Apply by May 31 for Energy Efficient Wildfire Rebuilding Incentive
After more than 5,000 structures were damaged or lost to wildfires over Labor Day 2020, the Oregon Legislature created a program at the Oregon Department of Energy to provide financial incentives to encourage energy-efficient rebuilding efforts.
Building owners can receive incentives to rebuild to current building code or above code. Such energy efficiency improvements help make buildings more comfortable and support long-term affordability through lower energy bills.
Oregonians who lost structures in the fires must
apply for an incentive by May 31, 2023
Important Note: While the program currently has a due date of May 31, 2023 for a building owner to apply for an incentive, this date is subject to change if the Legislature chooses to extend the program. Please check ODOE’s website for up-to-date information.
Since its launch in 2022, ODOE’s incentive program has received nearly 1,000 applications totaling about $6.2 million worth of requested, reserved, and issued incentives in seven wildfire-affected counties.
Am I Eligible for an Incentive?
You are eligible if you are rebuilding (under the local jurisdiction permit process) a commercial building or residential dwelling that was destroyed or damaged in the 2020 wildfires.
Owners may apply for an incentive if they have already rebuilt a structure, are in the process of rebuilding, or will soon rebuild their structure. You do not need to (and should not) wait for construction to begin. Apply now to reserve your incentive.
Program incentives are tied to structures and are focused on rebuilding communities — so owners may change, but the incentive is meant to support construction costs of the property that is being rebuilt.
How Much Are the Incentives?
If you are rebuilding a site-built residence, the incentive is $3,000 or more.
If you qualify as a low- or moderate-income owner and are rebuilding a site-built residence, the incentive is $7,500 or more.
If you are replacing an energy efficient NEEM 1.1 manufactured dwelling, the incentive is $12,500. If you install a high efficiency heat pump in your replacement manufactured home, there is an additional incentive of up to $5,000.
If you are rebuilding a commercial, public, or multi-family structure, the incentive is $3,000 or more.
How do I Receive a Rebate?
Fill out and submit the online incentive application.
After we verify your information, ODOE will reserve incentive funds for you.
Complete your rebuilding project.
Submit the completion notice to let us know your project is complete.
ODOE will verify your completion form, then issue you the incentive payment.
What Else Should I Know?
Applications for the incentive program will be accepted through May 31, 2023, or until all the funds have been allocated, whichever comes first. All projects must be completed and documentation submitted to ODOE prior to December 1, 2024.