April 2025 Newsletter

ODOE Awards $2 Million in Grants to Support Energy Workforce

The Oregon Department of Energy has awarded $2 million in grants to six organizations supporting development of Oregon’s energy workforce.

ODOE received 20 applications requesting more than $7 million in funding through the competitive grant review process. The agency selected the six organizations based on the number of qualified applicants, program needs, and demonstrated benefits to disadvantaged communities for clean workforce development.

House Bill 3409, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2023, recognized the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the installation of heat pumps and other energy efficient appliances in Oregon homes. It established the one-time $2 million Energy Efficiency Technologies Information and Training Fund at ODOE, with a focus on reducing barriers to home energy efficiency and resilience improvements.

The awarded organizations provide access to invaluable education and trainings, mentorship, or hands-on experiences that expand access to family-wage jobs for community members around the state. Having skilled professionals in heating, ventilation, home energy efficiency upgrades, and related crafts is pivotal to improving efficiency in the homes of Oregonians and reaching our energy goals.

Learn more and see the list of awardees on ODOE's blog.

Oregon's Renewable Portfolio Standard Reaches 2025 Milestone

Many states, including Oregon, have adopted what’s known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS. An RPS typically establishes requirements for electric utilities to procure a certain percentage of the electricity they sell to customers from renewable resources by a specific date. The standard incentivizes the use of renewable resources like wind and solar over fossil fuel resources like coal or natural gas.

Oregon first adopted an RPS in 2007 through Senate Bill 838. SB 838 required “large” utilities to get at least 5 percent of their electricity from qualifying renewable resources starting in 2011. SB 838 set an increasing requirement over time that reached at least 25 percent by 2025. In 2016, Senate Bill 1547 strengthened Oregon’s RPS to at least 27 percent by 2025 and 50 percent by 2040 for large investor-owned utilities Pacific Power and Portland General Electric. Large consumer-owned utilities like the Eugene Water & Electric Board were kept to the 25 percent by 2025 standard.

Almost 20 years after Oregon’s initial RPS adoption, the state has reached a new RPS milestone in 2025: “small” electric utilities must also now demonstrate that they get at least 5 percent of their electricity from qualifying resources. The actual percentage will depend on utility sales for the year; if sales are high enough, a small utility’s RPS standard can be at least 10 percent. A small utility can even grow into a large utility over time.

Oregon’s investor-owned utilities report on their RPS plans and compliance to the Public Utility Commission. Consumer-owned utilities report on compliance to their governing board and their members. The Oregon Department of Energy shares these reports on its website — reports for 2025 will likely be available by mid-2026.

Policies like the Renewable Portfolio Standard support Oregon’s equitable transition to a clean energy future. The Oregon Department of Energy is leading an effort to develop a new Oregon Energy Strategy, which will identify potential pathways to achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions and recommend policy changes to help the state reach those goals. Learn more about this effort, including how to get involved and how to share your ideas for potential policy recommendations, on ODOE’s website.

On the Road in Oregon: From the Desk to Deer Island

ODOE's On the Road blog series continues this month with Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program Member, Sara Lark Millies-Lucke.

Sara, who typically works from an office at the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization in Cave Junction, talks about her latest ventures connecting with communities, from Southern Oregon to Salem to St. Helens and the Deer Island community. Sara met with different organizations to learn more about their energy plans and projects, and how ODOE programs are supporting them.

Sara says, "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."

Read more in Sara's own words on ODOE's blog.

ODOE at 50: Oregon Solar History

2025 marks the Oregon Department of Energy's 50th year serving Oregon. 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.

In 1883, inventor Charles Fritts created the first solar cell, made of selenium and gold. While it didn’t produce a significant amount of energy, it was still the kick-start for developing solar photovoltaic panels to produce renewable energy in the United States. Oregon had been a state for just 24 years at the time. More than a century later, Oregon has its own history of investing in and supporting solar energy.

Did you know ODOE incentive programs have been supporting renewable solar energy since the 1970s? A Residential Energy Tax Credit program helped nearly 600,000 Oregonians invest in energy efficiency improvements or renewable solar energy over four decades. In the 1990s, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill to require electric utilities to allow net metering so customers can generate onsite renewable resources, like solar. In 2002, Oregon became the first state to install solar panels on its capitol building, and in 2018 the first state jurisdictional solar energy facility was approved by the Energy Facility Siting Council. Learn more about Oregon solar through the years on our blog and learn more about our 50th anniversary on ODOE's website.

Grounded Podcast Relaunches with New Host

Find your favorite headphone or earbuds — ODOE's Grounded Podcast is back with a new host and two new episodes. ODOE Public Affairs Specialist Katelyn Jackson dives into Oregon's electricity resource mix and learns all about energy efficiency efforts in the state in the first episodes of 2025.

A new mini-series called Getting Grounded will focus on breaking down specific energy topics to build foundational energy knowledge for listeners. In the first mini episode, ODOE Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse joins Katelyn to talk about Oregon's electricity resource mix, an online ODOE dashboard that shows the energy resources — like hydro, coal, natural gas, solar, and wind — that go into powering Oregon. Listen in on our blog or your favorite podcast app!

