March 2024 Newsletter

The Oregon Department of Energy 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.

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 soon. ODOE is holding an information webinar on April 4 at 2 p.m. for potential applicants, including ample time for Q&A. The agency also 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.