Oregon Dept. of Energy Seeking Additional Regional Administrators for Community Heat Pump Deployment Program

An online application portal is now open for eligible entities and Tribes to apply for grant funding to support local heat pump deployment programs. The Oregon Department of Energy’s Community Heat Pump Deployment Program will award funds to selected regional administrators that will offer financial assistance for heat pump installations in the communities they serve. The application portal will remain open through January 12, 2024.  

A program opportunity announcement has additional information for applicants, including information to gather, details on the competitive scoring process, and more.  

The grant program was established by House Bill 1536 in 2022, which provided $10 million for ODOE program administration and grants to 11 Oregon regions and the nine federally recognized Tribes in the state. To date, administrators have been selected for six Oregon regions and one Tribe.  

Applicants may partner with other eligible entities to perform program activities and distribute funding in their area. Following a competitive review, successful applicants will be offered a performance agreement containing the terms and conditions associated with the grant. More information about the Community Heat Pump Deployment Program is available on ODOE’s website.

Federal Energy Efficiency Savings Coming in 2024 |  The Oregon Department of Energy has talked a lot this year about federal dollars coming to our state for energy projects and programs. Multiple programs over the next few years will support Oregon’s energy goals. 

As we turn to 2024, ODOE looks forward to helping roll out even more programs to help Oregonians save energy at home. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act invested dollars in Home Energy Rebates – a pair of programs that will help Oregonians make their homes more energy efficient by installing appliances and performing upgrades that will also help residents save money. 

Although the exact number of households that could benefit from these funds is not yet clear, ODOE estimates that – assuming an average rebate size per project – about 13,000 Oregon households could benefit from these programs. Because these programs primarily target low-income households, it is important that rebates cover a large portion of the up-front cost to ensure customers with limited resources can take advantage of these rebates with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Larger incentives mean fewer households overall will receive funding under these programs, but it will ensure that those who receive rebates will have lower out-of-pocket costs.

ODOE is well-positioned to design and implement these programs in an efficient manner, and the agency is working diligently to ensure the impact of the programs is maximized and stakeholders have the opportunity to provide input on program design.

We hope to be able to roll out the rebate programs mid-2024. Learn more on ODOE’s blog and updated Home Energy Rebates FAQ.

ODOE’s Rural Assistance Program Gets New Name for the New Year | The Oregon Rural & Agricultural Energy Assistance Program (formerly Oregon Rural & Agricultural Energy Audit Program) is ready for its third year of helping rural Oregon small businesses and agricultural producers meet their energy goals. Heading into the new year, the program’s name has been updated to better reflect the broad range of support offered — and the ORAEA team invites interested folks to learn more through a new informational video (and help us spread the word!).

The ORAEA program offers support through a $100,000 grant awarded by the USDA Renewable Energy Development Assistance program. The grant helps fund energy assessments for agricultural producers and rural small businesses and can cover up to 75 percent of the total cost of the energy assessment. Energy Trust of Oregon also has incentives available to help cover the remaining cost for those served by one of the utilities Energy Trust represents.

Interested farms, ranches, and rural small businesses are encouraged to fill out an interest form with contact information and a short summary of operations and energy interests. The ORAEA team will schedule a call to understand needs and interests, explore options, answer questions, and mutually agree on next steps, which could include a draft scope of work for an energy assessment with an experienced energy auditor or a referral to one of our partner organizations. An energy assessment, or audit, helps identify potential energy projects, quantify savings, and prioritize projects based on cost, savings, and payback. Most energy assessments range from $4,000-$8,500.

More information – including how to sign up for program updates and responses to Frequently Asked Questions about the program – is available on ODOE’s website.

On the Road in Oregon  |  ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke is launching a new blog series to report on her visits with Oregon’s diverse communities. ODOE’s new Community Navigator Program is focused on fostering connections and collaboration across the state, including how ODOE can better understand and support communities’ goals and priorities around energy. We’ll uncover the stories, challenges, and triumphs of communities across Oregon — and showcase the power of community engagement and sustainable initiatives. Read more about the program, including a recap of Sarah’s recent visit to Hood River, on the blog.

• Join the team! Keep an eye onODOE’s website for open recruitments and please share with your networks. 
• In case you missed it, ODOE held a kickoff meeting for our State Energy Strategy project this month. The Energy Strategy, due to the Legislature in November 2025, will identify pathways to achieving Oregon’s energy policy objectives. Learn more on our website, view a recording of the kickoff meeting, and sign up for email updates for future opportunities to weigh in. 
• Last month we shared our updated Oregon Solar Dashboard, an interactive webpage showing solar growth through 2022. ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar joined Oregon Public Broadcasting this month to share more on what the dashboard tells us about Oregon’s solar future.
• ODOE Technology & Policy Manager Jessica Reichers spoke with KLCC radio this month to discuss electric vehicle adoption in Oregon, following our agency’s 2023 Biennial Zero Emission Vehicle Report. Give it a listen online.
• ODOE was proud to sponsor Sustainable Northwest’s 8th Annual Fall Energy Symposium in Benton County. ODOE staff were on hand to provide information on our programs and services during the two-day event, which brings together rural energy leaders from across the state for field tours, panel presentations, and networking opportunities.
• ODOE was also proud to sponsor the 2023 Oregon Solar + Storage Conference, held this year in Portland. ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar presented on conference panels about solar opportunities in the Inflation Reduction Act and Oregon’s current incentive and grant programs.
• The Every Mile Counts partnership of Oregon state agencies has published a new Funding Handbook for Local Governments that provides information about the various resources available to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. 
• Join us in congratulating Oregon Clean Power Cooperative on receiving the Meaningful Benefit Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 American-Made Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar. The cooperative received the award in recognition of its success in providing community solar with battery storage to power emergency operations at two schools and a fire station in the communities where the projects are located. ODOE was proud to support the cooperative’s efforts with a nearly $32,000 Renewable Energy Development Grant in 2020.
• ODOE has an opening for a volunteer position to serve on the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board. The 20-member board provides input to the U.S. Department of Energy and its regulators on the Hanford Nuclear Site cleanup. Learn More.
• The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, is recruiting for a new member. Contact Todd Cornett, ODOE’s Assistant Director for Siting and Council Secretary, with questions.
• ODOE has several incentive programs up and running. Learn more about our energy incentives on ODOE’s website. 
• Did you know ODOE’s Energy Facility Siting Team is currently reviewing more than a dozen proposed or amended energy facilities? From wind to solar facilities – to combined wind, solar, and storage facilities – you can learn more about the state’s process and how to get involved on ODOE’s website. You can also sign up to receive a monthly facility siting update showing the latest and greatest.