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 areas.

These necessary projects are significant in both size and cost, and may take anywhere from a few months to several years to complete. Here is what we have planned:

Ruppert Substation

A new substation will be built at the base of Red Mountain in West Richland to serve the area north of Van Giesen Street.

Huard Road Substation

A second substation is being built to serve the north Prosser area at the intersection of Hinzerling and Huard roads.

Plymouth Area Upgrade

Improvements are being made to the existing Plymouth Substation to handle increased electric load for agricultural processing. In addition, Benton REA is installing new conductor replacement wires on existing poles in the Plymouth area to handle increased load.

Additional projects throughout the Benton REA service area are in progress, or being evaluated, to meet the needs of our current and future members.

No Rate Increase

I’m pleased to announce that Benton REA is in excellent financial condition and does not need to implement a retail electric rate increase as a result of the investment being made to complete these major projects. Overall, our current analysis shows that we do not expect to increase Benton REA’s electric rates anytime within the next two years.

We plan to provide you more information about these projects through upcoming issues of Ruralite, so please stay tuned. A core part of Benton REA’s mission is to provide you affordable and reliable energy services. Just as Benton REA has achieved those goals in the past, our employee team is dedicated to doing our very best to continue that success going forward.

Cooperatively,

Michael J. Bradshaw

General Manager