Renewable Energy
You Need Hyrdopower and Hydropower Needs You – Write In Today
Hydropower and many other benefits of the lower Snake River Dams are under attack. This year the voices of proponents of dam breaching are being heard by state and federal politicians. Our representatives need to hear your voice, too. Deadline Approaching to Speak Up for Hydropower A public process to determine whether there are reasonable…
Dreaming of the Sun
As the days get longer, the sun is on our minds. You may be wondering if solar energy is right for you. Here are answers to the frequently asked questions we receive from members considering a solar photovoltaic system investment. How Much Electricity Can I Generate? This depends on several factors. The first is the…
2020 Benton REA Fuel Mix Report
Power from Benton REA is 95% Carbon-Free Benton REA members used 534,913 megawatt-hours of electricity in 2020. Of that, 84.69% was produced by hydropower. Another 10.92% was sourced from our local nuclear energy producer and the final 4.39% was from unspecified sources. This data comes from the Washington Fuel Mix Disclosure, which was released December…
Dams: One Structure, Many Benefits
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…
Your Feedback Needed on Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation
The Clean Energy Transformation Act, passed in 2019 by the Washington Legislature, requires Benton REA to file a Clean Energy Implementation Plan. Benton REA is seeking member input on this plan. Clean energy is electricity that does not produce carbon or other greenhouse gases as it is generated. Examples include hydro, solar, wind, geothermal and…
Anti-Hydro Narrative Misses the Big Picture of Climate Change, Equity and Salmon
I recently participated in a panel for the CleanTech Alliance on the future of the lower Snake River dams. The panelists had diverse viewpoints, which is a good thing. However, one statement by a co-panelist who advocates for breaching the Snake dams struck me as particularly important. She said, “It’s not like we’re talking about…
Solar Equipment 101
If a person had a Rip Van Winkle moment and fell asleep under a tree a decade ago, they would be amazed at how far solar photovoltaic systems have come. Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Once the most expensive form of electricity generation, economies of scale in manufacturing and advances in technology…
Register Your EV, Get $100
Benton REA members can receive up to $100 from Benton REA toward the purchase of an electric vehicle when they register them with the co-op. Members will receive $100 for electric vehicles purchased before a Level 2 charger has been installed in their homes or businesses where the vehicles will be charged. Members can receive…
How Long Will an EV Battery Last?
How long will an electric vehicle battery last, and what is the price to replace it? The response is often “it depends.” Many electric vehicle models come with an eight-year/100,000 mile warranty, but some do not. While there is little agreement in the EV industry as to how long a vehicle battery will last, there…
Questions to Ask Your Solar Contractor
As with any major home improvement project, buying from the right contractor is every bit as important as the product you are buying. Due diligence is critical to ensure you get the best system for a fair price, and that it is installed correctly and on time. This lengthy list of questions may help you…