Manager’s Messages
Drive In to the Annual Meeting – September 2021 Manager’s Message
Dear Members, I look forward to seeing you all at Benton REA’s Drive-In 84th Annual Membership Meeting and member appreciation lunch, held this year on September 18 at 10:30 a.m. Join us for a modified version of our annual meeting without leaving your vehicle. Drive in to the Red Mountain Event Center (formerly the Tri-City…
Heat Wave Blackouts Avoided, Transmission Improvements Needed
Dear Members, To say June 29 was a hot day is an understatement. With temperatures hitting 115 degrees, all our air conditioners put a strain on the Bonneville Power Administration’s capacity to deliver electricity into the Tri-Cities. Benton REA does not own transmission lines, which are the high-voltage power lines that bring electricity from the…
Choose How Benton REA Pays You – July 2021
Dear Members, Did you know that Benton REA pays its members? It’s the cooperative difference and something we’re incredibly proud of. By purchasing electricity from Benton REA, you are also a member-owner. Your ownership is reflected in what we call ownership credits. These ownership credits are allocated to you based on the amount of electricity…
Stocking the Energy Pantry – June 2021
Dear Members, After spring planting, we make sure our vegetables, grain and fruit have enough water and sunshine throughout the heat of summer so we can harvest and store our bounty to use throughout the year. Similarly with electricity, hydropower gives us the ability to store and meet energy demand year-round. Hydropower acts as our…
Look Up and Live – February 2021
Dear Members, Electrical safety is immensely important to me and to Benton REA, especially as we look forward to the spring planting season. Whether you are working in your back yard or responsible for a large agriculture operation, it is important to be aware of power lines near you—both above and underground. Taking a few…
New Year, New Projects – Manager’s Message – January 2021
Dear Members, 2021 is going to be a year for growth. Benton REA will be working on some very significant projects in 2021 that will enhance our electrical distribution system. The improvements will help us add new members to our lines and enhance the reliability of electric service to our current members in these project…
Giving Back to Our Community – Manager’s Message – December 2020
Dear Members, Over the years, you have probably heard or read about Benton REA’s concern for our community. This is one of the core principles that sets cooperatives apart from other types of utilities. We take this mission and responsibility to heart. It’s who we are as a co-op. Throughout the past year, like so…
Manager’s Message – November 2020, A Bright Future Thanks to Our Veterans and Youth
Dear Members, I agree with the adage, “freedom is not free.” Generations of American men and women risked, and gave their lives over the years serving in the U.S. military so that friends, family and complete strangers could remain free and safe. These amazing patriots gave up their time and energy, and postponed their personal…
Manager’s Message – October 2020, Dam Support, Annual Meeting Invitation
Dear Members, In April, many of you chose to stand up for our lower Snake River hydroelectric dams. We received 173 letters from Benton REA members which we mailed to the federal agencies drafting the Columbia River system Operations (CRSO) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). They received more than 56,000 comments and released a final EIS…
Manager’s Message – September 2020, Recognizing Our Nation’s Workforce
Dear Members, Labor Day is Monday, September 7. We typically celebrate with family backyard barbecues, but the holiday’s history was not as relaxing. The recognition of our nation’s workforce was created by the labor movement in the 19th century. Labor Day became a federal holiday when signed into law by President Grover Cleveland on June…