The Oregon Department of Energy is pleased to announce it will soon begin accepting applications for a third round of funding through the agency's Community Renewable Energy Grant Program. ODOE is making $18 million available to support planning and construction of renewable energy or energy resilience projects for Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities.
Grant dollars are available for four types of projects: planning a renewable energy project, planning a renewable energy project that also has a resilience component, construction of a renewable energy project, or construction of a renewable energy project with a resilience component. Eligible projects include renewable energy generation systems like solar or wind, as well as 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. Previous rounds in 2022 and 2023 selected recipients for $24 million total in grant funds.
ODOE will again offer grants up to $100,000 for eligible planning projects and up to $1 million for eligible construction projects. Planning grants can cover up to 100 percent of eligible costs to develop a plan to build renewable energy and energy resilience projects. Construction grants for renewable energy projects can cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs to build the project, while construction grants for resilience projects can cover up to 100 percent. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to projects that support energy resilience and that serve qualifying communities, including communities of color, low-income communities, Tribes, rural areas, and other traditionally underserved groups.
"The Oregon Department of Energy has been proud to support renewable energy and resilience projects across the state through this program," said ODOE Director Janine Benner. "We look forward to selecting a new round of planning and construction projects that will support clean energy and community energy resilience, bolster local jobs and economic development, and create energy cost savings for Oregonians."
The Community Renewable Energy Grant Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to support projects outside Portland city limits. ODOE will make additional rounds of funding available.
Applications will be due May 10, 2024 and will be checked for completeness before going through a competitively scored review. Four program opportunity announcements with additional eligibility details and timelines are available on ODOE's website, and the online application will be available later this month. The agency encourages written questions from potential applicants through the program's online Q&A Portal. Some answers may already be covered in the program's previous Frequently Asked Questions.
Media Contact: Jennifer Kalez, 503-480-9239
Program Contact: Community.Grants@energy.oregon.gov
