At High Lookee Lodge, fluorescent lights used to cast long shadows down the halls. Now, bright LEDs fill the assisted living facility with steady, even light, helping those who call it home to see better through the No Cost Small Business Lighting offer. For administrator Fay Hurtado, the change is about more than visibility; it’s about freeing up funds to invest in the residents and Elders who live there.
“We’ve been allowed to transfer some of that money to other areas, just thinking about things that we’ve never been able to afford,” she said, adding that they’re now able to start on a hospice room where family members can stay with their loved ones in their final days.
High Lookee Lodge is just one of nearly 40 Tribal business and organizations across the Warm Springs Reservation that are customers of Pacific Power, upgrading their lighting with support from Energy Trust of Oregon. From community hubs like Warm Springs Fire and Safety to small businesses like Warm Springs Market, these upgrades have collectively saved around $145,000 annually in energy bills and more than 1.2 million kilowatt hours of energy each year. Energy Trust provided nearly half a million dollars for energy efficient lighting and lighting control upgrades to make the projects possible at no cost to the businesses.
For the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, energy is more than a utility – it is a cornerstone of community resilience and economic independence. Warm Springs is the largest reservation in Oregon, and every dollar saved on energy costs can be redirected toward vital community services, cultural preservation and economic development.
“Every dollar saved goes a long way for a small business, whether it’s reinvested back into other small businesses or community services,” said Carina Miller, a Warm Springs Tribal member and Energy Trust’s Tribal Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager. “Energy Trust really provides a whole experience being with small businesses every step of the way to make these kinds of savings accessible.”
Across the Reservation, Scott Spaulding leads Warm Springs Fire and Safety. When Hurtado shared the opportunity for lighting upgrades through Energy Trust, he acted quickly. His facility ultimately received more than $46,000 in products and services, transforming dark spaces into bright, welcoming areas.
“She gave me the rundown, and I made a phone call immediately. They came that day from wherever they were on the reservation and walked me through everything,” Spaulding recalls. “It was dismally dark in here, so they upgraded all of it. It’s more inviting, the patients feel more comfortable, and the staff can take better care of them.”
This work is as much about relationship-building as it is about saving energy. Energy Trust is continuing to collaborate closely with Tribal communities to understand the unique priorities of Tribal communities, making sure projects meet both business needs and cultural values.
“I think energy efficiency is an important priority because it aligns with Tribal values, treating the environment as a relative, not a resource,” said Miller. “The savings from the energy bills really open up funds for businesses, especially ones here, to reinvest back in the community.”
By taking a community-first approach, Energy Trust ensures that projects aren’t just technical fixes but are aligned with Tribal values of long-term resilience and stewardship. These lighting upgrades demonstrate how energy programs can create meaningful benefits for Tribal communities, helping them save money, strengthen local businesses and reinvest in the people and services that keep the Reservation thriving.
To learn more about the No Cost Small Business Lighting offer, complete this interest form or visit www.energytrust.org/smallbusinesslighting.
For commercial businesses and organizations interested in energy-savings tips, cash incentives and upgrade opportunities like the small business lighting projects at Warm Springs, sign up for the Energy Trust newsletter.