Congress passed two major pieces of legislation related to investments in energy and climate, including the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. Billions of dollars are available to states to develop and provide new programs, including energy incentives.
In addition to providing federal funds to state governments like Oregon for infrastructure, energy, and climate programs and initiatives, there are also programs available to applicants from private businesses, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, utilities, tribes, and local governments directly from federal agencies. Oregon Department of Energy staff are available to answer questions about this funding and encourages Oregonians to research and take advantage of opportunities that may support programs and projects in Oregon.
ODOE has developed a
tracking spreadsheet (opens in Excel) of energy-related funding opportunities through the IIJA and IRA. You'll find columns for program type, eligible recipients, available funding, relevant links, and more. We'll update the spreadsheet weekly with the latest information and highlight changes from the previous week in yellow – links will be checked monthly.
ODOE has also developed a timeline (subject to change) of the various programs that may be coming to Oregon:
Specific Funding Information
(click to expand information)
Status: ODOE Awarded
In May 2023, ODOE received an award of $5,664,180 under the State Energy Program available for the next five years. The State Energy Program funds will support work at ODOE related to energy security, clean energy, energy efficiency, resilience, and sustainable transportation.
One of the specific projects to be completed with IIJA SEP funds is an update to the State Energy Security Plan. More information on this project can be found on the Energy Security Plan program
page.
Status: Awarded, ODOE Program Launched Status: PendingFormula Funds: The U.S. DOE has issued the Administrative and Legal Requirements
Document for the Latest and Zero Building Energy Code Adoption under the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Through the IRA, Congress appropriated $1
billion to support states and local governments in the effort to improve new
and existing residential and commercial buildings, increase energy efficiency,
and workforce training. This announcement makes available $400 million in
formula funding. However, there are very targeted code specifications
required to access these funds. ODOE, along with the Oregon Building Codes
Division (BCD) submitted a Letter of Intent in January 2024 to use these funds. ODOE continues to coordinate with BCD and
USDOE to develop project scopes for these formula funds.
Status: Phase 1 Funding Approved
The U.S. Department of Energy announced that the
Pacific Northwest H2 Association (PNWH2) was one of seven proposed Hydrogen Hubs selected for award negotiations in October 2023. The PNWH2 Hydrogen Hubs project is expected to bring up to $1
billion in federal money to the region to fund projects that accelerate the
transition to clean hydrogen energy production and use, as well as create
potentially thousands of jobs across many trades. Learn more on the
PNWH2 website.
Status: Awarded, Program Launched
See the EECBG program page for more information.
Coordinating with the State and adjacent communities is a requirement of the EECBG program. Local communities who received a direct allocation can communicate their program plans to ODOE here.
Status: Pending
On December 19, 2022, the U.S. DOE opened the application for competitive funding under the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation grant, authorized as part of IIJA. While ODOE was not a primary applicant, we provided letters of commitment for two applications which could benefit Oregonians, through different approaches if awarded. Both applications were submitted in late March to U.S. DOE and both applications were selected for award and are still under negotiation.
One application, led by ASHRAE, will develop and deliver comprehensive energy code training to building officials as part of a partnership between ODOE, Oregon Building Codes Division, other states, NASEO, ASHRAE, and ICC.
The other application, led by Earth Advantage, will examine pathways to support the adoption of Building Performance Standards in Oregon. Other members of the application included the New Buildings Institute, City of Eugene, City of Milwaukie, and City of Portland.
Status: Oregon Awarded
In April 2023, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, in partnership with ODOE and other agencies, submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Phase 1 (Planning) grant under the Climate Pollution Reduction Fund. Oregon DEQ was awarded this initial grant on July 27, 2023. This planning grant supports the establishment of Priority Climate Action Plans and Comprehensive Climate Action Plans. The Priority Climate Action Plan was submitted to the US EPA on February 29, 2024 and the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan will be due in December 2025.
More information on ODOE's effort to develop a state energy strategy, which is part of the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, is described on the Oregon Energy Strategy's webpage.
On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced 25 awardees of over $4 billion in Phase 2 (Implementation) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. Oregon's application for $197 million was successful, and will support 12 critical measures that will accelerate Oregon's emission reduction efforts for a vibrant environment, for the health of communities across the state, and for a more sustainable future.
ODOE is especially pleased that the funding will enable us to continue and expand our work to provide incentives for energy efficient homes, support businesses in complying with the new Building Performance Standards, and provide rebates for home heat pumps. To learn more about the program and how you can be involved, please see DEQ's webpage for The Climate Pollution Planning Grant.
Status: Oregon Awarded $86.6 Million
Solar for All is focused on providing benefits from solar energy to low-income households and disadvantaged communities. The Oregon Solar for All Coalition applied for this competitive funding as part of a coalition application, with ODOE serving as the coalition lead. Energy Trust of Oregon and Bonneville Environmental Foundation are coalition members in this application. On April 22, 2024, U.S. EPA announced awardees, including $86.6 Million for Oregon.
