Ruralite

Wildfire season is here. Columbia REA takes fire safety very seriously. One of the key steps we take is placing our equipment in Fire Safety Mode, known in the industry as “one-shot” operation. This setting helps reduce the risk of ignition from electrical arcs or sparks.

Taking the Time to Get It Right. A year ago, in this column, we talked about Columbia REA’s adoption of AI technology, specifically Microsoft CoPilot, into our workflow. The headline that day was “Fast, Flexible and Forward-thinking.”

Portland, OR – June 11, 2026. The Public Power Council (PPC) is expressing concerns over new, court-ordered Columbia River operations at John Day Dam following reports that adult salmon passage there has been significantly delayed during the current migration season. The John Day Dam concern comes just after PPC joined a stipulation filed in late May by Federal Defendants in the ongoing Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) litigation to protect spawning salmon migrating up the Columbia River after adult passage was being slowed by new river operations at Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River.

June is a Great Time for Eastern Washington Families to Prepare for Summer Energy Use. Hot afternoons, cool nights, and strong sunshine can quickly change how much electricity a home, shop, or farm uses from day to day. In many rural communities, summer demand is not just about keeping the house comfortable. It can also […]

Columbia REA is proud to recognize five local High School seniors for their exceptional accomplishments as students and their outstanding commitment to their communities. Clark A. Brewington Academic Scholarship The Clark A. Brewington Scholarship Program, named in memory of former Columbia REA General Manager, Clark Brewington, has been awarded to three local students living within […]

2026 Board Officers Board President: Jay DeWittVice President: Dennis MundenSecretary/Treasurer: Katie Wooldridge Complete 2026 Board of Directors District 1 Patrick DennisRick LugarKent Marquardt District 2 Doug LoganPhilip MehlenbacherDennis Munden District 3 Neil CarpenterJay DeWittKatie Wooldridge Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote!Your input and involvement in this and other Cooperative matters is […]

Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget the Filters I love this time of year—milder temperatures make life easier, keep electric bills low, and give our heating and cooling systems a break. Still, scheduling an HVAC check before the summer cooling season is a smart move; it can catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs. One […]

Data Centers, Our Community, and Columbia REA Whether in favor, opposed, or indifferent, the reality of a large, power-intensive, data center being built in our area was bound to happen sooner or later. As you may have read recently in the Union-Bulletin and other reports, that reality has reached Columbia REA. In late 2024, the […]

Applications for the 2026 Columbia REA More Powerful Together Grant are now being accepted. All applications must be received by 5:00 pm, Monday, June 15.

I Want To Reduce My Electric Bill: Should I Fix My Energy-Leaking House or Buy Solar? If you’re trying to bring your energy bill down, two options usually rise to the top: energy-efficiency upgrades or solar panels. Both can help, but figuring out what to do first (or whether to do both) is worth a […]

After 5 terms—and leadership roles that included guiding the cooperative through COVID—Knowles says it’s time to hand the work to a new generation, even as he stays busy at the family business he’s built over decades. When Greg Knowles says he’s “being called a retiree now,” he laughs—but the milestone is real. After about 15 […]

Food, Fun & Financials…Oh My! This year, Columbia Rural Electric Association (REA) invites members to follow the Yellow Brick Road straight to our Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 23—an evening where cooperative business meets community connection, and where every member is encouraged to bring an appetite and a voice! At Columbia REA, you’re not just […]

To support reliable service and help protect member equipment, Columbia REA is providing updated guidance on power quality and recommended protection measures for all 3‑phase services.

On January 27, 2026, the Columbia Rural Electric Association (REA) made a major investment in the future of its service area, awarding 3 local organizations $250,000 each through its Legacy Grant program.

Growing To Serve You Better

One of the ways cooperatives differ from for-profit businesses is our adherence to the 7 Cooperative Principles, which represent values that reflect social and community values and local business concerns.

