City

of Eugene Public Works Department

City Hall II, 858 Pearl Street, 3rd floor
Contact: Rachel Struxness, Public Relations Coordinator
Phone: (971) 322-5202

For Immediate Release

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION BUDGET CUTS
WILL NOT AFFECT EWEB CUSTOMERS

On Monday, February 15, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) announced the

implementation of budget cuts affecting the Northwest, with the exception of Eugene. The
federal power marketing agency estimates budget cuts will reduce conservation funding by
20 percent in 2015, 40 percent in 2016 and 55 percent in 2017. The budget cuts will be
implemented to electric rate increases for its customers.

However, thanks for Eugene voters, Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB)

customers will not be affected due to a unique bond financing agreement with BPA
approved in 2012, according to utility officials.

Authorized by the citizens of Eugene in 2012, EWEB proceeded in 2014 with the

sale of $17 million on electric revenue bonds. The sale of the bonds was delayed by two
years to receive Federal approvals in August 2014.

EWEB customers have responded positively to the weatherization program. By

January 1, 2014, EWEB yielded 38,701 requests for energy analyses since the program
began. Following these energy audits, 21,880 customers chose to weatherize their homes
with the financial support of the bond.
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The bond sale finances a portion of The Conservation Project, a program that

provides financial assistance to customers who would like to weatherize or insulate their
houses. The bond sale was the first conservation effort funded with tax-exempt bonds in
the United States. According to EWEB General Manager Roger Grey, The bonds are
unconditionally guaranteed by BPA and do not affect EWEB electric rates or taxes in the
City of Eugene.

EWEB has been actively helping its customers conserve energy for 38 years,

beginning with an energy-efficient home construction program in 1976, followed by the

opening of the Energy Conservation Center in 1977.

EWEB and BPA support conservation for three main reasons. 1) Conservation is

less expensive, economically and environmentally than other new resources; 2)

Conservation can be implemented sooner than other resources; 3) Conservation reduces
electric consumption and lowers electric bills.

For more information, contact EWEB Public Relations Coordinator Rachel Struxness

(971) 322-5202.
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