The Eugene Water & Electric Board has officially completed the transfer of electric service for customers in the McKenzie Valley to Lane Electric Cooperative, effective May 1, 2026.
This milestone marks the culmination of nearly a year of research, analysis, community engagement, and coordinated efforts between the two utilities, EWEB said.
The service transfer includes approximately 2,500 customers and includes electric distribution equipment such as poles, lines, transformers, meters and related infrastructure. It does not include EWEB power generation assets, substations, or transmission infrastructure.
EWEB's decision "to transfer service of these customers reflects a commitment to long-term reliability, affordability, and efficient service for all customers — both inside and outside the McKenzie Valley," the Oregon public power utility said.
EWEB is structured to serve a dense urban population. With a small number of customers spread across a large and remote service area, providing electric service in the McKenzie territory had become increasingly resource-intensive for EWEB. The transfer enables EWEB to focus on strengthening urban infrastructure and resiliency in Eugene, where 97% of its customers live, it said.
Lane Electric, whose cooperative structure and service model are specifically designed for rural electric customers, is well-equipped to support the day-to-day needs, outage response and long-term infrastructure planning required in the area, EWEB noted.
Additionally, residents in the McKenzie Valley live outside Eugene city limits and, therefore, have been unable to vote for representatives on the EWEB Board of Commissioners. As members of Lane Electric, these residents now have the opportunity to vote for and elect representatives to the cooperative’s board of directors, offering a more direct form of local representation.
Throughout the transition process, EWEB worked closely with Lane Electric to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for customers.
EWEB extended appreciation to the customers and communities of the McKenzie Valley.
“Serving the McKenzie Valley has been an honor and an important part of our history,” said EWEB General Manager Frank Lawson. “We are grateful for the relationships we’ve built and are confident that Lane Electric will continue to serve this community with a high level of care and commitment.”
While this transition marks a change in service provider for community residents, EWEB said it remains committed to the area, continuing to own, operate and maintain its transmission infrastructure and hydroelectric generation facilities in the McKenzie Valley.
EWEB will also continue to be invested in the environmental, economic and community health of the McKenzie River watershed, which supplies drinking water to the Eugene-Springfield community.
