For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 541-685-7471
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Feb. 3, 2010

Greenpower Grants to fund renewable projects

The Eugene Water & Electric Board is accepting applications for two Greenpower Grants of up to $100,000 each to fund high-impact projects and programs that drive advancements in renewable energy for EWEB customers, with emphasis on EWEB products, resources and priorities.

Since 2007, thousands of EWEB customers have chosen to support clean renewable energy and the environment by purchasing EWEB Greenpower. They buy $1.50 or $10 “blocks” of Greenpower, or voluntarily dedicate all of their energy use to Greenpower by paying an extra penny per kilowatt-hour of consumption. Revenues are invested in EWEB’s renewable energy efforts.

EWEB developed the Greenpower Grants in 2009 to help reinvest these funds into smaller-scale renewable energy or education projects. Two grants of up to $100,000 each will be available in the spring of 2010. The grant application deadline is Feb. 22.

As with the inaugural grant awarded last year, EWEB will be asking Greenpower customers to choose the recipients. A team of EWEB employees will screen the list of grant applicants, selecting a handful of eligible projects for consideration. Only EWEB Greenpower customers will be able to vote for their favorite project starting around April 5.

The winners will be announced at the annual Earth Day Celebration on April 24, at the EWEB River Edge Plaza.

“EWEB customers have a long history of supporting clean energy sources,” said Tom Williams, EWEB Key Account Manager. “EWEB Greenpower is an opportunity to make a difference right here for our community.”

Lane Community College won a $100,000 Greenpower grant last spring to help fund a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station. Construction of the structure will begin later this year.

See the spring 2010 Greenpower Grant funding criteria and grant application.

Projects that expand Eugene’s development of local solar photovoltaic electric generation, support educational efforts to bring broader understanding of sustainability in energy development, or invest in research and demonstration of new generation technologies such as wave power, will be eligible. Grants are open to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, academic and public institutions.