EWEB is considering a rate increase.
The publicly-owned utility serves Eugene, parts of Springfield, and much of the McKenzie River corridor. It’s proposing to increase the cost of electricity by 15% and the cost of water by 9%.
EWEB spokesperson Jen Connors said the utility needs to harden infrastructure against natural disasters - like last winter’s ice storm.
"Those are the kinds of storms and natural disasters that seem to be happening more frequently and that EWEB is planning for when we make decisions about the kind of investments that we need to make in our infrastructure," she said.
She said rates have not kept up with inflation or other rapidly rising costs, like labor, natural gas and energy from the Bonneville Power Administration.
"We are facing global supply chain issues that are driving off the cost of equipment and raw materials,” Connors said, “everything from pipes and transformers to the chemicals used in water treatment," she said.
Connors said financial assistance is available to those struggling with the cost of utility bills.
Customers can provide feedback on the proposal during EWEB’s monthly board meetings. A decision on the increase isn’t expected until December. If approved, the changes would go into effect in February.
