October 2025 Newsletter
Oregon Energy Strategy Coming Soon
Fifty years ago, Oregon leaders created the Oregon Department of Energy following the oil crisis of the early 1970s. The statute creating the agency noted that continued growth and demand for non-renewable energy poses a serious and immediate – and future – problem. “It is essential that future generations not be left a legacy of vanished or depleted resources, resulting in massive environmental, social, and financial impact," reads the statute. It also declared that ODOE should promote the efficient use of energy resources and develop permanent sustainable energy resources.
It’s only fitting that now, after 50 years serving Oregon, we embrace our origins and proudly present a new state energy strategy that will serve as a north star for making decisions and taking action to achieve an affordable, equitable, and reliable clean energy future.
As we wrap up October, ODOE is also wrapping up our first-ever Oregon Energy Strategy for submission to the Governor and Oregon Legislature. Keep an eye on ODOE's website to read the new strategy for the state – and we'll share more in next month's newsletter.
ODOE Now Accepting Applications for Grid Resilience Grant Program
The Oregon Department of Energy has $11.5 million available through its Grid Resilience Grant Program to support projects that strengthen resilience of the electric grid in Oregon communities. This is the second round of grant funding through this program, which is available thanks to the federal 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Electric utilities are eligible to apply for grants to support resilience projects, which can include weatherization technologies and equipment, fire-resistant technologies and fire-prevention systems, utility pole management, undergrounding of electrical equipment, and more.
Strengthening the resilience of the electric grid can prevent and reduce disruptive events, like power outages due to extreme weather. ODOE’s program is designed to fund projects that will have the greatest community benefits while addressing the most pressing grid resilience needs.
An Opportunity Announcement is available on ODOE’s website with additional details and program requirements, including required matching funds for projects and upcoming webinars.
ODOE at 50: Podcast Features Past Directors
2025 marks 50 years of Oregon Department of Energy public service. As we continue leading Oregon to a safe, equitable, clean, and sustainable future for the next 50 years (and beyond!), we’re taking time to look back and reflect on what got us here.
On our latest episode of ODOE's Grounded podcast, host Katelyn Jackson is joined by five former directors (Lon Topaz, David Yaden, John Savage, Michael Grainey, and Mike Kaplan) and current Director Janine Benner, who each share memories of their time at ODOE as we highlight key moments from ODOE’s 50 years. Listen on ODOE's blog or your favorite podcast app.
ODOE Congratulates U.S. DOE on Important Hanford Cleanup Milestone
The Oregon Department of Energy was excited to learn this month that the Hanford Nuclear Site in south-central Washington successfully started up its Low-Activity Waste Facility, which will solidify Hanford tank waste in glass for permanent, safe disposal.
For 40 years, plutonium production for America’s nuclear weapons program created large amounts of radioactive and chemically hazardous waste at the Hanford Site. The most hazardous liquid wastes were pumped into 177 underground storage tanks that hold about 56 million gallons of waste. Over the years, more than 60 tanks have been suspected or confirmed to be leaking into the soil.
The Low-Activity Waste Facility at Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant will vitrify the tank waste. Vitrification is a process where glass-forming materials will be added to the waste at high temperatures to form molten glass. The molten glass will be poured into stainless steel containers, where the glass will harden as it cools. The waste will still be radioactive but no longer mobile or able to spread into the environment, and will be permanently and safely disposed at Hanford in an engineered landfill.
Oregon has a tremendous stake in ensuring the safe and timely cleanup of Hanford. Hanford sits on the Columbia River, just 35 miles from Oregon’s border. From Hanford, the Columbia flows through prime Oregon farmlands and fisheries. Radioactive and chemical contamination poses a potential long-term threat to these important resources. Accordingly, the Oregon Department of Energy’s primary role is to ensure cleanup decisions are protective of the river.
Learn more about ODOE’s role in the Hanford cleanup.
ODOE to Make All Heat Pump Purchase Program Funds Available November 3
ODOE will make all remaining funding available for its Heat Pump Purchase Program on November 3, 2025, following high program demand during the initial round.
ODOE’s program first launched in June 2025 with $12 million in incentives available for heat pumps installed in owner-occupied, new construction, and rental homes. The program has been very successful so far – including nearly 3,000 approved incentives and reservations submitted within the first few months. The initial funding available for the existing owner-occupied home category ($2 million total) was fully reserved as of early August.
ODOE originally intended to make a second round of $12 million in program funding available in 2027. With the clear demand from this first round, the agency will instead consolidate the funding rounds and make the full program budget available on November 3, 2025 for incentive reservations and applications from approved contractors.
This will add $12 million to the program budget (for a total of $24 million), supporting an additional 1,000 incentives for owner-occupied homes, 3,000 for rental homes, and 2,000 for new construction. The agency will keep the program website updated with remaining funding available for each category.
More information and a list of approved contractors are available on ODOE’s website. The agency also continues to recruit contractors statewide to participate in the program. Interested contractors can register online.
ODOE Now Accepting Applications for Early Building Performance Standard Compliance Actions
The Oregon Department of Energy is now accepting incentive applications for the new Early Compliance Action and Planning Program to help Oregon building owners meet requirements for the state’s Building Performance Standard.
