A technique Oregonians can thrive is by creating resilient communities that may stand up to power outages and hold core energy-dependent companies up and working.
Earlier this 12 months, the Oregon Division of Power (ODOE) took an necessary step in attaining that aim when it introduced a brand new grant program designed to help native power resilience plans.
Funded by Home Invoice 3630 through the 2023 legislative session, the County Power Resilience Program offers as much as $50,000 per county to help the event of plans that:
- Map present power infrastructure and pure hazard dangers
- Establish wants to extend resilience
- Establish steps for implementation
- Establish communities that have social vulnerabilities based mostly on enter from environmental justice communities
By offering funding to jumpstart their resiliency plans, ODOE seeks to empower communities to determine the initiatives most impactful to residents and create plans that align with present targets for power effectivity, emergency administration and financial improvement.
Grant funding can be utilized to pay workers engaged on the resiliency plan, contract with technical specialists and canopy bills for outreach occasions and extra prices associated to plan improvement.
A core duty at Power Belief is making certain communities have entry to the power options wanted to face no matter challenges the long run holds, whether or not which means particular person targets or bigger neighborhood power plans.
ODOE is accepting functions by means of February 28, 2025. Functions are reviewed on a rolling foundation. For extra info on this system and its necessities, try ODOE’s FAQ web page.
By its tailor-made power planning companies, Power Belief works with metropolis and county officers to find out what strategy will greatest meet their distinctive circumstances and priorities. These long-term power plans are a important part in attaining sustainability and resiliency targets.
Power Belief additionally offers help for Useful resource Help for Rural Environments (RARE) members and different community-based packages to extend capability of rural communities to enhance social, financial and environmental high quality.
