Economic & Community Development Board SupportsSustainability Workforce Development-Phase II
Centralia, Wash. (May 16, 2025) In April 2024 the Centralia Coal Transition Board approved a grant award to Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) in the amount of $175,500 to support a Phase I collaboration project to establish a pathway for sustainable workforce development. The goal of the project is to develop pathways that 1) accelerate building owners’ compliance with building efficiency standards; 2) facilitate higher education faculty engagement with topics such as building efficiency standards policy, environmental science, clean energy, HVAC and more, and 3) provide internship opportunities to residents, high school and college students.
Building on the success of those efforts the board has awarded an additional grant to SEI in the amount of $205,526.00 for Phase II. During Phase II SEI will build upon relationships established in Phase I, support local high school teachers with Energy Auditing curriculum implementation, provide internship opportunities to high school and college students and through Climate Corps Fellow staffing support, continue to support clean energy industry career connections and learning opportunities in K-12 and higher education. Phase II will continue through May 30, 2026.
Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) is an environmental nonprofit consultancy that builds leaders to drive and accelerate sustainability solutions. For over 25 years SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop leadership pathways from elementary school to early career. SEI will work closely with the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy hosted at Centralia College and other local programs directed toward high school students in the Lewis and South Thurston County areas.
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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to the Town of Washtucna
Centralia, (May 15, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant in the amount of $596,588.00 to the Town of Washtucna to support the installation of a 48kW solar array with battery backup at the town’s main well pump. This 48kW array will produce approximately 62,082 kWh per year through a net metering agreement with Avista Utilities. This grant award will be leveraged with a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities grant.
The project will provide a backup power source for water; lower energy costs currently being incurred by the main pumping station; support the town’s commitment and good stewardship to using renewable energy; and add an asset to the town that will continue to produce. It is an investment that directly benefits the vulnerable and highly impacted community is serves.
Washtucna is centrally located amongst wheat fields and cattle ranches in eastern Washington state. The town serves approximately 211 residents in Adams County. The town has an ongoing commitment and goal to upgrade infrastructure and technology to best serve the town residents.
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 in 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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Covington Water District
Centralia, (May 5, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant in the amount of $300,000.00 to the Covington Water District to support energy upgrades. This grant award will be leveraged with a grant through Washington Department of Commerce’s Building Electrification Grant Program.
The Covington Water District energy upgrades will align with their proactive technical energy audit as they develop future capital projects to achieve resilience and grid independence while maximizing efficiencies for the district. The project will provide new switchgear, battery energy storage and back-up, microgrid controller and upsized neutral wiring from existing panels to the turbine building. It will modify the existing switchgear to allow for the generator to operate parallel to the power grid. The anticipated outcome is that the district’s turbine will be used in lieu of the conventional diesel generator during grid outages.
Covington Water District was formed in 1960, with less than a hundred customers primarily around Lake Morton. Over the years, a number of small districts merged into Covington Water District and more customers were added as development occurred. The district is responsible for providing clean, safe and reliable water to a 55-mile area in South King County, serving a population of over 50,000 through 18,000+ connections to residential homes, apartments, small farms, commercial, governmental, schools and medical facilities.
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 in 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.
Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to Twin Cities Sports Commission
Centralia, Wash. (February 13, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $430,000.00 to the Twin Cities Sports Commission.
The Twin Cities Sports Commission has launched a two-phased approach to increase the ability to host large scale sporting events. The enhancement to the Borst Park turf fields located in Centralia by re-turfing the Complex’s infields with a longer-lasting, higher quality synthetic turf supports the efforts of the Commission. The funding from the board will be combined with additional sources of funding from various community partners.
The purpose of the Twin Cities Sports Commission is to facility and grow sports tourism in Centralia and Chehalis, Washington. The commission was formed in 2017 and supports four sporting venues within the community, the NW Sports Hub, Centralia College Campus, Recreation Park and the Borst Park Sports Complex.
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 United Way of Lewis Count
Centralia, Wash. (February 13, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $419,772.00 to United Way of Lewis County. United Way of Lewis County, Discover! Children’s Museum, and the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County are partnering to develop a strong early childhood education system. The project is on track for Phase 1 completion through a combination of various funding sources including $1 million awarded by the Centralia Coal Transition Board in 2020. This additional grant award will be combined with other funding sources to complete the physical structure of the learning center.
The United Learning Center will utilize the expertise of local, regional and national specialists, including ECEAP, Head Start, preschools and childcare professionals with a goal of serving a minimum of 80 children daily. These skilled individuals will work with children and their families to achieve a standard of kindergarten readiness.
For over 60 years, United Way of Lewis County has been steadfast in its mission to bring people and resources together to support those in need. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 18 dedicated community members representing a wide range of organizations.
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.
