The Oregon Department of Energy offers programs and expertise to Oregon local governments and municipalities to support energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative fuels, and energy resilience.
In addition to financial programs, ODOE provides technical expertise and consultative reviews, tools, and referrals to relevant agencies and nonprofits to meet communities’ needs. Learn more about resources for local governments in the table below or contact us to talk about your community's next project.
The Community Renewable Energy Grant Program supports grants for planning and developing community renewable energy and energy resilience projects. The program is open to Oregon Tribes, consumer-owned utilities, and public bodies — including counties, municipalities, and special government bodies such as ports and irrigation districts. Grants up to $100,000 are available for planning projects and up to $1 million for construction projects. 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.
The Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program issues rebates for solar electric systems and paired solar and storage systems for residential customers and low-income service providers, such as public bodies serving Oregonians with low incomes and affordable housing organizations, in Oregon. Rebates are issued to approved contractors who pass the savings on to their customers.
ODOE heat pump programs provide incentives for homeowners, rental unit owners, and new construction housing.
Several programs supported by federal funding can support local governments.
An Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (known as a REDA grant) supports energy audits for Oregon rural small businesses and agricultural producers statewide. ODOE pays for up to 75 percent of the cost of an energy audit (payable to the auditor conducting the audit); program participants are responsible for the remaining 25 percent of the cost.
ODOE works with cities to develop and implement Home Energy Score policies. Many Oregon cities now have ordinances that require a home energy score at the time a home is listed for sale. Home energy scores improve community education and awareness regarding home energy performance.
ODOE experts help cities adopt alternate fuel technologies, including compressed natural gas, renewable natural gas, renewable diesel, electricity, and associated infrastructure like electric vehicle chargers.
ODOE's team is available to help cities understand and comply with Oregon's building energy code.
Public entities are required to spend at least 1.5% of new building construction or large renovation projects on eligible green energy technology. ODOE staff are available to guide and support cities complying with the program.
ODOE developed a resilience guidebook to offer support to small and medium electric utilities to improve system reliance.
ODOE administers an energy efficient schools program that helps public schools consider energy efficiency and electric school bus opportunities.
ODOE experts help cities consider options to increase local renewable energy to meet city energy goals.