ODOE Announces $11.5 Million in Grid Resilience Grants to Oregon Electric Utilities

Media Contact: Jennifer Kalez
Program Contact: grid.grants@energy.oregon.gov

The Oregon Department of Energy has selected nine Oregon electric utilities to receive $11.5 million in Grid Resilience Grants. The program supports utility resilience projects, which can include weatherization technologies and equipment, fire-resistant technologies and fire-prevention systems, utility pole management, undergrounding of electrical equipment, and more.

Strengthening the resilience of the electric grid can prevent and reduce disruptive events, like power outages due to extreme weather. ODOE’s program is designed to fund projects that will have the greatest community benefits while addressing the most pressing grid resilience needs.

This is the second round of grant funding through this program, which is available thanks to the federal 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program requires the state and awarded utilities to contribute matching funds for each project.

“Resilience is one of the five least-cost pathways identified in the Oregon Energy Strategy,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “We’re pleased we can use these federal dollars to support electric utilities’ work to strengthen resilience across the state.”

ODOE received 14 applications requesting over $21 million in funds – nearly double the $11.5 million offered in the grant round. The nine selected utilities have agreed to proceed with the full application, which will be reviewed and confirmed by the U.S. Department of Energy before receiving an official grant award.

The selected utilities, requested federal grants, and proposed projects are:

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative | $1,501,626.13
Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative proposes undergrounding 1.75 miles of power lines in Lane County.

City of Milton-Freewater | $2,145,000
The City of Milton-Freewater proposes installing a new power transformer, including foundation and containment, in Umatilla County.

Clatskanie People’s Utility District |$512,525.36
Clatskanie People’s Utility District proposes a vegetation management program in high-risk corridors.

Columbia River People’s Utility District | $1,316,877.73
Columbia River People’s Utility District proposes undergrounding 1.66 miles of power lines in Columbia County.

Consumers Power, Inc. | $733,204.31
Consumers Power proposes installing a transformer, automated switch gear, and fiber-optic communication infrastructure in Lincoln County.

Eugene Water & Electric Board | $944,256.75
Eugene Water & Electric Board proposes rebuilding 5,000 feet of overhead distribution, replacing transformers, and potentially undergrounding 400 feet of power lines in Lane County.

Pacific Power | $2,278,489
Pacific Power proposes undergrounding 3.4 miles of overhead power lines in Jackson County.

Umpqua Indian Utility Cooperative | $1,473,675
Umpqua Indian Utility Cooperative proposes building a 2 MW battery energy storage system in Douglas County, on Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians land.

West Oregon Electric Cooperative | $594,345.72
West Oregon Electric Cooperative proposes undergrounding 1.72 miles of power lines in Washington County and 1.23 miles of power lines in Yamhill County. Their project also includes the removing existing overhead poles, conductors, and hardware.

Nine additional utilities were previously selected through a Grid Resilience Grant round in 2024. Additional information about these projects can be found on the program webpage.