News Releases

26 years ago, Columbia iConnect was launched with pretty much the same mission as Columbia REA carried with it six decades earlier: Fast, reliable service backed by people who live and work in the same communities they serve. In other words, fill the void left by the big national brands who made all their decisions based on dollars, which left rural residents out in the cold.

In the electricity 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.

How is your old air conditioner holding up through another eastern Washington summer? If your system is struggling, running constantly or needing frequent repairs, it may be using more energy than necessary. For rural customers, where service calls can take extra time and travel, replacing an aging system with the right equipment can improve comfort, reliability and monthly energy costs.

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.”

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.

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.

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.