EWEB policy may be discouraging EV adoption

An EWEB policy may be discouraging people from buying electric cars. With public comment at EWEB Aug. 6:

Charlie Loeb: My name is Charlie Loeb. I am here representing the Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association (EVEVA), and as a long time active member in that organization, thanks to EWEB for all the support you’ve given to the transition to electric vehicles over the years and rebates, grants, we’ve received money from you for education programs. It is awesome.

[00:00:28] That is why we’ve been somewhat disturbed recently to find that EWEB has a policy that’s actually working against this goal we have as a community, to run more cars off electricity. That is, when folks are installing a Level 2 residential charger at home, they are asked to contact the EWEB Distribution Engineering.

[00:00:47] And if, according to the policy, if that Distribution Engineering determines that this is going to place a significant enough load on the local grid that upgrades to the neighborhood service is required, then that person installing the Level 2 charger can be liable for covering that cost.

[00:01:05] There is some grant money to offset it. Nonetheless, it seems extremely unfair. You know, why target just those people installing Level 2 residential EV chargers as opposed to anyone installing any other kind of 240V load? Why is it the last person who pushes the neighborhood over the threshold gets billed instead of the 10 people who may have installed Level 2 chargers ahead of them?

[00:01:29] And, this is becoming a point that at which we’ve heard of auto dealers talking to their customers and saying, ‘Oh yeah, if you want to install a Level 2 charger, be aware. You may get a huge bill from EWEB for the cost of doing that,’ which then discourages EV adoption altogether.

[00:01:46] I sent a letter to my ward commissioner, a few of the rest of us also sent letters to our commissioners.

[00:01:54] Our president, Phil Barnhart, sent a letter to the general manager and all the commissioners, which I brought copies of here in case it didn’t get well distributed, or you didn’t see it, and we’re really looking for a response. We haven’t heard if—we started these contacts two or three months ago—we haven’t received any kind of word about how the commission, or even if it’s just a staff level issue that can be resolved at that level.

[00:02:19] This is pretty minor compared to everything you deal with. But it’s really important to us, and we intend to kind of keep pushing this. We’re going to be back asking about this ‘til we get either some good answers about why this policy is in place, or hopefully—and our preference would be—to see the policy changed so that we’re not penalizing those folks who are installing Level 2 electric vehicle chargers at their homes.

[00:02:48] Joe Moll (McKenzie River Trust): For the record, I’m Joe Moll. I’m the executive director of the McKenzie River Trust, and I come before you today to thank you for EWEB’s constant, consistent investment in the health of the McKenzie River watershed and the community that depends on it. I come before you also to encourage the expansion of your vision to include the Middle Fork and Coast Forks of Willamette in line with the significant investment you are making in water resiliency with the second source, Willamette River Water Plant, that’s moving closer to reality.

[00:03:17] On your agenda this evening is a consideration of updates to your strategic plan, including the expansion of the idea that customer owners to that instead of the larger community, which I laud. I know that as a board and utility subject to regulatory expectations, you must pay attention to what paying customers and members like me need and desire.

[00:03:37] But at the same time, I appreciate that for 20 years, I’ve worked side by side in the field and around a lot of these tables with EWEB staff and their eyes are consistently on the larger community. Getting your strategic plan language in line with that reality is an important thing. Something that is both reassuring and energizing.

[00:03:56] In that same strategic plan discussion, you’ll consider a mental shift away from ‘watershed recovery’ to ‘watershed protection.’ Staff leadership again in the aftermath of the Holiday Farm Fire has been exemplary, not just in its creativity and success in securing financial and other resources for recovery, but just in the day-to-day commitment that they have shown to tackling challenging problems and opportunities from community recovery to land and water conservation, which you’ve supported, including both protection, buffering the rivers from our influences, and stewardship, the long-term care of this place.

[00:04:30] Writing by committee is the worst thing ever but nonetheless, I’ll suggest one change. You might consider, perhaps, ‘watershed conservation’ rather than ‘watershed protection.’ Because again, I think that better reflects the range of efforts that EWEB has supported and led for the decades, at least, that I’ve been here.

[00:04:50] Which brings me to the future of the Coast Fork and Middle Forks of Willamette, which join just above the site where EWEB will begin drawing water in the years ahead. McKenzie River Trust, Coast Fork Watershed Council, the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Friends of Buford Park, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, the Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District, Willamalane Parks District, Springfield Utility Board, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Lane County.

