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.
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%
|
Interested in serving on our grant application evaluation committee? The committee will review applications and make recommendations to ODOE's Director for which projects to fund. Please
fill out our online interest form by July 3.
Grant Opportunity Announcements
ODOE will make funding available through a series of opportunity announcements to solicit program applications through 2024.
March 2022 Opportunity Announcements:
$12 Million in Funding Available
Applications due July 8, 2022
-
22-001: Grant dollars to support planning activities for a community renewable energy project that also qualifies as a community energy resilience project
-
22-002: Grant dollars to support planning activities for a community renewable energy project that does not qualify as a community energy resilience project.
-
22-003: Grant dollars to support developing a community renewable energy project that also qualifies as a community energy resilience project.
-
22-004: Grant dollars to support developing a community renewable energy project that does not qualify as a community energy resilience project.
Potential applicants can
view a recording of our May 25 webinar to learn more about the program.
Click here to view the associated PowerPoint presentation.
March Opportunity Announcement Timeline:
Opportunity Announcements Published
| March 7, 2022
|
Opening of Opportunity Period
| March 7, 2022
|
Questions Due
| June 17, 2022
|
Webinar for Potential Applicants
Please register online to attend.
| May 25, 2022 | 9 - 10 a.m.
|
Final Questions and Answers Posted
| June 24, 2022
|
Closing of Opportunity Period &
Applications Due
| July 8, 2022
|
Eligibility and Completeness Review (approximate)
| July 29, 2022
|
Competitive Review (approximate)
| September 9, 2022
|
Award Notification (approximate)
| September 23, 2022
|
Application Portal
Applications are due by July 8, 2022, and will be checked for completeness before going through a competitively-scored review (see opportunity announcements for scoring matrix). The agency encourages
written questions from potential applicants by June 17; ODOE will post responses on this website, with a
final Q&A posted by June 24.
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.