Over the past two years, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has partnered with Energy Trust of Oregon to complete more than 40 energy upgrade projects across the reservation — a milestone that community leaders say reflects both practical savings and a deeper commitment to the tribe's self-sufficiency and quality of life.
The partnership has invested over $90,000 in upgrades at just two buildings — the High Lookee Lodge and the Warm Springs Fire and Safety Building — with both facilities projected to save a combined $13,800 annually in energy costs as a result of the improvements.
A Brighter Fire Station — and a Better Clinic
The Warm Springs Fire and Safety Building serves double duty: it is home to the tribal fire department and functions as a medical clinic for community members. Before the upgrade, the facility's aging lighting system left rooms dimly lit — a problem that, according to Fire Chief Scott Spaulding, created real challenges for patient care.
"So when the new lighting came in, it completely made it brighter. And the crews can see the patients better and the patient can see the crew better," Spaulding said. "They come in — I think that the warmth, the feeling of the building helps out with patient care. I think it's all around a better experience."
Elders See the Difference at High Lookee Lodge
At the 26-year-old High Lookee Lodge, the impact of improved lighting has been especially meaningful for elderly residents who struggle with vision. Fay Hurtado, the lodge's director, said the reaction from elders has been immediate.
"The energy upgrade was awesome. The elders were able to see," Hurtado said. "Dim light is sometimes hard on some that can't see very well. So the upgrades brought a lot of light to our facility."
Meeting Unique Reservation Needs
Tribal land carries distinct energy dynamics compared to surrounding counties. In addition to efficiency needs, the Warm Springs reservation operates energy enterprises that sell power to neighboring communities — making the scope of energy planning broader than a typical rural municipality.
Carina Miller, tribal government stakeholder relations manager for Energy Trust of Oregon, emphasized the importance of tailoring programs to those realities.
"This is a reservation and so it's a very unique community," Miller said. "We need to be able to anticipate for higher energy needs and some of these things that are going to impact our communities regardless. But here in rural Oregon, on the reservations, there are different and unique needs that ETO is learning how to fill those gaps."
Both Energy Trust and the Confederated Tribes view the 40-plus projects completed to date as just the beginning. The partnership is expected to expand services further across the reservation in the years ahead, building on the foundation of trust and practical results established over the past two years.
For Jefferson County residents in Madras and surrounding communities, the energy improvements underscore that Warm Springs — often underrepresented in regional coverage — is actively investing in infrastructure that benefits every tribal member, from elders at the Lodge to first responders at the fire station.