Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board supports public safety through the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
September 13, 2018
The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board (“ECD Board”) is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office to support public safety goals. The board approved a grant in the amount of $116,836.56 to purchase replacement radios for deputies. Deputies use their portable radio to respond to calls, manage scenes and disasters, confirm their status during contacts, coordinate crime scenes and traffic collisions using the radios.
“The board views this funding opportunity as one that enhances community partnerships and benefits the citizens of Lewis County” said Jeff Yanish, a member of the Economic & Community Development Board. “The safety of our law enforcement and the public is very important to me, not only as a board member but as a member of our local community. Having reliable communication between deputies, agencies and the public can help reduce risk during critical events.”
The ECD 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 shutting down in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is a community partner that helps to make Lewis County a safe and secure place to live, work and go to school. The Sheriff’s Office employs a total of 109 employees, serves a current estimated population of 77,066, all located within approximately 2,403 square miles, and provides law enforcement services 24 hours a day
“We strive for community partnership and are thankful for the gracious grant funding provided by The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board” said Sheriff Robert R. Snaza. “We could not be more appreciative for this generous contribution that we will put to good use providing essential equipment for our deputies.”
Overview of the 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.
For more information on the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards visit: http://cctgrants.com
Centralia, (September 6, 2018) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to upgrade a 20-unit apartment complex which is occupied with student tenants attending Centralia College. The added benefit to these weatherization and energy efficiency improvements will be a reduction in utility bills for students and, creating a more comfortable living environment as students spend time focusing on their education.
The grant amount of $95,284 will be used to replace old, single-pane, aluminum-framed windows and hollow-core exterior doors with new double-pane, energy-efficient, vinyl-framed windows and new, solid-core insulated doors. By improving the existing infrastructure, the college is not only supporting their energy efficiency goals but improving the comfort and safety of students.
“When board members discuss applications submitted to the Weatherization Board, the primary consideration is whether the project aligns with the mission of the Weatherization Board,” said Lori Schmitt, Weatherization Board Member. “This project aligns with the board mission. The project provides cost-effective, weatherization solutions that demonstrate permanent energy savings. With this application we found that being able to fund a project that is going to put some money back into a student’s pocket is another benefit to approving the application.”
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 shutting down in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025.
“While new facilities constructed by the college are extremely energy efficient, bringing the older buildings up to similar performance levels is challenging and expensive” said Steve Ward, Vice President, Finance and Administration, at Centralia College. “The Weatherization grant provided Centralia College the ability to make significant progress toward sustainability goals and reducing energy consumption. It also helped extend the useful life of a 50-year-old building by making it more efficient and safer. The community is fortunate to have access to funds that allow this type of work to be done. We are very grateful to the Weatherization Board for considering this project among many for funding.”
Founded in 1925, Centralia College is the oldest, continuous operating college in the state of Washington. Centralia College is now a 30-acre campus located in the center of Centralia that sees an average annual enrollment of 10,500 students served by approximately 260 full-time employees.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Annual payments for the funding boards began in 2012 with the last payment due Dec. 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.
For more information on the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards visit: http://cctgrants.com
TransAlta Coal Transition Board Supports The Onalaska High School Aquaculture Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Centralia, Wash. (August 15, 2018) – The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board (“ECD Board”) is pleased to announce it has approved a grant in the amount of $23,500 to the Onalaska School District to support their unique Aquaculture Program. The students of this program raise, rear and release approximately 35,000 Steelhead, 100,000 Coho Salmon, and 9,000 Rainbow Trout into the Newaukum River Basin and the Carlisle Lake. Their work along with the partnerships they have established with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force, and the Chehalis Tribe provides not only an educational experience, but a community opportunity for youth fishing events.
“This is a project that gives students an opportunity to witness first hand their work and allows them to enhance relationships with their partners” said Lori Schmitt, ECD Board Member. “Students will learn from this program, develop relationships with the agencies they work with and create an opportunity to support their local community. These are all areas the board considers when reviewing applications which have an educational opportunity. We are looking forward to hearing more about the operations of this program and seeing the results.”
Under the agreement between TransAlta and the State of Washington to transition the Centralia facility off coal, TransAlta is investing $55 million into the local community and the state of Washington. To date, TransAlta has awarded approximately $13.9 million through its coal transition grant boards.
