Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund

The Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund (REFF) is a grant and loan program within the Special Public Works Fund (SPWF). It is designed to help public agencies finance renewable energy feasibility studies with the goal of reducing Oregon's dependence on fossil-based energy sources.

What is a "renewable energy feasibility study"?

A Renewable Energy Feasibility Study assesses the technical and economic viability of an existing or proposed project that uses renewable energy resources to generate electricity or heat or manufacture fuel. Renewable energy resources include:

• water;
• wind;
• geothermal;
• solar;
• biomass;
• waste materials; or
• waste fuels.

Who Can Apply?

Public agencies that are eligible to apply for funding include:

• cities;
• counties;
• county service districts (organized under ORS Chapter 451);
• tribal councils;
• ports;
• districts as defined in ORS 198.010; and
• airport districts (ORS 838).

Loans

Awards from this program may be loans or grants. Limited grant funds are available on a competitive basis. A "Call for Project Proposals" may be issued once or twice each year based upon the availability of planning grant money within the Special Public Works Fund.

The maximum grant award is $50,000, or 75 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. The applicant must provide 25 percent of the total proposed project cost as match or cost sharing. All, or a portion, of the cost sharing can be a loan from the SPWF program. Other funds provided by the applicant also may be applied to the applicant's share of the total cost.

How to Apply

Respond to a Call for Proposals by completing an Intake Form and submit it to the IFA regional coordinator for the applicant's area by the announced deadline. Those who meet basic eligibility requirements will be invited to submit a full proposal. Call for Proposals, Intake Form and other details will be posted here and also are available from the appropriate IFA regional coordinator.

Where to Apply

The completed Intake Form may be emailed to the regional recoordinator in your area OR it may be mailed to our office at:
ATTN: ________, regional coordinator
IFA
775 Summer St, NE, Suite 200
Salem, OR 97301-1280