Coal Transition Board funds $1 Million in Solar Projects
Grants support Washington’s goal of producing new clean, renewable energy
Centralia, (January 31, 2022) The Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce approval to fund 8 proposed solar projects throughout the state of Washington with a total investment of approximately $1 million. Benefiting communities across the state, the solar projects range in size from 43.5kW to 133kW.
Projects approved include the following:
Applicant
Funding Amount
Size
City of College Place
$202,909.00
100kW
City of Cheney
$160,000.00
100kW
City of Connell
$165,000.00
100kW
City of Mabton
$100,000.00
100kW
City of Pateros
$60,000.00
43.5kW
Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe
$130,111.00
133.76kW
Central Area Senior Center
$126,639.00
75.8kW
Prescott School District
$107,000.00
100kW
These projects will provide energy savings and production credits that can be used to support other aspects of the local organization’s budgets. All projects will be utilizing made in Washington equipment and will provide for job opportunities.
The Energy Technology Board currently has an annual cap of $1M for funding solar projects. Based on the board’s decision to grant the projects noted above, funding for new solar projects will not be considered until January 2023.
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 King County Metro Transit to support project to deploy electric buses
Centralia, (January 20, 2022) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is excited to announce it has approved a $1,000,000 grant submitted on behalf of the King County Metro Transit (Metro) to support the siting, design, and construction of a substation and bus charging power supply components to deploy electric buses. This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Metro operations and eliminate carbon and other toxic air pollution affecting vulnerable, disproportionately impacted communities within Metro’s service area and the larger region.
The project, the South Base Test Facility is located on Metro’s South Base in the City of Tukwila. The facility will have 12 charging locations supported by three charger manufacturers. When completed it will be the only one of its kind in North America. In addition to the environmental improvements of operating all electric buses, the facility will provide training opportunities for Metro’s maintenance and operations staff while providing a critical showpiece for Metro’s efforts to expand its outreach programs to students in neighboring schools and technical colleges to study the technologies that will support electrification of the transportation sector. 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. As a board we agreed that supporting a project that provides direct benefits to the state aligns with the mission of the board. The bonus to this project is the learning opportunity it will provide to staff, high school and college students.
The Energy Technology Board was formed as a result of 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.
King County Metro Transit provides service to 2.3 million people and is approximately 2,134 square miles. The entire geographic area covers King County, portions of Snohomish County and Pierce County. It is among the ten largest transit agencies in the United States, with approximately 1,400 buses.
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.
Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board supports the Roxy Repair and Renovations Project
Centralia, (January 3, 2022) On July 15, 2021 the Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board approved a grant award in the amount of $228,629.00 to support weatherization and energy efficiency improvements at the Roxy Theater in Morton, Washington. The project is being led by the Fire Mountain Arts Council who have partnered with various local contributors and volunteers to address the urgent long-needed improvements to ensure the viability of the theater and to spark economic activity in eastern Lewis County.
The Weatherization Board and the Fire Mountain Arts Council agreed to disburse the grant award in two installments, $114,314.50 was paid on November 4, 2021 and the balance of $114,314.50 is anticipated to be paid in the late Spring, 2022. Work is currently underway to make improvements/repairs to the roof, HVAC system and stage lighting. These improvements will not only reduce the current energy costs but will allow for a more comfortable environment for the OnStage Youth Theatre Education Program and for the many other community members who make use of the theater throughout the year.
The Fire Mountain Arts Council (FMAC) is proud to serve as the cornerstone for arts and culture in the small mountain community of Morton, Washington. FMAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2003 to renovate the Roxy Theater. Dependent on donors, volunteers, and members, FMAC now creates and delivers extraordinary theatre and education programs, engaging community members and visitors. FMAC is proud to support three cultural venues: the Roxy Theater, BCJ Gallery and the Tiller Arts & Events Center.
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.
Coal Transition Board Awards a Grant to support 9.6kW solar project
Media Island International, a non-profit organization received a grant award of $6,703.00
Centralia, Wash. (August 17, 2021) The TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board approved a grant award of $6,703.00 to support the installation of a rooftop solar energy system on the Media Island building in downtown Olympia, Washington. This grant award is being leveraged with funding received from the Hammond Climate Solution’s “Solar Moonshot” program.
The 9.6kW solar project is expected to reduce annual electric costs saving the organization approximately $1,500 per year and support the efforts of the organization in meeting regional emission reduction goals. The system, engineered by Olympia solar installer South Sound Solar utilizes modules manufactured in Washington State and has an estimated annual production of 7,690kWh.
Media Island International is a cultural, educational, and networking center, whose focus is to support women of color in their leadership while working with other like-minded individuals and groups who do conscious social justice activism. Media Island collaborates with the Olympia Community Solar, a non-profit community solar company with a mission to support transition to clean energy through community solar education, policy, and project development.
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 Board Supports the NW Sports Hub Expansion
Centralia, Wash. (August 10, 2021) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board has approved a grant award in the amount of $450,000 to support the Lewis County Public Facilities District’s (“LCPFD”) goal for the NW Sports Hub Expansion Project. The expansion project will add four new basketball courts, eight volleyball courts and add to the spectator viewing and parking areas. The NW Sports Hub facilitates indoor sporting and community events.
The LCPFD sees a direct correlation to this expansion in providing an economic boost in jobs as well as an opportunity to provide more opportunities for youth, families, and local businesses. This vision aligns with the mission of the Economic and Community Development Board and the members look forward learning more about the economic and community benefits this project brings to the local community.
The LCPFD was created in 2007 with the purpose to build a new regional center for Lewis County. The LCPFD has a history of partnerships with the City of Centralia, the Centralia School District, Sports Capital Northwest and the Lewis County Trails Association.
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 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.
