Recent Co-op News

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...
A couple sits outside at a coffee business downtown

Energy Savings for Your Business

Locally owned businesses are the backbone of our community. With fall here, now is the perfect time to make sure your building is equipped for maximum energy savings. LED lighting for your business allows you to maintain your preferred brightness levels while keeping energy costs low. Don’t forget about your...
Comparison of ACSI Scores (from ACSI) - Members give Benton REA and 89 Satisfaction rating, higher than Southwest Airlines, Nike, Apple, Touchstone average, National Co-op Avg., Wal-Mart, Investor-owned avg., Municipal utility avg., DISH Network and Facebook

Members Give Benton REA An 89 Satisfaction Rating

For the fifth year in a row, Benton REA members gave their electric cooperative an 89 out of 100 rating in the American Customer Satisfaction Index questions included in the annual satisfaction survey. Each year, Benton REA seeks to understand members’ satisfaction with the cooperative to improve customer service, reliability,...
A young mom and her young son crouch together along a trail through tall grass.

Members Support and Benefit from Power to Care Bill Assistance Program

In September 2020, Benton REA launched the Power to Care bill assistance program. One year later, the program is still helping members get through the pandemic together. Donating to the fund Each month, 449 members of the co-op choose to round up their electric bill to the nearest dollar, or...
Monthly Manager's Message Header - Powerlines against a sunset

Drive In to the Annual Meeting – September 2021 Manager’s Message

Dear Members, I look forward to seeing you all at Benton REA’s Drive-In 84th Annual Membership Meeting and member appreciation lunch, held this year on September 18 at 10:30 a.m. Join us for a modified version of our annual meeting without leaving your vehicle. Drive in to the Red Mountain...
2021 Annual Meeting Ad_web

Drive In to the Annual Meeting

Benton REA invites all members to drive in for the 84th Annual Membership Meeting on September 18 at 10:30 a.m. Join us for a modified version of your annual meeting without leaving your vehicle. Drive to the Red Mountain Event Center (8280 W. Van Giesen St.) in West Richland. You’ll...
A man and woman lean on the kitchen countertop looking at an i pad the man is holding

Benton REA Pays Back $1.75 Million to Members

Benton REA will pay back more than $1.75 million in ownership credits this summer. This amount is shared among more than 17,400 active and inactive members. People and businesses that receive electricity from Benton REA are members and owners of the cooperative. All utilities have margins, but only electric cooperatives...
Benton REA Board District Map - Trustee election

Mail-in Ballots Due September 9 for Trustee Districts 7, 8

Benton REA is governed by eight trustees who each represent a district of members. These trustees are elected by you—Benton REA members—to serve three-year terms. Members who live in districts 7 and 8 will receive a ballot in August for the 2021 trustee election. Each membership receives one vote. Members...
Monthly Manager's Message Header - Powerlines against a sunset

Heat Wave Blackouts Avoided, Transmission Improvements Needed

Dear Members, To say June 29 was a hot day is an understatement. With temperatures hitting 115 degrees, all our air conditioners put a strain on the Bonneville Power Administration’s capacity to deliver electricity into the Tri-Cities. Benton REA does not own transmission lines, which are the high-voltage power lines...
colored pencils - poster contest

2021 Kids’ Electrical Safety Poster Contest

Posters are due August 19 for this year’s Electrical Safety Poster Contest.  All elementary-age children whose parents or guardians are Benton REA members with active electric accounts are  eligible. Prizes will be distributed at the Benton REA Annual Meeting on September 18 in West Richland. The following prizes will be...
David Hanson, executive director, and Ken Trainor, director of operations for Sunrise Outreach Center food banks accept a check for $3,000 from Benton REA Board President Connie Krull (center).

Benton REA Donates $15K to Local Food Banks

Fifteen thousand dollars is helping feed local families thanks to Benton REA and matching funds from CoBank, one of the utility’s lenders. Benton REA received a $7,500 matching grant from the CoBank Sharing Success program. Together, the $15,000 donation will help families through three organizations within the Benton REA member...
A mother holds a tablet while she looks at her pre-teen-age daughter. Both are wearing pink shirts and a lamp is on between them. PowerNET's managed router service helps families and businesses manage their internet network.

A Lot of Security for Less Than a Latte

PowerNET's managed router service helps families and businesses manage their internet network For the cost of one large latte, have peace of mind about your home internet network. PowerNET’s managed router service helps families and businesses maximize their internet use while helping protect everyone connected for just $5 a month,...