• By 2020, reduce utility GHG emissions by 25 percent below 2009 levels
• By 2030, reduce fossil fuel use by 50 percent 
• By 2050, EWEB operations will be carbon-neutral

In order to measure progress toward these goals and to better understand our contribution to global climate change, we prepare a biennial greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.  The focus is on the GHG emissions associated with core business operations, such as fleet fuel consumption, electricity and natural gas use. 

Our 2019 GHG inventory (published in 2020) showed that between 2010 and 2019, our Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased by 1,762 MT CO₂e, or 50%, using market-based accounting for electricity.  This decrease is primarily due to a 49% reduction in fossil fuel fleet emissions and a 54% reduction in electricity-based emissions, which is largely the result of a reduction in the market-based emissions factor for electricity consumption, which reflects EWEB's commitment to a less carbon intensive portfolio.

Here in Eugene, we are fortunate to have one of the cleanest power portfolios in the nation, with almost no electricity sourced from fossil fuels. Eighty percent of Eugene's power comes from carbon-free hydroelectric energy. The remaining 20 percent of our power comes from conventional and renewable resources.

If you're building or renovating a home, upgrading appliances, or buying a car, you will have important decisions to make, such as the type of energy you'd like to use. With EWEB's 90 percent renewable power, choosing clean energy over fossil fuels is a lot easier than you might realize. Read about the benefits of electric power and learn how our rebate and loan programs can help you save energy while reducing your carbon footprint.

Climate change presents ongoing environmental, economic and social risk to EWEB, our customers, our community and the world.  Through partnerships with our customers and others in the region, EWEB will seek to decrease carbon emissions from the electric power sector, including our own generation resources and operations, and to assist customers with similar reductions. 

Our fleet of vehicles covers thousands of miles every year, so using alternative energy sources and conserving fuel is important to us.

• EWEB is the only fleet operation in the state of Oregon that uses E15 (15% Ethanol) in place of state-mandated E10.
• We are one of only two fleets operations in the state to use E85 (85% Ethanol) in our light duty vehicles.
• EWEB fleet currently uses R50 Renewable diesel in place of diesel fuel. The renewable diesel that we use is domestically produced in eastern Kansas.
• We use in-house oil analysis to check the condition of oil before changing it, allowing for fewer oil changes.
• EWEB is one of 31 fleets in North America to have been accredited as a sustainable fleet through the National Association of Fleet Administrators.
• EWEB's fleet services is a certified Ecological Business, an Oregon program that recognizes businesses that reach the highest standards in minimizing their environmental impact.

We support local, state, national and international GHG emission reduction policies, such as the cap and trade approach that are direct, economy-wide, market-based and technology neutral. Read more about EWEB's position on carbon pricing. 

In 2017, the Public Generating Pool (PGP), a group of 10 Oregon and Washington consumer-owned electric utilities, along with Benton PUD and Energy Northwest, co-sponsored a study that investigated an approach to simultaneously achieve environmental and economic goals in the electric sector. The analysis supports the conclusion that a state carbon cap and trade program (or tax) is the policy that can reduce GHG emissions in the electric sector by Oregon's statutory GHG target-a reduction of 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050-at the least cost to Oregonians and Oregon businesses. View the 2017-2018 Pacific Northwest Low Carbon Scenarios report. 

January 2018 Carbon Pricing Forum

On Jan. 24, EWEB hosted a public discussion of policy options that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electric sector in the Northwest. The presentation, panel discussion and Q&A featured:

• Arne Olsen, Energy + Environmental Economics (E3)
• Representative Paul Holvey, Oregon State Legislature
• Alan Zelenka, Eugene City Councilor
• Jason Heuser, EWEB Policy/Government Affairs Program Manager

View the presentation materials and a video recording of the forum.

2018 Legislative Agenda EWEB participates in the legislative process on behalf of our customers. Prior to the start of each legislative session, the Board of Commissioners adopts general policy directives for advocacy at the Capitol. The Board on Dec. 5, 2017 adopted a resolution supporting legislation for the 2018 Oregon Legislative Session which generally: 

1. Preserves and enhances local control;
2. Complements or improves programs that are cost-effective to our customers; and
3. Preserves, conserves, and restores our natural environment in an equitable and cost-effective manner. 

View RESOLUTION NO. 1736 EUGENE WATER & ELECTRIC BOARD 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. 

EWEB electric crews and environmental staff monitor and evaluate nests on power poles to ensure safe nesting. Learn more about our Osprey Protection Program and how you can help EWEB protect osprey and prevent power outages.