HB 2021 created a 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%
|
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.
Program Budget
$64,726,395
| $40,556,525
| $24,493,542
|
Updated June 2, 2025
Grant Opportunity Announcements
ODOE announced $12 million in available grant funding in June 2025 to
support planning and construction of renewable energy or energy resilience
projects for Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities. Applications were due on September 19, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Opportunity Announcements:
Opportunity Announcement Publication
| June 2, 2025
|
|---|
Q&A Webinar for Potential Applicants
| June 25, 2025
|
|---|
Open Opportunity Period (Start Application Submissions)
| August 11, 2025
|
|---|
Virtual Applicant Q&A Drop-in Hours
| ODOE held Wednesday open drop-in hours during the open application period.
|
|---|
Close Opportunity Period (Applications Due)
| September 19, 2025 by 5 p.m.
|
|---|
Eligibility and Completeness Review (Approximate)
| September 22, 2025
|
|---|
Competitive Review (Approximate)
| November 10, 2025
|
|---|
Award Notification (Approximate)
| January 5-7, 2026
|
|---|
Dates subject to change.
Now Recruiting Evaluation Committee Members
The Oregon Department of Energy is currently seeking community members to serve on our
Community Renewable Energy Grant Program Evaluation Committee.
Evaluation committee members will be asked to review program applications (due September 19 from eligible organizations) and make recommendations to ODOE's Director about which projects should be funded. The time commitment will vary based on the number of applications received, but we expect the process to begin mid-October, with recommendations to the Director in January 2026.
If you are interested in serving on the evaluation committee,
please fill out the online interest form by 5 p.m. on October 3, 2025. The
form will ask basic questions about your background and interests in serving on the committee. Please note we will also ask if you have any conflicts of interest that could prevent participation, such as a relationship with a potential grant applicant.
Past applicants who submitted an Interest Form are encouraged to reapply.
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.