Recent Co-op News
Don’t Worry: Enroll in AutoPay
There is plenty to worry about in 2020. Why let paying your electric or internet bill be on that list? Benton REA’s automatic payment plan allows you to have your Benton REA payments drawn directly from your bank account, your credit card or your debit card. You will never have...
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...
Plant Windbreak Trees and Save Energy
It’s been said the Tri-Cities is a windy area. You’ll get no argument from most area residents. Wind erodes our soil and leads to nasty dust storms. Winter winds can increase a home’s heating costs 10% to 40%. Wind can also be just plain annoying. You can’t stop the wind,...
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...
Residential HVAC Rebates Increase
Benton REA᾽s residential rebates have recently increased for efficient heating and cooling systems. Ductless Heat Pump - $1,300 This technology is ideal for smaller homes currently without ductwork. Benton REA᾽s ductless heat pump rebate increased to $1,300. Heat Pump - Up to $1,600 Rebates for a new heat pump range...
Annual Meeting Goes Virtual
You’re invited to join Benton REA for the virtual 83rd Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Benton REA is unable to host a member appreciation event and in-person annual meeting in 2020. Adapting with the current events, the board of trustees...
Transmission: From Dam to Doorstep
Once the force of a flowing river is turned into electricity at hydroelectric dams, it still has a long way to go before reaching your house, business or school. This energy now must flow along transmission lines, sometimes hundreds of miles from its source. When electricity first leaves a dam,...
Nominate a Local Hero in National Cooperative Contest
Benton REA and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are pleased to announce the #WhoPowersYou contest celebrating local heroes. It’s a chance for Benton REA members and employees to nominate someone making a difference in the community, and an opportunity to celebrate the power of human connections. In addition to being nationally recognized,...
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...
Spare Change For Good
Round up your electric bill to help fellow member; Benton REA will match $5,000 What can you buy with $6? You could spend it on a large, flavored, cold brew and a tip at your favorite coffee drive-thru. Six dollars will almost pay for a car wash. If that $6...
Stay In The Know
Accurate phone numbers and email addresses help Benton REA communicate with you about outages and billing At Benton REA, we strive to improve our operational efficiency so we can provide the most reliable electric service possible for our members. That’s you. We rely on data for nearly every aspect of...
Final Environmental Impact Statement Affirms Lower Snake River Dams Should Remain
More than 56,000 comments were submitted to the federal agencies drafting the Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement (CRSO EIS). At least 173 of those were from Benton REA members who responded to our call to action in April. The final EIS was released on July 31 by the...
