Commissioners approve submission of extension request for Mount Bachelor biomass CREP grant

Mount Bachelor representatives told the Deschutes County board April 6 that regulatory and construction delays prevented completion of a community renewable energy program (CREP) biomass heating project within the original grant timeline.

Jen Patterson (strategic initiatives) introduced Mount Bachelor finance staff who said the county was awarded a $1 million CREP grant on April 20, 2023 to build a biomass facility providing heat to resort buildings. Construction encountered permitting delays, DEQ scheduling constraints and seasonal limitations that pushed trenching and connection work later into the construction season. Mount Bachelor requested that the county submit an extension request to the Oregon Department of Energy to extend the project expiration to Dec. 1, 2026.

Commissioners asked for status on remaining work and cost changes. Mount Bachelor representatives estimated total project cost is now about $10 million (up from original estimates), said the system should cut building emissions substantially and noted commissioning and operations planning remain. A commissioner moved and another seconded a motion directing staff to submit the performance‑agreement extension request to the Oregon Department of Energy on Mount Bachelor’s behalf; the board approved the motion.

Why it matters: The CREP grant supports local renewable energy infrastructure and emissions reductions. Delays tied to permitting and seasonal construction windows are common for mountain infrastructure projects and the extension preserves the county’s ability to use awarded state funds.

What’s next: Staff will submit the extension request to the Oregon Department of Energy and coordinate a site tour for commissioners before the upcoming winter season.