2023, the Oregon Legislature passed
HB 3630, which directed the Oregon Department of Energy to create a grant
program to support Oregon counties with energy resilience planning.
Specifically, HB 3630 provideed up to $50,000 per county to develop an
energy resilience plan.
The County Energy Resilience Grant Program provided grants to Oregon
counties to develop energy resilience plans that:
-
Map current energy infrastructure, natural hazard risks, and communities
that experience social vulnerability.
- Identify needs to increase resilience.
- Identify steps for implementation.
-
Engage with environmental justice communities to identify communities
that experience social vulnerabilities.
Exact requirements for plan content are stipulated in
HB 3630.
The Oregon Department of Energy had up to $50,000 per Oregon county
available for this program for a total of $1.8 million. This was a
noncompetitive grant program with no match requirement. Every one of
Oregon's 36 counties were eligible to receive funds provided they meet the
eligibility requirements. Counties had the option of working together to pool funds in a
cohort. The 18 counties that completed plans were Baker, Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Grant, Harney, Lake, Lane, Malheur, Tillamook, Union, Jefferson/Deschutes/Crook (cohort), Hood River/Wasco/Gilliam/Sherman (cohort). Plans can be requested from the counties directly.
Opportunity Announcement
ODOE posted the
Opportunity Announcement
for funding on May 22, 2024 and accepted applications through February 28,
2025. Nineteen counties applied to participate in the program. Counties must have submitted the program completion form and a copy of their plans by June 30, 2026. 18 counties completed plans.
Program Resources:
FAQs
|
Plan Development Resources
The
resources document was a great tool for assiting in the development the plan. It includes a list
of technical assistance providers, mapping resources, example plan
information, and more. The County Energy Resilience Program Coordinator was also available to answer questions and provide connections to further
resources.
Stakeholder Engagement
ODOE hosted two informational webinars on June 6 and June 25, 2024 to share more
about the County Energy Resilience Program. Each virtual event offered a
presentation on the program, followed by a question and answer session. Find
the recordings below.
Funding for Tribes
The
Bureau of Indian Affair's (BIA) Tribal Community Resilience Annual Awards
Program
offers funds to Tribes to achieve similar goals to the County Energy
Resilience Program.
Tribes can request
no-cost, non-competitive technical assistance
from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Policy and
Programs to complete energy resilience planning.