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

March 8, 2011

EWEB provides $3.9 million in aid to more than 10,000 in 2010

As the Eugene area continued to struggle with high unemployment and a sputtering economy in 2010, the Eugene Water & Electric Board provided a hand up to customers with $3.9 million distributed through various assistance programs.

The public utility provided economic assistance to more than 10,000 of its customer-owners in 2010 through programs designed to assist those who struggled to pay their utility bills due to job loss, cutbacks in work hours and benefits, and other factors.

The programs included a $200 bill credit for those who were laid off; loan deferrals for customers who lost their jobs or had hours reduced; a crisis assistance program for families; limited-income bill assistance; aid for homeless shelters within EWEB’s service territory; assistance for seniors and those with disabilities; an energy-efficient lighting upgrade program for small businesses; and a weatherization and education program for income-eligible customers.

“EWEB has been a leader nationally in helping its customers through this economic crisis,” said General Manager Roger Gray. “With the continuing high unemployment in Eugene and throughout Oregon, it’s clear the help we are able to offer through our assistance programs is critical for so many households.”

In response to the economic crisis that swamped the nation in mid-2008, EWEB commissioners voted to increase funding for the utility’s assistance programs to help customers through the recession. In 2009, the utility launched a $6.1 million effort with surplus power sales revenues that included a job loss benefit, a $30 rebate to every residential customer, and boosted funding for low-income programs. In 2010, commissioners authorized about $3.9 million in assistance. In 2011, the utility budgeted about $2.7 million for the aid programs.

Since 2009, EWEB has provided a total of $12.7 million in assistance for its customers.

In 2010, EWEB provided:

  • Job loss credits to 2,138 customers for a total of $562,700
  • Crisis assistance to 224 customers for a total of $88,192
  • Assistance to 23 homeless and crisis shelters totaling $29,180
  • Weatherization help to 311 customers for a total of $333,869
  • $73,600 to 39 small businesses to upgrade to energy-efficient lighting
  • Loan deferrals to about 40 customers for a total of $14,911
  • Low-income assistance to 6,078 customers totaling nearly $1.5 million

 

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