Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board supports Tenino stadium lighting project
For immediate release
Centralia, (May 2, 2017) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to help light up the Tenino School District Stadium with new light-emitting diode (“LED”) lighting. The project will replace the lighting in the stadium from metal halide to LED which reduces the time and risk spent changing lamps on light poles while reducing operating costs by over 40%.
The grant amount of $181,491.00 will be used to upgrade and improve the reliability of the stadium lighting, support the school district’s energy efficiency goals and to provide an enhanced stadium field atmosphere for students, faculty and event attendees. The improvements are getting underway and expected to be completed by the end of July, 2017.
The Weatherization Board was formed as part 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 Tenino School District is deeply grateful for the Weatherization Board’s support of our stadium lighting upgrade, says Joe Belmonte, Tenino School District Superintendent. “In addition to the energy savings, this support will have a positive impact on our students and the many community groups that use our stadium. This grant will pay dividends for many years to come.”
The Tenino School District is a rural public school district that has been in existence since the late 1800’s and serves approximately 1200 students in grades preschool through grade 12. Four schools serve the needs of Tenino students, Tenino High School (grades 9-12), Tenino Middle School (grades 6-8), Tenino Elementary (grades 3-5), and Parkside Elementary (grades Pre-2).
“Improving the efficiency of the lighting in the stadium reduces the energy bill for the school district, improves the quality of lighting for the athletes and protects the environment”, says Mike Lydon, Weatherization Board member. “A mission of the board is to provide funding for projects to improve energy efficiency within Lewis County and South Thurston County. The Weatherization Board is proud to support such a win-win-win project in the community”.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Annual payments for the funding boards have been made for the past five years with the last payment due Dec. 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.
For more information on the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards visit: http://cctgrants.com
Media Inquiries:
Email: coaltransitionboards@transalta.com