Related News
Related News
-
Women in STEM: Meet the Hydro Project Engineer Building Habitat for Salmon
EWEB Engineer Associate Val Chang found her way to the McKenzie River from Los Angeles, inspired by heritage trips to the waters of Taiwan and key mentors along the way.
Find Out More -
Public Power Week Poster Contest Winners 2025
The results are in! View the winning posters from EWEB's 2025 Public Power Week Poster Contest.
Find Out More -
EWEB Hometown Heroes compete internationally
Out of 290 teams from 14 different countries, EWEB's Lineman Rodeo team places in the top third of competitors.
Find Out More -
EWEB's Halloween Truck-or-Treat is a huge success
Community members are accustomed to spotting EWEB trucks around Eugene streets and neighborhoods. But last week, those familiar vehicles looked a little different. At EWEB's second annual Truck-or-Treat Customer and Crew Appreciation Event, our fleet transformed into a festive Halloween spectacle.
Find Out More -
Sustainability Snapshot - Celebrating Energy Efficiency Projects in the Community
Sustainability Snapshops highlight impactful projects completed by EWEB's Customer Solutions department, as a way to celebrate the meaningful work happening behind the scenes.
Find Out More -
Let's Talk Turkey. Is your family ready for winter?
We're heading into the holidays, but that also means snow, ice, and not-so-nice weather might be in the forecast. Here are some tips to prepare in advance.
Find Out More -
Vote for your favorite Public Power Week Posters
The top five submittals will receive awards. Help us pick the winners.
Find Out More -
EWEB Hosts Annual Spill Drill to Protect McKenzie River
EWEB led emergency responders in its annual “spill drill” on the McKenzie River on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Trail Bridge Campground.
Find Out More -
Electric Projects underway in North & South Eugene
Underground lines and disaster-resilient power poles are part of EWEB’s infrastructure upgrade near Eugene’s largest natural resource area.
Find Out More -
EWEB general manager to retire in 2026
EWEB launches nationwide search for next leader to continue the progress of the last decade and ensure a smooth transition.
Find Out More -
The Bonneville Power Administration Rate Change and Your EWEB Bill
BPA’s finalized rate increase is smaller than projected, and EWEB’s pass-through adjustment effective October 1, 2025 will now be 2.7% for residential customers—down from the anticipated 4%.
Find Out More -
Quartz Creek: Setting the Stage for Floodplain Restoration
The project resets the floodplain along 1.8 miles of a formerly channelized creek to improve water quality, fish habitat and natural disaster resiliency.
Find Out More -
You can’t predict the next disaster, but you can prepare
The earthquake lasted less than a minute. But now the power’s out. The tap runs dry. Cell service is spotty. Would you be ready?
Find Out More -
EWEB completes helicopter installation of salmon habitat features
EWEB adds downed trees and 2,000 tons of gravel to the Uupper McKenzie River below Tamolitch Falls to improve spawning habitat.
Find Out More -
Oregon’s New Utility Laws and How EWEB Customers Already Benefit from Fair, Transparent Rates
Oregon’s POWER Act and FAIR Energy Act target investor-owned utilities. Learn how EWEB’s local, community-owned model already meets these goals.
Find Out More - Show More
EWEB unveils Leaburg Decommissioning Action Plan
January 10, 2024 • Adam Spencer, Communications Specialist
EWEB Commissioners unanimously approved an action plan for decommissioning EWEB’s Leaburg Hydroelectric Project at their Board meeting Tuesday. (Navigate to 1:13:13 in above video to skip to LDAP presentation)
The Leaburg Decommissioning Action Plan (LDAP) outlines the essential actions, activities, and regulatory processes required for the decommissioning of the Leaburg Project.
The objective of the LDAP is to position EWEB to begin on-the-ground decommissioning activities by 2032.
Decommissioning entails the removal of the Leaburg Dam and the restoration of the McKenzie River to a free-flowing state within the Project area.
EWEB is already implementing risk-reduction measures to mitigate dam safety concerns with the Leaburg Canal. The LDAP outlines ways the utility will permanently modify portions of the Leaburg Canal to safely convey tributary flows of creeks to the McKenzie River.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversees EWEB’s hydropower license. In its plan, EWEB maps out how it will navigate FERC processes to retire the Project.
The FERC requires formal consultations with Indian Tribes, public agencies that manage natural resources and public health, as well as community members.
EWEB will also conduct extensive studies on decommissioning impacts, such as how the hydrology of the river will change, water quality impacts, and impacts to endangered species, in order to develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts.
The 1928 Project is also a State Historic District, so EWEB will need to consult with the State Historic Preservation Office to determine appropriate mitigation strategies.
EWEB staff estimate it will take at least five years to assemble all the information required to apply to modify its license with FERC.
FERC ordered EWEB to cease generation at the Project in October 2018 when observations of extensive seepage and internal erosion in the Leaburg Canal raised dam safety concerns.
EWEB Commissioners unanimously decided to decommission the Leaburg Project in January of 2023 after determining the costs to fix the canal would be more expensive than purchasing electricity from other sources.
The full LDAP report is available online at (clicking link will download PDF): https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/board-of-commissioners/2024-board-agendas-and-minutes/01-09-24-board-agenda.
