December 12, 2000

Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129

SOURCE: George Hecht, Campus Operations director, (541) 346-2290; e-mail <ghecht@oregon.uoregon.edu>.

Electrical generators at the University of Oregon are operating at high capacity this week to help the local community meet its energy needs. The increased production is the UO’s response to a potential Northwest energy crisis. Unusually cold weather in the Pacific Northwest has put an increasing strain on power supplies, prompting the Northwest Emergency Response Team to issue a Stage Two warning for the region. Stage Two emergencies are issued when power reserves dip to less than 5 percent of normal. "EWEB (The Eugene Water and Electric Board) asked us to produce as much of our own energy as possible during this period," says George Hecht, director of Campus Operations. The university operates two generators, which are capable of producing three megawatts of power. About half that amount is generated as a by-product of the university’s steam plant, which supplies hot water and steam heat to the campus. Ordinarily, Hecht says, the UO wouldn’t be at full capacity because it is usually cheaper to buy additional power. By co-generating electricity, the UO will help make more energy available to the Eugene-Springfield community.

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