Deborah Hart

The board meeting covered several critical operational and strategic topics. Key discussions included a review of the 2026 Capital Plan, progress on major water and electric infrastructure projects, and the presentation of mid-year fee proposals for services such as manual meter reading, fire protection, and joint-use infrastructure. Additionally, the board received updates on the 2026 Climate Guidebook, the quarterly strategic and operational performance report for the first quarter of 2026, and information regarding regulatory developments like the BPA Tier 2 resource decision and Oregon Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance.

The Eugene Water & Electric Board's 2026 Climate Guidebook v4.0 serves as a comprehensive reference document articulating the implementation of its Board-approved Climate Change Policy (SD15) and detailing how EWEB addresses climate issues. It outlines the utility's strategic approach across five key areas: climate policy, power supply and transmission, customer decarbonization, climate impacts on EWEB (resiliency and adaptation), and internal operations. The guidebook emphasizes maintaining clean, affordable, and reliable electricity while describing progress towards strategic goals, including achieving 95% carbon-free power by 2030 and carbon neutrality for internal operations by 2050.

The board convened an executive session to deliberate with designated persons regarding labor negotiations.

The EWEB Climate Guidebook outlines how the organization implements its Board-approved Climate Change Policy (SD15) and addresses broader climate issues. It focuses on five key areas: climate policy engagement, maintaining a low-carbon power supply with a target of over 95% carbon-free by 2030, assisting customers with decarbonization through efficiency and electrification, enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate impacts on EWEB's infrastructure, and achieving carbon neutrality in internal operations by 2050. The overarching strategy is to ensure affordable and reliable clean electricity as the regional grid transitions.

The board addressed several key topics including the recognition of the General Manager for his service, discussions regarding equipment replacement scheduling and regional resource adequacy, and the review of the 2026 Annual Power Trading Compliance Report and Watershed Annual Report. Public input was received regarding watershed protection measures and a pilot study. The board conducted a public hearing on an alternative procurement process for construction and approved contracts related to concrete services, pipe supplies, equipment purchases, and cultural resource survey services. Additionally, the board reviewed the 2025 audited financial statements, approved merit compensation for the General Manager, and received an update from the City of Eugene liaison regarding smart meters and climate goals.