April 2022 Newsletter
ODOE Now Accepting Applications for Energy Efficient Wildfire Recovery Program
The Oregon Department of Energy has $10 million available to support Oregonians who lost their homes or businesses during the 2020 wildfires that devastated communities across Oregon. As Oregonians rebuild, the agency will provide financial support to improve energy efficiency to make rebuilt homes and businesses more comfortable and provide long-term energy savings.
Incentive amounts depend on the building type and the level of efficiency in rebuilding. Oregonians rebuilding site-built homes can receive $3,000 for rebuilding to current energy code or $6,000 for rebuilding to an above-code standard – those rebuilding who are also considered low- or moderate-income can receive higher rebates of $7,500 or $15,000. Some of the communities lost in the wildfires included manufactured home parks, so Oregonians replacing lost or damaged manufactured homes with energy efficient models can receive $12,500, plus an additional $5,000 for installing a qualifying heat pump system to improve heating and cooling.
Commercial, public, and multifamily buildings can receive between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the project and the efficiency level. Affordable multifamily buildings can receive an additional $500 per unit if the affordable housing developer participates in an Oregon Housing and Community Services program.
ODOE’s incentives are available for Oregonians who have already rebuilt, are currently rebuilding, or are planning to rebuild a structure that was lost in the wildfires between August 1 and September 30, 2020. Agency staff are available to answer questions about the program and help survivors navigate the applications. The wildfire recovery program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2021. Other programs are also available to help wildfire survivors, including the Oregon Building Codes Division’s Wildfire Hardening Program and Energy Trust of Oregon's rebuilding programs. More information and resources are also available at https://wildfire.oregon.gov/.
Virtual Workshops for Study on Small-Scale and Community Renewable Projects
The Oregon Department of Energy is working on several studies this year, including one on small-scale and community renewable projects. This month, ODOE held the first of four virtual workshops scheduled for this spring and summer to discuss ownership and access, opportunities and barriers, and other considerations for small-scale and community renewable projects in Oregon. Members of the public are welcome to listen in on the workshops as our study’s work group members and department staff discuss findings and consider content to include in the final report. There will be a chance for public comment at the meetings, as well. Meeting materials and links to log in to the meetings will be available on our website prior to workshop dates. Sign up for email updates and learn more on our blog.
ODOE Office Reopens to the Public May 2
After more than two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon Department of Energy’s Salem office will reopen to the public on Monday, May 2.
ODOE is supporting a hybrid remote/in-office schedule for most staff members, so please reach out if you are trying to connect with a specific team member. You can keep an eye on ODOE’s events calendar for upcoming meetings and information about whether they will be in person, virtual, or both. You can also sign up to receive email updates to hear about opportunities to get involved and updates on the energy topics you care about.
Thanks for your continued engagement while our offices were closed to the public. Stay safe and healthy — we look forward to meeting with you in person or virtually very soon.
This Month on Grounded: Home Energy Scores
On the first Grounded episode of 2022, host Erica Hertzsch talks with ODOE Energy Analyst and home energy score expert Roger Kainu about Oregon's home energy score program and the benefits of scores for homeowners and homebuyers. Also joining the episode are two officials from the City of Hillsboro, Peter Brandom and Dacia Bakkum, to talk about how Hillsboro is embracing home energy scoring for its residents. For potential homebuyers, current homeowners, real estate agents, and others — this episode is a must!
Rural Playbook Available for Federal Infrastructure Funding
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, signed by President Biden in November 2021, will bring significant federal resources to communities across the United States. To ensure rural communities can access these investment dollars, the White House has developed a Rural Playbook to act as a roadmap for applying for funding.
Smaller communities often have fewer resources or staff to apply for available federal grant funding. The playbook’s goal is to help make it easier on those communities — like the ones right here in Oregon — so they can access the investments for their communities. The playbook includes information on the programs and sources of funds that are set aside for rural communities. It also lays out certain flexibilities and other benefits specifically for rural communities (such as waivers for matching requirements).
