Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe
Centralia, (November 18, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has awarded a grant in the amount of $130,311 to the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe to support the installation of solar on the new Recreation Center and the elders’ food program building, locally known as the “Green” building. The Green building will offer a broad range of services, assist in emergency management situations, provide office space to tribal members and host the elders’ food program, serving hot lunches to elders at no cost.
The solar installation aligns with the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe’s efforts to reduce adverse impacts on the environment and reduce emissions while developing Tribal energy sovereignty and security.
The Sauk-Suiattle Indian people have lived under the gaze of the Whitehorse Mountain for many generations. They lived as hunters, gatherers and fishermen in the region of the Sauk Prairie near the present-day town of Darrington, Washington, with a population of 1,088. In the early days, they were known as the Sah-ku-me-hu. Sauk-Suiattle homelands encompassed the entire drainage area of the Skagit, Sauk, Suiattle and Cascade rivers.
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.
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 Awards Grant to Morningside
Centralia, Wash. (November 12, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $100,000 from the Economic & Community Development Board to support the purchase of new office space in Centralia, Washington which will enhance their ability to provide services to approximately 256 clients across Lewis County and to assist as needed when neighboring counties require support.
The new space will provide an administrative office for program staff serving Lewis County and eventually neighboring counties. It will also be used to conduct high school student workshops, client intake, training and support various services.
Morningside’s mission is to provide training, coaching, and employment services that build the self-sufficiency and self-esteem of people with disabilities. The organization has been helping to change the lives of individuals with significant disabilities since 1963 and has been recognized with various awards for their efforts to achieve advancing the employment and self-sufficiency of people living with disabilities.
The Economic & Community Development 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 retiring at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition 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 Awards Grant to Centralia Youth Sports
Centralia, Wash. (November 8, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $40,000.00 to support the Centralia Youth Sports program. The grant funding will be combined with various other community partner donations to support boys’ and girls’ competitive basketball teams in Centralia, Washington. The opportunities to join the program are open to public, home and private schools.
Centralia Youth Sports is a nonprofit organization, founded in the fall of 2023 and is committed to raising funds to provide organized sports opportunities for K-12 Centralia athletes. With a focus on development, and community connection, the organization strives to empower children to play, compete and grow through athletics.
The Economic & Community Development 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 retiring at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition 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 Weatherization Board supports energy efficiency upgrades
Centralia, (October 22, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $68,000.00 to support weatherization and energy efficiency improvements at the Adna Grange #417. The nearly 115-year-old community building needs regular maintenance and upkeep with the most immediate need being exterior work. With the support of community volunteers’ sections of the walls will be replaced with weatherization upgrades, and replacement of kitchen facilities with new energy efficient systems. The interior of the Grange is in excellent condition with the recent upgrades to the restrooms, the addition of energy efficient lighting and energy efficient furnace.
The Adna Grange #417 is in the heart of the unincorporated community of Adna, Washington. This area of the Chehalis River valley is comprised of many small farms in the river bottom land and small acreage homes in the hills. The Grange was chartered in 1910 and has been continuously used for nearly 115 years by successive members of the community for a variety of functions, events, celebrations of life, graduation parties, and other gatherings.
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:
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 support innovation and education
Centralia, (October 18, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce Picazo Industries has been awarded a grant in the amount of $19,000 to support a hydrogen powered tractor project. The hydrogen powered tractor will consist of a John Deere Model B tractor that will be housed at the King Agriculture Museum where it will provide an educational opportunity for visitors to learn about hydrogen power and its benefits as well be showcased at community events.
Picazo Industries (H2 Creations) is a small company that seeks to help people understand the power of hydrogen and was created in 2023. The owner and operator of the company created a hydrogen-powered go-kart that was a hybrid and could switch between hydrogen and gasoline, capable of running solely on hydrogen (https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-high-school-student-wins-awards-for-building-a-hydrogen-powered-go-kart,327314). This hydrogen powered tractor project is the next step in demonstrating the potential of hydrogen and showing what can be achieved if you put your mind to something.
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.
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.
