Scenes from the First-Ever Tribal Community Energy Fair – Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises

By Cathy Ehli, General Manager Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises (WSPWE) welcomed more than 150 families to our first Tribal Community Energy Fair. It was a lively experience with terrific engagement from the community, and a core part of our ongoing work to help the Tribes make informed decisions about the various possible routes to their energy future.

The Fair offered a place for Tribal members to see the vast array of energy opportunity, information, and future in one place. Members joined a total of 40 exhibitors for activities, connections to resources, and conversations that demonstrated how they can personally benefit from WSPWE’s work to build Tribal energy sovereignty.

Take a glimpse at what the community experienced:

Connections to programs that provide incentives for installing heat pumps and rebates to cover some costs of energy-saving home upgrades

Information about energy-related training and career opportunities

Interactive activities with solar technologies, including solar panel and water pump demos, solar lanterns and model cars, and battery systems

Discussions about the long-term benefits of energy development, including backing up homes during power outages and how microgrids could work on the Reservation

Continuing to learn from Tribal members is always a priority, so WSPWE also opened a survey for fair attendees. Nearly 90 percent of the survey’s 132 respondents reside on the Warm Springs Reservation. They expressed positive feelings toward the idea of expanding the Tribes’ energy sovereignty, especially by continuing to consider the possibility of developing solar power. They also underscored the importance of addressing individual energy needs, such as making homes energy-efficient and weatherized to reduce electricity costs.

This survey complements the many one-on-one conversations we had during the fair with Tribal members. We are grateful for the openness to expressing their opinions, to learning more, and to sharing their deep love for the community. Days like this guide how WSPWE will continue to invest in the community’s well-being and manage natural resources. It is the kind of connection we hope to continue fostering as WSPWE brings other opportunities to the community in the future.