Oregon Businesses Saving Energy ODOE tax credit programs support Oregon businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits. The s incentives program offers tax credits to Oregon businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits that conserve energy, invest in alternative fuel transportation, or produce or collect biomass to create biofuel. Energy Conservation Projects ODOE s Energy Conservation Tax Credit program supports Oregon businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits that invest in energy conservation. Eligible conservation projects will result in first-year energy savings, with a simple payback period of greater than three years. Alternative vehicle fuel infrastructure may be eligible for a tax credit. ODOE offers an Oregon tax credit valued at up to 35 percent of the project costs. Projects with eligible costs of $20,000 or more are awarded competitively, and small projects costing less than $20,000 are first-come, first-served. Projects can include building envelope improvements, combined heat and power, commercial thermal, commercial building systems, sustainable construction, and more. ODOE awards up to $28 million in tax credit preliminary certifications per biennium. Nearly 90 percent of the applications we receive are for projects costing less then $20,000. Transportation Projects Transportation is one of the biggest generators of greenhouse gases in Oregon. ODOE s Transportation Tax Credit program offers tax credits for projects that build alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure or grow alternative fuel vehicle fleets. A credit for transit services ended in 2015. Credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The program supports Oregon businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits that install or construct a facility for mixing, storing, compressing, or dispensing fuels for alternative fuel vehicles, including electric charging, compressed natural gas, and propane fueling stations. Tax credits for fleets are awarded to projects that replace or modify two or more vehicles to use an alternative fuel. ODOE awards up to $20 million in transportation tax credits each biennium.
Wood waste, such as waste from the timber industry, can be used as biofuel. Collectors may be eligible for a tax credit. Biomass Projects Our Biomass Producer or Collector Tax Credit program encourages the production and collection of biomass material such as wood, methane, or manure that is sourced in Oregon and used as biofuel. Using biomass to produce energy leads to healthier forests and agricultural lands, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. It also encourages beneficial end uses for waste products that may otherwise end up in a landfill. Since 2010, ODOE has issued more than $29 million in tax credits for the production, collection, and utilization of biomass materials in Oregon: 1.4 million tons of woody biomass 2.7 million tons of animal manure 16.8 million gallons of used cooking oil/waste grease 56,000 tons of vegetative biomass Compliance ODOE staff complete inspections to confirm that projects comply with program conditions. Under new rulemaking requirements, some projects may also be subject to a recertification requirement for up to five years.
Renewable Energy Grants ODOE Renewable Energy Development Grants support renewable energy development in Oregon. The s Renewable Energy Development Grant program promotes investment in renewable energy by awarding grants to Oregon businesses, organizations, public bodies, nonprofits, tribes, and residential rental properties that install and operate a renewable energy system. Grants are awarded through a competitive selection process and can total up to 35 percent of eligible project costs, up to $250,000 total. ODOE staff complete inspections to confirm that projects comply with program conditions. Oregon Projects Eligible RED Grant projects include systems that use biomass, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas, biogas, or wave, tidal or ocean thermal energy to produce electricity. Most RED Grants awarded were for photovoltaic installations. We currently have 11 complete and 26 active RED Grant projects the majority of awarded grants have gone to solar photovoltaic systems. RED Grants have been awarded to small businesses, farms, Oregon military, people s utility districts, nonprofits, and more. Sample Recipients The Corvallis Vision Center in historic downtown Corvallis has served patients since 1931. A RED Grant helped owner Dr. Doug Crotty install solar panels on the building s roof cutting the business s summer electric bill to nearly $0. Santiam Valley Ranch in Turner, Oregon was named the Sustainable Small Business of the Year in Marion County. The Ranch s sustainable model was boosted by a RED Grant for solar panels on the barn rooftop. The Bend Area Habitat for Humanity s ReStore supports Habitat s mission to help low-income families achieve the dream of homeownership. Solar panels have reduced operations costs which means more money to support families.
Helping Oregon Families Save Energy ODOE programs help homeowners and renters invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient devices. The s residential incentive programs help Oregon families invest in renewable energy and energy efficient appliances and devices. Residential Energy Tax Credits With the Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) program, homeowners or renters can apply for a tax credit on their personal Oregon income taxes for purchasing energy-efficient products and energy systems for their homes. Oregonians may be eligible for a RETC if the purchased equipment is installed in an Oregon-based primary residence, secondary (vacation) home, or residential rental property. Credits can range from about $100 up to $6,000. Popular systems include efficient heating and cooling, water heaters, solar energy systems, and alternative fuel vehicle charging stations. The RETC program has served Oregon families since 1977. ODOE has issued more than 570,000 tax credits for improvements that have cumulatively saved or displaced enough energy to power about 400,000 homes for one year. State Home Oil Weatherization Program Since 1981, ODOE s State Home Oil Weatherization (SHOW) program has supported Oregon homes that are primarily heated by oil, propane, kerosene, butane, or wood. SHOW-eligible homeowners can apply for cash payments for installing energy-saving heating equipment and for making home weatherization improvements. Cash payments range from $100 to $500, depending on the improvement and its cost. After completing an Energy Audit Checklist, homeowners may improve insulation, replace burners or furnaces, install new windows, or complete duct sealing. The SHOW program helps lower-income families, who may not be eligible for the U.S. DOE s Low Income Weatherization Program, afford energy improvements in their homes. Since 1985, ODOE has served about 13,000 homes through the SHOW program.
Oregon Energy Loans The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Revolving Fund offers loans for organizations to purchase alternative fuel vehicles. The offers loan programs for Oregon families, businesses, public agencies, tribes, and nonprofits. Small-Scale Energy Loan Program ODOE s Small-Scale Energy Loan program, also known as the State Energy Loan Program or SELP, provides loans for conservation, renewable energy, and other energy projects. It s one of the nation s oldest green-lending programs. SELP loans support energy projects across the state, including photovoltaic installations, hydropower systems, efficient furnaces, new lighting, and more. SELP has issued 900 loans totaling $612 million over the program s 35- year history. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Revolving Fund The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Revolving Fund provides loans to local, state, and tribal governments, and to private entities in the Portland vehicle inspection area and in the Medford-Ashland Air quality maintenance area. The Oregon Legislature developed this fund to help organizations purchase new alternative fuel vehicles and convert existing gasoline or diesel vehicles to alternative fuels. The fund was seeded by the auction of $3 million in transportation tax credits. So far, ODOE has not issued a loan under this program.