Rural Electrification – Benton City WA

Description

The Western Construction News reports of REA work in rural Washington state.

“The REA has alloted $45,000 to the Benton Rural Electrification Association, Benton City Washington, for construction of 43 miles of transmission lines in Benton County Washington.”

“The Benton Rural Electric Association was incorporated on April 19, 1937, to serve the rural areas of Benton and adjacent counties. Armed with a $45,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture loan through the Rural Electrification Association for planning and construction, the Association completed 43 miles of line. Benton REA first flipped the switch in May of 1938, lighting 89 rural farms in Benton and Yakima Counties. Finally, local farmers could retire their kerosene lamps and step into the modern age. Benton REA is the oldest operating consumer-owned utility serving Benton and Yakima Counties.

The Association continued to steadily expand, fulfilling its mission to bring electrical service to rural areas. Today, Benton REA provides electric service to more than 14,000 accounts over 1,721 miles of line from West Richland to the top of White Pass, and from Hanford to the Columbia River. The cooperative celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 2017.”