Supports Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Curfman Custom fabrication
Centralia, (July 28, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board is pleased to announce the approval of a grant award in the amount of $30,603.00 to support weatherization and energy efficiency improvements at Curfman Custom Fabrication located in Centralia, Washington. The project will retrofit a new thermoplastic polyolefin roof over the existing deteriorated metal corrugated main roof, adding a layer of insulation and weatherization; add insulation on the interior of the main building ceiling; and add new large capacity gutters along both eaves to capture and redirect water runoff. The work will be performed by a local contractor, and it is anticipated that it will be completed within 30 days.
Curfman Custom Fabrication is a industrial fabrication and supply shop located in Centralia, Washington. The shop was built between 1929-1931 for a stagecoach repair shop before transitioning to logging and mill supplies and custom cabling for the logging industry. After several owners and business purposes the Curfman brothers purchases the building and began contributing their expertise and skills in 2017 to support community and city projects and expanding into industrial supply.
The Weatherization 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:
Annual payments for the funding boards began in 2012 with the last payment due December 31, 2023. The opportunity to start flowing dollars into projects became effective December 31, 2015.
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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Support Mobile Classroom for Student Learning
Centralia, Wash. (July 25, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $48,400.00 to support the Mobile Classroom School Power Upgrade Project for middle and high school students in the Lewis County area. By providing mobile classrooms equipped with modern technology, all students in Lewis County will have equal access to quality educational resources, regardless of their school’s existing infrastructure.
The mobile classroom generated positive feedback from the students in Napavine noting the classroom effectively engages students and enhances their learning experience. The space is versatile that can adapt to various teaching styles and subjects, accommodating different learning needs.
Utilizing the grant funding will support assessing electrical needs between the school’s electrical system to determine if upgrades are required to support the mobile unit.
The Foundations partnership with the Centralia College mobile classroom will enrich educational experiences throughout the region.
The Centralia Community Foundation was formed in 2016 and partners with donors, granting agencies, and private industry to support educational enhancements for career pathways that will improve the quality of life and provide future opportunities for citizens.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as a result 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 at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to support Water Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Centralia, Wash. (July 25, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $30,240.00 to support the Water Pre-Apprenticeship Program underway in the Napavine School District. The grant funding will support pre-apprenticeship training in preparation for water distribution certification for high school students. This program is a partnership between the Napavine School District, City of Napavine, and the Evergreen Rural Water of Washington. To reach the size and apprenticeship requirements the district is seeking membership with other schools within the Education Service District 113 Region.
The objective of this project is to establish a long-term system for training students in preparing them for certification in Water District Management I, Water Treatment Plant Operator I, or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I. The intent is to have the program ready for the start of the 2025-2026 school year with an overall goal to have seven students successfully complete the program within the school year.
The Napavine Career and Technical Education Department has evolved over the past five years with a focus over the last two years on providing students with outstanding training opportunities to prepare them for life after graduation. The program now includes 11 teachers, one director (administrator) and one administrative assistant and a wide array of program subjects.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as a result 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 at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board
Energy Technology Board Supports Innovative Energy Recovery Project in Washington State
Skagit PUD and InPipe Energy Launch First Community-Scale HydroXS® Systemto Deliver Clean, Renewable Energy to Local Infrastructure
Groundbreaking Installation with Skagit PUD and Mount Vernon High School Demonstrates How Water Infrastructure Can Power Schools, EV Chargers, and Cities Around the World
Mount Vernon, Wash. — July 24, 2025 – In a groundbreaking and innovative project that underscores the growing importance of infrastructure-driven energy security, Skagit Public Utility District (Skagit PUD) and InPipe Energy, a leader in hydroelectric energy recovery, launched a community-scale deployment of InPipe’s HydroXS energy recovery system. The system converts water flowing in a pipeline into renewable electricity, providing clean energy to power critical infrastructure in a community.
This installation, in collaboration with Skagit PUD and Mount Vernon High School, demonstrates how water infrastructure can be easily transformed into a scalable clean energy source for public institutions, community infrastructure, and smart cities worldwide.
Developed in collaboration with Grundfos, a global leader in water technology, the HydroXS combines InPipe Energy’s patented, modular energy recovery system with Grundfos’ advanced pressure management solutions to ensure optimal efficiency and performance.
