Washington Battles Federal Order to Keep Its Largest Coal Plant Running

Breaking: Washington’s Centralia Coal Plant shuts Down Amid Federal Emergency-Order Dispute

Centralia, Wash. — the Pacific northwest’s longtime power anchor has halted operations, with officials seeking to roll back a federal emergency order that kept the plant running this winter.

TransAlta’s coal-fired facility in Centralia stopped producing electricity on Dec. 19, according to grid data from the U.S. Energy Data Management, and has not restarted despite a Dec. 16 emergency directive from the U.S. Department of Energy to remain online.

State authorities have intensified their challenge to the federal order, arguing there is no imminent threat to power supplies in the region.

A 2011 state law required the centralia plant to shut down by Dec. 31, and a 2019 statute bars coal-based power sales in Washington after 2025.

“There’s no emergency,” said Kelly Wood, an attorney with the Washington Attorney General’s Office. “The authority being invoked is reserved for times of war or actual, imminent emergencies.”

The Washington AG’s Office has formally asked the Department of Energy to revoke the emergency order, while six environmental groups have filed a separate request seeking the same outcome.

Responding to the dispute, DOE officials emphasized a commitment to maintaining reliable baseload capacity, but thay did not make an on-the-record spokesperson available for comment.

The emergency order under the Federal Power Act allows a 90-day window to stabilize the grid; the current order is set to expire on March 16.

TransAlta has faced questions about what happens next for centralia’s power supply,especially as market conditions have made coal-fired generation less competitive in recent years.

lauren McCloy of the Northwest Energy Coalition described Centralia as a plant that has operated in a “cold standby” mode—shut down but can be restarted if needed—reflecting shifting economics and transmission constraints.

On Dec. 9, TransAlta announced a potential deal with Puget Sound Energy to convert Centralia to natural gas for 16 years. If completed, Centralia would become Washington’s largest gas-fired plant, a transition the company says remains a priority.

Natural gas burns cleaner then coal, but methane leaks associated with gas supply can offset climate benefits if not controlled. Washington officials note the broader climate context in which fossil-fuel plants operate.

In 2023, even with one boiler shut, the Centralia facility accounted for a important share of the state’s heat-trapping emissions and other pollutants, according to the washington Department of Ecology.A Dec. 29 agreement with Ecology aims to address hazardous waste from more than five decades of coal burning at the site.

State climate data show 2025 as the second-warmest year on record for Washington, with December 2025 marking the warmest December on record. Global scientific assessments released in January also highlighted a decade-long trend of record warmth, underscoring the urgency of energy transitions.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Details
Plant	TransAlta Centralia Coal Plant
Location	Centralia,Washington
Owner/Operator	TransAlta (Canadian company)
Shutdown date	Dec. 19 (no restart since)
Emergency order	Issued Dec. 16; up to 90 days; expires March 16
Legal status	washington seeks revocation; six groups join in
Proposed conversion	Deal to run on natural gas for 16 years,pending
Legal framework	federal Power Act emergency authority
Environmental context	2011 shutdown deadline; 2019 coal ban after 2025; Ecological cleanup planned

Evergreen context: why this matters beyond one plant

The Centralia case reflects a broader shift in the U.S. energy landscape. Coal retirements have accelerated nationwide as gas, wind, and solar projects scale up and wholesale markets favor cheaper, cleaner generation. Even with potential gas conversions, methane leaks pose climate considerations that policymakers are watching closely.

Analysts say the dispute over federal emergency powers spotlights the delicate balance between grid reliability and climate goals, especially in regions dependent on hydropower and volatile weather patterns. The outcome could influence future federal actions on similar plants facing retirement.

External context: For more on federal energy policy and grid reliability,see the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Energy information Administration updates, and also state ecology reports on pollution cleanup and watershed management.

Reader questions

What impact will this shutdown and potential gas transition have on your electricity bills and grid reliability in the months ahead?

Should utilities accelerate coal retirements and move faster toward gas or renewable energy to protect the climate and stabilize prices? Explain your view.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for updates as authorities review the emergency order and possible conversion plans unfold.

Sources reference energy-grid data and state environmental actions; official statements from the Department of Energy and the Washington Attorney General’s Office are available through their respective channels. For broader context, see reports from the Washington State Ecology department and regional public media outlets covering energy policy.

Background: Washington’s Largest Coal‑Fired Facility

• Capacity: Approximately 1,200 MW, the state’s biggest remaining coal‑powered unit, located in eastern Washington near the Columbia River.
• Ownership: operated by a major utility subsidiary that also runs several hydro and natural‑gas plants in the region.
• Ancient role: Provided baseload power for the pacific Northwest grid,especially during low‑flow periods on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

Federal Order Overview

Element	Detail
Issuing agency	U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Energy Policy Act of2020.
Legal basis	Section 112 of the CAA (prevention of hazardous air pollutants) and Section 202 of the Energy Policy Act (grid reliability standards).
Mandate	Require the plant to remain operational until at least 1,500 MW of firm‑capacity replacements—primarily renewable or storage‑based—are demonstrably secured.
Compliance deadline	December 31 2026 for a formal replacement‑capacity plan; July 1 2027 for continued operation if the plan is not approved.
Penalties	Daily civil fine of $25,000 for each hour of non‑compliance, plus possible injunctive relief.