Supporting Sustainable Walla Walla University Campus Lighting

Back to the Grind…?

Start Your Year With Savings

Application forms for the Clark A. Brewington Memorial Academic Scholarship and the Jeff Meredith Lineman Scholarship are now available on the Columbia REA website.

Be Present, Pay Attention, Act with Intent

Beginning January 1, 2026, Columbia Rural Electric Association (CREA) will implement an average rate increase of 3% across all classifications.

Thinking About a Home Generator? Consider These Key Factors

Time out! It’s Christmas!

Columbia Rural Electric Association (CREA) is committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our members.

Powering Eastern Washington Through the Winter

The Rough Terrain of a Changing Industry

If someone asked what a local electric cooperative does for your community, you’d probably respond with the obvious: It delivers power to homes, farms, and businesses.

What Is a Heat Pump Water Heater?

Being Part of a Co-Op Means Giving Back

It’s fun to catch up with our former scholarship winners and learn where their studies have taken them.

Local Traditions Rooted in the Land

Empowering Homes: Utility Rebates Drive Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Boosting Energy Efficiency at Home

It’s Time to Listen to the People Who Know

The Columbia REA Operations team, which includes linemen, management, administrative, and support staff, has many responsibilities, but one primary mission guides everything they do: Keep the lights on and the power flowing safely and securely across our entire system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Power Resilience Savings

Columbia REA’s Vision and Planning Pay Off With Seamless Expansion of Walla Walla Public Schools’ EV Bus Charging Station.

Fast, Flexible & Forward-Thinking

Simple Ways to Save Energy This Summer

Columbia REA is proud to recognize 4 local High School seniors for their exceptional accomplishments as students and their outstanding commitment to their community.

Commitment to Community & Our Future

Protect Your Family With These Important Safety Tips for Inside & Outside Your Home

April Showers Bring the 2025 Annual Meeting!

Vote With SmartHub on Your Computer or Smartphone Through the SmartHub App

Is Cooking Eating Up Your Energy Dollars?

BPA Job Cuts: Truth & Consequences

Columbia REA & the Path to Carbon-Free Energy with Small Modular Reactors

You can claim credits when you file your tax return.

PNGC – Strength Through Numbers

Snake River Dams Vital to Recreation, Irrigation & Wildlife

Co-ops: They Really Are Different

Connected Smart Devices & Smartphone Apps Bring Efficiency to Your Fingertips

Efficiency Rebates & More!

Monitoring Your Electricity Consumption Can Help You Use Energy More Wisely

Columbia Rural Electric Association (CREA) will start paying out Capital Credits in the first quarter of each year.

Columbia REA is built on a foundation of community support… in both directions.

Snake River Lock System Helps U.S. Wheat Get to International Markets

Maybe you want to make sure the food in your freezer stays frozen if there’s a power outage.

Salmon & Other Fish Influence Every Decision for Lower Snake River Dams

October is Co-op month, and Columbia REA is celebrating by highlighting the thousands of companies around the country and the world that keep the cooperative spirit alive, and provide us all with goods and services every day.

Lower Usage Can Lead to Higher Savings!

Operational & Mission Changes Impact Dams’ Power Output

Cash Rebates are Available for Many Different Programs

Protecting Our Reliable Power Has Never Been More Critical

Empowering Solar Consumers

Discover the Perks of Electric Vehicles

Columbia REA is proud to recognize three local High School seniors for their exceptional accomplishments as students and their outstanding commitment to their community with 4-year scholarships worth up to $12,000 to continue their education at the next level.

How Can I Lower My Electric Bill?

Vote with SmartHub on your computer or smartphone through the SmartHub app

It’s Time for Us to Meet, Greet & Eat!

Conserve Power Earn Money Back Lower Your Bill!

Back in late January, Columbia REA was thrilled to host a group of students from the Southeast Area Technical Skills Center, more commonly known as SEATech.

