January 2023 Newsletter
Oregon Department of Energy Announces New Round of Grant Funding
ODOE is now accepting applications for the second round of funding through our Community Renewable Energy Grant Program. We're making $12 million available to support planning and construction of renewable energy or energy resilience projects for Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities.
Grant dollars are available for four types of projects: planning a renewable energy project, planning a renewable energy project that also has a resilience component, construction of a renewable energy project, or construction of a renewable energy project with a resilience component. Eligible projects include renewable energy generation systems like solar or wind, as well as energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging stations, or microgrid technologies paired with new or existing renewable energy systems. Eligible applicants are encouraged to partner with community groups, non-profits, private businesses, and others on potential projects. In October, the agency announced 21 recipients of the first round of grant funds totaling $12 million.
ODOE will again offer grants up to $100,000 for eligible planning projects and up to $1 million for eligible construction projects. Planning grants can cover up to 100 percent of eligible costs to develop a plan to build renewable energy and energy resilience projects. Construction grants for renewable energy projects can cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs to build the project, while construction grants for resilience projects can cover up to 100 percent. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to projects that support energy resilience and that serve qualifying communities, including communities of color, low-income communities, Tribes, rural areas, and other traditionally underserved groups.
Applications are due by February 15, 2023 and will be checked for completeness before going through a competitively-scored review. Interested applicants are welcome to join a webinar today, January 31 at 1 p.m., to ask questions of ODOE staff (a recording of the meeting will be available for those who cannot attend). Four program opportunity announcements with additional eligibility details are available on ODOE’s website.
Help Recommend Awardees: ODOE Recruiting for Grant Review Committee
As we make $12 million available for the next round of Community Renewable Energy Grants, we are also seeking community members to serve on our program's evaluation committee.
Evaluation committee members will be asked to review grant applications and make recommendations to ODOE’s Director about which projects should be funded. The time commitment will vary based on the number of applications received, but we expect the process to begin mid-March, with recommendations to the Director by early May.
Interested Oregonians should fill out our online interest form by February 15, 2023. The form will ask basic questions about background and interests in serving on the committee.
Heat Pumps on the Rise in 2023
About a quarter of Oregon’s overall energy use comes from homes, from lighting and cooking to heating and cooling. Making the switch to energy efficient appliances and technologies means less energy use, lower energy bills, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and more comfortable homes. Heat pumps, which move heat rather than create it, are becoming more popular in Oregon homes thanks to their efficient heating and cooling, lower energy use, and big incentive savings on the horizon.
While heat pump technology dates back to the 19th century, the technology didn’t become widely available until the 2000s. As of 2017, just 15 percent of single-family homes in the Northwest use a heat pump. With many models now on the market – and state and federal incentive savings coming soon – ODOE predicts that 2023 will be a big year for heat pumps in Oregon.
In our 2022 Biennial Energy Report and on our blog this month, ODOE featured heat pumps as an energy efficient building technology. In heating mode, heat pumps collect heat from ambient outdoor temperatures, concentrate it, and transfer that heat inside the building – yes, even on cold days! In cooling mode, heat pumps operate like regular air conditioners, moving heat from inside the building to outside.
In general, heat pumps are more energy efficient than other types of heating. Oregonians could save about 50 percent on home heating costs with a heat pump compared to electric resistance heat, like cadet or baseboard heaters. Coming this year, ODOE will launch two heat pump incentive programs to help lower the cost of the technology for Oregonians across the state. Incentives are also coming from the federal government, including a tax credit that is now available. Learn more on our blog!
OCCRI's Sixth Climate Assessment Outlines Climate Change Effects on Oregon
Earlier this month, the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute released the Sixth Oregon Climate Assessment, a biennial evaluation of recent scientific findings relating to the impacts and risks of climate change in Oregon. The Sixth Climate Assessment describes how climate change is affecting Oregon’s environment and natural systems, economy, and communities, and presents projections of future impacts under varying emissions scenarios.
The Assessment presents some staggering information about the negative effects of climate change on our state and region. Learn about how the Oregon Department of Energy is working to fight the effects of climate change, and how energy can be both a cause and a potential solution to climate change.
On our blog this month, ODOE Senior Clean Energy Policy Analyst Amy Schlusser summarizes some of the key findings from the best available science on climate impacts and risks in Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest. Check it out.
Senate Confirms Richard Devlin as Energy Facility Siting Council's Newest Member
The Oregon Senate has confirmed Richard Devlin of Tualatin as the newest member of the Energy Facility Siting Council. Devlin was appointed by Governor Brown in 2022 and confirmed by the Senate for a term beginning January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.
Devlin brings a strong background in leadership and community involvement to the council. Born in Eugene, OR, he went on to earn his BS in Administration of Justice from Portland State University and MA in Management from Pepperdine University. Devlin has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, as an elected official at the local and regional level, and as an Oregon State Representative and Senator.
