ENERGY SOVEREIGNTY

Community Energy Transition Resources for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

CTWS Strategic Energy Plan: Indigenous Pathways to Energy Sovereignty

A 3-Tiered Tribal Energy Vision that Includes Individual, Community, and Utility-Scale Goals for CTWS

Guided by a three-tiered energy vision that aims to better the energy future for the individual, the community, and utility, it is important to understand and leverage the wealth of resources available to all Tribes for this important work. Unprecedented opportunities for technical assistance, grants, and loan guarantees are now available from federal government programs and agencies, state and local governments, and non-profit and philanthropic organizations. The energy plan provides guidance for navigating renewable energy funding and development opportunities to maximize benefits to the Tribal community.

The CTWS Strategic Energy Plan seeks to provide a comprehensive energy roadmap for the CTWS, addressing our current and future energy goals while simultaneously promoting environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.  In this spirit, we embark on this journey to develop this comprehensive energy plan as a guiding and evolving document, acknowledging the wisdom of our ancestors, the dreams of our youth, and the resilience of our people. Through community unity, determination, and a shared vision for a brighter, more sustainable future, we can lay out an energy pathway that respects our people’s enduring spirit and our sacred connection to the land.

Tribal Community Energy Values Guiding the Energy Plan & Workforce Development

  • Energy Sovereignty
  • Cultural Alignment
  • Sustainability
  • Education & Awareness
  • Economic Opportunities
  • Energy Resiliency

Why Update the Strategic Energy Plan?

It will help CTWS to:

  • Potential to reduce energy costs
  • Seek Opportunities to Reduce Energy Costs
  • Decrease greenhouse gases and environmental impact
  • Anticipate infrastructure upgrades
  • Provide information about energy investments and future projects
  • Improve grid reliability and lessen outages
  • Enhance community preparedness for energy disruptions
  • Develop a shared vision for energy sustainability
  • Create energy independence
  • Incorporate renewable energy resources
  • Create local green energy jobs

Events 

Warm Springs Tribal Community Energy Fair – (06/23/2026)

The 2026 Warm Springs Community Energy Fair offered an up-close look at current and future energy activities of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, focused on benefits and opportunities for the Warm Springs community.

Attendees explored potential and ongoing energy projects at every level:

  • transmission and utility-scale initiatives designed to generate revenue and economic opportunity for the Tribes
  • community-level projects providing energy independence and bringing more reliable energy to Warm Springs neighborhoods and facilities
  • programs helping individual families lower their energy costs and take greater control of how they use power at home

Alongside technical exhibits, the energy fair highlighted the workforce development pathways being built so that Tribal community members can train, work, and build lasting careers in the energy sector right here at home. The conversations started at the fair continue. Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises will keep sharing progress and creating opportunities for community members to stay informed, get involved, and participate in the CTWS Tribal Career Pathways Program. Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 energy fair a success!

Warm Springs Tribal Community Energy Fair – (06/24/2025)

Warm Springs Campus Pavilion

The Warm Springs Tribal Community Energy Fair offered our community members a rich and engaging environment to share ideas about the energy future of CTWS and learn firsthand about many of the technologies that will help power it into the future.

With the momentum created by the event, we will continue to share perspectives and learn more about energy innovations that will benefit CTWS community members and the community as a whole, establishing CTWS as a leader in energy in the Pacific Northwest.

We extend a warm thank you to everyone who made our first community energy fair a success.

Energy Fair

Solar and Salsa Community Meeting with Solar Oregon, East Cascade Works and 7Skyline – (09/09/2024)

Solar Oregon shared information about how families East of the Cascades can:

  • Access free programs to upgrade to efficient ENERGY STAR appliances
  • Access free programs to add solar and battery backup to homes and businesses
  • Weatherize their homes to keep them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter
  • Find upcoming renewable energy job opportunities in the region

Event

Update to the Membership – (Fall 2024)

Agency, Seekseequa, and Simnasho Districts:

  • Mission
  • Management’s discussion and analysis
  • Overview of the financial statements
  • Operating highlights and changes in net position
  • Statement of net position highlights
  • Capital assets
  • Debt administraton

View “Update to the Membership 2024” PDF

Membership Engagement and Feedback

Contact for General Inquiries

Email: heather.alford@wspower.com
Phone: 541-553-1046

Special thanks to Warm Springs artist Nat Kirk, for contributing her beautiful work, representing the three tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, for the Energy Plan, Website, and Executive Summary.