Residential heat pumps play a crucial role in maintaining comfort in your home, providing both heating and cooling capabilities.

Sheila Shelton joined Columbia REA in 2006 as a billing coordinator.

What is This Demand Charge On My Bill?

Monitoring your electricity consumption can help you use energy more wisely.

The Rise of Heat Pump Water Heaters

2024 Applications Available in January

Home Safe Home

Extreme Weather Mythbusters

Columbia REA Member Services Communication Specialist, Steve Owens, hogged the spotlight a little bit at the NWPPA Northwest Innovations in Communications (NIC) conference last month, winning 6 awards at the Annual Excellence in Communications awards ceremony.

As stewards of your co-op, it is our primary mission to provide you with safe, affordable, electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

As the demand for renewable energy continues to rise, choosing the right solar system installer is crucial to ensure a smooth and successful installation process.

Having a Home Generator is Good Planning

2022 Clark A. Brewington Memorial Scholarship Recipient

An Energy-Efficient Solution

A Close-up View of Hydroelectric Power: Straight From the Source

Very Quietly and Cleanly

Electric Vehicle FAQs

You Can Prep Your Home For Summer

The 2023 Walla Walla Balloon Stampede returned to Mother’s day Weekend this year.

Save on home efficiency upgrades

Columbia REA is proud to recognize 3 local High School seniors for their exceptional accomplishments as students and their outstanding commitment to their community

Live More Efficiently, Use Less Energy

Partners for a healthier community

No Charge! Free! Save Money!

Be Strategic in Using Space Heaters

The 7 Cooperative Principles that we follow provide the framework for the cooperative business model.

Stay alive by staying away

Hot Tips to Cool Your Electric Bill Right Now

Outage Safety Preparation and Communication

Seeking Board of Directors Candidates and Members to serve on the Nominating Committee

Can I reduce my electric bill with solar?

More Powerful Together

Top ways to Save energy around your home

In the energy world, a connector helps bring power from the source to the end user. In our Connectors feature, we introduce you to your real-life Columbia REA Connectors, our staff.

Super Savings Now and Later

Char Harshman likes crunching the numbers.

Hydropower Flows Here

Don’t let supply chain issues derail your project

Each year, the Columbia REA management team presents the Power Player award to one employee of Columbia REA who best embodies the seven cooperative principles

Columbia Rural Electric Association was honored to host the Pacific Northwest k9 Association’s training conference last month!

We are always looking for ways to reduce expenses.

Spray or Drip at my Farm or Home?

We have had a cool spring, but higher summer temperatures are coming up fast

Solar power at home

Your annual meeting snapshot

Columbia REA is proud to recognize three local High School seniors for their exceptional accomplishments as students and their outstanding commitment to their community with 4-year scholarships worth up to $12,000 to continue their education at the next level.

How much does it cost to change a light bulb?

In the energy world, a connector helps bring power from the source to the end-user. In our Connectors feature, we introduce you to your real-life Columbia REA Connectors, our staff.

Don’t get caught out in the cold with a bad hot water heater

Vote with SmartHub on your computer or smartphone through the SmartHub app

In the energy world, a connector helps bring power from the source to the end user. In our Connectors feature, we introduce you to your real-life Columbia REA Connectors, our staff.

My electric utility wants me to have a smaller bill? Yes!

It’s fun to catch up with our former scholarship winners and learn where their studies have taken them.

Here’s some interesting history to help explain.

Ready or not, here comes 2022!

This past holiday Season, Columbia REA was a proud sponsor of the Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff.

Columbia REA recently “unleashed” our new Bring Your Dog to Work Program.

One of the programs we are most proud of is our scholarship program.

LEDs are huge energy savers, and they are increasing the functionality of lighting our homes.

We would like to thank every organization that applied this year.

Your Board of Directors has approved $1.5 million to be returned to members who were with the Co-op in 1996, 1997, and 2020.

Should your next car be an EV?