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EWEB Details Customer Achievements Tied to Environmental Stewardship

Eugene Water & Electric Board customers who voluntarily chose to invest extra money in community-wide sustainability efforts cut carbon emissions by 730 metric tons in 2023, the Oregon public power utility said on Aug. 26.

Customers achieved those emissions reductions by voluntarily subscribing to EWEB’s Cleanpower, Greenpower and Carbon Offset programs. 

The three programs, which are part of EWEB’s suite of Lead Green programs, are each slightly different and offer unique ways for customers to play a greater role in protecting the environment.

The electricity that EWEB supplies to customers is already approximately 90% carbon free, largely because of abundant hydropower resources, it noted.

"And EWEB’s robust suite of energy efficiency and conservation programs include such popular programs as an $800 ductless heat pump rebate for all customers and a $4,500 ductless heat pump rebate for low-income homeowners," the utility said.

But some customers have expressed a desire to do more, so in 2022 EWEB launched the Lead Green programs as a way to offer customers and avenue for action that benefits the planet.

In 2023, participation in Lead Green continued to grow.

“Results matter, and our customers accomplishments in 2023 illustrate the tangible impact of collective efforts towards environmental sustainability,” said Anna Wade, EWEB’s customer solutions manager, who is in charge of the Lead Green programs. “Community members are channeling their passion for protecting the environment into the Lead Green programs, and there is so much room for additional growth.”

Highlights of 2023 Lead Green program accomplishments include:

  • Over 150 solar installations installed within the community, creating 1,205 KW in new, local, renewable energy. Greenpower customers funded $125,000 of incentives for solar installations.
  • A $20,000 grant to Friends of Trees, a local nonprofit that plants trees in Eugene neighborhoods with low tree cover to address heat islands. Greenpower subscribers funded this award and selected the recipient via a vote.
  • 730 metric tons of carbon reduced by Greenpower, Cleanpower and Carbon Offset subscribers. This is roughly the equivalent of removing 174 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.
    • Greenpower subscribers dedicated funds to purchasing 17,900 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, resulting in 608 metric tons of emissions reductions.
    • Cleanpower subscribers committed to purchasing 100% clean energy, accounting for 1,835 megawatt-hours of clean energy that reduced emissions by 62 metric tons.
    • Carbon offsets purchased by customers sourced from the Klawock Heenya Forest in Alaska reduced emissions by 60 metric tons.
  • 8,540 trees and 23,100 shrubs were planted in the McKenzie Watershed, at a site located in the McKenzie watershed. This program is a partnership with the University of Oregon's Soil, Plant Atmosphere Lab and is exploring ways to advance carbon sequestration efforts. Carbon Forestry participants provide additional funding to help this project grow and advance the science of optimized carbon capture.

Program accomplishments are already evident in 2024 as well, EWEB noted.

As of mid-July, the $125,000 budget for EWEB’s Solar Electric Incentive has been fully allocated for the year. While the EWEB incentive is no longer available for 2024, customers may continue to choose to install solar.

The EWEB solar program is funded by Greenpower subscribers. 

“We recognize that many of our customers prioritize environmental stewardship,” said Wade. “We designed Lead Green to offer a variety of options so customers can access programs that help them meet their environmental goals, regardless of their budget.”

 

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