Related News

  • Related News

  • Electric vehicles benefit customers and the community

    The rising cost of gasoline and growing consequences of climate change are driving more and more people to look for alternatives to gas-powered vehicles. And EVs offer benefits that go beyond the gas pump.

    Find Out More
  • EWEB preparing for expected surge in electric vehicles

    Electric vehicle (EV) sales are poised to skyrocket in the years ahead as technology improves, more models hit the market, prices fall and regulations limit the sale of gas-powered vehicles. And EWEB is preparing for this surge.

    Find Out More
  • 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.

    Find Out More
  • 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.

    Find Out More
  • 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.

    Find Out More
  • Show More
Together, We Prepare.

September 19, 2017

Picture of 2 EWEB line techs posing with kids

Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. We're doing our part by making investments to prepare, replace and maintain our community's electric and water systems. Here are some of the ways we work proactively to keep the lights on and the tap water flowing.

Preventive Tree Trimming

Crews trim around 300 line miles of vegetation annually to minimize falling trees and branches. We employ four full-time, certified arborists to inspect and evaluate vegetation around power lines, and 11 contract crews perform all pruning and trimming work. Learn more and request tree trimming.

Emergency Water Supply Program

We're working with community partners to establish several emergency water distribution sites using groundwater wells and mobile water trailers. Each well site will have a backup generator to provide reliable standby power.

Water Infrastructure Investments

We're replacing water mains, fortifying reservoirs and pump stations, and undertaking major upgrades to the Hayden Bridge water filtration plant. Learn more about our Water Reliability Initiative.

Mutual Assistance

We participate in local and regional mutual aid agreements—voluntary partnerships between electric and water utilities to help each other with resources and restoration efforts following an emergency.

Eugene-Springfield Multi-Jurisdictional Hazards Mitigation Plan

This plan was developed to outline how the cities of Eugene and Springfield prepare for and respond to emergencies. The plan provides a community-wide approach to protect life, safety and health during emergencies and major disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, fires and winter storms. As a provider of essential services, EWEB participated in the development of the plan which was funded by the cities of Eugene and Springfield, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant Program. Read more about the Hazards Mitigation Plan.

Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project Upgrades

We're in the process of upgrading and relicensing Carmen-Smith to operate for at least 40 more years. The project's 110 megawatts of local generation is an important benefit to the community, particularly as we consider the potential of a Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake or other regional disasters. Learn more about our largest utility-owned power source.

Transmission System Upgrades

We're working on building a "resilient spine" in our electric transmission system. The idea is to enable us to move power from local generating resources to critical facilities, such as hospitals and public safety agencies, in an emergency.

Modernization Program

We're modernizing our meters, information systems, and internal processes to improve outage detection and response efforts. Customers who elect advanced, technology-enabled features will benefit from automated outage detection, early water leak detection, and other services.

Earthquake Early Warning System Sensor

We installed a Shake Alert early warning sensor at Leaburg Dam and a second sensor at Carmen-Smith.  The sensor can give people precious seconds to take protective actions before the severe shaking waves from an earthquake arrive.

Disasters don't plan ahead. You can.

Here are some ways you can prepare, and stay safe, in the event of an emergency.

  • Build an emergency kit with food, first aid, flashlights, batteries, medicines, and other supplies for two weeks.
  • Store 14 gallons of water per person in your household.
  • Make a family emergency plan for how you will communicate and reconnect in an emergency.
  • Keep your cell phones charged and have an emergency, backup power source for your phones.
  • Sign-up to receive emergency alerts on your mobile phone.
  • Know how to turn off your utilities after an earthquake or other disasters.
  • Get prepared with your neighbors to help the whole community become more disaster-resilient.

We've compiled some checklists and resources to help you prepare for all types of emergencies.

Make sure your current cell phone number is tied to your EWEB account.

To avoid extra steps during an outage, and to be placed on a restoration plan, please update your account with your current cell phone number by calling customer service at 541-685-7000, or by emailing EWEB.Answers@eweb.org. Learn more about reporting power outages.