Related News
Related News
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The Big Freeze 2024: After Action Report
Winter 2024 was one for the records books, and we'll look back on it for years to come and say, "That was a doozy!" The back-to-back January Ice Storms caused widespread damage to EWEB’s service territory, affecting approximately 38,000 customers. Preliminary repair costs were over $8 million, and additional repairs to transmission lines are still required.
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Fixing the Unseen: Water Pipeline Replacement in Unincorporated Eugene
Learn more about EWEB's methods for monitoring and replacing aged water pipelines.
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New tanks come online as EWEB modernizes water system
New drinking water storage tanks are one of several investments to ensure that EWEB can meet critical community needs in the event of an earthquake.
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Celebrate Earth Month by taking charge of your home's energy use
This Earth Month, learn how you can reduce your energy usage to help protect our planet and reduce carbon emissions.
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Spring Cleaning? How about Spring Emergency Preparedness!
Spring is officially here and that means the plants are blooming, the sun is (sometimes) shining, and the grass is green! We've had our fair share of severe weather already, but spring weather is notoriously unpredictable. While you're in the midst of spring cleaning and garden care, consider completing these emergency preparedness tasks.
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EWEB General Manager Delivers 2024 State of the Utility
General Manager Frank Lawson delivered his address at the March 5 public Board of Commissioners meeting
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Nine days without power: My ice storm story as an EWEB customer and employee
While beautiful and peaceful, buying a home on the edge of the forest and surrounded by trees has its tradeoffs. Moving “upriver,” I knew there would be more threats to prepare for, including Mother Nature’s seasonal surprises.
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EWEB achieves power restoration milestone over the weekend
Crews have so far restored power for 92% of customers who originally lost power at the height of the ice storm.
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Reenergized McKenzie River Valley transmission lines allow EWEB crews to restore power upriver
On Friday, a majority of EWEB crews tackled power restoration efforts upriver, after federally managed transmission lines were reenergized Thursday.
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EWEB estimates one week to complete power system restoration
On Wednesday, EWEB crews restored power for about 10,000 customers by repairing large equipment first.
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Second round of ice and ensuing thaw prompt mass power outages
On Wednesday, all EWEB crews, who have been working nonstop since Saturday, traversed EWEB’s service territory assessing the damage and restoring transmission lines and main power feeders.
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Power restored at EWEB’s water treatment plant
Crews restored electric power at EWEB's Hayden Bridge Water Filtration Plant Monday evening, allowing operators to switch off the generators and rely again on the grid. Meanwhile, EWEB crews brace for additional outages amidst second round of ice and during the coming thaw.
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EWEB crews focusing on restoring electric service for Hayden Bridge Water Filtration Plant
With more ice forecasted for Tuesday, all EWEB crews are in the field assessing outages and restoring power.
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EWEB crews making downed lines safe and restoring power across Eugene and the foothills
As EWEB works to restore electric service to customers affected by the ice storm, the customer-owned utility is following established policies and its “hierarchy of repair” to prioritize repairs that restore electric service to the greatest number of customers.
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Leaburg Decommissioning Action Plan
Plan details next steps through regulatory processes to begin dismantling Leaburg Dam by 2032.
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Managing Utility Bills During COVID-19
May 26, 2020
In mid-March EWEB voluntarily issued a moratorium on service disconnections, allowing customers who are financially impacted by the pandemic to temporarily defer payments without worrying about losing electric services.
As the utility and our entire community begin a gradual and responsible recovery process, we are closely monitoring the disconnection moratorium and impacts to customers.
For those who can, thank you for paying your bill on time.
If you have missed utility bill payments and are carrying a past-due balance, you may be concerned about accruing a large bill that may be even harder to pay-off later. Here are some tips for managing your account, avoiding future penalties, and protecting yourself from criminals who might leverage the COVID-19 pandemic to scam utility customers during this crisis.
Make Partial Payments
Even if you can't pay your bill in full at this time, it is smart to make at least partial payments as you are able. This will help keep your accrued balance down and reduce your risk of future disconnection once the moratorium is over.
Review your Bill Carefully
A key element to managing your electricity usage is to be able to track it over time. By reviewing your billing statement, you see whether you are using more or less energy compared to the year before. Your bill also shows the amount due and any past due balance. Even if you are enrolled in Budget Billing, it's crucial to review your bill to avoid surprise balances during the annual "true-up."
Apply for Assistance
If you are struggling to pay your bill, you may qualify for assistance. EWEB offers a $260 bill credit annually to income-eligible customers. In response to the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis, EWEB has temporarily extended the $260 bill assistance credit to customers who have lost their job due to coronavirus.
Reduce your Bill by Reducing your Usage
We recognize that the COVID-19 outbreak means that a lot of our customers are spending more time at home now, which could lead to higher utility bills. Managing your usage during this time can help lower your bills:
- Use less hot water. Heating water is the second-largest use of energy in the average home. Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, take short showers, and use cold water setting for laundry when possible.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and electronics. Leaving devices in standby mode can account for as much as 10 percent of home energy use. Plug multiple devices into a power strip with a surge protector. This makes it easy to turn off all devices with the flip of one switch, while also protecting them from damage.
- With springtime's fluctuating temperatures, turn off the heating system and use windows and curtains to strategically warm or cool the house at different times throughout the day.
- Run full loads only in the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
Beware of Scams
Scammers know full well that people are struggling and to them, it's the perfect time to strike. Be suspicious of any emails and/or phone calls that claim to be urgent and require immediate action to prevent shut-off of any of your utility services. Read more about common scams and how to protect yourself.