Engagement Project Background
In 2025, legislators increased Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) funding through House Bill (HB) 3792, which also included a reassessment requirement. OEAP was established in 1999 and has received only two permanent funding increases in its history. The primary purpose of the most recent increase is to be responsive to significantly larger energy prices while enabling us to serve as many low-income households as possible.
The scope of work has two primary goals:
- Assess the current state of OEAP and determine if assistance is being provided in an equitable way based upon energy burden.
- Listen to the community to determine if program changes are necessary to improve program delivery and meet the changing needs of low-income Oregonians.
Engagement Opportunities
OHCS will host five listening sessions to gather feedback on the OEAP. The listening sessions will cover the following topics on the dates listed below. You will need to register for each session you want to attend.
OEAP Engagement Kick-Off Topic: Engagement Plan Review & Equity Data Preview
Date: May 5, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Register for the Kick-off Session
At this session, we will provide:
- An overview of the current state of OEAP including who is being served and current outcomes.
- The engagement timeline and plan
This initial session will be recorded and posted online for those unable to attend but who would still like to participate in the listening sessions. The remaining listening sessions will not be recorded.