About Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy
Grounded is a podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy. Here on Grounded, we're talking energy – from renewable energy and the history of nuclear power… to utilities, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and Oregon families going green and making a difference.
School season is all year round for ODOE’s schools program team. School districts in Portland General Electric and Pacific Power territories, like Bend-LaPine, are eligible to use Public Purpose Charge Schools Program funds for energy audits, projects, or for electric vehicles or chargers. Energy efficiency is a key part of the Oregon Energy Strategy and provides a more comfortable learning environment for students and teachers.
Guests: Christie Sphoon, ODOE’s schools program lead, and Anne Birky, Bend-La Pine Schools’ Facilities Support Supervisor.
Grounded music by PaulYudin
Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
Resources:
• Public Purpose Charge Schools Program: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/SB1149.aspx
• Map of completed projects: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/79dc39d71460424b85f6a954b68f1348
26 Aug 2026
Getting Grounded: Heat Pumps!
Get grounded in energy fundamentals with our mini-episode series: Getting Grounded. Just what are heat pumps and what is a mini split? Get introduced to heat pumps -- an efficient way to heat and cool your home.
Guest: Stephanie Kruse, ODOE facilities engineer
Resources:
• Hub for Information and Incentive Programs in Oregon: https://incentives.oregon.gov/
• Home energy tips and heat pump resources: https://incentives.oregon.gov/homeowner
• Video: How heat pumps work (Energy Trust of Oregon): https://www.energytrust.org/residential/tips/understanding-heat-pumps-how-they-work-and-why-theyre-transforming-home-comfort-in-oregon/
8 Jul 2026
Episode 57: EV electricity needs
Portland General Electric and Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative discuss how they are planning for an increasing number of electric vehicles plugging into their networks and incentives available for customers.
Guests: Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Marketing and Member Services Manager Keith Buchhalter and Portland General Electric Transportation Electrification Manager Karla Hendrickson.
Grounded music by PaulYudin
Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
Resources:
• EV Dashboard: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Pages/Oregon-Electric-Vehicle-Dashboard.aspx
• Go Electric Oregon Incentive Finder: https://goelectric.oregon.gov/incentives-rebates
• ODOE’s Biennial Zero Emission Vehicle Report: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/BIZEV.aspx
• Energy Strategy Electrification Pathway: https://energystrategy.oregon.gov/electrification
• Coos-Curry Electric Off Peak Charging Program: https://ccec.coop/ev-charging-program
• PGE Electric School Bus Fund: https://portlandgeneral.com/energy-choices/electric-vehicles-charging/funding-your-ev-or-charging-project/pge-electric-school-bus-fund
• PGE Ride and Drive Events: https://portlandgeneral.com/lets-go
• DEQ Clean Fuels Program: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cfp/Pages/default.aspx
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
37
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
Contact Grounded: a Podcast by the Oregon Department of Energy
Guest appearances
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