Oregon Department of Energy Announces $2 Million in Grants for Renewable Energy Projects Across the State
SALEM — The Oregon Department of Energy announced today 18 recipients of $2 million in Renewable Energy Development Grant funds. The RED Grant program, which was awarded a national State Leadership in Clean Energy award from the Clean Energy States Alliance in May, supports Oregon businesses, nonprofits, and organizations investing in renewable energy systems that use biomass, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas, biogas, wave, tidal, or ocean energy to produce electricity.
ODOE received 32 applications by the April 2 deadline. After a competitive review process, 18 projects were selected for grants, ranging from about $5,000 up to $250,000. Central Lincoln PUD, which serves the central Oregon coast, was awarded over $82,000 for a solar photovoltaic project that will incorporate energy storage in Florence. The City of Salem was awarded $250,000 for a biogas co-generation facility in Keizer, which will produce electricity and thermal energy. Triple Creek Ranch, located in Joseph, was awarded over $108,000 for a hydropower turbine and generator for its irrigation system. A full list of selected projects is available on ODOE's blog.
Applications were scored based on a number of criteria, including amount of energy generated, job creation, community benefits, and more. New for this round, points were also awarded for projects that were designed with resiliency in mind. Renewable systems that are capable of supplying electricity when the larger grid is unavailable – due to extreme weather or other emergencies – earned more points.
“We’re proud to support diverse renewable energy projects across the state,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “We were pleased to see applications this year that incorporated resiliency measures, like energy storage, that can play a critical role in helping Oregon communities bounce back after an emergency.”
ODOE staff expect to finalize performance agreements over the next few months. Funds are allocated after the project is completed and operational, and once all conditions of the performance agreements are met.
For more information about the Renewable Energy Development Grant program, visit ODOE’s website.
