Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards $1.46M Grant to Lewis County Public Utility District
Grant Supports Weatherization/Energy Efficiency upgrades for local families, schools, and non-profit organizations
Centralia, (August 31, 2022) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board (“Weatherization Board”) is pleased to announce a grant award to the Lewis County Public Utility District (“District”). The weatherization grant award totals $1,460,000.00 which will be paid over a three-year period commencing in 2022. This is the fourth grant approved by the Weatherization Board to support local weatherization and energy efficiency services provided by the District to Lewis County families, schools, and non-profit organizations.
The Weatherization Board approved a $1.6M grant award to the District back in 2017 to supplement their energy efficiency programs and to leverage existing resources. Since the initial grant the board has approved an additional $2.2M to build on program opportunities and extend services to school districts and non-profit organizations in the community. Hundreds of low-income families have received a no-cost or low-cost ductless heat pump from the funding dollars, resulting in a more efficient way of heating their homes and a reduction in energy costs; non-profits and school districts have benefited from the grants with energy efficiency improvements and lower energy costs.
“The board recognizes the value in the services provided by the District as they are leveraging the funding board dollars with other incentives and covering more community members,” said Lori Schmitt, funding board member. “This most recent grant will target 160 or more low-income ductless heat pumps and at least 50 weatherization projects through 2024 and, target as many as 10 grant awards per year to community based non-profit organizations throughout Lewis County for energy efficiency improvements in their facilities.”
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. The Mission of the Weatherization Board is to provide funding of projects to improve energy efficiency and weatherization within Lewis County and South Thurston County.
“The funding provided by the Weatherization Board will allow us to continue providing meaningful impact in our community by reducing energy burden for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the award means we can continue to help local non-profit organization and school districts improve the efficiency of their facilities, resulting in improved services to the community,” said Jacob Henry, Business Services Manager. “The partnership with the Weatherization Board has provided countless positive impacts on our community, and we are excited to continue those successes through 2024.
Lewis County PUD is a community-owned, locally governed utility providing power services and telecommunications infrastructure to approximately 33,000 customers throughout most of Lewis County and adjacent communities. The District maintains an Energy Services department that offers customers a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial energy efficiency programs, including free energy audits, which help customers understand their energy usage, and what options they may be able to implement to reduce that usage.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
TransAlta’s commitment to invest $55M into the funding boards will be satisfied in December 2023.
Weatherization Board ($10M; annual payment $833,333.33): 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.
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M; annual payment $1,666,666.67): 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; annual payment $2,083,333.33): 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
For information on the PUD’s grant program, and whether you may qualify for incentives, please contact the District’s energy services department at (360) 345-1493, or energyservices@lcpud.org
Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Support Student Vision
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.
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
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.
