News

Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Support Student Vision, Website

Centralia, WA (May 19, 2022) The Energy Technology Board approved a $120,000 grant to the Tacoma Public School District. The funding will support the installation of a 99.9kW solar array on the roof of the activities wing. Inspired and spearheaded by a team of student activists, Tacoma Public School “Watts Up!” solar project is expected to produce electrical energy for over 25 years and offset more than 3 million pounds of CO2 in its lifetime; save approximately $5,000 in energy costs annually; and create a living laboratory to power career-connected learning in the science and field of energy for the 30,000 students served by the Tacoma Public Schools.

This is the first solar project installation within the Tacoma Public School District and serves as a model for future innovative technology projects in the district and beyond. The project represents the culmination of work done by Jason Lee students in Mrs. Hall’s science classes as part of their study of renewable energy sources. The project has been completed and a celebration was held on Earth Day, April 22, 2022.

Visit https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/May-2022/Empowering-the-next-generation-of-change-makers to read more about the project.

The Energy Technology Board was formed per 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.

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 Energy Northwest to construct EV charging stations in Lewis County, Website

On March 8, 2022, the Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board and Energy Northwest entered into a Grant Agreement to support installation of electric charging stations along the White Pass Scenic Byway located in Lewis County, Washington. The grant award of $666,602.00 will be leveraged with additional sources of funding provided by Energy Northwest, the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Clean Energy Fund, Public Utility District No. 1 of Lewis County and Twin Transit.

The purpose of the Energy Technology Board is to identify worthwhile and effective energy technologies to create energy, air quality, haze, or other environmental benefits for the State of Washington. This grant award will enhance a project already selected by the Washington State Commerce to install six additional sites and will support efforts to reduce transportation emissions. In reviewing the Grant Application, the board favorably viewed the approach of Energy Northwest to collaborate with other public and private agencies as well as residents of the community to develop the project and site locations.

The Energy Technology Board was formed per the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington with the intent to fund projects with the potential to create environmental benefits to 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.

Energy Northwest is a joint operating agency formed by the Washington state legislature in 1957, representing the convergence of small and big public power. Through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Transportation Alliance (EVITA) Energy Northwest has collaborated with several utilities and others to install DC Fast Charging stations along underserved corridors in Washington State. The agency’s vision is to be a regional leader in clean energy generation and public power solutions through sustained excellence in performance and innovation.

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.

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.

Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to convert boiler system to renewable energy,

Centralia, Wash. (February 7, 2022) In August 2021 the TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board entered into a Grant Agreement with the Washington State Department of Corrections to support the Larch Corrections Center Biomass Energy System. The grant award of $500,000 is being leveraged with additional funding opportunities from the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation grant from the US Forest Service and other funding partners. The Larch Corrections Center will install a modern, efficient wood biomass system to offset the use of fuel oil for heating and domestic hot water at the facility. It is estimated that this project will reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 461 metric tons per year (91%) and will be the first of its kind among state facilities in Washington.

Larch Corrections Center is in Yacolt, Clark County, Washington. It is located within the Yacolt Burn State Forest and is approximately 4 miles west of the southwest corner of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This project will reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on the Gifford Pinchot and other forest lands in the area by supporting and expanding the local markets for forest management by-products. Local forest industry, wood products mills, and wood recyclers have been identified as “baseline” sources of fuel for the biomass system.

The project aligns with the goals and directives of the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the US Forest Service, and the State of Washington regarding forest management and renewable energy development. The project will provide for job training and job creation within the department and the forestry services, and over the longer term, serve as a model for sustainable, clean biomass heating in the region.

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.

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 Weatherization Board Supports the Tenino Eagles,

 Supporting energy efficiency upgrades to the Fraternal Order of Eagles 564 Tenino  

Centralia, (February 7, 2022) On December 1, 2021, the Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board approved a grant award in the amount of $38,800.00 to support weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for the Tenino Eagles building. After a recent energy/building audit it was recommended that upgrades be made to the inefficient and failing HVAC systems. The roof top HVAC systems were found to have failed and/or past their dependable life service life. This improvement is Phase 1 for the organization and supports the goal of being environmentally and financially responsible while being a community leader.

Fraternal Order of Eagles 564 Tenino was charted in 1904 and is now considered in the historic district in Tenino, Washington. Although membership based, the organization promotes and hosts a variety of community events to support local youth programs and the local food bank.

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 Franklin Pierce School District,

Building on the success of the electric bus initiative

Centralia, Wash. (February 7, 2022) In April 2021 the TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board approved a grant award in the amount of $125,000 to support the installation of a 92.5kW solar system at the Franklin Pierce High School STEM building.  The energy generated from this array will be sufficient to provide the energy to charge the electric bus provided under a previous coal transition board plus three additional electric buses funded under a separate grant from the Department of Ecology.

The energy and production credit will be put back into the school’s operational budget to focus on supporting future energy projects, facility needs, and educational program. In addition, the school district will utilize the PV system to educate students on the value of alternative energy and how they can do their part to reduce carbon emissions at their school, homes and in the community.

The solar system will be installed on renovated buildings which will host the STEM program for Franklin Pierce High School students. The vision of the STEM project is to provide an inviting and inspirational facility where students can learn about the science that is part of their environment and a place where they can gain skills that will prepare them for their future. The solar generation will be displayed on the digital displays to show how the clean technology can offset a good portion of the energy required by the building.

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.

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.