Columbia County approves forgivable loan ordinance to fund energy transmission planning

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on March 12 approved Ordinance 2025‑1, authorizing a loan from the Industrial Lands Loan Fund and entering into a loan contract with the Oregon Business Development Department to fund technical planning related to energy transmission capacity in the county. The ordinance was read twice by title and the board voted to adopt it; the ordinance declares an emergency and takes immediate effect.

County counsel Edward McClellan told the board the county applied to Business Oregon after local economic recruitment identified inadequate electrical capacity. "I say grant slash loan because it is technically a loan, but in the event we finish the project that it is to fund, the loan is forgiven. So it acts like a grant," McClellan said.

A representative identified as Paul, speaking for CET (Columbia Economic Team), said the funding will pay for technical expertise to serve as a community interface with utilities and regional transmission entities. Paul said the work is intended to let community leaders, landowners and local officials participate in technical planning without replacing utilities' engineering. "The purpose of this grant is to hire someone who is technical to be the interface for our community leadership and our customer leadership in supporting our utilities here," he said.

The ordinance authorizes acceptance of a forgivable loan and related loan contract with Business Oregon. The board discussed a minor spelling error in an exhibit; counsel said any changes to Business Oregon language must be handled with Business Oregon and will be addressed after the meeting. The motion to adopt Ordinance 2025‑1 passed by voice vote (three ayes, none opposed). The ordinance was presented as having emergency status and therefore effective immediately.

The board and CET noted prior local studies and investments can serve as match for the loan; the ordinance documentation identifies some match coming from the city of Scappoose and Columbia River PUD transmission studies. CET said it will help staff the project locally.

Next steps noted by staff and CET include finalizing the loan contract with Business Oregon, selecting the technical consultant to serve as the community interface, and coordinating the project schedule with involved utilities and regional transmission organizations.