October 2024 Newsletter

Join our team! Keep an eye on ODOE's website for open recruitments and please share with your networks.

Check out ODOE's blog for our latest Energy Facility Siting Spotlight. This month we're talking about the administrative rulemaking process. The Energy Facility Siting Council and ODOE regularly review siting-related Oregon Administrative Rules to ensure rules stay up-to-date and relevant for Oregon energy policy. Learn more on our blog.

ODOE Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse and Senior Incentives Analyst Kristina Donnelly joined the Bonneville Power Administration's Oregon Utility Roundtable meeting in Newport on October 2. Kristina presented information about Oregon's forthcoming home energy rebate programs (see announcement above!).

Kristina also presented to Energy Trust of Oregon's Fall Trade Ally Forum attendees on October 17 about ODOE's home energy rebate programs. It was a great opportunity to connect with Energy Trust's contractor network.

Members of ODOE's Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness Team have enjoyed going back to school with recent presentations on nuclear safety and the Hanford Site at Portland State University and Oregon State University.

Speaking of Hanford, the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board met this month in The Dalles. If you missed it, a meeting recording and meeting materials are availalbe on ODOE's website.

ODOE Director Janine Benner joined a Town Hall organized by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Renewable Hydrogen Association for World Hydrogen Day. Fun fact: it's held on 10/08 each year because the atomic weight of hydrogen is 1.008. In addition to IBEW and RHA, Douglas County PUD (out of Washington) and local elected officials were also on hand for the Town Hall and celebration. Janine enjoyed an opportunity to speak to the group about the Pacific NW Hydrogen Hub.

ODOE Hanford Ecologist Sara Lovtang presented about the Hanford Nuclear Site at Science on Tap on October 9 and received rad reviews for her engaging and informative session. Learn more about ODOE's work with the Hanford Site on our website.

Senior Policy Analyst Jillian DiMedio joined Forth for a meeting on October 15 with a delegation of Chinese leaders to discuss zero emission vehicle policies and deployment.

ODOE Codes and Standards Manager Blake Shelide and Associate Director for Strategic Engagement Ruchi Sadhir presented at the Legislative Commission on Indian Services on October 15. The presentation covered a summary of recent engagement efforts by ODOE, including the Oregon Energy Strategy, Energy Facility Siting rulemaking on Tribal government notification, the Oregon Climate Action Commission's work on natural climate solutions, and Building Performance Standards implementation.

Blake also participated on a panel discussing Building Performance Standards at the ASHRAE 2024 Decarbonization in Existing Building Conference on October 22.

ODOE Facilities Engineer Stephanie Kruse was selected to attend the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office's annual Peer Review event in Washington, DC on October 21-24 as an independent expert reviewer for the Emerging Technology: HVAC, and Building Electronics Devices and Appliances tracks. BTO hosts Peer Reviews to generate robust and documented feedback from independent experts on its projects' mission alignment, impact, approach, progress, and future work. This feedback informs amendments to current initiatives and creation of future initiatives.

ODOE Director Janine Benner, Technology and Policy Manager Jessica Reichers, and Energy Policy Team Lead Edith Bayer participated in the fall meeting of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation and Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (CREPC-WIRAB). This gathering of western state energy office officials and public service commissioners was an opportunity to discuss energy topics of regional importance such as balancing reliability, affordability, and policy priorities, resource adequacy, transmission, and more. Janine was pleased to moderate a panel on demand-side solutions for energy affordability and reliability.

Home Energy Efficiency Workforce and Education Analyst Josie Cardwell attended the WORKing Together 2024 Conference in Bend on October 22-23. The conference focused on workforce and ensuring Oregonians have the skills to meet the state's needs, including energy workforce.

ODOE was pleased to sponsor the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board 14th annual Policy Conference on October 4. This year's conference focused on Energy Policy for People & Planet. ODOE Energy Policy Team Lead Edith Bayer participated on a panel about centering customers in utility planning.

ODOE also sponsored the Oregon Solar + Storage Conference, powered by OSSIA, on October 22-24. ODOE Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar spoke to audiences about Oregon's federal Solar for All award and what it means for our state.

Fall is conference season, and ODOE proudly supported the League of Oregon Cities 99th Annual Conference in Bend this month. ODOE Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke and Senior Policy Analyst Rob Del Mar attended the conference and appreciated the opportunity to connect with many cities and learn about their infrastructure and other needs.

We were excited to see that the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recently announced that Lane County, OR is one of three new communities that will receive a combined $10 million in funding and technical assistance to research, model, validate, and deploy local clean energy strategies. Lane County, Springfield Utility Board, Emerald People's Utility District, and Center for Rural Livelihoods will work with U.S. DOE lab experts to develop distributed renewable energy resources and grid modernization technologies to improve the reliability and resilience of electricity services.

In electric vehicle news, the Oregon Department of Transportation has $10 million available for repairs and upgrades to public EV charging in Oregon. ODOT is accepting applications through November 12, 2024.

ODOT also selected grantees for the first round of its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The funds will support public electric vehicle charging stations along major roads in Oregon.

Did you know ODOE's Energy Facility Siting Team is currently reviewing more than a dozen proposed or amended energy facilities? From wind to solar facilities - to combined wind, solar, and storage facilities - you can learn more about the state's process and how to get involved on our website. You can also sign up to receive a monthly facility siting update showing the latest and greatest.

ODOE has several incentive programs up and running. Learn more about our energy incentives on ODOE's website.