Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board Supports the Providence Health Care Foundation
Centralia, (August 27, 2019) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Board is pleased to announce a grant award to the Providence Health Care Foundation to support the installation of a 99kW roof top solar project on the Providence Centralia Hospital. The Foundation will receive $238,036 from the Energy Technology Board to help fund the replacement of a 25-year old roof which has increasingly required expensive and temporary patching. The new roof will protect the integrity of the hospital building; increase sustainability of the hospital facility, while reducing their carbon footprint; and reduce overhead operating costs and directing revenues to patient care.
The Washington made roof mount system will be installed on the hospital’s flat roof and is expected to produce approximately 94,050kWh annually toward electricity usage at the Centralia hospital and reduce the hospital’s greenhouse carbon dioxide emissions by 38,316 metric tons over the next 25 years.
“The Centralia Coal Transition Board is proud to have the opportunity to bring an alternative energy project to Providence Centralia Hospital, our largest employer in Lewis County”, said Matt Matayoshi, board member. “We look forward to seeing the commencement and completion of the project and learning about the positive impacts not only for the hospital, but for patients.
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.
The Providence Health Care Foundation supports, among other Providence facilities, Providence Centralia Hospital, a 128-bed, not-for-profit hospital providing emergency care, diagnostic, cancer, birthing and surgical services, providing nearly 5,000 hospital admissions and in excess of 260,000 outpatient visits annually.
“We are tremendously grateful for the investment from TransAlta and this grant,” said Dr. Kevin Caserta, site administrator for Providence Centralia Hospital, who also sits on the Foundation board. “This project helps us continue to move toward our vision of Health for a Better World, which includes overall environmental stewardship.”
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, 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.
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