April 2026 Newsletter

ODOE Debuts New Strategic Plan

The Oregon Department of Energy finalized a new 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, which reaffirms our mission and vision, and identifies five pillars that serve as the foundation for success that will carry us forward as an agency.

Following the launch of a new Oregon Energy Strategy in 2025, it’s only fitting that we also now present a new strategic plan for ODOE – one that provides clarity and focus to more effectively deliver on our mission.

ODOE’s strategic plan identifies five pillars, or areas of focus:

Addressing Oregon's Greatest Energy Challenges
Proactive, Inclusive Collaboration and Communication
Accessible, Effective Services and Programs
Aligned, Well-Supported People and Operations
Reliable, Modern Data and Analysis

Pillars are the foundational elements that make our agency successful and help us achieve our mission and vision. This plan strengthens these pillars by identifying goals, actions, and progress indicators that will bolster our work over the next four years.

Now we’ll turn to implementation planning, including prioritizing which actions to focus on in the first year to hit the ground running. ODOE will share regular updates on implementation with the Energy Advisory Work Group and post updates on our website. Check out the complete strategic plan, including goals, actions, and progress indicators associated with our pillars.

Oregon's Home Energy Rebate Programs Update

The Oregon Department of Energy’s program team needs a little more time to be ready to bring the Oregon home energy rebate programs to Oregonians. While we are eager to bring the benefits of the energy efficiency upgrades into homes across the state through the rebates, we’re also committed to delivering a high-quality experience for program participants.

The Oregon home energy rebate programs include the Home Efficiency Rebates Program (also known as HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (also known as HEAR). Together, these programs will provide rebates for high-efficiency home improvements and appliance installation to eligible single-family and multifamily households, particularly low- and moderate-income households.  

There are several items that influence the programs’ launch schedule:  

Launch approval | We’re seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Energy to launch our programs, which is a requirement of the federal grant.
Participation agreements | ODOE is working closely with Energy Trust of Oregon and Earth Advantage, the two organizations that will be processing rebates, and the Oregon Department of Justice to finalize the participation agreements for the programs. These legal documents provide information on terms and agreements for participants and contractors.  
Program portal | We’re developing a program portal to allow for contractors to register to participate and manage projects, and for people to apply for rebates. It’s essential this portal functions smoothly.

The Oregon home energy rebate team anticipates the participation agreements, the program portal, and all other materials will be ready for launch within the next few months. However, in response to a federal Executive Order, U.S. DOE suspended their approvals of all launch requests from state home energy rebate programs as they review their agency’s overall priorities and published requirements for these programs. We don’t anticipate setting a new launch date until we have U.S. DOE's approval to launch.

Sign up for email updates on the programs and check out our new Oregon Home Energy Rebate Programs website for additional resources.

ODOE Experts Support Oregon Prepared

ODOE Energy Security Manager Traci Naile and Hanford Hydrogeologist Tom Sicilia joined the Oregon Department of Emergency Management for the 2026 Oregon Prepared Conference this month.

The conference is held annually and focuses on programs, issues, best practices, and more for emergency management partners. ODOE plays an important role in emergency preparedness and response for the state as the lead agency for securing and distributing fuel in the event of an emergency or shortage. ODOE’s emergency work also includes energy security, resilience, and response for radiological and nuclear events, such as a potential incident at the Hanford Nuclear Site that could affect Oregon.

Traci co-led a conference session on building energy security and resilience with Oregon Public Utility Commission Emergency Preparedness Manager Lisa Gorsuch. The panel and roundtable included representatives from Bonneville Power Administration, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Portland General Electric, Energy Trust of Oregon, and Lane County Emergency Management. Developing statewide energy security and resilience requires work among Tribal, city, county, regional, and state governments and organizations. The primary topics for the session were integrating emergency and energy planning and funding opportunities, threats to the energy sector, engagement among energy and emergency management partners, energy incident response and recovery, and fuel supply and planning.

Tom presented on the history of the Hanford Nuclear Site and Oregon’s role, as well as discussing upcoming waste shipments expected to come out of Hanford in the coming years that will travel through Oregon for permanent disposal out of state. When those shipments begin, many of the attendees at the conference would help lead emergency response in the event of a shipping incident along Oregon’s route.

