Energy Trust partners with school districts across Oregon on energy-saving projects to reduce their energy use and increase savings, ensuring districts can use their available funds for maximum benefit. By providing resources, cash incentives and technical expertise, Energy Trust helps districts make key building upgrades that can lead to more comfortable learning environments for students and staff, and achieve compliance with state laws.
In June 2023, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 2531 with the goal of reducing environmental impacts of mercury used in fluorescent lighting. The law prohibits the sale or distribution of most compact and linear fluorescent light bulbs as of 2025, positioning LED lighting as an energy-efficient replacement option. LEDs last longer, are more durable and emit less heat than other types of lighting, which leads to energy and cost savings in the long run.
Another law passed in 2025 amended HB 2531 by extending the compliance year for school districts until 2030. As districts plan their lighting replacement projects, the upfront costs pose a challenge for many schools. This is where Energy Trust can help. Energy Trust helps districts who are customers of PGE and Pacific Power transition their lighting to align with HB 2531, identifying their needs and best options as well as providing one-on-one support and cash incentives through several offers, including point-of-sale discounts to help offset the cost.
For example, Energy Trust recently partnered with the Umatilla School District to replace its football field lighting, including poles and wiring, with LED lights and lighting controls. This project cost more than $200,000, and Energy Trust was able to provide more than $14,000 in incentives, along with expert advice and guidance.
According to Umatilla Superintendent Heidi Sipe, Energy Trust made the work possible. The Umatilla School District has worked with Energy Trust in the past, so they knew who to loop in for support complying with the lighting ban. The district participated in Energy Trust’s Strategic Energy Management offering, where Energy Trust walks school halls with district staff to identify low-cost changes and equipment upgrades to save energy and put money back in school budgets.
“We’ve kept working with them ever since,” Sipe said. “They help us think through what is the most the cost-effective choice. They’re great at showing how we could leverage funds to stretch our dollars.”
Since 2004, Energy Trust has provided around $49.4 million in incentives to schools for projects spanning from lighting upgrades and HVAC improvements to Strategic Energy Management and rooftop solar. “We estimate that Oregon school districts have saved around $383 million on energy bills since 2004—funds they were able to direct toward students,” said Juliette Poff, Energy Trust marketing specialist. “We want school districts to know we are a resource for them.”
For more information on business lighting incentives for schools, visit the business lighting page.