For many of us, there is nothing quite like enjoying a cold, refreshing glass of fresh milk — yet producing high-quality dairy products on a massive scale requires an incredible amount of daily energy. To support the sustainability of these essential agricultural and industrial operations, BPA’s Energy Smart Industrial program collaborated with United Electric Cooperative on comprehensive system upgrades to a new cream cheese production line at the High Desert Milk facility in Burley, Idaho.  

Completed in late 2025, the facility upgrades focused on optimizing the dairy processor’s high-volume daily operations. High Desert Milk installed advanced plate coolers and new energy-efficient compressors to drastically lower its energy consumption, reducing strain on the local grid. 

During the design phase, BPA’s ESI program evaluated the refrigeration system and found several enhancements that could improve system performance and lower annual energy consumption by more than 407,000 kilowat​t-hours. 

The improvements not only lowered the facility’s day-to-day operational costs but also enhanced overall system performance, proving that regional conservation and industry can work hand-in-hand. 

“Collaborating with regional cooperatives like United Electric allows us to deliver impactful energy-saving solutions directly to the Pacific Northwest’s vital agricultural and industrial sectors,” said BPA Energy Conservation Account Executive Kathy Yi. 

The project also demonstrates how BPA coordinates with industrial customers and regional utilities to identify energy saving opportunities during the initial design and construction phases of new facilities and production lines, capturing long-term savings from the start of operations. 

Read the full article about the High Desert Milk project on United Electric’s webpage