Monthly Newsletter of Emerald People’s Utility District

EPUD ANNOUNCES 2018 GREEN GRANTThis month, EPUD kicks off its fifth annual GREEN Grant competition! The grant offers up to $40,000* to help fund new renewable energy projects in our communities. EPUD offers the grant through its green power program, GREEN (an acronym for Giving Renewable Energy to Emerald Neighborhoods). The grant is funded by GREEN subscriptions, and only GREEN participants can vote on who will receive the grant.

Since its introduction in 2014, the GREEN Grant has helped fund four major renewable energy projects, including solar panel systems at the Creswell Food Pantry, Pleasant Hill Elementary School, and Mid Lane Cares’ Fern Ridge Service Center, and a “Solar Roller” mobile education and emergency preparedness station for Lost Valley Education Center.

Who can apply for the 2018 green grant? Non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and public institutions in EPUD’s service territory are invited to apply. Organizations must have a current account with EPUD to be eligible. Get additional eligibility requirements at www.epud.org, My Account, GREEN Grant Program.

Why subscribe to GREEN?The GREEN program provides an easy, affordable way to support clean energy and protect the environment, and costs less than a cent per kWh, in addition to your regular bill. And GREEN is ranked nationally as one of the top 10 most affordable green power programs!

Your participation will help bring renewable energy local, where it can benefit the community you live in. You’ll also be support-ing the regional growth of clean, renewable energy.

Amount may change in subsequent years.*

GREEN Grant projects pictured (clockwise from top left): Creswell Food Pantry; Lost Valley Education Center’s “Solar Roller” station; Pleasant Hill Elementary School; Mid Lane Cares’ Fern Ridge Service Center.

Ready to GO GREEN?Call 541-746-1583

or visit www.epud.org

COMMUNITY SOLAR

Join the Sharing Sun Community!Join the Sharing Sun community and get all the benefits of going solar with NONE OF THE WORK! The panels are installed on EPUD’s roof and we do the work while YOU reap the rewards... for up to 30 years! Space is limited; act now before this opportunity passes you by! Sharing Sun’s solar panels generated nearly 7 percent more solar production than expected in 2017. More generation means more monthly kWh credits for subscribers!

I’m ready to subscribe! Send my enrollment forms. (Complete section below and return to EPUD.)

Name Phone:

Mailing Address

Enroll online at www.epud.org

Participant chooses number of panels for their subscription and will receive credit on the solar generation of those panels on their EPUD bill each month. Monthly credits depend largely upon weather conditions and the size of subscription. For example, for a subscription of 10 panels, the credit is estimated to average $25 a month. The one-time cost for a half panel subscription is $240, and a full panel is $480. 12-month, zero-interest financing is available.

February 2018

ContentsFRONT:

EPUD Announces 2018 GREEN GrantJoin the Sharing Sun Community!

BACK:

EPUD Powers Up Scholarship Program!

Scam Alert

Helping Hands Program Now Open

#2WeeksReady: Prepare Your Pantry

Board of Directors

CONTACT US 33733 Seavey Loop Eugene OR 97405 (541) 746-1583www.epud.org

Visit www.epud.org/board-of-directors/ for Board contact information and to view the current meeting schedule.

©2018 Emerald People’s

Utility District Printed on recycled paper

Kevin Parrish, President Ron Davis, Vice PresidentBrandon Jordan, Treasurer Lee KelleyBrian Parker

Scott A. Coe 541-746-1583 / sacoe@epud.org

General Manager

Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) urges residents to be prepared for a minimum of two weeks following a disaster. EPUD will help you prepare by outlining manageable steps you can take each month. This month, start building your emergency supply of food items.

� The amount of food needed will vary according to your age, health, and number of people in your house-hold. A good estimate is to have at least 3,000 calories available per day per adult.

� Stock up on foods that store well. Buy emergency rations foods, or keep a pantry stocked with foods that can maintain your family for at least two weeks. Include shelf stable foods like canned goods and dry ingredients like dried milk, pasta, and beans.

� Store plenty of water for your family and pets. The recommendation is 1 gallon per person per day.

Visit www.oregon.gov/oem/Documents/2_Weeks_Ready-Food.pdf for more on preparing your pantry. Get additional emergency preparation information, recommendations, and resources at www.oregon.gov/OEM/hazardsprep/Pages/2-Weeks-Ready.aspx .

EPUD’s EmPOWERing Scholarship program received a major power boost this year when the board of directors voted to more than double annual scholarship awards to $15,000.

Scholarships are available to those starting and continuing their college or trade school education as well as adults seeking second career training.

“EPUD was born from the community we serve. It makes sense that we invest back into customers living in our District,” said Kevin Parrish, EPUD’s Board President.

The electric utility industry employs a broad range of people with widely varying skills and trades, including line work, tree trimming, engineering, energy efficiency, accounting, communications, graphic design, customer service, and human resources. An EmPOWERing Scholarship can help you further your education and learn the skills that may lead to a utility career in the future.

EPUD’s EmPOWERing Scholarship program is open to customers and their family members. The deadline to submit applications is April 17, 2018.

Program details and application forms are available at the EPUD office or online at www.epud.org, My Community, EmPOWERing Scholarships.

EPUD has received several reports of scams targeting customers in our District. These thieves are becoming more advanced with the technology they use, and can sometimes provide a toll-free number to return the call and/or program the caller ID to make it appear that the call is coming from a utility.

Scammers use many different tactics, but can include demands for payment using prepaid credit cards, or even to pay cash in non-utility locations. EPUD representatives will NEVER require you to make a payment in either of these ways. We care about your safety and urge you to be cautious of anyone demanding an immediate payment by phone.

If you have any doubt that the person you’re speaking with is truly an EPUD employee, hang up and call us directly at 541-746-1583.

EPUD Powers Up Scholarship Program!

Scam Alert

#2WeeksReady: Prepare Your Pantry

Helping Hands Now Open

EPUD’s energy assistance program, HELPING HANDS, opened on February 1, 2018.

Qualifying customers receive a one-time grant of up to $200 credited to their electric bill.

Contact EPUD at 541-746-1583 or customerservice@epud.org for more information.

Valentine’s Day TipSend electronic Valentines,

a fun (and green) way to send love to your Valentine!

While you’re at it, sign up for Paperless Billing at www.EPUD.org and

save trees all year long.