© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

EWEB's Open House To Discuss Ice Storms, Newest Tech To Track Individual Outages

David Geitgey Sierralupe
/
Flickr.com

Today, the Eugene Water and Electric Board – or EWEB -- is holding an open house to let customers weigh in on their response to last month’s ice storm.

It left more than 21,000 people without power, and taxed nearly 30 regional utility crews for more than a week.

EWEB spokesman Joe Harwood says they’ll also bring up “smart meters”…low-wattage devices that can automatically alert the utility if a customer loses power.

”We think it’s time to bring the utility into the 21st century like other utilities.  Not only in this area but up in Portland and Salem, and other places," says Harwood.  

"Also at this open house, it’ll give folks an opportunity to update their EWEB accounts.  If they’ve gotten rid of their land line like so many of us have, that their cell phone is a primary number, that way they can report an outage from that cell phone.”

The EWEB open house is from 4-6pm at 500 East 4th Avenue in Eugene.

People can also provide feedback on EWEB’s website.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
Related Content