Oregon Unlocks Over $450 Million in Federal Climate Funds: What This Means for You

Oregon has exciting news: it has regained access to over $450 million in federal funding for climate action projects. This follows a confusing period during which the Trump administration put a freeze on these funds.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced that it can now use all the federal climate money granted through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in recent years. DEQ’s communication manager, Lauren Wirtis, expressed relief, stating, “All of our federal funding at DEQ is available, which is great news. This means we can purchase lab equipment and support various initiatives that will help our air, land, and water.”

Last month, the DEQ reported that at least six federal grants had been frozen, including the significant $197 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. Understanding the reasons behind these freezes was complex. Funds were frozen and then unfrozen multiple times in just a few weeks. The first freeze came from an executive order on the Trump administration’s first day. Later, the federal Office of Management and Budget also froze funds across various programs, including climate funding, but that decision was quickly reversed. The latest freeze occurred during an Environmental Protection Agency review.

Wirtis shared that the agency has already started communicating with partners to move forward. Initiatives such as the electric vehicle rebate program and home weatherization services are set to restart. Wirtis hopes that by 2025, these funds can begin benefiting Oregonians directly.

To tap into the federal funds, DEQ needs to spend the money upfront before getting reimbursed later. Several state programs will particularly benefit under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. One key program is the electric vehicle rebate initiative, which has run out of funds for the past two years due to high demand. With a $31 million boost, this program will now offer rebates to lower- and middle-income households.

The Oregon Department of Energy, handling the nearly $87 million Solar for All grant, also confirmed access to federal funds. Most programs associated with federal funding are already operational, and the agency plans to keep a close eye on any federal actions that may affect their work.

The Department of Energy emphasized its commitment to ensuring a reliable and affordable energy system in Oregon and will continue advancing its plans for these federal awards.

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Oregon | Climate Change | Trump | Environment