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.