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

Feb. 1, 2011

Greenpower Grants to fund renewable projects

The Eugene Water & Electric Board is accepting applications for a 2011 Greenpower Grant of up to $100,000 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 the utility’s renewable energy efforts.

EWEB developed the Greenpower Grants in 2009 to help reinvest these funds into renewable energy projects, education and research. One grant of up to $100,000 will be available in the spring of 2011. The grant application deadline is Feb. 28.

EWEB will once again ask 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 23, 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.”

Past grant recipients include Lane Community College, Adams Elementary School and Northwest Youth Corps.

See funding criteria and grant application

Projects that expand Eugene’s development of local renewable electric generation, support educational efforts to bring a 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.