ORS 470.700: Use of loan offset grant moneys; alternate mechanisms.

(1) The State Department of Energy may use loan offset grant moneys for any of the following if, in the absence of the grant moneys, a utility customer would incur higher overall monthly costs when energy costs and small scale local energy project costs are considered: (a) Offsetting the cost of an approved small scale local energy project. (b) Reducing the loan repayment burden of an energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan borrower. (c) Creating a financial incentive for energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy conservation projects that may not result in significant energy cost savings. (d) Providing support, in coordination with the Oregon Innovation Council or other sustainable energy technology research bodies or companies, for small scale local energy projects that use nontraditional technology. (2) If a small scale local energy program loan applicant is a person with an income limited as described in ORS 470.650 (2), the department may use loan offset grant moneys for an optional package or to offset reasonable costs associated with structural improvements that are not included in the base efficiency package, but that are necessary to the proper installation of the base efficiency package. (3) The Director of the State Department of Energy may investigate and test the feasibility of using mechanisms other than the disbursing of Jobs, Energy and Schools Fund moneys for accomplishing the purposes described in subsection (1) of this section. [2009 c.753 §40; 2011 c.467 §17] (Miscellaneous)