Noticias Recientes de la Cooperativa

Map of Benton REA Purchased Property in West Richland (Keene Road and Cooperative Way))

Benton REA Buys Land for New Administration Building in West Richland

Electric prices will not increase due to phased construction schedule.  After years of research, the Benton REA Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 17.79 acres on Keene Road in West Richland in December 2021. The land will be home to a new Benton REA administration building, with room to...
A Detroit Electric advertisement from 1912. Black and white illustration of a woman in a winter dress and hat standing by an electric car in a snowy neighborhood. The add says "One of Our nine Rare Creations For 1912"

The Future Is Electric

In the early 20th century, electric vehicles made up close to 40% of the U.S. vehicle market share. Despite their early popularity, they began to disappear from the streets after just a few years. As roadways improved beyond city limits, people wanted to explore. With their slower speeds and shorter...
Llightning and Powerlines, Photo by Pat Gaines

Understanding Power Surges and Blinks

Have you noticed your lights blink during a storm? Perhaps you’ve noticed a blinking microwave clock when you arrive home. When this happens, you’ve likely experienced a brief disruption to your electric service, which could result from a power surge or blink. While the symptoms of surges and blinks can...
Ruppert Substation bus work

Ruppert Substation to be Energized in December

Benton REA’s newest electric distribution substation is scheduled to come online in December. This eight-bay power distribution hub will receive 115 kilovolt electricity from Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines near Ruppert Road in West Richland. It will transform the high-voltage electricity to 12.4 kV, making it ready to send through...
On the cover of the 2022 Ruralite calendar, highlighted by evening light, a farmer’s crops grow near an old grain elevator. PHOTO BY HAROLD CARLSON

Member’s Photo Featured on Cover of 2022 Ruralite Calendar

The cover photo on the 2022 Ruralite calendar was submitted by Benton REA member and amature photographer Harold Carlson of West Richland. “I drove down this gravel road and saw this structure,” Harold says. “The evening light was hitting it so well and luckily the farmer’s crops were starting to...
The Benton REA Co-op Connections Card

Support Local and Save

Use Your Benton REA Co-op Connections Card to save at local businesses this holiday shopping season. Gift wish lists are being made with haste and it’s getting a little colder outside. The holiday shopping season is right around the corner. Speaking of around the corner, there are plenty of locally...
Illustration by Atilla N. Wind, solar and hydropower landscape with a river and mountains

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...
Ostrom Mushroom Farms Energy-Efficiency Rebate 2021

Ostrom Mushroom Farms Receives $102K Energy-Efficiency Rebate

Ostrom Mushroom Farms accepted a $102,585 energy-efficiency rebate from Benton REA, its electric cooperative utility, on November 18, for construction and installation of energy-saving equipment at their Sunnyside facility. In 2019, Ostrom’s installed several energy-efficient measures including LED lighting, water-cooled chiller equipment and variable frequency drives on air handlers, cooling...
Monthly Manager's Message Header - Powerlines against a sunset

PowerNET Launches Broadband Internet – November 2021 Manager’s Message

Dear Members, Broadband is internet access operating at 25 megabits per second or faster. That means you can stream movies, play online video games and scroll your social media all at the same time. But beyond entertainment, accessible and affordable broadband can truly transform a rural community by allowing employees...
A man and woman look at their heat pump water heater while an installer explain its features

What Are Hybrid Electric Water Heaters?

Hybrid electric water heaters, formerly referred to as heat pump water heaters, are revolutionizing the way we heat water. Compared to traditional electric water heaters, HEWHs can cut your water heating costs in half. Why are they called hybrids? The word hybrid appears in the name because it uses two...
Computer Hacker with a black mask holding an open lock and a laptop

Get familiar with Cyber Basics

At a time when we are more connected than ever, being “cyber smart” is of the utmost importance. This year has already seen more than a fair share of cyber attacks and breaches, including the high-profile attacks on the Colonial Pipeline and other critical infrastructure. Furthermore, cyber attacks are becoming...
three electric meters

Disconnections Resume December 1

After 20 months of waived late fees and no disconnection of service for nonpayment, Benton REA will resume electric and internet disconnections on December 1. Anyone with a past-due balance is encouraged to contact Benton REA before November 30 to set up a payment arrangement. Only during November, those who...