In 2023, Oregon’s legislature passed House Bill 3409, directing the Oregon Department of Energy to stand up a program that will provide $2 million in grants for projects delivering information and technical training to new and existing workers and contractors to conduct energy efficient installations and renovations.
Background
HB 3409 Sections 1-5 recognize the impact the built environment has on greenhouse gas emissions. The legislature allocated $2 million to the Energy Efficiency Technologies Information and Training Fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the installation of heat pumps and other energy efficient appliances. ODOE has been directed to prioritize environmental justice communities and individuals who reside in houses and structures that do not have a functioning, adequate, or affordable heating or cooling system. The purpose of the fund is to reduce barriers to home energy efficiency and resiliency by providing:
- Initial and continuing technical assistance and training to build capacity in developers, builders, community-based organizations, homeowners, and tenants to conduct renovations and installations of energy efficient technologies, including heat pumps.
- Education and training to contractors, subcontractors, technicians, community-based organizations, installers, and other workers in industries related to construction and energy appliance installation.
A competitive grant opportunity announcement will be open to training providers in the fall of 2024. Full details and requirements will be available once the announcement has been made. Updates will be posted to this page as they become available. You can also sign up to receive relevant updates via email.