From the Desk to Deer Island: Interviewing Partners on Grant Programs Across Oregon
We continue On the Road in Oregon, a blog series that takes you on a journey through the heart of Oregon's diverse communities. In this series, we're exploring the work of the Oregon Department of Energy's Community Navigator Program as its staff fosters connections and collaboration across the state. This story is courtesy of Sara Lark Millies-Lucke, ODOE’s Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program Member.
ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke (left) with RARE Member Sara Lark Millies-Lucke enjoyed connecting with community leaders at the League of Oregon Cities’ City Day in Salem.
The new year kicked off an exciting new chapter as Rural Resilience Analyst for the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). Since I started as an AmeriCorps member serving for ODOE in September 2024, my work has mainly concentrated on data analysis and evaluation of state-administered grant programs. Nestled in my office at the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization or IVCanDO, I spend my time poring over spreadsheets evaluating Oregon’s Community Renewable Energy grant program, more commonly referred to as C-REP, and the federal Grid Resilience Grant program. But numbers can only say so much. It was time to step away from my screens and start talking to the real people behind the data and hear their stories and feedback on their experience with the programs. I packed up my bags and hit the road.
My first stop was Salem (Oregon’s Capital), where I joined Sarah Moehrke, ODOE’s Community Navigator and fellow RARE Alumni ( 2018-2020). We were invited to participate in League of Oregon Cities’ City Day, an event that brought cities together from all over the state to meet with their legislators, learn about different state agency programs, and build relationships with their colleagues at other cities. We scored a prime spot and in just under two hours were able to talk with several city councilors, managers, mayors, and other public officials from across Oregon. It was great learning about different communities and how their current programs are going, as well as answering any questions about incentives and participation in grant programs. Cities were mainly interested in ODOE’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, which provides planning and construction funds to Tribes, public entities, and consumer-owned utilities to help offset the cost of a small-scale renewable energy project.
After successfully tabling at the League of Oregon Cities event, I packed up my gear with Sarah and headed to St. Helens where I stayed the night before meeting with Columbia River PUD the next morning. Columbia River PUD was my first interview with active participants in the Grid Resilience Grant program, a federally funded program that ODOE is administering. Columbia River PUD has been awarded funds to support an undergrounding project that connects to a local water treatment facility. Because of these lines' locations, this project is important for strengthening the resilience of the water treatment plant and the community’s access to clean drinking water. The utility was generous to invite us to meet in person at their headquarters in Deer Island. These in-person meetings allow us to learn more about their experience with the grant program while also getting a tour of their facilities. The purpose of these interviews is to help build a better understanding of how ODOE can make the application process easier and more accessible to all rural utilities.
We met with Kyle Boggs, Columbia River PUD’s Community & Public Relations Specialist, who was the grant writer for this application. This was the first major grant that Columbia River PUD had ever applied for, which is a huge lift. We have been impressed by Columbia River PUD's attention to detail and management of the program so far. As we received a tour of the grant, we were able to meet so many different employees who had a hand in the application and program management.
ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke (left) and RARE Member Sara Lark Millies-Lucke smile together outside Columbia River PUD’s headquarters.
Meeting with Columbia River PUD was the start of a long list of planned interviewees. Since the beginning of the year, I traveled to Southern Oregon, meeting with public officials from the City of Ashland and the City of Talent, to Coos-Curry Electric grant managers and engineers in Port Orford, and school board officials at the Pinehurst School District. From there, I spent the last month in the Willamette Valley, meeting with the city manager of Coburg, officials at Emerald PUD in Eugene, and the Academy for Character Education in Cottage Grove. May will be marked with travel to Eastern Oregon and the Northern Coast, with a planned five-day trip to meet with as many folks as possible.
In each conversation, lasting just over an hour, I have learned more than I ever could have from sitting at my desk in Cave Junction. It is great to understand the reasons behind each application and the choice of project. For example, a school district wanted to increase its resilience during power outages through a solar and battery project supported by the Community Renewable Energy grant program. A utility provider selected a project that was already part of their capital ten-year investment timeline but was able to initiate construction this year with the Grid Reliance Grant program. Each utility service area and community member's perspective is unique, and it was great to learn more about the issues and priorities that each rural community is facing.
After a tour of the Columbia River PUD main facility and a selfie outside the headquarters, we said goodbye and I headed back home. I had a great time meeting with the cities at the League of Oregon Cities’ City Day as well as folks at Columbia River PUD. It was a great way to kick off all the travel I have already done in Southern Oregon and the Valley — and the new roads that I will take as Rural Resilience Analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy.