ODOE at 50: Supporting Public Schools
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.
It’s September, which means public schools across Oregon are back in session with sharpened pencils and minds ready to learn! Our public schools are a vital part of our communities, helping students learn and thrive. Over the last 50 years of public service, the Oregon Department of Energy has proudly worked with every school district – statewide – on energy analysis of facilities and energy-related projects and improvements. Our programs have helped public schools across the state invest in renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and even make the switch to electric school buses in recent years.
In the early ODOE days, school districts could take advantage of now-expired tax credit and grant programs to make energy efficiency improvements or invest in renewable energy at school buildings. As Oregon leaned into the transition to an equitable clean energy future, the state developed specific programs for schools to help create better learning environments for the next generation of Oregonians.
In 1999, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1149, which required Oregon’s two largest investor-owned electric utilities to collect a “Public Purpose Charge” from customers. The charge collected was equal to 3 percent of total revenues and meant to fund energy efficiency projects, development of small-scale renewable energy, and low-income weatherization programs. Ten percent of the funds collected went to support energy audits and efficiency improvements in public schools, implemented by the Oregon Department of Energy.
In 2011, ODOE launched a Cool Schools Program, which was a four-year pilot program designed to accelerate energy efficiency investments in Oregon school districts. The program provided a combination of technical and business assistance, and leveraged financial resources to support project development. Cool Schools was a complementary effort for the public schools in PGE and Pacific Power areas that received Public Purpose Charge funds for required energy audits and measures. While the program ended after the four-year pilot, other ODOE programs continued supporting schools.
Listen to ODOE’s Grounded podcast to learn more about electric school buses transporting students in the Beaverton School District.
In 2019 and 2021, the Legislature updated the Public Purpose Charge program, including reducing the charge to 1.5 percent of the total revenue from electricity services and increasing the share going to schools to 20 percent of the funds collected. With the funds, schools can also now implement energy efficiency measures or purchase zero-emission vehicles (yes, even school buses!) or electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Our Schools Team at ODOE helps district staff navigate potential projects and available funding and in 2025, launched an interactive map showing the various school district projects across the state that have been supported by the program. Since the program’s launch, ODOE has helped school districts invest over $158 million back into their buildings for energy assessments, energy improvement projects, and fleet electrification.
The first electric school bus funded by ODOE’s program was a LionC model for Bend-LaPine Schools in 2023. It can fit up to 71 passengers and has a 125-mile battery range. Beaverton School District was also an early adopter of electric school buses, and now has dozens in its fleet.
The Oregon Department of Energy also supports school districts in complying with the state’s 1.5% for Green Energy Technology, or GET, program. GET applies to public entities in Oregon, including school districts, and requires that 1.5 percent of the total contract price for construction of new buildings or a major renovation must be spent on green energy technology – such as solar, geothermal, or battery storage – or an eligible alternative like woody biomass technology or energy efficiency improvements. Our team at ODOE helps school districts navigate and report on these requirements. In 2024, Bethel School District, Salem Keizer School District, and West Linn Wilsonville School District all added solar alongside district construction projects.
In addition to providing programs for public schools, ODOE team members have also joined Oregon classrooms to talk about energy in Oregon, share more about potential energy careers, and more.
ODOE is proud of our long history of supporting Oregon public schools statewide. From providing efficiency expertise to supporting energy projects, we look forward to helping our schools create improved learning environments for Oregon students for the next 50 years.