Thunderbird Lodge wins energy conservation grant

The Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society was one of seven nonprofits in Washoe County awarded energy efficient grant money from Sierra Pacific Power Company this week.

The lodge received a check for $7,500 to replace inefficient appliances and to install features that will reduce heating and cooling costs.

“We applied specifically because we have a number of leaky windows and no sunshades on a lot of the windows,” said Executive Director of the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society, Bill Watson.

Watson said a number of appliances, specifically refrigerators and freezers, were old and not energy efficient.

Watson said he wasn’t sure how much money the society will save post-upgrades but he is hoping to reduce costs by 15 to 20 percent.

Altogether the seven nonprofits in Washoe County received $41,000 of the $100,000 Sierra Pacific awarded to northern Nevada nonprofits.

“It is the gift that keeps on giving,” said SPP Public Relations Officer Karl Walquist.

Karen Ross, community relations manager for Sierra Pacific, said the Thunderbird Lodge was a good candidate because the energy savings they would gain appear to be significant.

“This program is a win for everybody,” Ross said. “Conservation is a really a fundamental message for us especially when we see the impacts of rising fuel costs.”