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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

News Releases
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS TO RECEIVE RECOVERY ACT FUNDING
12/17/2009
State Energy Program Funds Renewable Energy Projects

The Oregon Department of Energy today announced nearly $6 million in federal funds for 18 renewable energy projects in Oregon. These projects are funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) and bring the total number of energy projects in Oregon receiving awards to 164.
 
The Recovery Act funds are awarded through the State Energy Program (SEP) and can be used for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in public buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy administers the funds, approves the projects and reviews the state’s progress.


“These renewable energy projects demonstrate the important impact that the Recovery Act funds are beginning to have on reducing Oregon’s energy usage and increasing renewable energy production across the state,” said Governor Kulongoski “With these funds, communities throughout Oregon will be using renewable energy sources for their electricity needs.” 
 
This current round of funding will be used for eight biomass projects in Estacada, Oakridge, Elkton, John Day, La Grande, Cave Junction and Days Creek. Biomass is the organic matter in trees, agricultural crops and other living plant material. The selected biomass projects will receive $2,060,194 in funding. Most of the biomass projects will be for the installation of biomass boilers at public school buildings.
 
The Oregon Department of Energy also awarded funds to other renewable energy projects, including geothermal and solar projects.
 
Four geothermal projects received funds for $3,203,491 in funding. These include geothermal projects at Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Hood River, Henley High School in Klamath Falls, Portland State University Science Building II and Lakeview Geoheat Barry Well Site.
 
The six solar projects that received funding include projects at two Wallowa County schools: Joseph High School and Enterprise School. Also included are solar projects at the Oregon Park and Recreation Department’s Milo McIver Pump Station in Estacada, the Grant County Historical Museum in Canyon City, the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton, and the Joseph Fire Department in Joseph. The six solar projects received $680,770 in funding.

The Energy Department received over 1,100 letters of interest in state energy programs, representing a request of over $2 billion in Recovery Act funding. This is the fifth round of awards for a total of 164 projects funded.  The projects funded include:
  • 22 school projects for $531,042
  • 21 Eastern Oregon projects for $1.3 million
  • 97 Western Oregon projects for $7.1 million
  • 6 large public entity projects for $1.5 million
  • 18 renewable energy projects for nearly $6 million
 
The public entities receiving SEP funds must complete their projects by March 31, 2012.
 
Facility
County
Project
Funds
Oakridge Elementary School
Lane
Pellet boiler
$224,898
Elkton Charter School
Douglas
Pellet boiler
$238,736
Days Creek Charter School
Douglas
Wood chip boiler
$235,000
Estacada District Office
Clackamas
Wood chip boiler
$627,738
Blue Mountain Hospital District
Grant
Pellet boiler
$40,000
Eastern Oregon University
Union
Biomass
$190,000
Illinois Valley High School
Josephine
Pellet boiler
$283,700
Evergreen Elementary School
Josephine
Pellet boiler
$220,122
Milo McIver Pump Station
Clackamas
Solar
$12,000
Grant County Historical Museum
Grant
Solar
$21,642
Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution
Umatilla
Solar
$450,000
Joseph Fire Dept
Wallowa
Solar
$49,280
Joseph High Multi-Purpose Room
Wallowa
Solar
$73,928
Enterprise School SW Parking
Wallowa
Solar
$73,920
OSU  - Cascades Campus
Hood River
Geothermal
$560,491
Henley High School
Klamath
Geothermal
$643,000
PSU - Science Bldg. 2
Multnomah
Geothermal
$1,000,000
Lakeview Geoheat Barry Well Site
Lake
Geothermal
$1,000,000
 
 
 TOTAL
$5,944,455