September 2024 Newsletter
ODOE Grant Program Supports Renewable and Resilient Energy Projects Across the State
The Oregon Department of Energy has selected 34 recipients to receive nearly $18 million in Community Renewable Energy Grant Program funds. The program supports planning and construction of renewable energy or energy resilience projects for Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities.
ODOE received 75 applications requesting over $47 million to support projects for this third round of grant funding. Awards were chosen on a competitive basis with the help of a grant application evaluation committee, which included community-based organizations, renewable energy advocates, industry leaders, and technical experts from across the state. Committee members considered project feasibility and strength, equity, cost savings, economic development, and other features to select the 34 awarded projects.
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will receive a pair of grants totaling about $1.9 million each to install 148-kilowatt rooftop solar and paired energy storage at the Tribe’s Child Development Center and the Tribe’s Resident Resilience Center. The City of Madras will receive $1 million to construct a 1.14-megawatt floating solar project at its wastewater treatment facility. The project will generate over 1.8 million kilowatt-hours of energy while reducing algae buildup in water used by local farmers for irrigation. Over at the coast, the City of Depoe Bay will receive $95,000 to support planning efforts for a 130-kilowatt solar installation at City Hall, which serves as an emergency operations and communications center, stores emergency food and supplies, and can be used as a shelter during a disaster or severe weather event. The city plans to pair the solar with 100 kilowatts of battery storage and 180 kilograms of hydrogen fuel cell storage.
For this third round of Community Renewable Energy Grants, ODOE was pleased to see returning program participants that received previous planning grants request construction funds to put those plans into action. Hood River County received a grant in 2023 to plan for a solar and paired storage project to run emergency operations or a community shelter at the Mount Hood Town Hall. The County will now receive $972,933 to construct the project. The City of Oakridge also received a planning grant in 2023, and will now receive $332,500 to install a solar and paired storage project to support critical community facilities at the Willamette Activity Center. In total, ODOE’s program is supporting 17 planning and 17 construction projects in this third round of funding – see a complete list of awardees on ODOE's blog.
The Community Renewable Energy Grant Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to support projects outside Portland city limits. ODOE awarded a first round of $12 million in grants in 2022, a second round in 2023, and expects to make at least one more round of funding available in 2025.
ODOE Publishes New Energy Security Plan
Just in time for National Preparedness Month to wrap up, the Oregon Department of Energy has published a new Oregon Energy Security Plan that outlines the state’s current energy infrastructure, quantifies threats and hazards that cause energy insecurity, and identifies potential measures the state and its partners can implement to manage risk and strengthen Oregon’s energy security.
The energy sector — including electricity, liquid fuels, and natural gas — is vital to the health, well-being, safety, economy, and way of life for Oregonians. A disruption to Oregon’s energy infrastructure can directly affect the security and resilience of other necessary systems, such as public health and healthcare, water and wastewater treatment, education, emergency response, and many others. The Energy Security Plan analyzes natural hazards and human-made risks, including cyber-security and physical attacks on infrastructure. The plan makes it clear that a statewide, collaborative approach to assessing threats, reducing risk, and improving energy security is vital.
Included in the plan is a new risk assessment of Oregon’s energy systems. The assessment finds that of the natural, cyber, and physical hazards evaluated, the highest vulnerability to hazards is associated with a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, wildfires, windstorms, and winter storms. Earthquake vulnerabilities are highest in the western parts of Oregon, while other hazards and vulnerabilities are spread across the state.
In addition to continuing the strong energy emergency planning and response collaboration among Tribal Nations, energy industries, utilities, and federal, state, and local governments, the plan outlines a set of recommended mitigation measures for addressing risks to the energy sector. Redundancy, hardening, upgrading, and weatherizing are the most recommended physical measures to mitigate vulnerabilities. For example, a fuel storage analysis in the plan evaluates fuel storage locations in “population islands” in Oregon. Population islands are areas predicted to become isolated from road access following a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. A new geospatial Fuel Site Screening Tool can assess the viability of existing fuel storage sites as potential candidates for fuel diversification and increased storage. The tool considers hazard areas, proximity to lifeline routes or rail systems, storage capacity and fuel type, and other characteristics.
The Oregon Energy Security Plan was developed following direction from the Oregon Legislature and Congress, with technical and financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy, and in collaboration with the Oregon Public Utility Commission and other government and private sector partners. Contractor support was provided by CNA and Haley & Aldrich. The Oregon Department of Energy will continue statewide coordination efforts through its energy security program staff and regular reviews, revisions, and updates to the Energy Security Plan.
ODOE Announces $1.2 Million in Awards to Local Governments through Federal Program
ODOE was also pleased to announce this month $1.2 million in grant awards to local governments across the state. The funding was available thanks to the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation-related projects.
Local governments were encouraged to apply earlier this year for the grants, which support projects that reduce fossil fuel emissions, lower a community’s total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy. The EECBG program was also designed to advance equity, environmental, and energy justice priorities in support of federal Justice40 Initiative goals to deliver benefits to disadvantaged communities. ODOE estimates that at least 40 percent of the awarded funds are supporting projects in disadvantaged communities across the state.
The City of Ashland will receive $50,000 to create an electric vehicle car share program in the community to expand access to EVs in daily travel and create a platform for people to try an EV before they buy. The program will be in a Justice40 community and is expected to benefit those who most need affordable transportation. Nearly $100,000 will support Multnomah County conducting Home Energy Scores and efficiency upgrades in Justice40 communities. The Dalles will receive $100,000 to upgrade The Dalles/Wasco County Library HVAC system, which will increase efficiency and performance in a community hub where heating and cooling is necessary and potentially lifesaving. The complete list of all awardees is available on ODOE's blog.
