BBEC Highlights

Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BBEC) is a member-owned corporation whose purpose is to provide electric service and other benefits to its member-owners. BBEC was formed in 1939 to bring electricity to the rural areas of Adams and Franklin counties in Eastern Washington.

From its humble beginning, BBEC has grown into a financially sound cooperative serving the needs of its members, over 8,200 accounts. About 60 percent of the electricity used by BBEC members is for agricultural purposes. The remaining 40 percent is for residential accounts and a variety of business accounts.

Because the economy in the service area of BBEC is so heavily dependent on agriculture, the federal hydro system is vital to BBEC members. The federal hydro system provides water for irrigation, transportation for products, and low-cost power provided by the Bonneville Power Administration.

BBEC members have the right to determine how the cooperative is operated. BBEC is run by nine members that are elected to the board of directors by the other BBEC members. Board members are always willing to listen to members and the issues they raise. Each year, BBEC invites all members to attend an annual meeting. At these meetings, members vote to elect board members and vote on other matters in accordance with BBEC bylaws. The meetings also give the members a chance to learn what has happened at BBEC during the past year and what future issues are being investigated.

BBEC board members and employees take pride in our cooperative and the history of electric service to members started by the grass-roots efforts of pioneers who settled in Adams and Franklin counties.