The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) is now accepting applications for a second round of Building Energy Reduction Incentive (BERI) program funding. The voluntary program encourages building owners to meet Oregon Building Performance Standard compliance requirements ahead of schedule.

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3409, which established 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 for certain buildings is 2028, an ODOE press release states.

ODOE was awarded $12 million in federal funding as part of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality‘s Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action program.

Oregon’s Building Performance Standard sorts eligible buildings into tier 1 or tier 2 buildings. The second round of BERI funding will offer about $7.7 million in incentives for tier 1 buildings, $3 million for tier 2 buildings, and $900,000 in incentives for tribal buildings. Maximum incentive amounts are capped at $100,000 for tier 1 buildings and $50,000 for tier 2 buildings, the press release states.

Incentives must be used for energy efficiency measures that reduce buildings’ energy use intensity and greenhouse gas emissions.

Applications will be reviewed by ODOE on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are awarded or until the application period closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. Applications are available at .

In May, ODOE also opened applications for a second Building Performance Standard incentive — the Early Compliance Action and Planning Program. Incentives are intended to help offset building owners’ costs associated with compliance, such as energy benchmarking and reporting or performing an energy audit. Applications are due July 10 and are available at .

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