Devlin joins current council members Marcy Grail, Kent Howe, Perry Chocktoot, Jordan Truitt, Cindy Condon, and Ann Beier. Members are selected to understand, evaluate, and deliberate complex issues associated with proposed energy facilities under state jurisdiction and how those facilities affect Oregonians, the environment, and nearby communities. The council has the authority to approve or deny site certificates to allow applicants to construct and operate an energy facility. If a site certificate is granted, the council has ongoing regulatory authority over the construction and operation of the facility. The council also regulates the transportation of radioactive materials through Oregon, the disposal of radioactive materials within the state's borders, and the decommissioning of the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant.
To learn more about the council and how to participate in the facility siting process, visit the Oregon Department of Energy’s website.
Reports from Around the Agency
Join our team! Check out open recruitments on our website and please share with your networks.
With the Oregon legislative session in full swing, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment is encouraging young Oregonians to get involved and share their views with committee members. Students from kindergarten to 12th grade can sign up to tell the committee, virtually or in person, about an energy or environment issue that is significant to them. Sign up online to participate.
Speaking of the legislative session, ODOE staff have been joining committee meetings to present on some of the agency's recent work, including the 2022 Biennial Energy Report; HB 2021 implementation, including our Community Renewable Energy Grant Program; energy markets; and more. Follow the legislative session online.
In case you missed it, ODOE shared an update in December on how we're working to bring federal dollars to the state. Check it out on our blog and sign up to receive email updates as federally funded programs move forward.
ODOE will also be holding a webinar on February 15 at 2 p.m. to provide an update on federal funds coming to Oregon. More information and connection details are available on our website.
The U.S. Department of Energy released a request for information related to rebate programs coming from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act – the HOMES and HEEHR programs. You can submit your feedback to the US DOE online by 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) on March 3. ODOE is also working on an agency response to the request for information. If you have suggestions for feedback ODOE should include in our response, please email us your ideas by 5 p.m. Friday, February 17, and we will review all submissions for potential inclusion in our response to the US DOE. We also expect to see other opportunities for feedback about HOMES and HEEHR in the future as more information becomes available in the spring and summer.
ODOE Senior Energy Policy Analyst Rebecca Smith joined OPB's Think Out Loud program on January 20 to talk renewable hydrogen. Give it a listen online.
We were thrilled to see that Oregon landed the No. 2 spot for share of new electric vehicles sold in 2022! The good work continues to bolster EV adoption in the state. The Oregon Department of Transportation now has an online open house for Oregonians to share their views about where to add EV fast chargers. Check it out.
ODOE staffers were on hand at the 2023 Northwest Agricultural Show in Salem. The team connected with Oregon's agricultural community and talked about ODOE programs and services, like the Rural & Agricultural Energy Audit Program.
Many thanks to those who joined ODOE for administrative rulemaking hearings for our forthcoming heat pump programs. The agency is working to stand up the programs as soon as possible this year.
The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board met on January 18 to hear the latest updates from ODOE, the EPA, Washington Department of Ecology, and others. Learn more about the Board on ODOE's website.
Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness Maxwell Woods was in Richland this month for the first U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Advisory Board meeting of 2023.
The Oregon Global Warming Commission is working on finalizing its biennial report to the Oregon Legislature in addition to a special report on the Roadmap to 2035, showing how Oregon can meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Learn more on the Commission's website.
On January 19, ODOE held a webinar for potential Regional Administrators of our upcoming Community Heat Pump Deployment Program. Potential administrators that missed the webinar can view a recording on ODOE's website.
The Eugene Water & Electric Board, Oregon's largest consumer-owned utility, recently reached two important milestones. The utility's Commissioners approved a resolution to decommission the the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project and published a first draft of an Integrated Resource Plan, which provides a roadmap for the community's energy future.
NW Natural, one of Oregon's three natural gas utilities, has launched a new bill discount program for gas customers with lower incomes. Eligible customers can receive 15% to 40% off monthly bills. Learn more.
Did you know ODOE's Energy Facility Siting Team manages a robust compliance program for state-jurisdiction energy facilities? ODOE staff regularly conduct site inspections to ensure facilities are meeting the conditions of their site certificates. Learn more about the compliance program on our website.
ODOE currently has four incentive programs up and running, including the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, the Rural & Agricultural Energy Audit Program, Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program, and Energy Efficient Wildfire Rebuilding. Learn more about our energy incentives on ODOE's 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.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Oregon Global Warming Commission | February 3, 2023 | Via Webinar
Federal Funding Webinar | February 15, 2023 | Via Webinar
Energy Code Stakeholder Panel | March 16, 2023 | Via Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | March 23-24, 2023 | TBD & Via Webinar
Other Stakeholder Groups (click to see details)
Current Rulemakings (click to see details)