Centralia Coal Transition Board
Economic & Community Development Board
Supports Student STEM and Fine Arts Program
Centralia, Wash. (April 1, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Board approved a grant award in the amount of $15,000 to assist with the purchase of curriculum, technology and science supplies, fine art supplies, and a salary stipend for instructors for the Bethel After School Program. The purpose of the program is to expand the student curriculum and to enrich students in grades K-12 that are otherwise deficient in their educational access to science, technology, engineering, math and fine arts studies.
The Bethel After School Program is open to all students in grades K-12 who are enrolled in the Chehalis School District. At present there are 89 students being served with many of the students being elementary age, 65 regularly scheduled volunteers (25 of which are mentors) and ongoing enrollment in the program of an average of four students per month.
The Bethel After School Program was started in 2023 for the primary purpose of assisting Chehalis families who were impacted by the School District’s early release schedule each Wednesday. The goal of the Program is to expand to 200 students throughout grades K-12 in Chehalis.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as part of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington to transition the Centralia plant away from coal-fired operations with one unit retiring in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): established to fund energy efficiency and weatherization for the residents, employees, business, non-profit organizations and local governments within Lewis County and South Thurston County; up to $1 million shall be allocated to fund residential energy efficiency and weatherization measures for low-income and moderate-income residents of Lewis County and South Thurston County;
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M): established to fund education, retraining, economic development, and community enhancement; at least $5M shall be allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility;
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.