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SALEM - The Oregon Department of Energy will begin accepting applications on May 11, 2026 for a second round of Early Compliance Action and Planning Program incentives to help Oregon building owners meet requirements for the state's Building Performance Standard.

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3409, establishing a Building Performance Standard for commercial buildings. The bill requires covered commercial buildings to enhance energy management practices and implement efficiency measures to meet energy use targets; the earliest compliance date is 2028. The bill directed ODOE to establish an early compliance incentive program to encourage building owners to consider implementing energy efficiency efforts ahead of compliance dates.

ODOE has approximately $1.2 million for this round of incentives to help building owners offset costs associated with compliance, such as energy benchmarking and reporting or performing an energy audit. Incentives will be awarded on a competitive basis and structured to reflect the various compliance requirements and actions.

Oregon's Building Performance Standard sorts eligible buildings into Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings. The Early Compliance Action and Planning Program's second round of funding will offer approximately $950,000 in total incentives for Tier 1 buildings and $250,000 in total incentives for Tier 2 buildings. The maximum incentive per building is $10,000-$50,000, depending on building type and size.

ODOE will host a webinar on May 15, 2026 to provide guidance to potential applicants and answer questions. Learn more and access log-in information on ODOE's website.

"The Oregon Department of Energy is proud to offer a second round of early action incentives to support building owners in their efforts to comply with Oregon's Building Performance Standard," said ODOE Director Janine Benner. "Improving energy efficiency in buildings presents a significant opportunity to reduce energy use - and costs."

The Oregon Energy Strategy, published in November 2025, identifies energy efficiency as one of the five least-cost pathways Oregon can take toward a clean energy future that maintains affordability and reliability.

ODOE will begin accepting applications on May 11, 2026. Applications will be due from eligible building owners by 5 p.m. July 10, 2026. More information, including an Opportunity Announcement, Tier 1 and Tier 2 descriptions, and application materials will be available on ODOE's website by May 11.

April 2026 Newsletter