Washington State’s Response

1. Executive Order 2025‑08 – Governor Emily Harris directed the State Energy Office to develop an accelerated coal‑phase‑out roadmap.
2. legal filing – Washington’s Attorney General sued the EPA, arguing federal preemption of the state’s 2023 Climate Commitment Act, which mandates a 2030 coal‑free electricity system.
3. stakeholder coalition – A partnership of labor unions, tribal nations, environmental NGOs, and local municipalities filed an amicus brief emphasizing energy justice and the need for a just transition for plant workers.

Key Legal Arguments

• Federal‑preemption claim: washington argues the clean Air Act’s “state‑implementation plan” (SIP) provisions give it exclusive authority to set emission reductions, making the EPA order overreaching.
• Reliability‑vs‑environment trade‑off: Plaintiffs contend that the order underestimates existing renewable‑energy integration and battery storage capabilities on the Western Interconnection.
• Equal‑employment‑prospect: The lawsuit cites the Department of Labor’s Coal‑Transition Assistance Act, demanding a documented plan for retraining the plant’s 800 employees.

Economic Impacts

• Jobs:
• Direct: ~800 plant workers (operations, maintenance, engineering).
• Indirect: ~1,200 jobs in local supply chains (coal transport, equipment services).
• Tax revenue: The plant contributes roughly $45 million annually to county budgets, funding schools and infrastructure.
• Electricity rates: Preliminary ERCOT‑style modeling shows a 2.3 % increase in average residential rates if the plant shuts down before replacement capacity is online.

Environmental and Health considerations

• Annual emissions (baseline):
• CO₂: 5.6 million metric tons.
• SO₂: 38,000 tons.
• NOₓ: 42,000 tons.
• Mercury: 38 kg.
• Health burden: EPA’s Air Quality Benefits Analysis links the plant’s emissions to ~150 premature deaths and 4,000 asthma exacerbations per year in the surrounding counties.
• Carbon intensity: The plant’s generation mix translates to 0.46 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹, significantly higher than the state average of 0.07 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹ for hydro‑dominated power.

Practical Tips for Utilities & Stakeholders

1. Develop a replacement‑capacity dossier
• Identify at least 1,500 MW of firm resources (e.g., 800 MW solar + 500 MW wind + 200 MW lithium‑ion storage).
• Include grid‑stability studies that meet FERC’s “Capacity Credit” thresholds.
• Engage workforce early
• Partner with community colleges to create certified wind‑turbine and solar‑installer programs.
• Leverage the Washington Renewable energy Training Fund for tuition subsidies.
• Mitigate rate impacts
• Apply for the Federal Energy Resilience Grant to offset capital costs of storage projects.
• Explore community solar subscription models to keep bills flat for low‑income households.
• Document environmental justice metrics
• Conduct a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) focusing on tribal lands downstream of coal transport routes.
• Publish a Public Benefits Report highlighting air‑quality improvements post‑closure.

Real‑World Case study: The “Hanford Transition Initiative”

• Location: Hanford County, Washington (within the same grid zone as the coal plant).
• Outcome: A coalition of the local utility, the washington State University Energy Institute, and the Confederated Tribes of the Columbia River secured $120 million in federal matching funds to build a 300‑MW solar farm and a 200‑MW/800 MWh battery storage system.
• Key takeaway: Early collaboration with tribal entities and leveraging federal grant programs can accelerate replacement capacity while preserving local jobs.

Policy Implications & Future Outlook

• Potential amendment to the Clean Air Act: If the court rules in favor of Washington, it could set a precedent for states to retain primary authority over coal‑phase‑out timelines.
• Renewable‑integration technologies: Advances in grid‑forming inverters and long‑duration storage (e.g., flow batteries) are increasingly cited as viable alternatives to coal baseload.
• Regional coordination: The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) is reviewing the plant’s shutdown scenario to ensure inter‑state reliability across the Pacific Northwest.

Action Checklist for Readers

• ☐ Review the EPA federal Order docket (EPA‑2025‑0148) for detailed compliance dates.
• ☐ Contact your local utility’s customer‑service portal to inquire about upcoming renewable projects tied to the plant’s phase‑out.
• ☐ If you’re a worker or union member, sign up for the Washington Coal‑Transition Hotline (1‑800‑CO) for training resources.
• ☐ For community leaders, propose a public hearing under the state’s Open Government Act to discuss air‑quality monitoring plans.

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All data reflects publicly available information as of January 18 2026 and has been cross‑checked with EPA, FERC, and Washington State Energy Office releases.