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Grants & Proposals

Grant Writing Assistance

Energy Trust offers financial assistance to encourage the use of federal and state grants, or other similar monies, in the study or development of renewable energy projects.

Energy Trust Incentives

Energy Trust can reimburse an eligible, approved participant for 50 percent of the costs incurred in hiring a qualified consultant to perform grant writing services. Energy Trust’s incentive is typically a maximum of $3,000, but can be more depending on the complexity of the grant application. Participants work with their selected consultant to complete the grant application by the required deadline. Energy Trust's incentive is paid as a reimbursement.

Feasibility study proposals submitted through Energy Trust's grant writing assistance program that do not receive grants may be considered for Energy Trust study funding assistance.

For more information contact Betsy Kauffman at 503.459.4072 or betsy.kauffman@energytrust.org.

State and Federal Grants

Eligible types of grants include, but are not limited to:

Oregon Department of Energy Community Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund (CREFF) Grants : CREFF offers grants of up to $50,000 for feasibility studies for renewable energy, heat, and fuel projects in Oregon. Any entity in Oregon that seeks funding for a feasibility study for a renewable energy project that will benefit Oregon energy consumers and communities is eligible to apply. Entities eligible for CREFF program awards may include but are not limited to: privately-owned, for-profit entities, non-profit corporations, schools, special districts, state agencies including agencies of higher education, councils of government, regional entities such as Metro, and tribes.

USDA Rural Energy for America Program Grants (REAP): The USDA's REAP program provides grants and loans to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for the purchase and installation of renewable power projects. REAP grants typically cover 25 percent of the cost of a renewable power project. REAP gives preference to projects looking for $20,000 or less in assistance, and provide a simplified application process for projects requesting less than $200,000.

In addition to providing grants for rural energy projects themselves, REAP also offers grants to small businesses and farmers and ranchers to help them pay for the cost of a detailed, professional, independent feasibility study on their prospective renewable energy projects. Assistance is limited to $50,000 or 25% of the cost of the study, whichever is less.

USDA Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPGs): VAPGs provide funding for feasibility studies that support renewable energy projects at farms, ranches and dairies. VAPGs are designed for rural small businesses and agricultural producers who want to determine if adding a renewable power project to their land makes economic sense.

Energy Trust may also provide eligible and approved VAPG applicants with a limited number of 50-meter meteorological towers, anemometers and accompanying analysis to collect wind data for one year for wind project feasibility studies. Energy Trust purchases, installs, and removes the towers, and data analysis is provided through the Energy Resource and Research Lab at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. If you are interested in applying for an anemometer in association with a USDA VAPG wind energy feasibility study, contact Erin Johnston at 503.459.4075.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for assistance, the proposed project must be less than 20MW in nameplate capacity and must deliver power to either PGE or PacifiCorp.

Contact USDA for additional guidelines related to eligibility for REAP and VAPG grants.

How to Participate

1. To apply for Energy Trust assistance, applicants must complete and submit an Energy Trust Project Enrollment Application (Form 910E – PDF | Doc), a Request for Funding (Form 930RF – PDF | Doc) and a Substitute W-9 (PDF). This must be done before completing and submitting the grant application. If you submit these after you submit the grant application, we cannot guarantee you will receive financial assistance for your grant-writing costs.

If you are interested in applying for an anemometer in association with a USDA VAPG wind energy feasibility study, contact Erin Johnston at 503.459.4075.

2. If the applications are approved, the participant will receive a "Project Enrollment Approval Notice" and a copy of the approved funding request from Energy Trust.

3. If you are chosen to receive assistance from Energy Trust, you and your selected consultant will work together to complete the grant application by its deadline. Your choice of consultant must be approved by Energy Trust. See our list of consultants who have already received pre-approval.

4. After the grant application is submitted, the participant submits a Completion Certification (Form 940C – PDF| Doc) along with proof that the grant was submitted to the granting organization for the project listed within the required time period and passed its initial screening for completeness.

5. Upon Energy Trust's request, the applicant agrees to make a copy of the submitted grant application available to Energy Trust.