Grant Recipients

TransAlta Coal Transition Board Awards $290k to the Town of Fairfield,

Centralia, Wash. (October 22, 2019) The TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board announced today it has approved a $290,000 grant to the Town of Fairfield to support the construction of an 96kW ground based photovoltaic solar array at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Producing renewable energy, this 96kW solar project will produce approximately 113,400kW per year through a net metering agreement with Avista Utilities and utilizes State of Washington manufactured solar panels that qualify for cost recovery incentive payments.

The $290,000 grant will be leveraged with funding received from the Washington Department of Commerce Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants Program and the Town of Fairfield to fully fund the solar project. The project will reduce the town’s electric bill at the waste water treatment plant and allow the town to redirect those funds to capital improvement projects.

“This project adds renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and allows for the town to use their cost savings to invest in other ways to support the community” says Lori Schmitt, Energy Technology Board member. “The board sees this project as adding to the solution in meeting the environmental goals for the state of Washington.”

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 shutting down in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025. The company is investing $55 million into Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.

The Town of Fairfield is a small farming community in southeast Spokane County, located 30 miles south of Spokane and provides municipal services to town residents including a modern waste water treatment plant. The town has an ongoing commitment and goal to upgrade its infrastructure and technology to best serve the town residents and enlisted the expertise of Apollo Solutions Group to support their goals.

“Apollo Solutions Group has extensive experience with small rural cities, towns, and school districts throughout Washington State and the Pacific Northwest on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects such as the one with the Town of Fairfield. Receiving a grant like the one awarded by the Energy Technology Board makes all the difference in the world to these small rural communities. If the Town of Fairfield didn’t receive this generous grant from TransAlta Coal Transition Board, this project wouldn’t have been possible.” – Mike Fuentes, Division Manager, Apollo Solutions Group

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 Grants Energy Technology Board Supports the Providence Health Care Foundation,

Centralia, (August 27, 2019) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Board is pleased to announce a grant award to the Providence Health Care Foundation to support the installation of a 99kW roof top solar project on the Providence Centralia Hospital. The Foundation will receive $238,036 from the Energy Technology Board to help fund the replacement of a 25-year old roof which has increasingly required expensive and temporary patching. The new roof will protect the integrity of the hospital building; increase sustainability of the hospital facility, while reducing their carbon footprint; and reduce overhead operating costs and directing revenues to patient care.

The Washington made roof mount system will be installed on the hospital’s flat roof and is expected to produce approximately 94,050kWh annually toward electricity usage at the Centralia hospital and reduce the hospital’s greenhouse carbon dioxide emissions by 38,316 metric tons over the next 25 years.

“The Centralia Coal Transition Board is proud to have the opportunity to bring an alternative energy project to Providence Centralia Hospital, our largest employer in Lewis County”, said Matt Matayoshi, board member. “We look forward to seeing the commencement and completion of the project and learning about the positive impacts not only for the hospital, but for patients.

The Providence Health Care Foundation supports, among other Providence facilities, Providence Centralia Hospital, a 128-bed, not-for-profit hospital providing emergency care, diagnostic, cancer, birthing and surgical services, providing nearly 5,000 hospital admissions and in excess of 260,000 outpatient visits annually.

“We are tremendously grateful for the investment from TransAlta and this grant,” said Dr. Kevin Caserta, site administrator for Providence Centralia Hospital, who also sits on the Foundation board. “This project helps us continue to move toward our vision of Health for a Better World, which includes overall environmental stewardship.”

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, businesses, 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;

Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.

Media Inquiries:

Email: coaltransitionboards@transalta.com

Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board supports energy upgrades for Riverside Fire Authority,

Centralia, (July 15, 2019) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to improve energy conservation, reduce operating costs and optimize building use and performance for the Riverside Fire Authority. The project will replace antiquated heating ventilation, air conditioning and water heating systems at the downtown Centralia Fire Station and the Fords Prairie Fire Station.

The grant amount of $300,000 will allow the Riverside Fire Authority to realize optimal production and energy use and, provide the opportunity to return the buildings to a state which supports the 24-hour career firefighters staffed at both locations and provides shelter for emergency personnel and civilians.

“The Weatherization Board has invested millions of dollars into the local community to support energy efficiency projects over the last several years” said Jeff Yanish, board member. “The upgrade projects proposed by the Riverside Fire Authority serve two primary purposes, providing an energy efficient environment for firefighters, EMS personnel and at times, for community members during emergency situations and second, they will see a reduction in energy use and costs associated with maintenance and monthly bills.”

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.

“Receiving the grant from the Centralia Coal Transition board is a tremendous benefit to our Department and the citizens of the greater Centralia area” said Michael Kytta, Fire Chief. “The 24 hour staffed fire stations that we all depend on will gain improved energy conservation, lower operating costs and greater capacity year-round to serve the public and our personnel. Without this grant these improvements would not be possible.”

