Big Bend utility passes irrigation efficiency milestone

RITZVILLE — The Pacific Northwest just became more efficient.

Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Inc., and the Bonneville Power Administration announced recently the cooperative's irrigation energy efficiency efforts positioned it as an efficiency leader in the Pacific Northwest. The company accumulated more than 1 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of savings in the past year. One million kWh of electricity savings are comparable to the consumption of 100 average homes in the Northwest over a period of a year.

"It is clear Big Bend Electric Cooperative's comprehensive irrigation efficiency program is moving the needle, producing measurable results and savings for the region," said Mike Weedall, vice president of energy efficiency at BPA.

Jim Johnson, manager of Big Bend Electric Cooperative, said his utility is pleased customers are enjoying their efficiency savings by keeping money in their pockets.

"We know the world of agriculture production is intensely cost competitive and that it is important for Northwest farmers to be efficient," he said. "If they succeed at their job, then we succeed at ours."

Big Bend Electric Cooperative's specific efficiency savings steps included rebates to agricultural consumers participating in BPA's irrigation efficiency program by installing new qualifying sprinkler equipment and pump motors on their electrically powered irrigation systems.