A multi-year collaboration aimed at cutting energy costs and improving comfort on the Warm Springs Reservation has crossed a significant milestone, with more than 40 energy efficiency upgrades now completed across tribal properties.
Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit that administers energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for Oregon utility customers, announced earlier this month that its partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has produced improvements across a wide range of community buildings and residences over the past two years.
What Was Upgraded
While a full list of individual projects has not been publicly released, the upgrades are described as spanning insulation improvements, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and other efficiency measures that reduce both energy consumption and monthly utility bills for tribal members. Projects have been completed across multiple sites on the reservation.
The partnership reflects a broader push by the Confederated Tribes to strengthen energy resilience and sustainability on tribal lands. In February, Warm Springs also received a $1 million grant for renewable energy development, underscoring the tribe’s focus on building a more self-sufficient energy future.
Why It Matters for the Community
Energy costs are a significant burden for many households on the Warm Springs Reservation, where incomes are lower on average than statewide levels and homes can require substantial heating during cold winters and cooling during increasingly hot summers. Efficiency upgrades that reduce those bills translate directly to more dollars available for other family needs.
The Warm Springs Reservation covers approximately 1,000 square miles in Jefferson and Wasco counties and is home to members of the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute Nations. The tribal government has in recent years made economic development — including the 2024 reopening of Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort and investments in renewable energy — a central priority.
About Energy Trust of Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon serves customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, NW Natural, and Cascade Natural Gas. Tribal nations and rural communities can access its programs for efficiency incentives and technical assistance. More information is available at energytrust.org.