[00:05:12] There’s a long list of partners already invested and investing in the health of those two tributaries. I encourage you to invest as deeply in these partnerships as you have done. There are large gains to be made in water quality and watershed health there.

[00:05:27] You know, over the years, I know you’ve queried your ratepayers about funding commitments, even surcharges for watershed protection. They have always responded. We have always responded positively. People see the value investing in the source, but more, I truly believe they see the value of investing in the larger community.

[00:05:44] I know you’re nervous about the overall rate increases needed for the utility. That’s fine and responsible to be thoughtful. Let’s just continue to be smart about watershed investment. It’s a high-return investment for the rivers, for those of us whose taps you supply, and for the many people who will call these watersheds home for the next 100 years.

[00:06:03] Dan Patch: I’d like to challenge you to start being more honest. You want the public support, you want rate increases. You have a real problem with your image. For decades, you’ve done nothing but lie to us. You’ve cheated us. You’ve misled us. You have contempt for us when we speak. You act like somehow we don’t have any right to even hear what you have to say.

[00:06:27] You set this room up in such a way that you’re talking to each other, but we’re on the wings. We’re not part of the process. This process right here is ridiculous because there’s no actual exchange. You can just forget what we say the second we say it. We have no voice. And I think it’s your responsibility to give us that voice.

[00:06:47] We are supposed to be in control of this, and we haven’t been for decades. Your secret contracts, they cost us millions of dollars, you won’t disclose the details of them, your constant rate increases to enrich yourselves with your employee benefits, and your non-stopping construction with absolutely, you never actually put a bid proposal together for us, you’re actually bringing in so much money, you can just put up buildings like this without even having to talk to us about it. We have no control of what you do and it’s been that way for decades.

[00:07:22] It’s obvious you have contempt for us. We’re in the way, we’re in the way of your greed, and it’s your responsibility to fix it. And I think I speak for tens of thousands of Eugenians that are frustrated and tired of this circus that’s been going on for decades. And they’re just so pathetically tired of it, they won’t even show up here because we do it. Year after year and nothing ever changes. This is the same conversation that I had over 15 years ago. And you’re still doing the same behavior: enriching yourself, ignoring us, and building an empire. And I think it’s time for it to stop. It really is. It’s criminal.

[00:08:03] It’s thuggery. Intimidating people with penalties and fines as … borderline on fascism. It’s disgusting. You have nothing but contempt for us when we ask you to speak up. We’re not part of this process, but we’re on the wings. Do something. It’s your job. Otherwise, don’t take the job. Stop serving the administration. Serve the public.

[00:08:29] Jim Neu: My name is Jim Neu. Eugene Airport submitted two applications in May to Oregon Department of Energy for community renewable energy program grant funding of community resilience projects. EWEB Customer Solutions wrote a letter of support for the ODOE community renewable energy program, stating it would be a welcome invitation to the city of Eugene’s energy resources. We thank you, 350 Eugene thanks you for that support. The grants submitted by the airport staff are a $100,000 ODOE Community Renewable Energy Program Planning Grant for the development and design of eight dual electric vehicle chargers and an associate solar energy array.

[00:09:10] A $100,000 ODOE Community Renewable Energy Program grant for a proposed renewable and resilient project to explore feasibility of pairing a photovoltaic power plant and battery storage with microgrid control and a digital management system. The second grant was in collaboration with 350 Eugene through a solar consultant, Reimagine Power.

[00:09:32] According to airport Director Catherine Stevens, these two grants have been moved up in the ODOE consideration process and the final decision is due in early September. One of the top six themes city of Eugene Sustainability Manager Ian Penn presented at the July 10 Council electrification work session was to ensure clean, reliable, and affordable energy, such as community solar and geothermal energy network.

[00:09:56] A photovoltaic system with battery storage and microgrid controls, coupled with the digital energy management system would provide the Eugene airport with clean backup power during a Cascadia Subduction Zone event or other major disaster. We look forward to decision on these grants and hope the airport and the city of Eugene can benefit financial assistance of state renewable energy funding.

[00:10:21] We hope EWEB will continue to be supportive of this renewable energy sourcing and project at the airport.

[00:10:28] Another note, I support Mr. Loeb’s testimony and also am an EVEVA (Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association) member. I also reached out to board members regarding the EV charger rebate possibly incurring more costs than the rebate provides, and I got no response as well, and I hope EWEB addresses the EV charger rebate costs.