In the first full episode, ODOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Manager Andy Cameron discusses all things energy efficiency, including Oregon's latest ranking among the top 10 most energy efficient states. Katelyn also talks with Mark Kresowik, Senior Policy Director for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, which produces the state rankings. Dive in!

Climate Change + Energy 101

ODOE's 2024 Biennial Energy Report features a set of Energy 101-style pieces designed to build the foundation of Oregon’s energy story. The 101s were developed for people new to energy or specific energy topics, along with those looking for a resource to help tell the story of how energy systems affect their work and interests. One of our 101s focused on climate change effects on the energy system – a timely topic for Earth Month.

From deadly heatwaves to severe storms to increased wildfire risk, Oregon is no stranger to the negative effects of climate change. Climate change is already contributing to extreme heat, drought, wildfires, coastal erosion, and other erratic weather conditions and hazards in Oregon. Most of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy we use every day, including electricity, direct use fuels like natural gas for heating, and transportation fuels. Unless greenhouse gas emissions decline considerably, the effects of climate change on Oregon’s way of life will intensify over the coming decades.

The energy sector plays a unique and important role in climate change – it can be a cause of climate change, can be affected by climate change, and can also be part of the solution.

Learn more about climate change effects on energy in Oregon and potential actions to mitigate or adapt to climate change on our blog.

Reports from Around the Agency

The Oregon Energy Strategy team hosted a virtual information session on April 16 to share results of the Energy Wallet, Air Quality, and Geospatial complementary analyses and preview the upcoming jobs study. The team also held a public forum on April 24 to hear perspectives from Oregonians to inform recommendations for the strategy. If you missed them, meeting materials and recordings are available on ODOE's website. Coming up later this spring, ODOE will share draft policy recommendations to gather additional feedback from Oregonians. Sign up to receive email notices about opportunities to weigh in.
Coming soon! ODOE is standing up a new federally funded Heat Pump Purchase Program, which will offer $2,000 rebates for the purchase of energy efficient heat pumps in eligible Oregon homes. Learn more on our website and be sure to sign up for email updates to be the first to know when the program goes live.
Speaking of heat pumps, OPB Reporter Monica Samayoa recently featured ODOE's Rental Home Heat Pump Program in a wonderful story sharing how the program has supported Oregonians in the Eugene area. Her story shares firsthand accounts of contractors working in the program as well as renters enjoying their new energy efficient heat pumps.
The Oregon Climate Action Commission is seeking public input on Natural and Working Lands Fund investments in natural climate solutions. Oregon's natural and working lands – from forests to farmlands to open spaces – produce many benefits, including opportunities to capture and store carbon. A Natural and Working Lands Fund provides financial support for projects that support these lands. Learn more.
ODOE Schools Program Lead Christie Sphoon attended the Oregon School Facility Management Association Conference in Albany this month. Christie presented alongside Energy Trust of Oregon to discuss energy programs that support public schools, as well as ODOE's new interactive map showing Public Purpose Charge-funded school projects across Oregon.
ODOE was pleased to join The Oregon Garden for its annual Earth Day celebration on April 19. ODOE staff enjoyed the opportunity to connect with Oregonians to talk more about our programs.
Our friends at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality celebrated Food Waste Prevention Week with community events and efforts to reduce food waste. When we waste food, we also waste all the energy it takes to grow, harvest, transport, and package it.
ODOE Director Janine Benner connected with fellow state energy offices this month at the Western Interstate Energy Board's Joint CREPC-WIRAB spring meeting in San Diego. Janine serves as Vice Chair of the Western Interstate Energy Board, which is a nonpartisan interstate compact serving Western states, fostering collaboration to address common energy challenges and supporting states as they navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
ODOE Energy Analyst Roger Kainu presented on home energy scoring and energy efficiency at the 2025 National Home Performance Conference in New Orleans this month.
ODOE Hanford Ecologist Sara Lovtang was elected Vice-Chair of the State Natural Resource Damage Alliance, which enhances the ability of states to address restoration of natural resources injured by hazardous substances and petroleum products. In this forum, states exchange information, promote relationships with federal partners, promote cooperation on assessment and restoration practices between natural resource Trustees (State, Federal, and Tribal) and other interested groups, share information regarding assessment methods and restoration approaches, and advocate for states in their role as Trustees over natural resources.
ODOE Radiological Emergency Planning Coordinator Mark Reese provided a training in Eastern Oregon on radioactive safety for local emergency responders. ODOE partners with Oregon State University and Oregon Health Authority to present the training course.
The Oregon Department of Energy was proud to sponsor the 2025 Habitat for Humanity Western Region Conference this month. ODOE staff, including our RARE Member Sara Lark Millies-Lucke, were on hand to host an information booth about ODOE programs, Policy Analyst James Cogle joined a panel on solar, and Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse joined a panel to discuss how to maximize green building incentives.
ODOE Energy Security Manager Traci Naile and Hanford Hydrogeologist Tom Sicilia attended the Oregon Department of Emergency Management's Oregon Prepared Conference and hosted a workshop on the Oregon Energy Security Plan with fellow conference attendees.
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.