The Oregon Department of Energy awarded $913,000 in incentives to 63 building owners to support planning for compliance with the state's Building Performance Standard, the department announced. The incentives help offset costs of planning activities such as energy benchmarking, reporting, and energy audits.
The awards are part of the Early Compliance Action and Planning Program, a state initiative to encourage building owners to begin efficiency efforts before compliance deadlines arrive. The second round of funding received 72 applications requesting about $1.2 million total; 63 were deemed eligible for awards. Recipients include state, county, and city governments; healthcare organizations; multifamily residential buildings; schools and universities; and retail and office space operators.
In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3409, which established the Building Performance Standard for commercial buildings. The law requires covered commercial buildings to enhance energy management practices and implement efficiency measures to meet energy use targets. The earliest compliance date for some buildings is 2028.
The department will finalize incentive agreements with awardees outlining the terms for receiving the funds. Awards will support energy benchmarking and reporting, energy management plans, operations and maintenance programs, energy audits, and other compliance actions. The Oregon Department of Energy expects to open a third round of incentive funding later this year.