Oregon Department of Energy Launches Wildfire Recovery Incentive Program to Encourage Energy Efficient Rebuilding
Media Contact: Jennifer Kalez, 503-480-9239
Program Contact: wildfire.recovery@energy.oregon.gov, 503-378-4040
SALEM – The Oregon Department of Energy has $10 million available to support Oregonians who lost their homes or businesses during the 2020 wildfires that devastated communities across Oregon. As Oregonians rebuild, the agency will provide financial support to improve energy efficiency to make rebuilt homes and businesses more comfortable and provide long-term energy savings.
Incentive amounts range from $3,000 up to $18,000, depending on the building type and the level of efficiency in rebuilding. Oregonians rebuilding site-built homes can receive $3,000 for rebuilding to current energy code or $6,000 for rebuilding to an above-code standard – those rebuilding who are also considered low- or moderate-income can receive higher rebates of $7,500 or $15,000. Some of the communities lost in the wildfires included manufactured home parks, so Oregonians replacing lost or damaged manufactured homes with energy efficient models can receive $12,500, plus an additional $5,000 for installing a qualifying heat pump system to improve heating and cooling.
Commercial, public, and multifamily buildings can receive between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the project and the efficiency level. Affordable multifamily buildings can receive an additional $500 per unit if the affordable housing developer participates in an Oregon Housing and Community Services program.
ODOE’s incentives are available for Oregonians who have already rebuilt, are currently rebuilding, or are planning to rebuild a structure that was lost in the wildfires between August 1 and September 30, 2020. Agency staff are available to answer questions about the program and help survivors navigate the applications. ODOE is grateful to the many Legislative and community leaders, organizations, and other partners in the wildfire areas that helped develop the program and provided guidance to ensure the program is easy to access for survivors – including Representative Pam Marsh, nonprofits Rogue Climate and ACCESS, and the Oregon counties that survivors call home.
“Oregonians lost more than 5,000 structures in the devastating 2020 wildfires,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “We’re grateful our agency can play a role in helping Oregon families and communities rebuild more energy-efficient and comfortable homes and businesses.”
The Oregon Department of Energy is now accepting applications from wildfire survivors. Program applications and additional information about incentive amounts, timeline, and eligibility are available on the agency’s website.
ODOE's wildfire recovery program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to help wildfire survivors rebuild. Other programs are also available to help wildfire survivors, including the Oregon Building Codes Division’s Wildfire Hardening Program and Energy Trust of Oregon's rebuilding programs. More information and resources are also available at https://wildfire.oregon.gov/.