Last DSIRE Review: 09/13/2012
Program Overview:
| State: |
Oregon |
| Incentive Type: |
State Grant Program |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Agricultural, Manufacturing, Water/Wastewater Treatment |
| Amount: | Varies |
| Maximum Incentive: | None |
| Equipment Requirements: | Commercial technology projects that can be replicated elsewhere. |
| Installation Requirements: | Must be in or able to deliver power to the service territory of either Portland General Electric or Pacific Power; off grid projects are not eligible. Projects must be less than 20 MW in capacity. |
| Funding Source: | Public-purpose charge collected from Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers |
| Start Date: | May 2002 |
| Web Site: |
http://www.energytrust.org/
|
Summary:
Energy Trust of Oregon offers cash incentives and project development assistance for renewable energy projects that are 20 megawatts (MW) or less in capacity. These custom incentives are part of two Energy Trust programs: the Biomass Program and the Open Solicitation Program.
Project development assistance funding is available for a variety of purposes, including grant writing, feasibility studies, or technical assistance with design, permitting, or utility interconnection. Energy Trust will pay up to 50% of costs associated with these activities and can provide additional assistance on other aspects of projects, as well. Generally, Energy Trust will contribute a maximum of around $40,000 for development assistance activities. Activities must be approved in advance.
Project incentives up to $150,000 are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. Project incentives above $150,000 are distributed on a competitive basis for projects delivering power to Pacific Power. Projects delivering power to Portland General are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. All incentives are based on a project’s costs in comparison to the market value of the energy produced (above-market cost). There is no cap or fixed percentage of the amount of above-market costs Energy Trust will pay, however all incentives are subject to budget limitations. In return for funding provided, Energy Trust will request a negotiated share of the project’s renewable energy credits (RECs). These RECs are held in trust for the ratepayers who contribute to Energy Trust.
For more information, contact Jed Jorgensen (hydropower) or Betsy Kauffman (geothermal biomass or other technologies).
*Oregon's 1999 electric-utility restructuring legislation required Pacific Power and Portland General Electric (PGE) to collect a 3% public-purpose charge from their customers to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) authorized Energy Trust of Oregon to administer these programs beginning in 2002. |