Grounded Podcast: Harvesting Solar
September in Oregon means it’s prime harvest time for late summer and fall crops across the state. However, as we heard from cherry producers in a previous Grounded episode, Oregon farmers and families are confronting big questions about the future of farming and ranching. There are a lot of challenges, but there are also some exciting opportunities on the horizon from new research and technology. On this month's episode of Grounded, we explore one such emerging development, known as agrivoltaics.
Agrivoltaics, sometimes called dual-use solar or agrisolar, refers to the practice of integrating agriculture with the production of renewable electricity using solar arrays. The “agri” and the “voltaics” have to be joined so the two are not in conflict, and so the land can still be managed, crops or livestock can flourish, and there are mutual benefits to farmers and rural communities. Researchers at Oregon State University are finding ways for this to all work at scale, and to help meet Oregon’s renewable energy goals.
Grounded host Bryan Hockaday meets OSU Assistant Professor Chad Higgins and takes listeners on a tour of a solar research farm outside of Wilsonville. On the farm, they’re fine tuning the practice of agrivoltaics and experimenting with what crops respond best to integrated solar electricity production. We also hear from retired ranchers who ask important questions about how adding solar arrays affects daily farming operations and the long-term value of agricultural lands. Tune in on your favorite podcast app or on our blog.
Reports from Around the Agency
Join our team! Keep an eye on ODOE's website for open recruitments and please share with your networks.
On September 20, the Energy Facility Siting Council approved the Wagon Trail Solar Project, a 500-megawatt solar facility in Morrow County and the largest approved solar project in Oregon to date. With that approval, more than 1.5 gigawatts of state jurisdiction solar projects are ready to move toward construction.
In case you missed it, ODOE held a webinar on September 24 to provide an update on Oregon Energy Strategy development, including reviewing how different potential scenarios could affect how the state makes progress toward our energy and climate goals. Learn more, watch a recording of the meeting, and submit your comments on the scenarios (due October 11) on ODOE's website.
HB 3409 directed ODOE to report on the adoption of heat pump technologies and progress toward a 2030 goal of 500,000 heat pumps in Oregon homes. The first report is due in 2025, but ODOE will be holding an information webinar to kick off the process on October 9 at 1 p.m. Visit ODOE's webpage to learn more and see log-in information.
ODOE opened a $18.9 million funding opportunity for our Grid Resilience Grant Program in March 2024. ODOE received 13 grant applications from electric utilities across the state, and is now working with those utilities to present project details and documentation to the U.S. Department of Energy for review and approval. See more details on ODOE's website.
As we mentioned last month, August marked two years since the passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which is bringing unprecedented federal energy and climate funding to states, including Oregon. ODOE Grants Officer Emily Salmeri joined KLCC's Oregon on the Record to discuss how IRA awards are already supporting the state – with more to come!
We also mentioned last month that ODOE submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy regarding the draft Hanford Tri-Party Holistic Negotations Agreement. ODOE Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety & Emergency Preparedness Maxwell Woods connected with Street Roots, which published an in-depth story on the draft agreement and what it could mean for Oregon.
The Oregon Climate Action Commission published its first Annual Report on the Natural and Working Lands Fund. The report summarizes state agencies' initial investments and early progress in advancing actions to enhance net carbon sequestration and storage on natural and working lands.
ODOE Director Janine Benner participated on a panel discussion on electricity transmission at the Oregon Environmental Council's Oregon Clean Grid Summit on September 11. Janine shared information on Oregon's facility siting process and the future of transmission in the state.
ODOE Senior Incentives Analyst Kristina Donnelly presented on development of Inflation Reduction Act programs for Oregon at the ENERGY STAR Partner Meeting in Minneapolis this month.
ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Jillian DiMedio was in Detroit earlier this month for the 2024 EV Infrastructure National Conference. The conference convened state, federal, and local governments to discuss challenges and explore solutions for nationwide EV charging infrastructure.
Jillian also joined Community Equity and Inclusion Analyst Lauren Rosenstein for the annual Forth Roadmap Conference, also in Detroit. Forth's conference focuses on transportation electrification, industry trends, and more.
Director Janine Benner and Assistant Director for Planning & Innovation Alan Zelenka are wrapping up September in New York for the National Association of State Energy Officials 2024 Annual Meeting. The meeting's focus is on deploying innovative clean energy solutions across the nation's infrastructure.
ODOE was pleased to sponsor Sustainable Northwest's Fall Energy Symposium this month. The symposium series on Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon brings together rural energy leaders from across the state for tours, presentations, and networking opportunities for rural Oregon.
Our agency also sponsored Electrify Portland's Home Electrification Fair on September 15. ODOE Government Relations Coordinator Christy Splitt presented on ODOE's available programs and incentives.
ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke moderated a panel on energy resilience opportunities at the Oregon Infrastructure Summit on September 24-25, and invited two Community Renewable Energy Grant awardees (Hood River County and the City of Gresham) to talk about their experience with the program. ODOE sponsored the summit, and Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety & Emergency Preparedness Maxwell Woods and Incentives Policy Analyst Kaitlin Lynch also attended to listen in on the summit's sessions.
As ODOE's new Building Performance Standards Program gets up and running, the agency is hosting public meetings as administrative rules are developed. Learn more and see upcoming meeting dates on our website.
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
Biennial Heat Pump Report Informational Webinar | October 9, 2024 | Via Webinar
Oregon Climate Action Commission | October 15, 2024 | Via Webinar
Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board | October 23, 2024 | The Dalles and Via Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | October 25, 2024 | Via Webinar
Current Rulemakings (click to see details)
Other Stakeholder Groups (click to see details)
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