Recent Co-op News
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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,...
Choose How Benton REA Pays You – July 2021
Dear Members, Did you know that Benton REA pays its members? It’s the cooperative difference and something we’re incredibly proud of. By purchasing electricity from Benton REA, you are also a member-owner. Your ownership is reflected in what we call ownership credits. These ownership credits are allocated to you based...
Potential Capacity Shortage: Members are asked to conserve energy during heat wave
Benton REA is asking members to conserve their use of electricity during these extreme high temperatures. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which supplies power for Benton REA and other local utilities, has informed Benton REA that the extreme heat is putting record demand on its system. BPA says if demand...
Get Paid Your Way: New Options for Ownership Credits
Benton REA has made it easier and more convenient than ever to get paid your ownership credits. Members can now receive their Benton REA capital (ownership) credit payments as an electric bill credit. By purchasing electricity from Benton REA, you are a member-owner. Your ownership is reflected in credits allocated...
4 Ways to Stay Cyber-Secure
The internet can be dangerous and scary. We’ve seen the lists of ideas for better cybersecurity. The problem is, the tips aren’t helpful unless we act on them. We know we should use long passwords and change them regularly. But do we? Here are three reasons to encourage you to...