FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
EWEB's External Communications Coordinator Eugene Water & Electric Board
500 E. 4th Avenue

EUGENE WATER & ELECTRIC BOARD TO PROCEED WITH FIBER OPTIC SYSTEM: INTENDS TO ISSUE $15 MILLION IN REVENUE BONDS

Last night, the Eugene Water & Electric Board of Commissioners unanimously authorized a resolution that sets in motion the utility's plans to build a publicly owned fiber optic network. The resolution requests that the City of Eugene authorize the sale of up to $15 million in revenue bonds to finance the first phase of the fiber optic project. The City Council will consider the request at its meeting next Monday evening, November 24.

EWEB is using existing bonding authority provided through the Uniform Revenue Bond Act under Oregon statutes. When the authority to issue bonds is granted by the City Council, EWEB will post a notice of intent to issue the bonds. The published notice marks the beginning of a 60-day period during which anyone opposing the bond issue can collect signatures to initiate a petition calling for an election.

The first phase of the fiber optic project will connect all EWEB facilities, including substations and reservoirs. A number of public agencies, schools and the University of Oregon are also planning to connect with the system. In anticipation of Phase II, in which all interested homes and businesses will be linked to the system, at least one residential area will be connected as a pilot project.

The telecommunications system, comprised of a high-speed broadband fiber optic network, would provide access to data of all sorts, including lightening- fast Internet access, video conferencing and telephone service. EWEB would use the system for such utility activities as monitoring substations and reservoir activity and remote meter reading. EWEB would build and maintain the infrastructure of the system, and would lease excess space on the lines to content providers.

Fiber optics can handle data loads many times greater than the existing twisted pair of copper wire that is now used for phone lines. "The appeal of a fiber optics system is clear," says Project Manager Ken Beeson. "Imagine this: The entire works of Shakespeare, translated into 250 languages, could be transmitted electronically over fiber optic cable in less than one-twentieth of a second."

Construction of Phase I could start in February 1998 and be complete in about four months. Phase II construction could be complete in two to four years.