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The Oregon Department of Energy will announce permanent changes to its program during a public hearing Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

BETC provides financial assistance through the DOE to those investing in energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy resources and less polluting fuels. The Oregon Legislature in early 2010 capped the amount of tax credits available to renewable energy projects at $300 million for the foreseeable future after the state found it was spending too much money on the tax credits.

The changes to the credit could not be revealed before the meeting, according to Kathy Shinn, spokeswoman for the Oregon DOE, because staff is still performing final revisions. Changes are anticipated to be made, however, to criteria for tax credits for high performance homes, trucking standards, amendments to preliminary certifications for renewable energy projects, and renewable energy storage devices.

The meeting is being held at the Oregon DOE’s Salem office at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Those who can’t make the trip to Salem can call 877-322-9654 and enter the code 541773 to listen.