By Abbas Nazil
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have been awarded a $1 million grant to install solar panels and battery energy storage systems at three housing and community sites on the Warm Springs Reservation, strengthening local energy resilience and lowering electricity costs for residents.
The funding comes from the Oregon Department of Energy through its Community Renewable Energy Program, established under House Bill 2021 to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote community-based renewable power development.
The grant will support a partnership between Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises and the Warm Springs Housing Authority, with the goal of advancing tribal priorities around energy sovereignty, affordability, equity and emergency preparedness.
Solar and battery systems will be installed at Park Place Court Permanent Supportive Housing, which includes 10 tiny homes and a community services center providing behavioral health support for formerly unhoused tribal members.
Additional systems will be placed at 24 low-income single-family homes in the West Hills Affordable Housing neighborhood and at the Greeley Heights Community Center, a gathering space for lower-income residents.
Together, the installations are expected to generate approximately 239,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity, improving reliability during outages, wildfires and extreme weather events while reducing long-term utility expenses.
Cathy Ehli, general manager of Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises, said the funding will directly benefit tribal community members by delivering energy cost savings and strengthening resilience in rural and tribal areas.
Danielle Wood, executive director of the Warm Springs Housing Authority, said the project will ensure reliable year-round power for homes and community facilities while easing financial burdens on residents.
The selected proposal was one of 24 approved out of 76 applications submitted statewide, underscoring its competitiveness within Oregon’s renewable energy funding process.
Officials said the initiative builds on previous energy-efficiency upgrades at the sites, including weatherization improvements, lighting upgrades and heat pump installations.
The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, further positioning Warm Springs as a regional leader in tribal energy sovereignty and community-focused renewable development.