News

Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to support repurposing and deploying used battery modules,

Centralia, Wash. (May 24, 2021) The TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board announced it has approved a $25,000 grant to BattGenie Inc., a spinout from the University of Washington and based in Seattle. This team has a goal to enable faster charging and longer cycle for Lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, consumer electronics and grid storage battery applications.

The $25,000 grant is leveraged with funding received from the Washington Department of Commerce Energy Efficiency grant program and a local district contribution. During this project, BattGenie, Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, Snohomish PUD and King County Metro will partner to repurpose and deploy used battery modules across multiple installations with the goal of providing load levelling and demand reduction services on Snohomish PUD’s distribution grid. The data collected will be shared in an open access fashion to enable other researchers working on second used batteries to characterize and benchmark the performance of the used batteries for their respective planned usage.

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.

BattGenie was co-founded by University of Washington Professor Venkat Subramanian with his graduate students Manan Pathak and Chintan Pathak. The team currently has a total of eight personnel and is based out of the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds.

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 invests in energy efficiency projects at Arbor Health, Website

Centralia, (May 13, 2021) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award to Morton Hospital, now Arbor Health to support projects that will reduce overall energy consumption and operational costs associated with running the hospital. Upgrades to convert the interior lighting to LED will reduce the lighting energy consumption by 50% while providing a lighting solution that has a life expectancy of over 10 years; improvements to the HVAC systems provides energy conservation, reduces operational costs and will provide a comfortable atmosphere with a heating and cooling system, including adequate ventilation in patient spaces and critical care areas.

The grant amount of $101,139.00 supports efforts by Arbor Health to utilize a collaborative approach to secure additional funding with incentives and matching funding to fully fund the project.

The Weatherization 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.

Arbor Health located in Morton, Washington provides an array of medical services to eastern Lewis County including hospital services and three medical clinics. Since 2006 this 25-bed Critical Access Hospital has provided services such as surgery, emergency, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, dietary, general services and maintains administrative offices.

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.

Energy Technology Board awards grant to Bonneville Environmental Foundation,

Centralia, (November 16, 2020) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is excited to announce it has approved a grant in the amount of $1,883,200 to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to support a Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Project being developed with Douglas County Public Utility District, the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance and Toyota Motor North America. The goal of this project is deploying the first renewable hydrogen fueling station in the Pacific Northwest which benefits both the electricity and transportation sectors.

The anticipated outcomes of the project will include location, installation, testing and an analysis of an I-5 accessible hydrogen fueling station and the use of fuel cell electric vehicles. In addition, the funding of this project will allow for the renewable hydrogen production facility in East Wenatchee to connect and supply clean fuel to the I-5 corridor and the communities of Lewis, Thurston and Douglas Counties.

“Meeting the state’s climate goals requires innovation and new technology development, particularly in the transportation sector” said Nancy Hirsh, a member of the Energy Technology Board. “We are pleased to support this demonstration project to produce renewable hydrogen for use in fuel cell vehicles. Bringing together this diverse set of stakeholders to develop this project is just the kind of collaboration that the Board likes to foster.”

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.

The Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working at the intersection of renewable energy and freshwater. A principal goal of the program is to increase access to renewable energy and to create community-based clean energy opportunities.

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.

TransAlta Coal Transition Board Supports The Onalaska High School Aquaculture Program with a second grant,

In August 2018 the Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board (“ECD Board”) approved a grant in the amount of $23,500 to the Onalaska School District to support their unique Aquaculture Program. This program provides an opportunity for students to raise, rear and release Steelhead, Coho Salmon, and Rainbow Trout into the Newaukum River Basin and the Carlisle Lake. After hearing about the success of the program, the ECD Board approved a second grant in the amount of $41,500 for equipment to enhance their efforts. A power generator will provide back-up for 10 days and with the installation of an underwater camera there is an opportunity to view the tanks live. On average the hatcheries hold 37,000 fish per year.

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.

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.

TransAlta Coal Transition Board Awards $320k to the Town of Friday Harbor,

Grant to help build solar project at the wastewater treatment plant

The TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board approved a $320,000 grant to the Town of Friday Harbor to support the installation of a 100kW ground based photovoltaic solar array at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Producing renewable energy, this 100kW solar project will produce approximately 95,180kW per year through a net metering agreement with Orcas Power & Light Cooperative and utilizes State of Washington manufactured solar panels. The solar project became active in May 2020.

This solar project will lower energy costs currently being incurred by the Wastewater Treatment Plant; support the town’s commitment to renewable energy; and add an asset to the town that will continue to produce and add savings after the project is fully paid.

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 Friday Harbor is a town in San Juan County, Washington and was officially incorporated in 1909.

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