Centralia Coal Transition Board awards a $1M grant to Zap Energy
Centralia, WA (April 26, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a second grant in the amount of $1,000,000 to Zap Energy, a Seattle, Washington based company. Zap Energy Inc. was founded in 2017 to develop and commercialize affordable, sustainable, clean energy fusion.
The Energy Technology Board was formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington. This agreement allowed for the Centralia plant to move 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.