted: Donation Requests
Benton REA is seeking community donation requests. Those meeting the following guidelines will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis. Only one donation request greater than $200 per organization, activity or group will be considered per calendar year. A maximum of three total donations per organization each year will be awarded. Requests exceeding $500 may be…
YCH Installs Largest Solar Array in State
In August, Yakima Chief Hops, a 100% farmer-owned hop supplier for the brewing industry and a Benton REA member, announced its latest solar panel installation. YCH now has 3,706 solar panels, the largest rooftop solar array in Washington state. YCH has offices located across the globe, but the company’s headquarters are based in Yakima, which…
$80K Window Rebate Makes Energy-Efficient Upgrade Possible
If you live in or drive by Westview Garden Apartments on West Richland’s 38th Avenue, you will notice new paint and new roofs. What you cannot see is residents enjoying lower electricity bills from their new, energy-efficient windows. “The windows are awesome,” says one apartment resident. “Our electric bill is down about $30 a month…
Benton REA Pays $1.8 Million Back To Members During COVID-19 Pandemic
Ownership credits have traditionally been paid in December, but Benton REA is paying them early this year to help members power on through the pandemic If you are a Benton REA member and your 2020 capital (ownership) credit payment is $10 or greater, you will receive a check in the mail this summer. Going to…
Prosser Public Charging Station Operational
On May 11, Prosser gained an electric vehicle (EV) fast charger at 20 Merlot Drive, near the Verizon store and Chevron. The EV fast-charging station is the last to be energized as part of a nine-station network along Washington state highway corridors designed to enhance interstate and intrastate EV travel. The others are in Cle…
Darigold Achieves Energy Savings and $45,000 Rebate
Since 2011, Darigold Sunnyside has improved efficiencies so much they’re saving more than 12 million kilowatt hours of energy each year. That’s enough to power 665 average residential homes. Darigold’s most recent energy-efficiency project earned the farmer-owned dairy co-op a $45,000 rebate from Benton REA. The project included installation of new pumps, fans, heat exchangers,…
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.…
Serving You in Olympia and D.C.
Benton REA is active in the state legislature and U.S. Congress to ensure laws passed will benefit members and keep electricity affordable The Washington State Legislature is in session, and Benton REA is working to protect the interests of its members. Troy Berglund, community development and member relations manager, recently visited Olympia where he met…
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…