Centralia Coal Transition Board supports Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity
Grant award supports 119.7 kW solar system
Centralia, Wash. (August 5, 2021) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board announced today a grant award in the amount of $112,600 to the Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity. The grant will be leveraged with funding from the Department of Commerce Clean Energy Fund to support the installation of a 119.7kW solar system on the roof of the Habitat for Humanity Store. The store will see an energy savings of approximately $646,565 over a 30-year timeframe, totaling the construction cost of 5 low-income homes.
The store features a metal roof with no potential shading in the surrounding area; the modules will be installed facing east and west following the slope of the roof to minimize cost per watt and will meet peak electricity demand for late afternoon cooling loads in the summer. The project will utilize Washington made products to install 440 modules arranged in six blocks, three blocks on the east side of the roof and three on the west side.
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to provide safe, affordable homes for families who would not otherwise qualify for home loans. Their program specifically targets and serves low-income families.
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.