Recent Co-op News
Co-op Youth Visit D.C.
More than 1,800 youth from cooperatives across the United States converged in Washington, D.C. June 7-14 for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)'s Youth Tour. Five students from Washington co-ops attended. Nathan Cahoon and Taylor Smith, both of West Richland, represented Benton REA. Students from Tanner Electric Cooperative in...
Prosser Office Remains Open During 7th Street Road Construction
Starting June 11, road construction along 7th Street will temporarily eliminate the parking spots in front of the Benton REA Prosser office. However, the office will be open during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) during construction. Sheridan Avenue will remain open during the 80-day...
Manager’s Message – June 2018
Dear Members, The dams have been on my mind lately. A court-ordered spill over the four Snake River dams began on April 3rd and will continue through June. The Columbia River dams followed soon after in a test that hopes to boost the already extremely high survival rate (92-96%) of...
Benton REA Welcomes New Meter Reader in West Richland
This month, West Richland residents will welcome a new meter reader and say goodbye to a long-time friend. C. K. “Kaye” Johnson has read Benton REA’s electric meters in West Richland since her daughter was just one year old. Tiffney is now 27 years old. In recent years, Tiffney and...
Manager’s Message – May 2018
Dear Members, I had the privilege of speaking on a panel about engaging members’ trust at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Annual Meeting in February. I am honored to have been asked by NRECA to participate in their Annual Meeting, and I’m very proud of Benton REA for...
New Law Says “Move Over” for Utility Vehicles and Workers
Currently, Washington state law requires drivers to move over a lane or slow down for emergency vehicles stopped on the shoulder of the highway. Starting June 7, motorists must do the same for utility vehicles including line trucks from power utilities. Utility workers often have to work on powerlines located...
PowerNET Upgrades Internet Speeds
Benton REA is excited to announce that its PowerNET internet customers are currently receiving a faster connection at no additional cost! PowerNET customers may have noticed the increased speeds in mid-March. Technicians replaced 15 access points and 450 subscriber antennas between October 2017 and January 2018 to make the upgrade...
PowerNET Remains Net Neutral
On March 5, Washington became the first state to approve its own net-neutrality rules that will take effect in June 2018. This move followed the Federal Communications Commission’s December 2017 decision to repeal certain regulations on broadband companies. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers must treat all data...
Manager’s Message – April 2018
Dear Members, February was a busy month for Benton REA. We not only held our 81st Annual Meeting, but several Benton REA staff and Trustees visited Olympia to meet with our local state representatives and senators. I want to thank them for all the hard work they do to represent...
Low-Cost Window Upgrades
Are you planning a spring cleaning project that involves those hard-toreach windows? Why not upgrade your window energy efficiency while you're at it? For a low-cost upgrade that doesn't require replacing your windows, Benton REA recommends Low-E storm windows. "Low-E" stands for Low Emissivity, meaning in the summertime these windows block some...
Co-ops at the Table in Olympia
Collectively, Benton REA members are represented by four state senators and eight representatives. In February, several Benton REA trustees and staff members visited the state capitol to meet these representatives and discuss the issues that impact Benton REA and its members. Benton REA’s top legislative priority positions include carbon policy,...
$8,000 Benton REA Scholarships Awarded
Benton REA awarded one Trade & Technical and four Academic scholarships to local graduating high school seniors at the cooperative’s 81st Annual Meeting on February 10. Talita Rogers, daughter of Mark and Patricia Rogers of Prosser, was the recipient of the $8,000 Trade & Technical scholarship. Recipients of the $8,000...