August 2021 Newsletter
ODOE Now Accepting Interest Forms for Rural & Agricultural Energy Audit Program
Earlier this year, we announced a $100,000 Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ODOE will use the grant dollars to support energy audits for Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
Potential applicants are now invited to fill out an interest form online. Applicants should gather as much information as possible, including information about the site’s energy use (recent utility and/or energy bills) and information about any energy efficiency projects they are interested in completing. An energy audit may include inspection of buildings, processes, and/or equipment to analyze energy consumption and identify efficiency improvements to reduce a business’s energy use and costs. Energy audits can help prioritize potential improvement projects based on energy savings, payback period, and other factors.
Federal, local, and utility funding may be available to Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses that want to invest in energy efficiency improvements, and an energy audit is often a required first step in funding applications. But the cost of an audit, which can range from $5,000 up to $20,000, can be a significant barrier. ODOE will use its grant funding to pay for 75 percent of the cost of energy audits conducted through the program.
Since ODOE began accepting interest forms earlier this month, we have already heard from several Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses that are interested in the program.
More information about our Rural & Agricultural Energy Audit Program is available on our website and in our FAQ document.
New Financial Programs Coming Soon
As we mentioned in last month's newsletter, the 2021 Legislative session wrapped up with additional funding for ODOE rebate and grant programs. We received $10 million to continue the popular Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program, $50 million for a new incentive program to promote energy resilience and small-scale clean energy projects, and $10 million to support energy efficiency in 2020 wildfire rebuilding efforts.
ODOE is working on standing up the programs and hiring staff this summer and fall. We'll provide updates right here in our monthly newsletter, and you can also sign up to receive email updates for each program. We look forward to rolling out these programs to support renewable energy, resilience, and efficiency in Oregon communities.
Energy is at the Heart of the Solution to the Climate Crisis
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released its Sixth Assessment Report, providing the most updated physical understanding of the climate system and climate change. The findings support the fact that Earth’s climate is changing, and the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed. The unprecedented changes observed in the climate reach every region of the planet, and some of the changes are irreversible. The assessment makes it clear that in order to stabilize the climate and avoid more devastating effects of continued warming, an immediate, rapid, and large-scale reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is more important than ever.
In our 2020 Biennial Energy Report, we reported that most of Oregon’s GHG emissions come from the energy we use every day – turning on our lights, heating our homes and businesses, and traveling to our destinations. The energy sector is also affected by climate change – from more complex power planning and investment needed to address new surges in electricity demand during heatwaves, to potential disruptions to fuel distribution when roads are blocked during wildfires or flooding events. The good news is, by reducing energy use, decarbonizing our energy mix, and supporting clean transportation fuels, the energy sector can help combat climate change and reduce the extent of the damage it brings. Oregon is already taking action to address climate change – read more on our blog and find more information and resources on our website.
Spotlight: Evolution of Wholesale Electricity Markets in Oregon
The electricity sector is changing – coal plants are closing, more variable renewable resources like wind and solar are coming online, grid-connected battery storage is becoming more cost-effective, natural gas prices remain low by historic standards, and there’s a growing focus on equity in the sector.
On our blog this month and in our 2020 Biennial Energy Report, we discussed how the idea of participating in and developing new wholesale electricity markets in Oregon and across the West is picking up steam. Utilities are exploring whether broader regional markets could help integrate more renewables at lower cost, better manage the closure of coal plants and other constraints on the transmission system, and support long-term capacity procurement.
We expect electricity markets in Oregon to continue evolving in the years ahead. ODOE is taking a closer look at a potential Regional Transmission Organization in Oregon following a directive from the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session. SB 589 directed our agency to conduct a study to identify the opportunities, challenges, and barriers for Oregon entities participating in a potential RTO. Our study will be completed and submitted to the Legislature by December 31, 2021 – you can follow the process on our website and sign up for email updates.
Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment Project Update
The Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment (ORESA) project is funded through a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment grant awarded to the Oregon Department of Energy, working with the Department of Land Conservation & Development and Oregon State University's Institute for Natural Resources. The ORESA project will create a transparent, consistent collection of information about renewable energy and transmission development opportunities and constraints. Policy makers and stakeholders can use that information to inform discussions around renewable energy development in a way that minimizes conflict and supports economic development opportunities.
Through stakeholder outreach and partner coordination, relevant data and information has been collected and used to inform three topic-focused assessments and a multi-jurisdictional procedures review, and to scope and develop an ORESA Mapping and Reporting Tool. The project team will now focus on key findings of the four project elements (three topic-based assessments and siting procedure review) as a core component of the final ORESA report, which will accompany public release of the Mapping and Reporting Tool. The tool will also move into beta testing and revision, including focus group and user group feedback. A majority of the ORESA project is expected to be completed this winter. Check out the complete project summer update and the ORESA webpage for more information.
Reports from Around the Agency
Today (August 31), the Nuclear Safety & Emergency Preparedness team is leading ODOE in a virtual emergency exercise to practice how we would respond in the event of an emergency at the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant near Richland, Washington. The exercise is a lead-up to a FEMA-graded exercise currently scheduled for October.
On August 16, Senior Policy Analyst Rebecca Smith served on a panel for Renewable Hydrogen: Policy Maker's Perspective at the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance's Renewable Power to Clean Fuels Symposium.
Exciting news on the electric vehicle charging front – improvements are coming to the West Coast Electric Highway this fall, including upgrading the existing stations, adding three new ones to the network, and adding more charger types to serve a wider range of EVs.
Also on the Go Electric Oregon blog this month, a Western Governors' Association special report on the Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative, spear-headed Oregon Governor Brown, the current WGA chair.
As mentioned above, ODOE is working on a Regional Transmission Organizations study, due to the legislature at the end of the year. We are now seeking responses to scoping questions about the study – interested Oregonians are invited to respond through our public comment portal by September 13.
ODOE's Energy Facility Siting Team continues to be hard at work reviewing multiple proposed new and amended energy facilities in Oregon. One of the best ways to stay in-the-know on the latest developments is through our monthly siting project update. You can also sign up for a monthly email reminder when the dashboard is updated.
Our sister agency, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, has launched a new GreenState podcast. Check it out on DEQ's website, and don't forget to tune in to ODOE's podcast, Grounded!
As ODOE works to stand up new programs created by the Oregon Legislature, keep an eye on our ODOE Jobs page for future employment opportunies. We are currently recruiting for an Energy Policy Analyst (OPA3) and a Research Analyst 3.
The Energy Facility Siting Council, a governor-appointed volunteer council responsible for the review and oversight of large-scale energy facilities, is also recruiting potential news members. 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.
ODOE's email addresses have changed! As of June 23, emails to ODOE staff should be directed to @energy.oregon.gov (replacing @oregon.gov). Old email addresses will continue to redirect for a while, but please update your address books with the new version.
COVID-19 continues to influence how Oregonians live their daily lives. ODOE's Salem office remains closed to public walk-in traffic, but our services are available. ODOE meetings are being held remotely. Keep an eye on our online calendar and sign up for emails to receive meeting notices and information on how to participate.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Energy Facility Siting Council | September 23-24, 2021 | Via Webinar
Energy Code Stakeholder Panel | September 21, 2021 | Via Webinar
Current Rulemakings (click to see details)
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