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EWEB sets $5.1M in 2025 budget; Leaburg Dam decommissioning projected at $225M, city staff told committee
Summary
City staff reported May 7 that Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) included $5.1 million in its 2025 budget and estimates a Leaburg Dam decommissioning cost of about $225 million covering 2023–2040; the process will involve federal and state review and potential rate and reserve impacts.
Ethan told the Intergovernmental Relations Committee on May 7 that Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) has placed $5.1 million in its 2025 budget for work related to the Leaburg Dam decommissioning and that the utility’s current projected total cost for decommissioning the facility is approximately $225 million, covering activities from 2023 through 2040.
Ethan said EWEB’s board has directed staff to plan using rates and reserves and that the decommissioning process includes multiple regulatory checkpoints, likely including review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state water-quality authorities. He said the project has been under discussion since at least 2021 and that additional board-level and agency decisions remain.
Ethan conveyed that he spoke earlier in the day with Jason Huiser at EWEB about next steps and suggested that the topic could be appropriate for a regular meeting between the mayor, the EWEB board chair and city management if committee members want more detail. He cautioned that earlier cost estimates had increased and that the city should be aware of evolving rate and budget pressures that could affect residents.
Ending: Staff will follow up with EWEB materials for the committee and consider scheduling a joint discussion between city leaders and EWEB leadership if committee interest remains.
