Harrison Rural Electrification Association, Inc

2100 Sun Valley Rd, Clarksburg, West Virginia, United States | Electric Power

The Rural Electrification Act of 1935 provided federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems to serve rural areas of the United States.
The funding was channeled through cooperative electric power companies, most of which still exist today. These member-owned cooperatives purchased power on a wholesale basis and distributed it using their own network of transmission and distribution lines. The Rural Electrification Act was also an attempt made by FDR's New Deal to deal with the crippling amount of unemployment.

Harrison Rural Electrification Association, Inc. (HREA) has been serving the citizens of Harrison, Doddridge, Marion, Taylor, Barbour, Upshur and Lewis Counties since 1937. In the beginning, HREA brought electric service to rural citizens who could not or would not be served by the for-profit electric utilities. Today, HREA continues to serve these areas and as the urban areas continue to grow into the rural areas, we find ourselves in the position to serve developments requiring both residential and commercial load capacity. This growth opportunity hasn’t been seen by the cooperative since the days our initial members went door to door to sign citizens up for electric. The Board, management, and employees welcome this growth and strive to continue to provide the highest quality service available.

Members have the right to attend the annual meeting and vote for member candidates to serve on the board of directors. The board sets policies for the cooperative and appoints the president/chief executive officer who oversees the management and staff. Our goal is to provide you high quality energy service at a reasonable price and to serve your needs. As a member, you will receive monthly news updates and much more in the Country Living Magazine delivered by US Mail as well as copies of these articles on this website.

On this website, you will find links that provide information about the cooperative, how to contact us, rates, other services, and future plans that the cooperative has to ensure our membership continues to receive the highest quality of service for the lowest price we can achieve.

COOPERATIVE PRINCIPALS -Voluntary and Open MembershipDemocratic Member ControlMembers' Economic ParticipationAutonomy and IndependenceEducation, Training, and InformationCooperative Among CooperativesConcern for Community

History

At the time the Rural Electrification Act was passed, electricity was commonplace in cities but largely unavailable in farms, ranches, and other rural places. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 7037 on May 11, 1935, establishing the Rural Electrification Administration.[1] It was proposed by Representative John E. Rankin and Senator George William Norris. The act was signed into law by Roosevelt.

At the time the Rural Electrification Act was passed, electricity was commonplace in cities but largely unavailable in farms, ranches, and other rural places. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 7037 on May 11, 1935, establishing the Rural Electrification Administration.[1] It was proposed by Representative John E. Rankin and Senator George William Norris. The act was signed into law by Roosevelt.

Technical issues

In the 1930s, the provision of power to remote areas was not thought to be economically feasible. A 2300 volt distribution system was then used in cities. This relatively low voltage could only be carried about 4 miles before the voltage drop became unacceptable. REA cooperatives used a 6900 volt distribution network, which could support much longer runs (up to about 40 miles). Despite requiring more expensive transformers at each home, the overall system cost was manageable.

Wiring homes and farms

REA crews travelled through the American countryside, bringing teams of electricians along with them. The electricians added wiring to houses and barns to utilize the newly available power provided by the line crews. A standard REA installation in a house consisted of:
A 60 amp, 230 volt fuse panel, with:
  • A 60 amp range circuit
  • A 20 amp kitchen circuit
  • Two or three 15 amp lighting circuits
A ceiling-mounted light fixture was installed in each room, usually controlled by a single switch mounted near a door. At most, one outlet was installed per room, since plug-connected appliances were expensive and uncommon. Wiring was performed using type NM nonmetallic sheathed cable, insulated with asbestos-reinforced rubber covered with jute and tar. Many of these installations still exist today, though most have been augmented to support a greater number and variety of appliances.

Later amendments

Some amendments to the Rural Electrification Act include:
  • 1944 - loan terms increased to 35 years, the act is made permanent
  • 1949 - extended the act to allow loans to telephone companies wishing to extend their connections to unconnected rural areas
  • December 8, 1993 - 'North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act' - The 'Buy American' provision to now include Mexico and Canada.
Company Details
Company NameHarrison Rural Electrification Association, Inc
Business CategoryElectric Power
Address2100 Sun Valley Rd
Clarksburg
West Virginia
United States
ZIP: 26301
PresidentTerry Stout
Year EstablishedNA
EmployeesNA
MembershipsNA
Hours of OperationNA
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