The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) is pleased to announce it will soon begin accepting applications for its new Community Renewable Energy Grant Program. ODOE is making $12 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, 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, nonprofits, private businesses, and others on potential projects.
ODOE will 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 for renewable energy and energy resilience projects. Construction grants for renewable energy projects can cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs, while construction grants for resilience projects can over 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 is thrilled to provide this grant program to communities across the state,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “Funded projects will support increased community energy resilience, clean energy, local jobs and economic development, and overall 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, with a total budget of $50 million. ODOE will make additional rounds of funding available through 2024.
Applications will be due by June 10, 2022, and will be checked for completeness before going through a competitively-scored review. Four program opportunity announcements with additional eligibility details are available on ODOE’s website, and the online application will be available within the next month. The agency encourages written questions from potential applicants by May 20; ODOE will post responses online, with a final question and answer document posted by May 27.
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Contributed by: Jennifer Kalez | Oregon Department of Energy