Investments will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon communities.
“We’ve seen this firsthand in the Rogue Valley, where communities affected by the 2020 Alameda Fire are still struggling to rebuild. This is why today, more than ever, all Oregonians need programs like the community climate investments to reduce the after-effects of pollution and other toxic greenhouse gases for our vulnerable populations.” —Metzin Rodriguez, Unite Oregon
As an important next step for the Climate Protection Program, the Department of Environmental Quality is excited to announce the application for interested Community Climate Investment entities.
This process may approve one or more third-party entities to receive investments and implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas pollution in Oregon’s communities. Applicants must be certified to do work in Oregon and must be 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, but subcontractors or partners working with an applicant can be for-profit organizations.
Eligible projects include those that reduce emissions in Oregon from transportation, residential and commercial buildings, and industrial facilities and processes. Some examples could include installing solar panels and battery storage on buildings, transitioning vehicles from gasoline to electric, or improving a process at an industrial facility to use less energy or cleaner energy.
Applications are due to DEQ on Friday, March 20, 2026. Application details and submission information are available online in the Request for Applications. The program’s Equity Advisory Committee will be a key partner in reviewing and providing feedback on applications, as well as future work plans from any approved community climate investment entities.
Climate Protection Program
The Climate Protection Program sets a declining limit, or cap, on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels used throughout Oregon, including diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and propane. The cap applies to transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial settings to reduce emissions by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050.
Companies regulated by the program can choose to use a limited number of community climate investment credits in place of reducing their emissions. Companies opting for that compliance approach can earn these CCI credits by contributing funds to DEQ-approved CCI entities.
What approved CCI entities will do
Funds from companies earning CCI credits will go to approved entities to invest in projects that reduce greenhouse gas pollution in Oregon communities. To support the transition to cleaner energy for all Oregonians, funds will be prioritized for investments in Oregon’s environmental justice communities, including communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, as well as Tribal, rural, coastal, and remote communities.
These communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, and ensuring they are not left behind in the transition to cleaner energy is a priority for the program. Entities will develop work plans outlining which types of clean energy and pollution-reduction projects will be supported by these funds and the implementation timeline.
The program’s Equity Advisory Committee will provide feedback on the work plans, and DEQ will review and approve them. Entities will help develop methods for tracking project success and community benefits. DEQ will audit these projects to ensure transparency and accountability and confirm they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Stay engaged!
The Climate Protection Program is critical to meeting Oregon’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Sign up for program updates to stay engaged and learn more about the program.