SALEM – The Oregon Department of Energy announced $1.2 million in grant awards to local governments across the state today. The funding was available thanks to the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation-related projects. The Port of Tillamook Bay will receive $100,000 to begin upgrading the Port’s fleet and installing EV charging stations at the Maintenance Shop and the Airport.
Local governments were encouraged to apply earlier this year for the grants, which support projects that reduce fossil fuel emissions, lower a community’s total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy. The EECBG program was also designed to advance equity, environmental, and energy justice priorities in support of federal Justice40 Initiative goals to deliver benefits to disadvantaged communities. ODOE estimates that at least 40 percent of the awarded funds are supporting projects in disadvantaged communities across the state.
The City of Ashland will receive $50,000 to create an electric vehicle car share program in the community to expand access to EVs in daily travel and create a platform for people to try an EV before they buy. The program will be in a Justice40 community and is expected to benefit those who most need affordable transportation. Nearly $100,000 will support Multnomah County conducting Home Energy Scores and efficiency upgrades in Justice40 communities. The Dalles will receive $100,000 to upgrade The Dalles/Wasco County Library HVAC system, which will increase efficiency and performance in a community hub where heating and cooling is necessary and potentially lifesaving. The complete list of all awardees is available below.
“The Oregon Department of Energy is proud to support Oregon local governments through this federal Block Grant program,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “We’re pleased to see creative projects in areas across the state that support disadvantaged communities, improve energy efficiency, lower emissions, and strengthen a clean and equitable energy economy.”
More information on the program and other federal funding opportunities is available on ODOE’s website.
2024 Awards
Port of Tillamook | EVs for Municipal Fleets | $100,000
Purchasing electric vehicles, which will begin the process of replacing municipal fleet with more environmentally friendly and energy efficient vehicles and equipment. The Port also plans to install EV charging stations at its Maintenance Shop and Airport.
City of Woodburn | EV Charging | $100,000
Installing six electric vehicle charging stations, four of which will be in disadvantaged community census tracts as identified by the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool Map.
City of Myrtle Creek | EVs for Municipal Fleets | $63,835
Fund an electric vehicle for municipal use, which is expected to be a catalyst for future fleet replacements to move to electric.
City of North Bend | Energy Savings Performance Contracts | $100,000
Changing out 730 city street light fixtures with high efficiency LED fixtures. Estimated 62% percent energy savings and 27% lower operating costs.
City of Philomath | EV Charging | $97,950
Installing two Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in the downtown core of Philomath and one dual-port Level 2 electric vehicle charging station in the Philomath Library parking lot. Work also includes planning for and completing site preparation, electrical infrastructure upgrades, and civil infrastructure necessary for the charging stations including signage, pavement striping, ADA access ramps, switchboards, conduit, wire, site restoration incidental to construction operations, energizing, and coordination with Pacific Power for power service.
City of Ashland | EVs for Municipal Fleets | $50,000
Creating an electric vehicle car share program that provides equitable access to using an EV in daily travel and creates a platform for people to try an EV before they buy. It can help reduce transportation costs in households by offering an alternative form of transportation so households can reduce to one car instead of two or no cars instead of one. The program will be in a Justice40 community, expanding access to those who most need affordable transportation.
City of Ashland | Building Audits & Retrofits | $50,000
Creating a subsidized Home Energy Score (HES) program to help increase access to energy audits and awareness about programs that can help make energy efficiency improvements. The program will focus on a Justice 40 zone with 1,900 occupants — or nearly 10% of the city’s population. An estimated 100% of the funding will benefit J40 communities.
City of Coos Bay | Building Efficiency & Electrification Campaign | $100,000
Fund HVAC system repair and upgrades, replacing the current resistance heating system (baseboards) now being used following an existing system failure. An estimated 100% of the funding will benefit J40 communities.
City of West Linn | EV Charging | $100,000
Support an EV charging station and associated infrastructure, which will benefit an estimated 27,000 community members and numerous travelers who use West Linn streets to commute.
City of The Dalles | Building Audits & Retrofits | $100,000
Upgrade The Dalles/Wasco County Library HVAC system. The benefits are increased efficiency and performance in a community hub where heating and cooling is necessary.
Multnomah County | Building Efficiency & Electrification Campaigns | $99,386
Funds will support Home Energy Scores and efficiency upgrades for Justice40 communities in Multnomah County. An estimated 100% of the funding will benefit J40 communities.
City of Redmond | EV Charging | $96,495
Support an EV charging station and associated infrastructure. The City plans to design, build, and provide space for 10 vehicles to be charged at the Public Safety Facility.
City of Tualatin | Building Audits & Retrofits | $100,000
Tualatin will capture local renewable energy through currently wasted excess pressure in water delivery (a form of conduit hydroelectricity). The City will install a 56-kilowatt HydroXS unit, which is a digitally enabled control valve that serves as both a pressure recovery valve and a renewable energy generator.