Recent Co-op News
Save Time With the SmartHub App
Save Time With the SmartHub App Whether through the web or your smartphone or tablet, you can quickly pay your bill, view your energy use, contact Benton REA for assistance and get the latest co-op news. As soon as you log in to your Benton REA SmartHub account, you can...
Manager’s Message – September 2019
Dear Members, Were you one of the 3,000-plus people who attended RiverFest in 2018? If so, we welcome you back in 2019. If not, you won’t want to miss it this year. RiverFest is a free, fun and educational family event. The exhibitors, vendors and entertainment will showcase all the...
Youth Tour Delegates Respond to Trip of a Lifetime
Youth Tour Delegates Respond to Trip of a Lifetime Nearly 2,000 children of electric cooperative members from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C., June 13-20 for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Nathan Shibley and Michelle Bolling, both of West Richland, represented Benton REA. Nathan was selected to...
Be Aware of Electric Shock Drowning
Be Aware of Electric Shock Drowning Despite being categorized as leisure activities, swimming and boating can quickly become dangerous. While water-safety behaviors such as wearing life jackets and maintaining safe boating speeds have become commonplace, a serious hazard remains that is often overlooked. This silent killer, classified as electric shock...
82nd Annual Meeting Draws 530 Attendees
82nd Annual Meeting Draws 530 Attendees For the first time since 1980, Benton REA held the annual meeting of members in West Richland. More than 530 attended the family event on July 13 at Leona Libby Middle School. Tethered hot air balloon rides began at 8 a.m., and 143 people...
Balloon Rides for Charity
Balloon Rides for Charity The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives hot air balloon rose 50 feet in the air over and over again the morning of July 13. 143 members of Benton REA enjoyed an experience of a lifetime on a tethered hot air balloon ride at the 82nd Benton REA annual...
August 11 Reminds Us to Call 811 Before Digging
With August 11 almost here, Benton REA hopes this date on the calendar, 8/11, will serve as a reminder for residents to call 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every 6 minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without...
Manager’s Message – August 2019
Dear Members, This summer, the boards of Benton REA and its public power neighbors—Benton PUD, Franklin PUD and the City of Richland Energy Services—unanimously passed resolutions supporting the Columbia River Power System and the four Lower Snake River dams. Read the full resolution at BentonREA.org/energy-in-legislation. Eighty-seven percent of the electricity...
2019 Scholarship Recipients Announced
Five graduating high school students from West Richland were awarded $8,000 Benton REA academic scholarships to aid with their college tuition. Each year, when unclaimed capital credit checks are returned to Benton REA, the money is used to help fund scholarships for students whose parents are members of Benton REA....
Local Utilities Support 100% Clean Energy and the Snake River Dams
Local leaders banded together to support the four hydroelectric dams on Eastern Washington’s lower Snake River and the role they play in maintaining reliable and affordable power to the state and region. The boards of Benton PUD, Franklin PUD, Benton REA and the Richland City Council unanimously approved resolutions firmly...
Co-op Youth in D.C.
Nearly 2,000 children of electric cooperative members from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C., June 13-20 for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Nathan Shibley and Michelle Bolling, both of West Richland, represented Benton REA. This year, four Washington delegates toured the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, war memorials...
Manager’s Message – July 2019
Dear Members, Co-ops exist to serve their members and the community. That’s why I can speak for all Benton REA employees by saying, “We work for you.” Benton REA’s employees work week after week with you—the members—in mind. Every detail of providing electricity as well as internet and technology services...
