Related News
Related News
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National Preparedness Month: Older adults take control in 1, 2, 3
We know older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the extreme weather events and emergencies we face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, depend on electricity for medical needs, or live in rural areas.
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Women in STEM: EWEB Engineer Laura Ohman's second degree brings a lifetime of benefits
EWEB Engineer Laura Ohman shares how getting her second degree was one of the most difficult and rewarding things she's ever accomplished.
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Bethel neighbors boost emergency preparedness during Emergency Water Station event
Staff gave out about 300 emergency water containers to enthusiastic community members eager to learn more about the water station.
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Stay cool during extreme heat events
With temperatures forecasted to reach over 100 degrees over the next several days, we've prepared some tips and tricks to help you stay cool.
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Women in STEM: Meet our servant leader and maker of tough decisions
Karen Kelley, Chief Operations Officer at EWEB, describes herself as a "servant leader," offering support and mentoring to four division managers at EWEB.
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EWEB establishes multipronged resiliency policy
Disaster recovery and prevention are being embedded in all operations and processes.
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Women in STEM: Meet the water quality specialist who ensures the safety of Eugene's drinking water
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EWEB will close College Hill Reservoir site for Fourth of July
EWEB will continue the annual closure of its College Hill Reservoir over the Fourth of July holiday. For the past several years, EWEB has restricted access to the reservoir surface around the Fourth of July to ensure people do not set off fireworks which can damage the roof and potentially impact drinking water quality.
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EWEB and City finalize sale of former riverfront headquarters
The two buildings on 4.4 acres will transformed into Eugene's new City Hall. EWEB and the City signed closing documents and officially handed over the site keys on Tuesday.
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EWEB begins major water pipeline upgrades
This summer, EWEB is launching several construction water pipeline projects to enhance the reliability and earthquake resiliency of drinking water service for Eugene residents.
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Currin Substation - the origin of the name
Hugh Currin was hired as an engineer at EWEB in 1923. Later, he became the chief engineer for the utility.
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EWEB Safety Tip: Celebrate responsibly with balloons
If your graduation celebration involves balloons, make sure they are secured with a weight. Otherwise, they can float away and come into contact with overhead power lines.
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EWEB programs make electric mobility more accessible
Electric mobility seems to be everywhere these days, but does availability equal accessibility? Here at EWEB we’ve determined that the answer is ‘no’ and are working to bridge that gap through EV car shares, community grants and electric bike rebates.
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Lead Green annual summary
In Eugene, we take pride in knowing we have one of the cleanest power portfolios in the nation. Roughly 90% of Eugene's power comes from carbon-free hydroelectric energy. And EWEB has a long history offering robust conversation programs. But we wanted to do more, so we launched Lead Green, a suite of programs for climate innovators looking to support renewable energy and take action on climate change. In the year since Lead Green was launched, we've accomplished a lot we can be proud of.
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EWEB Education Programs Invest in Eugene’s Future
Learn some of the many ways EWEB customers support local schools and help inspire kids to explore the wonders of watershed health and clean energy resources.
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Powered by People Like Lisa
February 13, 2020
As Lisa's career with EWEB enters its final stage, there's something almost fated about it.
Over 28 years ago at the encouragement of a friend, Lisa first met with an EWEB HR representative who was interested in recruiting more women to apply for trades positions at the utility. At the time, Lisa was working in the timber industry as a heavy equipment operator and knew she didn't want a career working in mills. She started keeping her eye out for positions with EWEB.
Her foot in the door was as a temporary employee in meter reading. From there, she moved into a utility worker position. "I spent ten hours a day on the end of a weed eater upriver," says Lisa.
Following were a variety of limited-duration positions in landscaping, meter reading and as a truck driver in the water division before Lisa landed in water construction as a meter mechanic. After a handful of years, she took her skills to the pumps and reservoirs team.
"That was a cool job," says Lisa. "I was one of three people operating the water distribution system. People don't think about it, because we do it successfully. During big power outages, everyone's focused on the electric side and we're running around town making sure we don't lose a reservoir-you need power to pump water. But no one thinks about it, because we've done our job and there's still water coming from the tap."
All along the way, Lisa found opportunities to encourage and support other women. She attended leadership trainings and was involved with the non-profit organization Oregon Tradeswomen, supporting women's participation in skilled trades. But the thing that seems to bring the most joy to her face is the work she did over the years to help organize hands-on career fairs for young people.
"There was this time when a girl got on a roller at one of the career fairs and when she first sat up there, she was, you know, a little slumped over." Lisa slouches in her chair to demonstrate. "A little like 'I don't know. Can I do this?' And then as she started moving the roller around a little she just kept sitting up taller and taller." And Lisa sits up taller and taller in her chair. "It made me teary watching her. Like I was seeing her gain self-esteem right in front of me," recalls Lisa.
As she nears retirement, Lisa has made her last position change with EWEB that has brought her nearly thirty years full circle. She's a Special Projects Coordinator working on diversity, equity and inclusion.
"My experience here has grown how I value people," says Lisa. "It's exciting to end my career in this role. I had all these skills grow while I was doing a technical job, and now I'm getting to use them. My passion is now for the workforce. If we can show up and feel like we belong, we serve customers better."
Lisa doesn't just belong at EWEB, she belongs in this final role at EWEB. And while we will be sad to see her retire in the coming months, we are proud of the work she has done and the positive impact she has had on so many people at EWEB and beyond.
Thank you Lisa for your role in providing customers with vital services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.