The Riverside Fire Authority (RFA) began operations on January 1, 2008 when the City of Centralia Fire Department and Lewis County Fire District 12 combined forces. Today the RFA encompasses 184 square miles and provides fire and EMS protection for 23,320 residents. The RFA has 22 career and 45 volunteer fire fighters, two career staff and 6 fire stations.

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.

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 Supports The Recreation Park Renovation Project,

For Immediate Release

Contact: coaltransitionboards@transalta.com

Centralia, (April 29, 2019) The Centralia Coal Transition Boards are pleased to announce they are supporting the Chehalis Foundation and the City of Chehalis in their efforts to revitalize Recreation Park with a rebuild of the Penny Playground. The Weatherization Board has approved a grant in the amount of $50,000 for improvements to the electrical system which includes the addition of LED lights that will cover a larger area while reducing the number of lights for a significant power savings. The Economic & Community Development Board has awarded a grant in the amount of $300,000 which funding will be applied to support the American Disabilities Act (ADA) playground surfacing and walkways within the Penny Playground area.

“We see both of these funding opportunities as a way to support to the community with safety enhancements to a place where families gather to enjoy the outdoors, and a place where kids have an opportunity to play together without barriers”, said Lori Schmitt Funding Board member. “25 years ago, the community, including children collected pennies to support the original Penny Playground. It’s exciting to award funding dollars to a project that was built 25 years ago and still has the support from the community. We look forward to watching the renovation take place and seeing the results.”

The Weatherization and Economic & Community Development Boards were formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington. This agreement allows for the Centralia plant to move away from coal-fired operations with one unit shutting down 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.

“There is a genuine need to replace the play structures in Penny Playground”, said Tim Sayler, Chehalis Foundation President. “We see our support in fundraising for this renovation as another opportunity to bring the community together to honor the legacy of the original Penny Playground and to create a new one for our future generation. With the support of the community we will create a fun, challenging, and safe Penny Playground that will serve all children of Chehalis and surrounding areas for generations to come. “

The Chehalis Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit community foundation. Contributions sustain the Foundation’s ability to support the City of Chehalis with civic improvements, parks and recreational facility improvements and provide state-of-the-art educational programs and opportunities for children.

Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:

Annual payments for the funding boards have been made since 2012 with the last payment due December 31, 2023. The opportunity to start flowing dollars into projects became effective December 31, 2015.

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 Board Supports partnership between the Centralia College Foundation and Centralia College,

Centralia, February 12, 2019 The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a $1,300,000 grant to the Centralia College Foundation to construct a 12,000 square foot facility on the Centralia College campus to house training programs to meet current and prospective employer workforce training needs.

The proposed site for this pre-engineered building is adjacent to the technology building and is already zoned for educational use.

“This grant will provide the funding to build the facility and allow members of the Foundation and the College to focus on securing additional funding for equipment which includes an overhead crane, six heavy equipment simulators, a commercial truck simulator, computer lab, robotics/automation equipment, compressed air system, forklift and miscellaneous program driven equipment and tools” said Jeff Yanish, funding board member. “The opportunity to support a project which expands and enhances career and technical education programs to serve the economic development needs in the local area falls within the mission of the board.

We are excited to see how this project develops.”

The Economic & Community Development 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 shutting down 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.

Centralia College has consistently been a strong supporter of education programs supporting local industry and the trades. This grant for a flexible trades building will expand the college’s ability to train-on-demand in response and anticipation of industry needs. The building will also enhance the

college’s partnership with local and regional manufacturers. Dr. Bob Mohrbacher, President of Centralia College indicates “This new facility gives Centralia College the ability to extend our existing partnerships with local industry, with potential new employers coming to the area, and with area high schools. We can build up the local workforce and respond quickly to new training needs.”

Plans are in the works for Centralia College to create a mobile classroom for career and technical training that will take simulators and equipment to local high schools. This will expose students to Centralia College’s trades programs, local industry needs and various career opportunities.

Equipment and training aids will be interchangeable between the mobile classroom and the new building. Centralia College Dean of Instruction for Healthcare and Industrial Trades, Jake Fay has been working with local high schools to create articulation agreements that will allow students to complete training in high school that will count towards degrees at the college. “I’m really excited for this opportunity,” said Fay. “I see this as a great opportunity to collaborate with local industry partners and the K-12 system. We will be preparing the residents of Lewis County for employment in the high demand and high skill jobs that provide living wages right here in our community.”

The Centralia College Foundation will be working in close coordination with the college in completing this foundation owned building. “I am happy to represent the foundation and board on this project for the benefit of the college, businesses, and local trades. Our thanks to the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Board for their support and their confidence in the foundation.” Said Christine Fossett, Executive Director.

The Centralia College Foundation was founded in 1982 and is a premier fund-raising organization that actively stimulates the community to invest through it, the funds and other assets and energies needed for Centralia College and its students. The Foundation partners with Centralia College in a variety of ways, the prominent avenues being scholarships for students, program support and capital campaigns.

Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:

Annual payments for the funding boards have been made for the past five years with the last payment due December 31, 2023. The opportunity to start flowing dollars into projects became effective December 31, 2015.

Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.