[00:10:48] Peter Dragovich: My name is Peter Dragovich. I request you develop an effective community solar program. Community solar programs allow any ratepayer, owner, renter, or business to receive credit for solar energy from publicly- or privately-installed solar panels.

[00:11:04] The ratepayer does not need to install any panels, and many cannot because of expense, renter status, inadequate orientation of a building, shade, or other reasons, but everyone can participate in community solar. Their existing solar incentives would be enhanced by adding a community solar program, and two important objectives would be achieved: Increased production of renewable energy and improvement of EWEBs low-income based assistance programs. There are many examples in Oregon and across the nation where utility-sponsored community solar brings 10% or more reductions in electricity bills for low-income ratepayers.

[00:11:43] Ashland Municipal Electric Utility offers the community solar program where low-income electric users can save $500 a year off their energy bill via a lottery system. And there’s a state-authorized community solar program that provides rate relief of 10.4% of electricity bills to all participating low-income households.

[00:12:03] Per state law, that program is only offered by the large investor-owned utilities, but there’s no reason why you cannot copy components from it and draw from examples statewide and nationwide to give rate relief to low-income Eugene households while increasing carbon-free generation.

[00:12:20] The current upgrade to EWEB’s billing system may be an opportunity to facilitate community solar and there is an important tie-in to the city of Eugene’s decarbonization efforts, where the need to reduce the cost of decarbonization of low-income households is currently being discussed. A majority of electric utility ratepayers in the state already have access to community solar programs that give rate relief to low-income ratepayers.

[00:12:45] Let’s have one here that would benefit everyone in our community and beyond.

[00:12:51] Danny Noonan: My name is Danny Noonan. I’m a climate and energy strategist with the local nonprofit Breach Collective. At July’s meeting, I gave public comment regarding a letter that was sent by 18 community organizations calling for expanded low-income electrification subsidies, more progressive and equitable rate design reforms, and improved community outreach and engagement.

[00:13:14] Ahead of the rate design directional discussion that’s on the agenda for this evening, I wanted to come back and offer some brief comments arising out of those letters’ recommendations. So regarding the rate design principle of sufficiency that was discussed in the memo…:

[00:13:32] I’d like to comment that EWEB should be cautious not to think or operate too much like an investor-owned utility when it comes to designing its rates. Public utilities are public for a reason. And do not have identical legal and financial obligations to investor-owned utilities. For example, profits or shareholder dividends are not considerations for public utilities. This alone should allow EWEB to go further and be more creative in keeping customer rates lower than IOUs are able to do.

[00:14:06] EWEB Climate Guidebook version 2.0 states in several places that keeping rates low is climate action. And climate action should be an imperative that EWEB balances in determining what rates are necessary for operational sufficiency.

[00:14:21] I also want to comment on the rate design principle of efficiency and the memo’s reference to rate and payment choices that support ‘smart electrification.’ This term does not appear to be defined in the memo or in the climate guidebook, but I did notice that EWEB has, at least in the recent past, had a program that rewarded customers for installing off-peak EV charging infrastructure.

[00:14:42] As a similar smart electrification initiative, commissioners should direct staff to explore rate design options for incentivizing installation of efficient heat pump appliances, converting from electric resistance to heat pump-based heating with lower bills and free up space on the grid for electrifying gas homes and transportation.

[00:15:03] Utilities in other parts of the country are adopting special rates to encourage heat pump adoption, and EWEB should explore how such initiatives could be adapted to our region’s peak load dynamics.

[00:15:13] Lastly, regarding the rate design principle of equity, EWEB should look to other public utilities in the region and adjust its fixed charges so that they do not fall as heavily on residential customers and small businesses.

[00:15:26] Specifically, EWEB should look at creating income-based fixed charges for residential customers. Electrification of gas-heated homes can also play a complementary role here by growing EWEB’s residential rate base, helping keep fixed charges for that class loan. Look forward to continuing to engage in this process.

[00:15:44] John Q: Speaking on behalf of progressive rate design and community solar:

[00:15:49] Mika: My name is Mika. I’m a community organizer and an artist. As a young person living off a low-income and living in rental housing, I’ve been struggling with the rising cost of living here in Eugene. I’m here to ask you to support low-income folks such as myself by implementing a progressive rate design and a percentage of income payment plan.

