Related News
Related News
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Public Power Week Poster Contest 2023
It’s that time of year again! October 1-7 is Public Power Week. To celebrate, EWEB is holding our annual poster contest for fifth graders in our service area. Help us pick the winners.
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Salmon Return to Finn Rock Reach
Finn Rock Reach and other restoration projects throughout the Middle McKenzie provide conditions to help young fish survive to adulthood.
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EWEB programs reflect community values
EWEB is here to serve our customer-owners and provides programs that reflect the values of our community.
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Where is EWEB in planning our future electricity supply?
In August, we reached a milestone: EWEB’s five-member elected Board of Commissioners approved an action plan to guide our energy supply choices for the next 2-3 years. How did we get here?
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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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Planning for a Future of Reliable, Affordable, Environmentally Responsible Energy
The challenges revealed by Eugene Water & Electric Board’s integrated resource planning process mirror those facing the Northwest.
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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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EWEB’s heat driven call to conserve energy yields major savings
EWEB is likely to implement similar, formalized “demand response” programs in the future.
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Please join your neighbors in reducing energy use today
With excessive temperatures and wildfire conditions affecting power generation across the region, EWEB is encouraging customers to safely conserve power.
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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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Planning for a Reliable, Affordable, Green Energy Future
EWEB General Manager Frank Lawson publishes an op-ed in the Eugene Weekly about EWEB's IRP.
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Women in STEM: Meet the woman responsible for managing our wholesale energy agreements to ensure we meet our customers energy needs
Megan Capper, the Energy Resource Manager at EWEB, began her career working in economics at BPA before joining the power planning department EWEB, ensuring we can meet the energy needs of our our customers today, tomorrow and 20 years from now.
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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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Substations – The resilient spine of EWEB’s electric system
The substation redundancy ensures reliable power continues to flow to homes and businesses despite unexpected equipment failures and routine maintenance.
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Women in STEM: EWEB Engineer Laura Ohman's second degree brings a lifetime of benefits
September 06, 2023 • Molly Babcock, EWEB Communications
At age 32, Laura Ohman started the first day of her second bachelor’s degree.
She was studying engineering at the University of Minnesota. There was a lot that hadn’t changed since 1996, when she graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical studies. She was trying to find her classes, forming study groups, and staying late to ask questions after class.
But this time, it wasn’t just Ohman’s first day of school. Her two young children, ages 2 and 5, headed off to their classes as well.
“Balancing school with being a mom was probably the most difficult and most rewarding thing that I've ever accomplished,” Ohman said. “I learned resilience and I learned to be patient with myself.”
Before returning to school, Ohman worked closely with engineers as an executive assistant. The more she attended their meetings and learned about their work, the more confident she became. With the support of her colleagues, Ohman decided to go back to school for engineering.
“I've always felt like the time and effort that I put into my engineering degree has really paid off with a career that is challenging, engaging, and important,” Ohman said. “If you’re looking for a change, it is possible to get another degree. It’s a limited duration of challenge, with benefits that last a lifetime.”
After graduating in 2009, Ohman joined EWEB as an entry-level engineer. Ohman still remembers one of her favorite days as an engineer at EWEB. After years of planning, her team was ready to receive the new transformers at the Carmen-Smith hydroelectric project. The transformers weighed about 158,000 pounds each. The transportation contractor needed a special permit to drive them on highways, and a structural engineer had to evaluate the bridge they crossed.
The Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project is a network of three dams, three reservoirs, and two power plants that has served the Eugene-Springfield area with reliable, carbon-free energy for over 50 years. It is a masterpiece of engineering.
“I’ve been very lucky to work on the Carmen-Smith project. It's vital to Eugene, and we're doing a lot of important work there. It feels great to be part of it,” Ohman said.
Throughout her time in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field, Ohman has become accustomed to being the only woman in the room. Despite this, she feels that she has been treated equally to her male counterparts. She advises that other women in STEM focus on confidence.
If there’s a seat at the front of the room, sit at the front! Ask questions and make suggestions. When you exude confidence, the people around you will notice,” Ohman said.
Ohman knows building confidence isn’t easy. She recommends that future engineers know their strengths and weaknesses. All kinds of strengths, including soft skills like communication, are valuable when working in a team. Future engineers can also work candidly on their weaknesses by asking good questions and connecting with mentors.
“You don't have to be perfect at everything all the time. And you don’t have to be 100% ready to apply for that promotion or a new job. Just focus on performance, look for opportunities, and follow your interests,” Ohman said.