ODOE to Hold Planning Update March 6 on Federal Home Energy Rebate Programs

Join the Oregon Department of Energy on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 3 p.m. online for a planning update on Oregon’s potential Home Energy Rebate Programs.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy released initial guidance for states and territories to apply for Home Energy Rebate Program funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. With this federal funding, states and territories will develop, implement, and enhance residential energy efficiency and electrification programs for U.S. households.

The Oregon Department of Energy is working to receive funding to develop state programs that will benefit Oregonians and align with Oregon’s energy goals. One element of the programs is determining the eligibility and distribution of these funds. ODOE hosted three listening sessions in October 2023 to hear from Oregon residents and Oregon-based organizations on the design of the Home Energy Rebate Programs. Feedback from these meetings, as well as further research and follow-up discussions with many of the attendees from the listening sessions, helped shape ODOE’s application development.

ODOE is on track to submit the state’s application to U.S. DOE this spring, which will move us one step closer to making these rebates available to Oregonians. The March planning update will include an overview of the federal program guidelines and discuss areas where Oregon intends to customize the programs, based on the feedback received over the last several months. The public webinar will be hosted virtually.

Home Energy Rebates Planning Update
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
3 - 4 p.m. PT

Virtual log-in information is available on ODOE’s website.

This meeting will give an overview on the Home Energy Rebates programs, and update on several aspects of ODOE’s approach to the programs, with an opportunity for Q & A

For more information, contact: Federal.Funding@energy.oregon.gov.

To request an interpreter for the hearing impaired or accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact ODOE at least 72 hours before the meeting at 1-800-221-8035 or fax 503-373-7806. TTY users should call the Oregon Relay Service at 711. A recording of the meeting will be posted online for those who are unable to attend.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

ODOE’s Work so Far

ODOE has been preparing for the development of these programs and applied to U.S. DOE for access to early administrative funds on August 11, 2023. While awaiting access to these funds, ODOE has leveraged existing staff and prioritized the development of these programs and their required federal applications. The early administrative funds will better position ODOE to hire staff and a contractor to conduct outreach and to finalize the design of the rebate programs.

While the deadline to submit the application for these programs is January 31, 2025, ODOE will prioritize rapidly deploying this program, while ensuring a thorough and efficient implementation design. Therefore, ODOE intends to submit an early application to the U.S. DOE in Spring 2024, and hopes to begin making rebates available to Oregonians as soon as possible.

ODOE will continue to communicate updates during this process when available. In the meantime, please see our website for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

About the Programs

The Home Energy Rebates are comprised of two complementary programs –Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates:

Also known as HOMES, the Home Efficiency Rebate program provides performance-based rebates for energy efficiency retrofits for individual households and multifamily buildings. These rebates are available for efficiency upgrades (or combinations of upgrades) with demonstrated energy savings of at least 20%, with higher incentives for projects with savings of 35% or more.

Also known as HEEHR or HEAR, the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program will provide point of sale rebates to low- (80% of Area Median Income and below) and moderate- (between 80% and 150% of Area Median Income) income households for the installation of high-efficiency electric appliances and associated electric upgrades, along with insulation and air sealing measures.