For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716 or 954-7509 (cell)
Eugene Water & Electric Board

The Eugene Water & Electric Board's Energy Share campaign set new records last year for the total amount raised and in the number of customers who voluntary donated money to help low-income customers pay their utility bills.

Customers donated $168,070 to Energy Share in 2002, up from slightly less than $140,000 in 2001, the previous highest-donation year. In addition, 5,300 customers donated money last year, up substantially from about 4,500 donors in 2001.

The annual Energy Share campaign kicks off in late November and runs into early January. Many customers choose to donate a small amount each month on their EWEB bill, while others give one-time donations. February was the highest donation month in 2002, with about $45,567 donated by customers.

EWEB Customer Relations Manager Chuck Dalton, who runs the Energy Share program, said he was awed by the increase in donations and number of customers willing to participate, given the poor state of the economy.

"Our customers showed that they truly are generous people," Dalton said. He also praised customer service reps, who often will ask customers if they'd like to donate to Energy Share.

Since its inception in 1986, more than $1.5 million in donations to Energy Share have kept thousands of Eugene homes warmer through the winter and lighted the rest of the year. The St. Vincent de Paul Society runs the Energy Share allocation program under a contract with EWEB. Customers who qualify receive a bill credit of up to $300 in a 12-month period.

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