ODOE Program Supports Energy Assessments for Agricultural and Rural Small Businesses
Energy assessment interest forms available for agricultural producers and rural small businesses
The Dirty Cowgirl Saloon from Energy Trust of Oregon Blog
The Oregon Department of Energy has been awarded a $100,000 Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support energy assessments for Oregon agricultural and rural small businesses.
This is ODOE’s second federal USDA grant for the program. With the additional funding, ODOE will continue supporting business by paying for up to 75 percent of the cost of energy assessments. Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses are invited to complete an interest form for energy assessment funding.
From powering irrigation to heating buildings and cooling storage, energy is often a major operational expense. An energy assessment can identify areas to improve equipment and operational efficiency that can reduce monthly utility bills. Energy assessments can help prioritize potential improvement projects based on energy savings, payback period, and other factors.
An energy assessment is often the first step in applying for federal, local and utility funding for energy efficiency improvements, but the cost, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000, can be a significant barrier. With energy assessments complete, businesses know how to improve their efficiency and are prepared to apply for funding to implement efficiency measures.
“Energy assessments can be powerful tools for understanding how to optimize business operations,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “Our Rural and Agricultural Energy Assistance program offsets the cost of an assessment and can help put businesses on a path to increasing efficiency and reducing energy costs.”
Since ODOE’s program started in 2021, it has supported dozens of rural businesses with technical assistance and connections to programs for implementing improvements, and provided funding for 15 completed energy assessments, including:
Trinity Ranch in Redmond used the energy assessment to identify irrigation and solar efficiency. An Energy Trust of Oregon incentive helped offset the cost of an irrigation pod system to deliver water slowly and more consistently.
Wasco restaurant Dirty Cowgirl Saloon used the energy assessment to identify improvements like insulation upgrades and HVAC improvements. With the assessment complete, they qualified for a USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant and an Energy Trust incentive that helped with the cost of replacing the equipment. Their new heating and cooling system ensures consistent temperatures and will save the business $200 a year on utility costs.
How it works:
Photo courtesy of Hans Rohne, Trinity Ranch. Durable and efficient pod irrigation at Trinity Ranch.
Agricultural producers or rural small businesses submit an interest form. Businesses don’t need to have a specific project in mind to apply.
ODOE program staff will follow up to determine if the program is a good fit.
ODOE will help schedule an assessment with an experienced energy auditor. The program covers 75 percent of the cost; the business owner funds 25 percent. Energy Trust of Oregon has incentives available to help cover the remaining cost if a business is served by one of the utilities Energy Trust represents.
Once the assessment is complete, program staff will help connect participants with programs to support implementation and construction of the energy audit findings, such as Energy Trust of Oregon incentives and USDA grants.
View more information on the program website.