Utilities Look to the Future of McKenzie Valley Power

Change may be on the horizon for thousands of McKenzie Valley residents as two utilities consider a major shift in how electricity is delivered to the rural community.

The Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) and Lane Electric Cooperative are in the middle of a joint study that could result in Lane Electric taking over some - or all - of EWEB's service territory in the McKenzie River Valley. The idea, utility leaders say, is to explore whether the cooperative's rural-focused infrastructure and service model could be a better fit for valley customers.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., both utilities will host a community conversation at the McKenzie Fire & Rescue Center in Leaburg. Residents will have a chance to hear directly from Frank Lawson, EWEB's general manager, and Scott Coe, general manager of Lane Electric, and ask questions about what the potential transition could mean. For those who can't attend in person, the session will be livestreamed and later posted online.

At stake are about 3,000 EWEB customers spread between Thurston Road and Vida. While they make up only 3% of EWEB's customer base, they occupy roughly a quarter of its service area - a challenge for a utility primarily geared toward serving Eugene's urban population. Lane Electric, on the other hand, already operates as a cooperative focused on rural communities across Lane County.

"This is really about looking at what makes the most sense long-term for residents in the valley," utility representatives said in announcing the study. "Reliability, efficiency, and community benefit are at the center of this discussion."

The study, which began in July, will examine a range of factors, including the costs and logistics of serving a large rural territory, the potential for technology upgrades, and how to ensure uninterrupted service. Importantly, officials emphasized that EWEB's hydroelectric projects at Leaburg and Walterville are not part of the conversation.

Both utilities say no decisions have been made. If the study results in a recommendation to transfer service, customers will be notified well ahead of any changes. In the meantime, the Sept. 18 session will serve as the first major opportunity for residents to engage directly in the process.

Meeting Details

Date & Time: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, 5:30–7 p.m.

Location: McKenzie Fire & Rescue Center, 42870 McKenzie Hwy, Leaburg

Livestream Available: Visit eweb.org/territoryrealignment or laneelectric.com/mckenzie for a Microsoft Teams link. A recording will be posted online after the event. Please note that streaming quality may vary based on Internet connectivity.