LADWP Partners with High Sierra Energy Foundation to Fund Bishop City Park Pool’s Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Bishop, CA — [3/10/25] — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is pleased to announce its continued commitment to supporting the Owens Valley region with funding to improve energy efficiency at the Bishop City Park pool. The High Sierra Energy Foundation (HSEF) requested and was granted approval by LADWP to use funding from LADWP’s Community Partnership Grant to fund critical energy-efficient upgrades at the pool, which has long been a cornerstone of recreation and community life in Bishop.

The Bishop City Park pool, a vital public facility located in the heart of Bishop, serves as a hub for recreation, education, and community events. It hosted over 4,500 visits in 2024, offering a wide range of activities such as swim lessons, water aerobics, and community celebrations. In the hot summer months, the pool plays a crucial role in providing a safe, affordable space for residents to cool off and enjoy outdoor activities, especially in a region where extreme heat is a concern.
This project builds on a history of collaborative support from the HSEF and LADWP. Over the last five years, these organizations have provided over $55,000 in demonstration projects and community benefit funding, supporting energy efficiency in a diverse range of community projects including the Inyo County Business Resource Center located in downtown Bishop, a lighting retrofit at parks throughout Inyo County and a weather station at the Bishop City Park.

After consulting with the City of Bishop’s Community Services Manager, Dan McElroy, HSEF identified an opportunity to make a meaningful impact: replacing an outdated pump at the Bishop City Park wading pool with an energy-efficient, premium-efficiency pump. This upgrade will improve the pool’s energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and minimize maintenance issues.

“We are thrilled to partner with LADWP to help improve this critical community resource,” said Pam Close Bold, Executive Director of HSEF. “This energy-efficient retrofit will ensure that the Bishop City Park pool remains a safe and reliable space for residents and visitors alike while reducing energy consumption and costs.”

The new pump, which was specified with the guidance of an energy engineer hired by HSEF, will significantly reduce energy usage and lower operating costs. Additionally, the new pump will help extend the life of the pool’s equipment, reducing the likelihood of disruptions due to aging technology, which has been a concern for the remote location of the facility.

LADWP’s support for this project aligns with its broader goals of promoting and investing in energy efficiency, in the Owens Valley. The allocation of funds to the Bishop City Park pool retrofit helps improve the facility’s operations through efficient and reliable equipment and demonstrates LADWP’s support of the local community.

“At LADWP, investing in the Owens Valley is a priority and we’re thrilled to support the Bishop City Park’s pool’s energy-efficient upgrade to help ensure the pool remains a safe and accessible space for all,” said Jessie Johnson, Regional Community Affairs Manager at LADWP. “We’re proud to have partnered with the High Sierra Energy Foundation over the years on the many projects benefiting the local community.

The HSEF has been a trusted partner of LADWP since 2018, delivering energy efficiency programs and outreach initiatives to the Owens Valley. As a nonprofit dedicated to sustainability and energy efficiency, the HSEF has successfully implemented numerous programs to benefit the region. Through education, outreach, and program development, the HSEF strives to help residents, small businesses, and public agencies reduce their environmental impact through energy efficiency and conservation.

For more information about the High Sierra Energy Foundation and its work in the Eastern Sierra, visit HighSierraEnergy.org.

Contact:
Pam Close Bold
Executive Director
High Sierra Energy Foundation
Phone: 760-914-3136
Email: bold@highsierraenergy.org
Website: HighSierraEnergy.org