Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

SB 1149 Schools Program

Program Overview


Category:
Regulatory Policy
Program Type:
Public Benefits Fund
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
Oregon
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Geothermal Electric, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Municipal Solid Waste, Landfill Gas, Custom/Others pending approval, Wind (Small), Hydroelectric (Small), Geothermal Direct-Use, Anaerobic Digestion
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/energy/SCHOOLS/Sb1149/Pages/index.aspx
Types:
Energy efficiency, renewables
Total Fund:
Funding levels vary annually and by school district
Charge:
3% of total electric revenues
Applicable Sectors:
Schools
Expiration Date:
12/31/2025
Last Updated:
07/10/2015
Funding Source
Public purpose charge

Summary

Oregon's retail electricity restructuring law, SB 1149, includes a requirement for the state's two largest utilities, Pacific Power and Portland General Electric, to collect a 3% public purpose charge from all customers. Ten percent of the collected public purpose funds are designated for energy efficiency programs in public K-12 schools within the utilities' service areas.

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) administers the public purpose funds for schools, along with Education Service Districts and local school districts. ODOE has complete information for schools available on its website, including program guidelines, a list of eligible schools, qualified auditing and commissioning firms, and information on other financing options for efficiency projects.

Funds may be used for reimbursement of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, energy education, purchasing alternative fuels, and renewable energy projects. School districts must first complete an energy audit and then may implement approved energy efficiency measures; once the school has implemented all approved energy efficiency measures, then it may conduct new energy audits and education programs. 

School districts may also receive incentives through the Energy Incentive Program (Small Premium Projects or Competitively Selected Projects) or the Energy Trust of Oregon, though schools must utilize SB 1149 School Program funds before Energy Trust incentives.


Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
ORS 757.612 et. seq01/01/2026