October 2024 Newsletter

ODOE Announces $113 Million Federal Award for Home Energy Rebates

The Oregon Department of Energy has been awarded over $113 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for two new home energy rebate programs that will provide financial incentives to single-family and multifamily households for eligible high-efficiency home improvements, appliances, and equipment.

The Home Efficiency Rebate Program (also known as HOMES) will provide performance-based rebates for energy efficiency retrofits in single-family and multifamily homes. This can include installing more efficient equipment like a heat pump or on-demand water heater, weatherization measures like insulation or air sealing, smart thermostats, and more. HOMES rebates will be issued for projects that can provide at least 20 percent estimated energy savings, with higher incentives available for projects that could save 35 percent or more. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (also known as HEAR) will provide point-of-sale rebates to low- and moderate-income households to install eligible high-efficiency electric appliances and associated upgrades, as well as insulation and air sealing measures.

HOMES rebate amounts will vary depending on the project scope, with rebates covering 50 to 100 percent of project costs up to $4,000 or $10,000 per project, depending on the household’s income and the estimated energy savings. Similarly, HEAR Program participants could receive between 50 to 100 percent of project costs up to $14,000, depending on the energy upgrades completed and the household’s income.

Funding for these programs comes to Oregon thanks to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Oregon has previously been awarded IRA and other federal funding, including a Solar for All award and a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. ODOE submitted its initial application for home energy rebates to the U.S. DOE in March 2024. Now that the state has received the awards, ODOE can begin to finalize the programs’ design and start procuring and developing the program guidance, technology systems, coordinating agreements, and other materials necessary to launch two effective and well-run programs. ODOE expects that rebates will be available in late 2025 or early 2026.

Learn more on our blog.

Grounded Podcast: Magic School Buses

Class is back in session, and nearly 550,000 students in Oregon make the trip to and from school every school day. On the latest episode of Grounded, host Bryan Hockaday ventures into the magic world of clean-running and electric school buses.

Across the United States, more than 21 million students rely on a school bus for their transportation. However, 90 percent of these buses still run on carbon-emitting, diesel fuel. For decades though, studies have linked diesel exhaust exposure to harmful health conditions that range from asthma to cancer. On top of that, transportation emissions account for more than a third of Oregon's climate-changing pollution.

Fortunately, there’s an effort underway to accelerate the transition from diesel big rigs to cleaner running vehicles. There’s also federal, state, and utility-provided funding that school districts are taking advantage of to cover the cost of converting to clean-running and electric school buses.

Beaverton School District has one of largest transportation operations in Oregon. Leading the district’s operations is Craig Beaver, who explains in this episode how Beaverton is transitioning from diesel to a growing fleet of electric buses. Listen on our blog or your favorite podcast app.

Coming Soon: ODOE's 2024 Biennial Energy Report

Today is the last day of OctoBER, which means the Oregon Department of Energy's 2024 Biennial Energy Report (the BER) is getting final polishes before its November 1 publication date.

This now fourth edition of the Biennial Energy Report is full of new and updated data, energy stories from around Oregon, energy technology and resource reviews, energy 101 basics, and more. We'll share more about the report in next month's newsletter. In the meantime, keep an eye on energyinfo.oregon.gov/ber for the report's launch!

Hispanic Heritage Month

On our blog this month, ODOE Community Equity and Inclusion Analyst Lauren Rosenstein reflects in her own words on Hispanic Heritage Month and what it means for our agency and our work:

From September 15 to October 15 each year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This is the time to enthusiastically recognize the multitude of contributions that Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x people have made and continue to contribute to the history and culture of the United States. In fact, the beneficial impact of Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x people predates the United States — there have been indigenous Tribes and people who have lived on this land since time immemorial.

On October 7, 2024 I was invited to participate in Hispanics In Energy Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub Forum hosted by Hispanics in Energy Chairman and CEO José L. Pérez. Hispanics In Energy is a community-driven, non-profit organization designed to facilitate Hispanic inclusion in America’s energy industry. It is a resource for the energy industry, utility companies, municipalities, and elected or appointed officials with oversight responsibility of energy related policies and practices, and communities on comprehensive energy matters.

We also know that Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x communities are disproportionately affected by energy burdens like cost and access. It is imperative to include Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x communities, organizations, and leaders in decision-making as Oregon transitions to an equitable clean energy future. Hispanics In Energy and the partners they brought together spoke to the importance of reimagining systems and opportunities so people from Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x communities have a voice in this work, especially because they, in large part, will be building the technology that moves us into a clean energy future.

October Oregon Energy Strategy Update

We're about a year out from finalizing the Oregon Energy Strategy, and ODOE's team has been hard at work finalizing alternative scenarios for the modeler (catch up on the energy strategy project in August's newsletter update and on ODOE's website).

Many Oregonians and organizations have weighed in on the strategy development so far, and we appreciate the time and thoughtful feedback folks have provided on the scenarios and other project efforts. As ODOE wraps up the first phase of the project, we have been working closely with the Environmental Justice and Equity Working Group and our consultants to develop three additional analyses, including developing consumer profiles that will provide insight into how broad energy policies might affect the costs for electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuels.

The working group has also provided input on geospatial mapping that will accompany the modeling results, as well as framing for analysis on air quality and public health. Their expertise is a critical component of the strategy because it provides insights on how different energy choices affect people and communities across Oregon. ODOE will release a comprehensive document outlining this work on our website by November 6. We invite everyone to review the document and share feedback through our comment portal through November 27. Your feedback will be invaluable in shaping the Oregon Energy Strategy.