More details are available on ODOE's
Solar For All program page.
Status: Pending
Related to the Home Energy
Rebates through the IRA, an additional allocation of federal formula funds has
been made available to the state through Training for Residential
Energy Contractors to aid in workforce
development. ODOE applied for these funds on November 17, 2023 to help prepare
for the workforce that will be needed to support the influx of home energy
upgrades that will be made possible through the Home Energy Rebates program. In
its application, ODOE proposed the development of a program that makes subgrants
available to entities that will reduce the cost of training contractor
employees; provide access to workforce development tools for contractors such
as testing and certification; and partner with community organizations to
implement an equitable state program (read more in our
submitted program narrative). ODOE’s share of the formula grant is
$2,028,480 and will now await U.S. DOE’s review of the proposal.
Status: Application Open
There is also a competitive opportunity available through the IRA for energy efficiency workforce development. US DOE opened the competitive Training for Residential Energy Contractors opportunity on March 28, 2024 and offers two potential topic areas: “Training Small Contractor Firms" and “Innovative, Effective, and Equitable Workforce Development Programs." ODOE submitted a Letter of Intent to apply for these funds on May 6, 2024 and intends to partner with Earth Advantage to submit its full application by the January 15, 2025 deadline.
Status: Pending
Under the IIJA, there is a competitive opportunity for training energy auditors, and on December 20, 2023 the U.S. DOE released the funding opportunity announcement for this program. Program funds can be used to offer auditor training certifications in two topic areas – residential and commercial energy auditors. After receiving encouragement on our concept papers, ODOE submitted two full applications on July 11, 2024. ODOE partnered with Earth Advantage to submit an application that focuses on the need for investment in residential energy auditors. ODOE also submitted a full application for commercial energy auditors, in an effort to grow the workforce needed to assist with energy projects. U.S. DOE will review applications and is expected to notify successful applicants in late October 2024.
Tax Incentives
There are numerous federal tax credits available under the Inflation Reduction Act. These tax credits may be available for individual consumers who make qualifying purchases (see 25C Non-Business Energy Property/Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and 25 D Residential Clean Energy Credit) and programs for businesses (see the 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction and the 45L Energy Efficient Home Credit).
We recommend you consult with a licensed tax professional for information which pertains to your specific circumstances.
Public Engagement Opportunities
ODOE is working to request funding as new opportunities arise. Please check back frequently for updates for individual programs. If you would like to sign up to receive email updates related to these activities, please
subscribe to our Federal Funding updates list.
Grid Resilience
Public Q&A
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
2 - 3 p.m.
Meeting Recording | Meeting Presentation
|
| Grid Resilience Grant Program Webinar: Overview of Round 1 Subgrant Opportunity Open for Utilities to Apply for Grid Resilience Funding
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
2 - 3 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| |
Grid Resilience Grant Program Public Hearing
Review Program Narrative for Additional USDOE Award
March 21, 2024
11 a.m.
Meeting Recording
|
|
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Informational Webinar
March 20, 2024
1 - 2 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| Meeting Presentation
|
Home Energy Rebates Update Webinar
March 6, 2024
3 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| Webinar Presentation
|
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Deep Dive
October 11, 2023
2 – 4 p.m. PT
Meeting Recording
| |
Home Efficiency Rebates Deep Dive
October 10, 2023
2 – 4 p.m. PT
Meeting Recording
|
|
Home Energy Rebates Kick-Off
October 4, 2023
2 - 3:30 p.m. PT
Meeting Recording
| |
Webinar: Solar for All (SFA) Overview
August 8, 2023
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| |
|
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Webinars on Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Advance Clean Energy Initiatives in Rural America
June – August 2023
Multiple Webinars
| |
Eastern Oregon Open House on Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
10 a.m. - noon
Meeting Recording
| |
Western Oregon Open House on Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
10 a.m. - noon
Meeting Recording
| |
ODOE Webinar: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Listening Session
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Meeting Recording
|
Weigh in with your suggestions on EECBG funding on our
online portal by April 28.
|
U.S. Department of Energy Informational Webinar on the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Register Here
| More details
|
Public Hearing: Grid Resilience Funding
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
| |
ODOE Webinar: Federal Funding Update
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| |
U.S. Department of Energy Public Roundtable on The Inflation Reduction Act Residential Energy Rebates and Contractor Training Programs
January 12, 2023, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Register Here
| The U.S. Department of Energy is hosting a roundtable open to the public to inform plans for the home energy rebate programs and contractor training funds.
|
Virtual Workshop for Oregon Stakeholders: Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
Friday, September 16, 2022
9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| |
Public Hearing on Application for Federal Funding to Enhance
Oregon's Grid Resilience
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 2 p.m.
| |
IIJA Informational Webinar
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
6 - 7 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| |
IIJA Informational Webinar
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
1 - 2 p.m.
Meeting Recording
| |
Workforce Development & Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities
March 16, 2022
| |