[00:16:08] These changes will help ensure that our community can afford to meet our energy needs and invest in a clean energy transition. A progressive rate design could minimize residents’ current energy costs and make efficiency improvements more affordable. Raising commercial and industrial costs could support the lower rates for residential homes, while ensuring the largest energy users pay their fair share and encouraging energy efficiency.

[00:16:33] Here in Eugene, residential homes and small businesses pay a proportionately larger share of base service charges than in other areas where publicly utilities, such as Seattle. Adopting a percent of income payment program would reduce this energy burden on our community. Percentage-of-income payment plans are in place in 10 states and have been shown to be effective in addressing issues surrounding affordability. A percentage-of-income payment plan would more reliably support low-income households than EWEB’s current bill assistance program.

[00:17:05] In addition to a progressive redesign and a percentage of income payment plan, you should invest in programs to support weatherization and heat pump retrofits in order to ensure the long-term health, efficiency, and affordability. These changes could help low-income households and renters like myself meet our financial needs while investing in a more healthy future.

[00:17:26] I’ve got a little time so I’ll add that, especially as one of the youngest people in this room (by a large margin), I’m expecting to experience the worsening effects of climate change throughout my lifetime and the changes that people have mentioned surrounding climate change and environmental protection are super important to me.

[00:17:44] The comments around community solar: I think community solar would be a really positive and impactful change for our community.

[00:17:54] Molly Babcock: My name is Molly Babcock and I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide testimony. Before interning with EWEB Communications Department, I worked in leasing at one of the largest and cheapest student housing complexes in Eugene. My position focused on leasing to first-time renters, many of whom could not afford to live in dorms or luxury options closer to campus.

[00:18:14] These 17-, 18-, and 19-year-olds are signing leases for their very first time, many of them unsure of what they’re getting into. Strikingly, around half of Eugene is UO students. In addition to leasing, I solved hundreds of resident issues. One of our most common complaints were electricity costs. Costs that would change drastically from month to month regularly exceeded student budgets and forced students to choose between tuition, food, and electricity.

[00:18:41] Even though I worked for the apartment complex, there was nothing I could tell them. And this is just students who don’t worry about debt, children, caretaking for relatives, or any of the adult challenges that are exacerbated by high and unpredictable energy costs.

[00:18:54] Around 25% of U.S. households experience energy burden, meaning they pay 6% or more of their income on energy bills every month. As family budgets get tighter, utilities must act to protect the quality of life of their residents by establishing rate systems that work for residents’ budgets.

[00:19:13] I strongly urge EWEB to establish progressive rate design and to ensure large commercial energy users pay their fair share and replace insufficient bill assistance programs.

[00:19:24] Alan Gormazano: Last month when I came and spoke, I was not calling anybody here a Nazi, or Gestapo or anything like that. I was saying that looking at efficiency alone leads us down that road to dictatorship. And instead of just picking on my words, ask yourselves: Why are so many people in this community using those words right now? You know, every time I talk to people about these smart meters being forced on us, that’s the response I get from people. It’s like, ‘Oh my god, Gestapo tactics, extortionists.’ All sorts of things. It’s like, ask yourselves why.

[00:20:06] It’s not just that we’re crazy and we like to throw these words around. Look at what your effect is on the community here and it’s taking our money, rates being raised up so we can pay for these projects that we don’t want? That’s crazy. That’s ridiculous. It’s painful for us.

[00:20:27] I’m very-low-income. It’s summertime. I don’t use air conditioning. I can’t afford my bill right now even. There’s all these little padded charges added onto it. You know, service charge, electricity delivery charge, this and that and the other thing. It’s like, if I use no electricity, I still can’t afford the bill with all those padded charges.

[00:20:49] So many people in our community are in that same state, and I’m also in a lot of pain today because this morning, one of my friends who was taking people up on powered hang gliders, I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but he had a person with him, went down to the river, came up, hit a powerline they didn’t see. And his person that was with him drowned. He almost drowned. Today he was sentenced to a year in prison over that.

[00:21:21] I’m hoping that our money goes towards, you know, orange balls on all your power lines across rivers. I don’t know if it was an EWEB line or some other power company’s line. But it’s really important because people do use the airspace above rivers. They do these things. And my friend that’s going to prison is a very beloved person in this community. Very beloved. And it’s absolutely painful to see this happening.

[00:21:47] So please, you’re using our money. Use it on things that we really want, that really benefit us. Not things that many of us feel are going to be harmful for our health and well-being.

[00:22:00] John Q: Public comment at the Aug. 6 EWEB meeting.