The Eugene Water and Electric Board proposes to enter the telecommunications business, but voters will have the opportunity in the May 16 primary election to decide whether that path is a sensible one.
Measure 20-30 would amend EWEB’s charter, allowing the utility to begin laying out plans to provide telecommunications service, including cable, phone and Internet access. Because EWEB is owned by the city, the utility needs the go-ahead from voters to make any moves into the telecommunications industry.
If the measure passes, EWEB would complete the planning and put the results up for public review. After a review, the utility would refer another measure to voters to fund the venture. The project will begin if the second measure passes but will be terminated if the measure doesn’t pass.
Water and electric rates would not be affected by the passage of Measure 20-30, EWEB Commissioner Dorothy Anderson said.
Opponents say the measure would grant EWEB excessively broad and permanent powers, but supporters say the measure could be the first step toward providing broad, low-cost telecommunications access to Eugene.
Liz Cawood, No On Measure 20-30 campaign spokeswoman, said the charter amendment could have unpredictable effects in the future.
The current EWEB board of commissioners has made commitments to the community, Cawood said, “but a new board could come along and do something completely different, and future EWEB boards have not made any commitments.”
Mark Herbert, a member of another political committee opposing the measure, said he doesn’t oppose the “philosophical issue of broader access.” The problem, he said, is EWEB’s lack of experience in telecommunications and the absence of any concrete plan.
“EWEB is asking for broad change without accountability,” Herbert said. “I have nothing against EWEB, but without a plan or dialogue with voters, I can’t support this measure.”
Supporters, on the other hand, say that the utility would work closely with the community to assess the need for different telecommunications options and discuss possible ways to meet that need.
Anderson said that EWEB is in a better position than bigger telecommunications companies to serve Eugene because of its closeness to the community.
“We are based in Eugene, we have open meetings, and we are easy to get a hold of, unlike bigger providers like AT&T and Sprint,” she said.
If EWEB expanded into telecommunications, Anderson said, it could provide more than just cable or Internet service. “Smart meters,” which could allow EWEB customers to regulate their own electricity use, is one new technology the utility is investigating.
“Things like this could be possible if we implement this fiber [optic] network,” Anderson said. “We could also get a better idea of power use.”
EWEB will hold an informational meeting open to the public to address concerns and discuss the measure May 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the EWEB lobby.