Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Lewis County Public Utility District to Support Energy Efficiency Projects
Centralia, Wash. (August 19, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board (“Weatherization Board”) approved a grant award to the Lewis County Public Utility District (“District”) in the amount of $250,000.00 to support the low-income ductless heat pump and weatherization program and community-based non-profit energy efficiency program. The District will structure the awarding of project funding in a manner that provides for program consistency.
The funding will assist qualified customers with technology to improve efficiency, comfort and monthly expenditure on space heating and cooling that will provide both energy and financial savings over many years. A second component of the funding will assist in bridging a funding gap for community-based non-profit organizations in lowering their long-term energy costs.
The District maintains an Energy Services department that offers customers a variety of residential, commercial and industrial conservation programs. Additionally, the District maintains low-income energy assistance programs and provides agency referral information for customers needing payment assistance.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): 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): 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.