Nestled in the heart of Eastern Washington’s wheat country, Big Bend Electric Cooperative (BBEC) has been lighting up lives since 1939. Headquartered in the tight-knit town of Ritzville, this member-owned, nonprofit utility serves more than 11,000 meters across a landscape that stretches from rolling rural fields to the growing urban energy demands of Pasco and the Tri-Cities.
With 44 employees operating and maintaining nearly 2,500 miles of power line—enough to span from Washington to Florida—Big Bend is small but mighty. Its reach is vital to the region’s success, delivering safe, reliable electricity that supports everything from family homes to agricultural operations, which make up more than half of the cooperative's total energy use.
But BBEC is more than just an electric utility. It’s a pillar of the community. From college scholarships and youth leadership tours to rebate programs and Caring Neighbors donations, BBEC ensures its members reap the rewards of cooperative membership. The co-op even returns profits to its members through patronage capital credits, reinvesting in the communities that built it.
“It's more than just keeping the lights on,” said Kelly Haugh, BBEC's manager of community relations. “It’s about our dedication to our co-op members, who are also our friends, family and neighbors. We take that responsibility very seriously.”
Big Bend's employees don’t just work in the community; they live there, grow up there and give back. Whether participating in local parades, conducting electrical safety demonstrations, supporting FFA and 4-H livestock awards or donating to local food banks, their commitment to community is evident every day.
Governed by a nine-member board elected by its membership, Big Bend remains true to its grassroots beginnings, inspired by the pioneering families who settled Adams and Franklin Counties and fought for access to power.
Today, their legacy lives on in a cooperative that champions both economic development and environmental responsibility, firmly rooted in the Seven Cooperative Principles that define its purpose.
For Big Bend, the Columbia Basin Project and the federal hydropower system aren’t just infrastructure; they’re lifelines. These systems support irrigation, transportation and low-cost power, making them critical to the region’s agriculture-based economy and to the cooperative's mission.
With a sharp focus on service, sustainability and stewardship, Big Bend Electric Cooperative continues to embody the true spirit of public power—community-powered, member-driven and future-focused.