Forum to explore utility�s energy future

The Eugene Water & Electric Board is hosting a forum on Thursday night (Oct. 27) to explore how utilities and their customers can work together to meet our future energy needs.

“Our Energy Future: Together We’re Powerful,” will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the North Building at EWEB, 500 E. Fourth Ave. A half-hour open house with informational displays will begin at 5 p.m.

Mayor Kitty Piercy will provide opening remarks. A panel discussion featuring three regional and local energy experts will be held, followed by a community conversation.

Panelists are Ken Dragoon from the Northwest Power Planning Council; EWEB General Manager Roger Gray; and Joshua Skov of The Good Company, who also serves on the Eugene Sustainability Commission.

The event is an opportunity for the community to learn more about emerging issues impacting power supplies and costs, with a focus on how renewable resources and new technologies such as electric vehicles and digital meters will play a role in our energy future. Following the panel presentation, a dynamic world café process will enable participants to discuss priorities and what role customers will play in helping our community embrace new opportunities and address challenges.

In addition, recommendations of a citizen group that has been helping EWEB update its Integrated Energy Resource Plan, a document that guides how EWEB will meet the electricity needs of our customers in the future, will be shared. A draft of the plan will be presented to the utility’s Board of Commissioners in mid-November.

Light refreshments will be available.

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