Program Helps Communities Explore Renewable Energy Options

SALEM—Communities across Oregon will get some help this week in analyzing how renewable energy could be a part of their ongoing community development strategy.

Business Oregon's Infrastructure Finance Authority (IFA) has approved eight grants to Oregon communities through the Renewable Energy Feasibility (REF) fund. The funding authority was set up in 2006 under Executive Order by the Governor as a method to assist municipalities in financing renewable energy feasibility studies.

"As regions throughout the state look to renewable energy as part of their energy portfolio in the future, we wanted to make sure there was a resource to help with the necessary feasibility studies," said Lynn Schoessler, director of the IFA and deputy director of Business Oregon. "This program is a helpful component to the state's clean technology development strategy."

There has been great interest in the program thus far, Schoessler said. The fund has exhausted its allotted amount—which has ranged from $150,000 to $200,000—each year since its inception in 2006.

Under the REF rules, a renewable energy feasibility study provides an analytical assessment of the technical and economic viability of an existing or proposed publicly-owned facility or infrastructure project that uses renewable energy resources to generate electricity, heat and/or to manufacture a fuel. Renewable energy resources are defined as water, wind, geothermal, solar, biomass, waste materials or waste fuels.

REF applicants must clearly demonstrate that proposed feasibility studies encourage energy efficiency and address the cost-effective use of available renewable energy resources.

Only public entities such as cities, counties, tribes, ports and special districts are eligible to apply. Complete information on the program is available online at www.orinfrastructure.org.

Communities receiving this latest round of financing include:

Recommended for Funding ($158,000):
Douglas County—Wave Energy Project: $45,000 REF Grant, $15,000 local match, project total $60,000
Tillamook County—Tillamook Co Bio-energy Project: $20,000 REF Grant, $70,000 local match, project total $90,000
Baker County—Boiler Conversion Project: $25,000 REF Grant, $10,000 local match, project total $35,000
Tumalo Irrigation District—Columbia So. Lateral Hydro Project: $5,250 REF Grant, $1,750 local match, project total $7,000
City of Bandon—Fish Hatchery Hydro Pump Project: $7,500 REF Grant, $2,500 local match, project total $10,000
Rock Creek District Improvement Company—Rock Creek Hydroelectric Project: $5,250 REF Grant, $1,750 local match, project total $7,000
Hood River County—CBAB Courthouse Biomass Project: $20,000 REF Grant, $5,000 local match, project total $25,000
City of Medford—Facilities Solar Feasibility Project: $30,000 REF Grant, $10,000 local match, project total $40,000

Totals:
REF Grant $158,000; total local match $116,000; Total Funds $274,000

Business Oregon's Infrastructure Finance Authority (IFA) helps Oregon communities improve the quality of life of their citizens. The IFA's grants, loans and technical assistance mean cleaner and safer drinking water; compliant waste water systems; better roads, main streets and utilities; and improved social facilities for Oregonians statewide. The IFA strives to coordinate the delivery of infrastructure financing to Oregon communities and to better collaborate with local partners. The authority receives oversight from a nine-member Infrastructure Finance Authority Board