“I’m incredibly proud of this project because it shows how shared water infrastructure can do more than deliver water; it can also generate power where it’s needed most,” said Gregg Semler, CEO and founder of InPipe Energy. Energy costs are increasing. I envision a future where we can use existing water pipelines to generate energy to power critical infrastructure. From ensuring safe and reliable water delivery to powering EVs and even data centers, this deployment offers a practical and sustainable path forward for cities everywhere.”
Water Pipelines as a Clean Energy Source
The newly installed HydroXS, located at a Skagit PUD, is a storage facility adjacent to Mount Vernon High School. The HydroXS automatically converts flowing water and pressure in a pipeline into carbon-free electricity that would otherwise be wasted. This electricity is used to power EV charging stations for students, faculty, and staff, while also supplementing the school’s broader energy needs. With an annual output of up to 300,000 kWh, the system will prevent more than 9.3 million pounds of CO₂ emissions over its 30-year lifespan, equivalent to permanently removing thousands of cars from the road. Beyond environmental benefits, the energy recovery system delivers measurable cost savings to the school district, demonstrating how existing infrastructure can be transformed into a valuable community asset that saves money and reduces the costs of water for SkagitPUD’s ratepayers.
“The installation demonstrates how public utilities can deliver long-term efficiency gains and energy security using existing infrastructure,” said George Sidhu, general manager of Skagit PUD. “Through energy recovery projects like this one with InPipe Energy, we’re protecting our ratepayers from rising electricity costs while ensuring we have an efficient, secure, and affordable water supply for our community.”
Funding for this innovative project came from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Rural Clean Energy Grant and TransAlta’s Centralia Coal Transition Grant. It is a U.S.-made product, qualifying it for incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.
“This project is exactly what the Centralia Coal Transition Board was designed to support — community-led solutions that deliver clean, reliable energy. Skagit PUD and InPipe Energy have taken a smart, creative approach to renewable power that benefits local residents, supports education and demonstrates how innovation at the local level can have meaningful impact. We’re proud to be part of it,” said John Kousinioris, President & CEO, TransAlta.
A Blueprint for Global Energy Transition
InPipe Energy is spearheading a new wave of innovation that reshapes the world’s perception of water and energy. Its patented HydroXS system enables water-intensive industries to generate clean power safely, reliably, and cost-effectively wherever pipelines exist.
“This is about unlocking a new energy resource hiding in plain sight,” Semler said. “With system-wide deployments of the HydroXS, every city has the potential to create its own water and energy security.”
InPipe Energy is turning flowing water in pipelines into low-cost, carbon-free electricity. Its flagship product, the HydroXS, is a patented, modular energy recovery system that integrates advanced micro-hydroelectric generation with precision pressure controls to deliver electricity wherever pipelines run. InPipe offers a comprehensive, turnkey solution for water-intensive industries seeking to reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability and resilience. Learn more at www.inpipeenergy.com.
About Grundfos
Grundfos pioneers solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges to improve people’s quality of life. As a leading global pump and water solutions company, Grundfos is committed to respecting, protecting, and advancing the flow of water by providing energy and water-efficient solutions and systems for a wide range of applications in water utilities, industries, and buildings.
About Skagit PUD
Skagit Public Utility District is a community-owned utility that has served Skagit County, Washington, for over 85 years, providing water to 116,000 people. As the county’s largest water provider, Skagit PUD delivers safe, reliable, and affordable water while pioneering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and energy security for the community. Learn more at www.skagitpud.org.
About the Centralia Coal Transition Board
The Energy Technology Board was formed as a result 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 at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board
The Energy Technology Board awards grant to support energy efficient building improvements
Centralia, (June 30, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant in the amount of $$285,000.00 to CT Publishing, a longstanding newspaper publisher for Centralia and surrounding areas. The funding will support modernizing the building through critical energy-efficient upgrades to improve building performance, reduce energy consumption, and align with Washington State sustainability goals.
The project includes five key improvements including a lighting system upgrade with LED and Smart Controls, HVAC system efficiency upgrade, roof and insulation upgrades, windows and door energy efficiency improvements, and solar readiness and battery storage solutions for energy backup and grid independence.
CT Publishing LLC owns and operates three well-established newspapers serving Lewis County, Thurston County, and Clark County, Washington. The organization is dedicated to modernizing its operations, enhancing sustainability efforts, and ensuring long-term viability through energy-efficient facility upgrades.
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. TransAlta is investing $55 million into Lewis and South Thurston counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
About Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards
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.
