April 2020 Newsletter
$1.5 Million in Solar + Storage Rebate Program Dollars Reserved for Oregon Solar Projects
On April 15 at 8 a.m., the Oregon Department of Energy released its second bucket of funding, totaling $375,000, for residential Solar + Storage Rebate Program projects. Every dollar was requested by Oregon solar contractors within 25 minutes!
A week later, the remaining dollars that were reserved specifically for low- and moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers were also fully requested, so the program is no longer accepting rebate requests.
In total, over $1.5 million in rebate dollars have been requested, reserved, or distributed since the program launched in January. Even better: the program is expanding access to underserved Oregonians – half of the program dollars are targeted to low- and moderate-income customers and low-income service providers.
The success of the program shows just how much Oregonians love their renewable energy. But we already knew that – check out how much solar in Oregon has changed over the last 20 years on our Solar Dashboard
COVID-19 in Oregon
As we mentioned in last month's newsletter, COVID-19 continues to shape how Oregonians live, work and play. The Oregon Department of Energy's Salem office is closed to the public, but our services remain open. Most of ODOE is now working remotely, with a handful of staff present at the office each day. Find contact information on our website and reach out to our staff by phone or email.
ODOE Public Affairs Specialist Erica Euen stepped up to serve as a public information officer in the State of Oregon's COVID-19 Joint Information Center this month. For four weeks, Erica worked full time with the JIC to respond to media inquiries about COVID-19 in Oregon. Emergency Preparedness Manager Deanna Henry has also been on the front lines, helping to ensure Oregon maintains an adequate supply of transportation fuels. Internally, our Human Resources team prepared us to move to a more mobile environment by evaluating state and agency polices, including updating telework agreements to allow more ODOE staff to work from home. Our Information Technology team worked to make sure our software and equipment was ready for remote work, including researching new ways to connect from afar. And our Facilities team adjusted internal practices to make sure the staff who remain in the building can work safely.
Thanks to ODOE team members for doing their part – and to our many energy partners who continue to work hard to provide essential services to our communities.
Largest Solar Facility in the Pacific Northwest Approved by Energy Facility Siting Council
At its April 24 meeting, the Energy Facility Siting Council officially approved the Bakeoven Solar Project for a site certificate. With that approval, Bakeoven is the largest approved solar PV project in Oregon – and in the Pacific Northwest! ODOE Senior Siting Analyst Sarah Esterson reports that when it's built, the facility will produce about 300 megawatts of renewable solar energy on about 2,700 acres in Wasco County (photo at right from a 2017 site visit). The facility will also include a 100-megawatt battery storage system and an 11-mile transmission line.
University of Oregon Team Awarded Grand Prize at 2020 Solar Decathlon
This month, we're celebrating the University of Oregon's Team Polaris, which earned the Grand Prize in the U.S. Department of Energy's 2020 Solar Decathlon! The team developed a concept for an energy efficient school in Tecate, on the California–Mexico border. The location offered an ideal opportunity to incorporate the shared climate and residential and political needs into a net-zero elementary school that would bring the two communities together. From interactive stations where the students learn about the sun’s effect on their current classroom environment to planting native ground cover that limits human interaction, this school embraces resilience, energy efficiency, and community involvement. Read more on ODOE's blog.
Energy Facility Siting Council Initiates Rulemaking to Update Monetary Rate for Carbon Offsets
On April 24, the Energy Facility Siting Council initiated a new rulemaking process to consider updating the monetary rate for carbon offsets for energy facilities. In Oregon, a fossil fuel-powered energy facility must comply with the state's CO2 emissions standards. In order to comply, most of these facilities will need to reduce net CO2 emissions by displacing emissions through cogeneration technology, implementing CO2 emissions offset projects, or agreeing to provide funds to a qualified organization in an amount deemed sufficient to produce the necessary reduction in emissions. Most facilities choose the third option, and the amount of funds is calculated using the established monetary rate. The current rate of $1.90 per ton of CO2 was established in 2017. The Council will consider increasing the rate to $2.85 per ton of CO2 in the new rulemaking process. Read more background on the rulemaking in the April 24 staff report, and follow the rulemaking process on ODOE's website or sign up to receive email updates as the process moves forward.
Earth Day Every Day
Here at the Oregon Department of Energy, it's safe to say Earth Day is our favorite day of the year. 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and we were ready to celebrate big with our partners. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans. But Oregonians are resilient – and even though we couldn't celebrate together in person this year, we joined with our partners for a virtual celebration of Earth Day, with daily activities to show love for our planet. Thanks to you all for making Earth Day every day. And here's to celebrating for the next 50 years (and beyond!).
Reports from Around the Agency
Some ODOE meetings have been postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 virus and social distancing measures. Other meetings are being held remotely. Keep an eye on our online calendar for meeting notices and how to participate.
ODOE worked with the fuel industry, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the City of Portland to develop temporary rules allowing fuel companies in Oregon to continue selling winter grade gasoline after the May 1st deadline to switch over to summer gasoline. There is a surplus of winter fuels remaining in the fuel distribution system because of significant reduction in travel due to COVID-19, making it difficult for companies to make the switch by May 1. Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor the industry's progress in switching from winter to summer gasoline to make sure that the transition occurs as quickly as is possible. The rule change also matches recently-updated federal guidelines for fuel surplus across the nation.
Thank you for weighing in as we develop our 2020 Biennial Energy Report! We heard from Oregonians across the state over the last couple of months through survey responses, email comments, and in-person (virtual) conversations. We are wrapping up the initial scoping phase of BER development, and will now turn to data collection and drafting. We will continue to collect comments through ODOE's website and you can keep informed by signing up for email updates.
The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, currently has one vacancy. Submit an interest form through the Governor's office, and contact Todd Cornett, ODOE's Assistant Director for Siting and the Council Secretary, with questions.
With more people working at home because of COVID-19, we enjoyed this feature by The Oregonian about how to save energy while spending more time at home. Hint: watch out for those energy vampires.
The Bonneville Power Administration is offering up to $10,000 in grants for educators, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations that provide student energy programs for the 2020/2021 school year. Applications are due June 26.
ODOE staff enjoyed an online Zoom presentation about renewable hydrogen on April 20 from Evan Ramsey at Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Ken Dragoon at Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, and Mike McCann at Eugene Water & Electric Board.
As of April 1, Oregon has 31,924 registered electric vehicles on our roads, with 1,684 EV chargers in 631 locations.
Upcoming Meetings
Energy Facility Siting Council | May 21-22, 2020 | Via Webinar