| ARRA Funding Opportunities |
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| State Energy Program |
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The application deadline for the State Energy Program has passed. A review of the nearly 350 applications received for the first allocation of 17 million dollars is under way. We began the US Department of Energy approval process nearly two months ago and are awaiting their decision. Once approval is received, we will be entering into Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs).
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 directs states to focus State Energy Program (SEP) funding on energy efficiency and renewable energy. ARRA calls for expanding existing programs approved by the state, directing funds to energy efficiency retrofits of buildings and supporting renewable energy projects (DE-FOA-0000052, p. 26). To increase the impact of the stimulus funds, USDOE gives preference to projects with a high degree of leverage or matching funds. (DE-FOA-0000052, p. 7, p. 26-28)
Project Awards
Group I, small awards that are less than or equal to $50,000.
Group II, awards that are less than or equal to $100,000.
Group III, awards that are less than or equal to $500,000.
Group IV, awards that are less than or equal to $1,000,000.
All projects have been scored by the groupings listed above. Award announcements are being made by geographic location, project type, and various other criteria.The first round of funds announced Sept. 22 went to lighting retrofits, windows, and heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system upgrades in K-12 schools. The second round of funds, announced on Oct. 2, was focused on eastern Oregon projects, with some of the work being started before winter. A third round of projects, concentrated on the western side of the state, was announced on October 20, 2009. Future announcements will be added to this page as they are made.
ODOE ARRA State Energy Program (SEP) Application to USDOE, May 09 (PDF)
State Energy Program (SEP) Overview (PDF)
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| Formula: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program |
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The ARRA EECBG funds provided to the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will be used to fund projects that reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and maximizes benefits for local and regional communities; reduce total energy use; increase the use of renewable energy sources; and improve energy efficiency in the building, transportation, commercial, institutional and public sectors.
ODOE will encourage new and innovative approaches, and will use funds in a cost-effective manner to maximize benefits to the populations served by eligible local government entities, and in a manner that will yield continuous benefits over time to achieve energy and emission reductions.
We received award approval from USDOE on September 29, 2009.
ODOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant application to USDOE
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Application & Information
Note: These EECBG dollars are only available to cities and counties that are
not eligible for direct formula grants.
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| Competitive: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program |
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The US Department of Energy has announced a Funding Opportunity Block Grant as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This federal competitive grant (different than the formula Block Grant) will provide Oregon with the opportunity to do statewide scalable energy project financing pilot programs.
The Oregon Department of Energy is currently reviewing qualified residential and small commercial energy projects proposed by cities and counties statewide. The deadline for submitting an application has passed.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive funding will assist in the implementation of 2009 legislation HB 2626. This legislation, referred to as the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Act of 2009 (EEAST), provides Oregon with innovative financial tools for investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Homeowners and small commercial business owners who invest in energy projects can repay their energy loan via their utility bill with the savings they realize in reduced energy use. A second financial tool will allow homeowners or business owners to repay their energy loan with repayment through a local improvement district or other public entity through their property assessment. This solicitation will help provide a “pool” of eligible applicants.
If you have questions regarding the funding grant, please contact Dan Elliott at (503) 373-2123.
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| State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program |
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The Oregon Department of Energy has proposed to use $3.6 million of federal stimulus funds from the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program to provide low-income households with a 70 percent instant rebate for energy-efficient heating systems. The Department will partner with the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services which will provide an additional 30 percent rebate if the proposal is accepted by the federal government. The program would replace and recycle approximately 1,800 nonfunctioning or low-efficiency furnaces and heat pumps across the state for eligible households—those earning less than 60 percent of the state’s median income levels. A contact phone number will be available on this Web page when the program begins.
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| Energy Assurance Planning |
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ODOE's application has been approved by USDOE under this funding opportunity and is in the planning phase of the project.
Oregon’s approach to this funding opportunity leverages the combined capabilities of the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).
OPUC will focus on the risk of a catastrophic seismic event impacting the critical energy infrastructure hub along the Willamette River in northwest Portland and other areas. ODOE will identify opportunities to improve energy resilience through the design and integration of distributed renewable energy investments into the existing energy network. The study will consider how new technology, including renewable energy sources, can provide local energy generation to communities, and emergency service providers, during energy emergencies when their network supply may be disrupted.
Exercises of the revised Oregon Energy Emergency Response Plan will include developing earthquake scenarios and determining likely impacts and damages to better identify vulnerability and mitigation options. After each exercise participants will incorporate lessons learned into the Oregon Energy Emergency Response Plan.
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| Contact Information |
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For general questions relating to any of the funding opportunities listed on this page, contact Lou Bettencourt at 503.378.2127 or by email at lou.bettencourt@state.or.us.
For application questions relating to any of the funding opportunities listed on this page, contact Marty Stipe at 503.378.4926 or by email at marty.stipe@state.or.us.
For process questions or news media inquiries relating to any of the funding opportunities listed on this page, contact Ann Grim at 503.378.4912 or by email at ann.grim@state.or.us.
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