In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3409, establishing a Building Performance Standard for commercial buildings. The bill requires covered commercial buildings to enhance energy management practices and implement efficiency measures to meet energy use targets; the earliest compliance date for certain buildings is 2028. The bill directed ODOE to establish an early compliance incentive program to encourage building owners to consider implementing energy efficiency efforts ahead of compliance dates.
ODOE has $1 million available for a first round of incentives to help building owners offset costs associated with compliance, such as energy benchmarking and reporting or performing an energy audit. Incentives will be awarded on a competitive basis and structured to reflect the various compliance requirements and actions.
Oregon’s Building Performance Standard sorts eligible buildings into Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings. The Early Compliance Action and Planning Program’s first round of funding will offer $750,000 in total incentives for Tier 1 buildings and $250,000 in total incentives for Tier 2 buildings.
Applications from eligible building owners are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 19, 2025. More information, including an Opportunity Announcement, Tier 1 and Tier 2 descriptions, and application materials are available on ODOE’s website.
Reports from Around the Agency
ODOE staff were pleased to provide opening keynote remarks for Energy Trust of Oregon's Fall Trade Ally Forums. ODOE Director Janine Benner spoke to Portland forum attendees, Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke addressed folks in Medford, and Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar connected with attendees in Bend. Each keynote touched on the upcoming Oregon Energy Strategy and how trade allies are a key part of a clean energy transition.
ODOE was proud to sponsor the 100th Annual League of Oregon Cities Conference in Portland this month. ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke attended the conference and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss agency programs with city leaders from across Oregon.
ODOE was also proud to sponsor the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board's annual Energy Policy Conference on October 3. ODOE Director Janine Benner joined Oregon Public Utility Commission Chair Letha Tawney for a fireside chat about Oregon's clean energy future, and ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Edith Bayer joined a panel discussing federal energy funding challenges.
ODOE Energy Analyst Amanda Welch presented on how energy efficiency will play a role in the Oregon Energy Strategy at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's Energy Efficiency as a Resource Conference.
ODOE Policy Analyst Madeline O’Dwyer presented on Oregon’s Building Performance Standards (BPS) as part of Sustainable Building Week. The session offered an overview of the program and an opportunity for building owners, managers, utilities, and stakeholders to connect directly with ODOE staff, gain practical insights on BPS implementation, and explore available resources.
Director Benner also joined the Regional Energy Symposium on October 9, joining a panel about energy resource adequacy. The symposium was hosted by the Northwest Gas Association, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, Western Power Pool, and the Public Generating Pool. It was designed to bring together state policymakers, utility leaders, regulators, power producers, and clean energy stakeholders to confront the Northwest’s most pressing reliability and planning challenges.
While a law passed by voters in 1980 prohibits new nuclear power facilities in Oregon (unless a permanent waste storage repository is built and Oregon voters approve a facility), nuclear power and emerging technologies continue to interest groups across Oregon. Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Energy Security Maxwell Woods recently presented on nuclear power to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees as well as the Oregon People's Utility District Association.
On October 16-17, Director Benner joined the Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association for its annual meeting. Janine appreciated an opportunity to discuss the upcoming Oregon Energy Strategy and other ODOE efforts with municipal utility leaders and hear feedback on energy priorities and concerns.
On October 24, ODOE filed new administrative rules for the energy facility Site Certificate amendment process. Rules were reviewed to evaluate the efficacy of opportunities for public participation while minimizing adverse economic impacts on Site Certificate holders. The most notable changes were enhanced public comment opportunities and the elimination of a contested case phase for amendments. Site Certificate holders must now respond to all public comments, and each commenter has an opportunity to update their comments in response.
ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Edith Bayer participated in a panel discussion on energy resource adequacy at the Oregon Economic Development Association's 2025 Annual Conference on "Rising Tides, Rising Prosperty."
Director Benner attended the 2025 National Association for State Energy Officials (NASEO) Annual Meeting in Nashville in her role as a Western Regional Representative on the NASEO Board. Janine met with other state energy officials to discuss topics within the meeting's theme, Powering America: State Energy Actions Driving Economic Growth, Security, and Affordability. Janine presented on regional collaboration for fuels planning in Oregon as well as about Oregon’s upcoming energy strategy.
Director Benner moderated a panel on large industrial electricity loads during 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 provides an opportunity to discuss energy topics of regional importance such as market development, resource adequacy, and transmission.
ODOE Associate Director for Strategic Engagement Ruchi Sadhir, Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Energy Security Max Woods, Energy Security Manager Traci Naile, and Senior Policy Analyst Joni Sliger joined Portland General Electric officials at its Port Westward power plant in Columbia County for a presentation and tour about how the plant is used in PGE’s operations and the role it plays in reliability and resilience for the utility.
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.
Oregonians can now search for available renewable energy and energy efficiency incentive programs through ODOE’s Energy Hub for Incentive Programs and Projects in Oregon (Energy HIPPO!). Plug your address into the online calculator along with a few other basic pieces of information, and the tool will show the various programs you may be eligible for. The Energy HIPPO also provides other helpful resources for homeowners, renters, and contractors.
LOOKING AHEAD
Oregon Climate Action Commission | November 14, 2025 | Via Webinar
Energy Facility Siting Council | November 21, 2025 | Salem and Via Webinar
Current Rulemakings (click to see details)
Other Stakeholder Groups (click to see details)
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