Centralia Coal Transition Board supports the Transitional Living Center Project in Spokane, Washington
Grant award will support installation of a 40kW rooftop solar system
Centralia, Wash. (August 10, 2021) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce a grant award in the amount of $41,750 to support the Transitions organization based in Spokane, Washington. The installation of a 40kW solar system on the rooftop of the Transitions building will produce approximately 34,842kWh per year, offsetting usage by 50% and lowering operating costs by approximately $4,400.00 per year. These operational savings will then be reinvested in the programs offered through the Transitional Living Center programs.
The addition of a solar system will complement the energy efficiency improvements made over time and aligns with the organizations commitment to environmental sustainability. Transitions is partnering with Spark Northwest and RE-volv on this renewable energy project. RE-volv is a nonprofit that provides solar financing to nonprofits, houses of worships, and community focused organizations across the United States and trains college student to help nonprofits go solar. Spark Northwest is a nonprofit that accelerates the shift to clean energy in the Pacific Northwest, one community at a time.
Transitions’ Transitional Living Center in Spokane, Washington provides supportive transitional housing for women and children experiencing homelessness. Their housing programs offers a safe environment, time, and services to support transition to permanent housing, regain employment toward the goal of family stabilization and self-sufficiency.
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