In Washington state, coal plant shutdown came with a deal setting up a town for what’s next. Pennsylvania hasn’t seen ideas like this
Centralia, Washington’s coal-fired power plant is closing by the end of 2025.
Pennsylvania’s robust fossil-fuel economy intersects with the drive to cut carbon emissions that fuel climate change. Could Centralia, Washington’s plan hold lessons for an energy transition?
As part of a deal with the state, plant owner TransAlta agreed to set up a $55 million fund to help the community transition.
The Coal Transition Fund was divided into three pots: $25 million for energy technology, $20 million for community and economic development and $10 million for weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades. Grants are awarded by a board made up of people from labor and environment groups and the plant. The board started sending out money in 2016.
Grants have gone to areas such as public safety, conservation, battery research, solar energy and electric buses for schools.
Here are stories of where some of the money is going.
Rachel McDevitt with StateImpact Pennsylvania and digital producer Jeremy Long traveled to Centralia, Washington, where the last coal-fired power plant in that state is scheduled to shut down in 2025.
Watch: Lessons from Centralia, Washington
Under pressure from climate activists to close, the plant agreed to a deadline and put millions in a transition fund. That’s giving Centralia a chance. Can Pennsylvania learn any lessons from Centralia?
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