Learn more about ODOE’s emergency preparedness and energy security work on our website.

Grounded Podcast: Reflecting on Fuel Pipeline Shutdowns

The Olympic Pipeline brings the majority of our transportation fuels from Washington into Oregon. In November 2025, the pipeline was shut down to repair a leak, causing a fuel emergency declaration.

In times of a fuel emergency, ODOE, alongside other state agencies and industry partners, responds to help get fuel where it needs to go, as highlighted in Grounded episode 52.

In this episode, host Katelyn Jackson is joined by ODOE’s Energy Security Manager Traci Naile and Mike Freese of Romain and Freese, representing the Oregon Fuels Association, to reflect on Oregon's response to the incident.

Give it a listen on our blog or your favorite podcast app.

Reports from Around the Agency

Next time you visit our website, you might notice a different look! Our content and structure have stayed mostly the same but the site has been updated to improve accessibility. Can't find what you're looking for? Drop us an email.
Coming soon! ODOE will soon open a second round of the Oregon Building Performance Standard Early Compliance Action and Planning Program incentive. Building owners and energy professionals are encouraged to begin planning for BPS requirements as soon as possible. The incentive provides funding to help offset the costs of early planning activities, such as energy benchmarking and performing an energy audit. ODOE will host a webinar on Friday, May 15 to review program requirements, explain each step in the application process, and provide time for participants to ask questions.
ODOE Director Janine Benner was pleased to join Oregon State University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences for its Climate Science Colloquium Series on April 27 to discuss Oregon's energy and climate history, where we are today, and how the Oregon Energy Strategy and research leaders like OSU can help us reach a clean energy future.
ODOE is pleased to be partnering with the National Association of State Energy Officials on a new pilot effort to engage with fleets about medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle adoption. NASEO will support Oregon and Michigan in launching working groups to bring early adopters and potential adopters together to better understand fleet needs and barriers to adoption. Learn more.
Oregon Department of Energy staff were pleased to serve as keynote speakers at Energy Trust of Oregon’s Commercial and Industrial Trade Ally Forums this month. ODOE Economist Mary Kopriva joined the forum in Portland April 8, Senior Policy Analyst Michael Freels joined in Medford on April 15, and Building Performance Standards Program Analyst Ken Davies joined in Bend on April 16. Each presenter shared information on industry market perspectives and economic insights.
ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehkre attended Rural Development Initiative's Regards to Rural event in Bend this month. Sarah enjoyed the opportunity to connect with rural communities and advocates around the state and region about resilience, energy efficiency, building local capacity, and more.
Sarah also attended the League of Oregon Cities' Spring Conference in Pendleton, where she was able to support our Energy Trust of Oregon partners in a session about grant opportunities for cities, including Building Performance Standard programs and the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program.
ODOE Policy Analyst Madeline O’Dwyer presented at the ZERO Coalition’s April Sustainable Building monthly meeting, sharing information about the Oregon Building Performance Standard.
ODOE Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Energy Security Max Woods presented on nuclear power at the Association of Oregon Counties Planning Director's meeting and at the NW Public Power Association Environmental Task Force.
ODOE Radiological Emergency Planning Coordinator Mark Reese was in Ontario earlier this month providing support for radiological safety training for first responders who may respond in the event of a radiological transport incident on Oregon's roads.
ODOE Schools Program Lead Christie Sphoon and Incentives Analyst Josh Price hosted a roundtable at a Hot Topics session to discuss the Public Purpose Charge Program and Oregon Building Performance Standards at the 2026 Oregon School Facility Mangers Association conference. Christie also joined our partner Energy Trust of Oregon to present on the Public Purpose Charge Program in a second session at the conference. Christie and ODOE Energy Analyst Tom Elliott also hosted an information table with details about the agency’s schools program for conference attendees.
ODOE was proud to sponsor the 2026 Oregon Solar + Storage Industries Association's annual member meeting this month. Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar joined a panel to discuss Governor Kotek's recent clean energy executive orders.
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 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.