The Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR) utilized Petroleum Violation Escrow funds under the authorization of the Energy Department’s State Energy Program to support two projects for the City of Lava Hot Springs (population 400) under the State’s ‘Government Leading By Example (GLBE)’ program. OEMR identified these retrofit opportunities through a building energy audit provided by the University of Idaho’s Integrated Design Lab and funded through the GLBE program.

The City of Lava Hot Springs’ first project took place in 2016 at the city’s Fire Station, where insulation and weatherization were added to the building and one of the largest roll-up overhead garage doors. This retrofit saved the city money on its utility bills and increased comfort for employees. Following the success of this project, Lava Hot Springs decided to participate in a second energy efficiency project with further assistance from OEMR’s GLBE Project and an incentive offered by their utility, Rocky Mountain Power. Lava Hot Springs’ City Hall replaced 28 light fixtures with LED lights in the fall of 2017; this upgrade resulted in 11,163 kWh of estimated savings, which will save the city approximately $1,068 per year.