The funding from the ECD Board will support the completion of a second hatchery building which will be used as a Rainbow Trout rearing facility capable of producing 200 three-pound Rainbow trout each year which will be planted in Carlisle Lake for recreational fishing. All students of Onalaska High School have an opportunity to participate in this project of raising the trout from eggs to adults and in performing all hatchery operations needed to achieve a successful project.
“As a teacher, having spent eight years in the Aquaculture field working for private, state and tribal hatcheries, my goal is to teach each student the basics of Aquaculture, and more importantly the critical thinking and teamwork needed to maintain the program” said Kevin Hoffman, Aquaculture Teacher for the Onalaska School District. “The students are excited and appreciative of this funding by the ECD Board.”
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.
For more information on the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards visit: http://cctgrants.com.
Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board approves transition plan for TransAlta Centralia employees
The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board (“ECD Board”) has approved a transition plan to support displaced workers at the Centralia Plant, including a one-time lump sum payment and funding for educational opportunities. The board has approved $8 million to support the transition needs of workers. An additional $1 million is available for employees to apply for education grants to fund education and retraining opportunities, with this amount being subject to board review based on the demand.
Under the 2011 agreement between TransAlta and the State of Washington, TransAlta committed to investing $55 million into the local community and the State of Washington. The agreement provides for $20 million in funding for economic and community development support, with at least $5 million allocated to support workers displaced by the scheduled closure of the coal-fired units in 2020 and 2025.
“The members of the ECD Board invested a considerable amount of time exploring options and discussing opportunities to fulfill the commitment to support displaced workers, says Matt Matayoshi, ECD board member. “A one-time lump sum payment to each displaced worker is intended to help employees transition as they begin a new career, or move on to other opportunities. In addition to this payment, employees who were employed at the Centralia Plant as of January 1, 2018 will have an opportunity to apply for grants to enhance current skills and/or to develop new skills. The board wanted to provide flexibility, recognizing there will be different needs for displaced workers with the goal of maximizing opportunities for employees.”
The ECD Board operates independently of TransAlta and is comprised of volunteer Board members.
“We are very grateful to have a Board that is committed to TransAlta’s displaced workers and our community and appreciate the time and effort the board has put into identifying and implementing timely solutions and flexible opportunities for the transition,” says Bob Nelson, President of TransAlta USA. “We appreciate the ongoing commitment Centralia employees have made as we transition away from coal-fired operations and hope this plan will allow employees and their families to remain in the community.”
Overview of the Funding Boards
Annual payments to the funding boards have been made for the past six years, with the last payment due Dec. 31, 2023. The funds are as follows:
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 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 allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility including but not limited to direct support for displaced workers.
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.
For more information on the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards visit: http://cctgrants.com
Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board supports improving energy efficiency for college campus
Centralia, (April 4, 2018) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to help improve the learning environment for students by replacing old lighting technology with new LED lighting. The upgrade from old to new technology will improve the physical characteristics of the classroom and provide over 40% in electrical energy savings and reduce maintenance costs and operational disruptions. The exterior lighting will also help address safety and security concerns by providing better lamination of parking lots, walkways, and open spaces between buildings.
The grant amount of $231,843.00 will be leveraged with Department of Commerce Funding and Centralia City Light and Puget Sound Energy Utility Rebates to install new lighting in several buildings located on the campus grounds and for upgrades to the exterior lighting throughout the campus. This project supports the College’s energy efficiency goals and provides an enhanced learning environment for students and faculty.
“Lighting retrofits are an excellent way to reduce energy use while improving student productivity as the lighting quality with LED technology is superior to traditional fluorescent lights” said Board member Nancy Hirsh. “The Board is pleased to be able to help the College save on its electricity bill so more funds are available for educational purposes” said Hirsh.
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 shutting down in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025.
“Thanks to the grant from the Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board, the college is able to reduce energy costs while improving the learning environment and addressing safety and security concerns”, said Steve Ward, Vice President for Finance and Administration. “In the current fiscal environment, the college would not be able to make these changes without the help of the grant.”
Founded in 1925, Centralia College is the oldest continuous operating community college in the state of Washington. The college has grown from the initial class of 15 students, to an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students. Centralia College is also home to the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy. The Center has been successful in developing partnerships with industry for placement of graduates from the Energy Program, and in securing grants for training and equipment for students.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Annual payments for the funding boards have been made for the past six years with the last payment due Dec. 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.
For more information on the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards visit: http://cctgrants.com
