(CENTRALIA, WA -- The Centralia Coal Transition Grants
Weatherization Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to Lewis
County Public Utility District (“District) to supplement the energy efficiency
programs available to their customers.
The grant amount of $842,250.00 will leverage existing
resources to provide qualified customers with technology to improve their home
efficiency with ductless heat pumps, support K-12 school energy efficiency
improvements as well as supplement existing or pending programs to upgrade
windows, insulation, lighting, lighting controls and other custom projects offered
to District customers.
The Weatherization 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 Mission of the
Weatherization Board is to provide funding of projects to improve energy
efficiency and weatherization within Lewis County and South Thurston County.
“The grant dollars will leverage the opportunities the
District has to offer to improve energy efficiency and weatherization and
directly make a positive impact to their customers, whether it be a customer
household, school or local business” says Shane Bluhm, Weatherization Board Member.
“One of the goals of the board is to support projects that provide cost
effective weatherization solutions that demonstrate an energy cost savings for
those living and working in the local community. The plan outlined in the
District application meets that goal.”
Lewis County Public Utility District is a municipal
corporation of the State of Washington, formed by the people of Lewis County to
provide electric service. The District maintains an Energy Services department
that offers customers a variety of residential, commercial and industrial
conversation programs including a free energy audit.
”Partnering with the Weatherization Board will create local
jobs, allow for investment in schools, and help maximize the value and comfort
from every bit of energy distributed to customers.” – Chris Roden, PUD Power
and Business Services Manager.
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.
