HB 2021 created a $50 million fund at ODOE to provide grants for planning and developing community renewable energy and energy resilience projects.
The Community Renewable Energy Grant Program is open to Oregon Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities. Public bodies include counties, municipalities, and special government bodies such as ports and irrigation districts. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and priority will be given to projects that support program equity goals, demonstrate community energy resilience, and include energy efficiency and demand response. Click image to enlarge
At least half of the grant funds will be awarded for projects that serve environmental justice communities, including communities of color, lower-income communities, rural communities, and others. Similarly, at least half of the grant funds will be awarded to projects that support community energy resilience.
Grant Amounts
Planning a community renewable energy project
| $100,000
| 100%
|
| Planning a community energy resilience project | $100,000
| 100%
|
Constructing a community renewable energy project
| $1,000,000
| 50%
|
Constructing a community energy resilience project
| $1,000,000
| 100%
|
A minimum of $1 Million is reserved for planning projects that qualify as a community energy resilience project and a minimum of $1 Million is reserved for planning projects that do not qualify as a community energy resilience project.
Grant Opportunity Announcements
ODOE will make funding available through a series of opportunity announcements to solicit program applications through 2024.
Round Two | December 2022 Opportunity Announcements:
$12 Million in Funding Available
Application period is now closed
- 22-014: Grant dollars to support constructing a community renewable energy project that does not qualify as a community energy resilience project.
- 22-015: Grant dollars to support constructing a community renewable energy project that also qualifies as a community energy resilience project.
- 22-016: Grant dollars to support planning activities for a community renewable energy project that does not qualify as a community energy resilience project.
-
22-017: Grant dollars to support planning activities for a community renewable energy project that also qualifies as a community energy resilience project
Program Webinar/Q&A Opportunity for Applicants
January 31, 2023
Grant applicants were invited to join ODOE for a webinar on January 31. The program team shared important information and guidance
for eligible organizations interested in applying for the program’s open grant opportunity
period. You can view a recording of the webinar
here.
Application Open
| December 28, 2022
|
Applicant Webinar/Q&A
Webinar Recording
PowerPoint Presentation
| January 31, 2023 | 1 - 2 p.m.
|
Applications Due
| February 15, 2023
|
Eligibility and Completeness Review (approximate)
| March 24, 2023
|
Competitive Review (approximate)
| April 21, 2023
|
Award Notification (approximate)
| May 15, 2023
|
Next Round of Opportunity Announcements Open (approximate)
| TBD
|
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include renewable energy generation systems like solar or wind, and energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging stations, or microgrid technologies paired with new or existing renewable energy systems. Eligible applicants are encouraged to partner with community groups, non-profits, private businesses, and others on potential projects. Additional information about eligible projects is available in the opportunity announcements and in the
Administrative Rules.
Advisory CommitteeODOE has appointed an
advisory committee to support development and implementation of the grant program. Specific advisory committee responsibilities include:
- Providing guidance on program rules
- Establishing program equity metrics
- Adopting a methodology to identify qualifying communities.
- Supporting statewide community outreach efforts
- Supporting application review processes
Advisory committee meetings will be open to the public —
learn more.