The infrastructure bill focuses on several infrastructure areas, including providing high-speed internet, improving rural transportation options, fixing roads and bridges, upgrading electricity and transmission infrastructure, and more.
Alongside the playbook is a series of fact sheets for funding opportunities, including one focused on energy investments through the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy funding is available for communities to bolster electric vehicle adoption, charging infrastructure, and battery recycling; accelerate the deployment of new transmission lines to connect communities to renewable power options and improve resilience; support clean energy demonstrations for innovative technologies; strengthen clean energy manufacturing and workforce development; retrofit homes and buildings to improve energy efficiency and weatherization; and much more.
Dive in to learn more and read the Rural Playbookonline — we look forward to these federal infrastructure dollars supporting Oregon communities.
Reports Around the Agency
Join our team! ODOE is recruiting some new team members – check out the openings on our website.
After a two-year hiatus, ODOE staff were able to join the Oregon Garden for its Earth Day celebration on April 16. Staff enjoyed the opportunity to connect with Oregonians about our new incentive programs and other earth-friendly programs. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.
April proved to be a busy month for ODOE engagement activities. Many thanks to the Tribes, local governments, community groups and organizations, and other stakeholders who joined us for meetings about our incentive programs, Biennial Energy Report and other energy studies, schools programs, and more over the last month. Don't forget you can find upcoming meetings in the footer of this newsletter, and sign up to receive ODOE email updates about topics and issues you care about.
Speaking of engagement, April 18-22 was National Volunteer Week. We are grateful to the many partners who sit on ODOE Boards, Commissions, and other stakeholder groups. You help make our work better. Thank you!
Join ODOE on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. for a public meeting on our Floating Offshore Wind Study, which is due to the legislature later this year. You can join the meeting in person at the Mill Casino in North Bend or join us online. More information is available on our blog.
Grounded isn't the only State of Oregon podcast out there. Our friends at the Department of Environmental Quality published an episode of Green State recently, which included a test drive of an electric vehicle. You can also engage with other State podcasters in our State of Science Facebook group.
Congratulations to the City of Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability for receiving a U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings 2022 Score Award for producing the highest number of Home Energy Scores over the last year. Learn more about Home Energy Scores in Oregon on our website.
Did you know ODOE's Energy Facility Siting Team is currently reviewing about 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 our website. You can also sign up to receive a monthly facility siting update showing the latest and greatest.
The Oregon Legislature assigned ODOE several new studies to complete over the next year. Visit ODOE's website to learn more about the studies – including floating offshore wind, small-scale renewable energy, and renewable hydrogen – and sign up for email updates on study progress, public meetings, and opportunities to weigh in.
The U.S. Department of Energy is accepting applications from Tribes, states, and territories for $3.16 billion in new funding through the Weatherization Assistance Program, USDOE’s largest residential energy retrofit program. This expanded funding will allow communities to retrofit thousands of low-incomes homes to make them healthier and more energy efficient while lowering utility bills. Learn more on USDOE’s website.
NW Natural issued a Request for Proposals on April 14 to provide renewable natural gas or support the procurement of RNG for delivery to its customers. The RFP seeks RNG resources and/or associated environmental attributes from around the country and from a wide variety of feedstocks and sources, including renewable hydrogen resources. NW Natural is asking for responses by May 23, 2022. Learn more on NW Natural’s website.
The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, is recruiting potential new members. Contact Todd Cornett, ODOE's Assistant Director for Siting and the Council Secretary, with questions.
Upcoming Meetings
Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board | May 2, 2022 | Via Webinar
Floating Offshore Wind Study | May 11, 2022 | North Bend & Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | May 26-27, 2022 | Pendleton & Webinar
Small-Scale & Community Renewables Study | June 3, 2022 | Via Webinar
Energy Code Stakeholder Panel | June 14, 2022 | Via Webinar
Other Stakeholder Groups (click to see details)
Current Rulemakings (click to see details)
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