Proven Track Record
Since being sworn into office in 2017, I have served as both Vice President and President as we have navigated change and restructured to improve and strengthen the utility. You can read my 2019 State of the Utility address here. I am proud of the work that we have done together (see list of accomplishments below). I am running for election again to continue that work.
Protecting low income seniors/families. Adopted Affordability as the first tenet of our Strategic Plan and have not raised regular residential electric rates and even decreased regular water rates for city residents.
While we have taken measures to hold rates steady, that has not come at the cost of less reliable electricity and water services. In fact, measures we have taken to modernize the system will help reduce the length of outages.
Creating a long-term vision for the utility that recognizes the changing energy landscape and carbon constrained future. EWEB was the only utility in the state to actively support the Clean Energy Jobs Bill in the Oregon Legislature during the historic 2019 and 2020 Sessions.
Developing distributed water sites in partnership with 4J School District and other community organizations such as the Science Center and Lane Events Center. We are also exploring the option to partner with Springfield Utility Board to develop a secondary water site on the Willamette that can service both cities and cost the community far less overall.
Supporting partnerships with the city to: enhance earthquake preparedness, promote economic development, and improve low income safety net programs. EWEB adopted Resiliency as another main tenet of the Strategic Plan and has hosted trainings, created a Preparedness Outreach Campaign, and is coordinating efforts with other local agencies on disaster preparedness. Restructured efficiency program so more money directly supports customer projects.
EWEB Commissioners are primarily responsible for setting policy and making investment decisions. Diverse boards are more successful, because they represent a wider variety of viewpoints and thus foresee more risks and opportunities than less diverse boards. It is time to re-elect a common-sense woman to the board who can bridge divides, has experience setting policy, and training to analyze if a new investment will bring long-term benefit and match our community’s values.