News Releases

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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.