Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to support electric vehicle training program
Centralia, (March 5, 2026) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award to New Market Skills Center Foundation in the amount of $5,000.00 to support the electric vehicle training program. The grant funds will be used to purchase an electric car which will be the basis for the training program for electric vehicles. The balance of the funds required for the vehicle will be provided by the organization and the Charities Aid Foundation of America through Enterprise/Taylor Charitable Entities. This additional funding will support milestones and deliverables in connection with the project.
New Market Skills Center opened in 1986 as an educational venture between local school districts and is a public school offering technical training for high school students. New Market is a consortium of 12 districts including Adna, Centralia, Napavine, North Thurston, Oakville, Olympia, Rainier, Rochester, Shelton, Tenino, Tumwater, and Yelm. The vision is to prepare students for post-secondary education, apprenticeships, or entrance into the workforce by offering the opportunity to be trained in technical career areas too expensive for a single district to fund. Students are transported to New Market from their home high schools. They spend half their day at the sending school and half at the skills center.
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.
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 Supports Lewis County Young Professionals
Centralia, (February 13, 2026) The Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $100,000.00 to support a leadership development program for young professionals who live or work in Lewis County. The program will include workshops and development ranging from networking, community and workforce development, and regional industries, culminating in a final capstone project.
The Lewis County Young Professionals is an organization dedicated to empowering and connecting individuals under the age of 40 who live or work in Lewis Cunty. Their mission is to cultivate a community of young professionals that represent the diverse backgrounds and industries within the region. The organization offers monthly networking events, hosting workshops and supports local philanthropic programs such as fundraising for local nonprofits.
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:
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 Supports the Lewis County Tennis & Wrestling Facility Project
Centralia, Wash. (December 1, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $750,000.00 to support the construction of indoor tennis courts and a middle school wrestling facility. The Lewis County Regional Tennis Facility will serve the tennis and wrestling communities and present opportunities to train, hold matches and tournaments. This project is supported by various partners which will bring varying experiences to run and manage the facility.
This facility will draw users from all over Washington State and beyond. These types of facilities bring families to the community to shop, play, eat, recreate, purchase fuel and stay in local hotels/motels while attracting new businesses and professionals to Lewis County boosting the local economy.
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 Weatherization Board Supports the Centralia Borst Park Light Project
Centralia, (December 1, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board is pleased to announce the approval of a grant award in the amount of $250,000.00 to support the Borst Park Light project under the direction of the City of Centralia. The funding for this development project is to expand available playing time for youth and adults by accommodating field use into the evening hours while adding energy efficiency for the City of Centralia. The facilities located at the Borst Park serve as a central hub for social interactions, bringing people together for games and practices and reinforcing a sense of connection among residents.
The project integrates the field lighting project with the initiative to turf the fields extending the usability and versatility of the ballfields. The project will also address safety concerns enhancing a safe area for those participating in and attending events.
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 Supports Chehalis Foundation
Centralia, (November 3, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $500,000.00 to support the W.F. West Football, Soccer and Track Project. The Chehalis Foundation will receive grant funds which will be allocated to upgrades to the W.F. West High School field and track to improve infrastructure, installation of turf, expansion to regulation soccer field dimensions and resurfacing the track. These improvements will enhance the overall experience for athletes and spectators.
This project has several additional sources of funding and is a project that will serve Lewis County year-round for youth and their families while supporting sports tourism in the community. Construction is anticipated to begin in late spring of 2026.
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:
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.