Reports from Around the Agency

Join our team! Keep an eye on ODOE's website for open recruitments and please share with your networks.
Check out ODOE's blog for our latest Energy Facility Siting Spotlight. This month we're talking about the administrative rulemaking process. The Energy Facility Siting Council and ODOE regularly review siting-related Oregon Administrative Rules to ensure rules stay up-to-date and relevant for Oregon energy policy. Learn more on our blog.
ODOE Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse and Senior Incentives Analyst Kristina Donnelly joined the Bonneville Power Administration's Oregon Utility Roundtable meeting in Newport on October 2. Kristina presented information about Oregon's forthcoming home energy rebate programs (see announcement above!).
Kristina also presented to Energy Trust of Oregon's Fall Trade Ally Forum attendees on October 17 about ODOE's home energy rebate programs. It was a great opportunity to connect with Energy Trust's contractor network.
Members of ODOE's Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness Team have enjoyed going back to school with recent presentations on nuclear safety and the Hanford Site at Portland State University and Oregon State University.
Speaking of Hanford, the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board met this month in The Dalles. If you missed it, a meeting recording and meeting materials are availalbe on ODOE's website.
ODOE Director Janine Benner joined a Town Hall organized by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Renewable Hydrogen Association for World Hydrogen Day. Fun fact: it’s held on 10/08 each year because the atomic weight of hydrogen is 1.008. In addition to IBEW and RHA, Douglas County PUD (out of Washington) and local elected officials were also on hand for the Town Hall and celebration. Janine enjoyed an opportunity to speak to the group about the Pacific NW Hydrogen Hub.
ODOE Hanford Ecologist Sara Lovtang presented about the Hanford Nuclear Site at Science on Tap on October 9 and received rad reviews for her engaging and informative session. Learn more about ODOE's work with the Hanford Site on our website.
Senior Policy Analyst Jillian DiMedio joined Forth for a meeting on October 15 with a delegation of Chinese leaders to discuss zero emission vehicle policies and deployment.
ODOE Codes and Standards Manager Blake Shelide and Associate Director for Strategic Engagement Ruchi Sadhir presented at the Legislative Commission on Indian Services on October 15. The presentation covered a summary of recent engagement efforts by ODOE, including the Oregon Energy Strategy, Energy Facility Siting rulemaking on Tribal government notification, the Oregon Climate Action Commission’s work on natural climate solutions, and Building Performance Standards implementation.
Blake also participated on a panel discussing Building Performance Standards at the ASHRAE 2024 Decarbonization in Existing Building Conference on October 22.
ODOE Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse was selected to attend the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office’s annual Peer Review event in Washington, DC on October 21-24 as an independent expert reviewer for the Emerging Technology: HVAC, and Building Electronics Devices and Appliances tracks. BTO hosts Peer Reviews to generate robust and documented feedback from independent experts on its projects’ mission alignment, impact, approach, progress, and future work. This feedback informs amendments to current initiatives and creation of future initiatives.
ODOE Director Janine Benner, Technology and Policy Manager Jessica Reichers, and Energy Policy Team Lead Edith Bayer participated in the fall meeting of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation and Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (CREPC-WIRAB). This gathering of western state energy office officials and public service commissioners was an opportunity to discuss energy topics of regional importance such as balancing reliability, affordability, and policy priorities, resource adequacy, transmission, and more. Janine was pleased to moderate a panel on demand-side solutions for energy affordability and reliability.
Home Energy Efficiency Workforce and Education Analyst Josie Cardwell attended the WORKing Together 2024 Conference in Bend on October 22-23. The conference focused on workforce and ensuring Oregonians have the skills to meet the state's needs, including energy workforce.
ODOE was pleased to sponsor the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board 14th annual Policy Conference on October 4. This year's conference focused on Energy Policy for People & Planet. ODOE Energy Policy Team Lead Edith Bayer participated on a panel about centering customers in utility planning.
ODOE also sponsored the Oregon Solar + Storage Conference, powered by OSSIA, on October 22-24. ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar spoke to audiences about Oregon's federal Solar for All award and what it means for our state.
Fall is conference season, and ODOE proudly supported the League of Oregon Cities 99th Annual Conference in Bend this month. ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke and Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar attended the conference and appreciated the opportunity to connect with many cities and learn about their infrastructure and other needs.
We were excited to see that the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recently announced that Lane County, OR is one of three new communities that will receive a combined $10 million in funding and technical assistance to research, model, validate, and deploy local clean energy strategies. Lane County, Springfield Utility Board, Emerald People's Utility District, and Center for Rural Livelihoods will work with U.S. DOE lab experts to develop distributed renewable energy resources and grid modernization technologies to improve the reliability and resilience of electricity services.
In electric vehicle news, the Oregon Department of Transportation has $10 million available for repairs and upgrades to public EV charging in Oregon. ODOT is accepting applications through November 12, 2024.
ODOT also selected grantees for the first round of its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The funds will support public electric vehicle charging stations along major roads in Oregon.
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 our website. You can also sign up to receive a monthly facility siting update showing the latest and greatest.
ODOE has several incentive programs up and running. Learn more about our energy incentives on ODOE's website.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Community Heat Pump Deployment Program Advisory Council | November 6, 2024 | Via Webinar

Public Hearing on Building Performance Standard Program Rules | November 13, 2024 | Via Webinar

Energy Facility Siting Council | November 14, 2024| Madras and Via Webinar

Current Rulemakings (click to see details)

Other Stakeholder Groups (click to see details)