Thursday, October 1, 2026
Environmental groups and state leaders are condemning an emergency order by the Trump administration to forcibly extend operations of Washington state’s last functioning coal plant past its scheduled retirement.
Opponents of the move said the order’s claims of pending blackouts if the Centralia Generating Station is closed are not aligned with reality.
Jessi Eidbo, senior Beyond Coal campaign adviser for the Sierra Club, said plans have been set by TransAlta, which owns the plant, and state agencies since 2011, to retire the plant at the end of this year. The site is now set to begin transitioning to gas-burning.
"TransAlta doesn't want this. Nobody in the community wants this," Eidbo contended. "This agreement was settled a long time ago with the folks who actually live and work there, and know the facility, and know what the energy needs are in this market space."
Analysis from Grid Strategies estimated keeping the Centralia generation station online will cost the state $65 million per year and costs will likely fall to ratepayers in the region. The Trump administration gave six other similar orders around the country in 2025.
Eidbo explained the administration is using a section of the Federal Power Act meant for acute emergencies, like extreme weather, to keep the grid running. While the law allows the orders to last up to 90 days, she noted they have historically never been imposed for longer than a week.
"It's an extraordinarily arbitrary amount of time," Eidbo argued. "Ninety days is not in response to something that folks in this part of Washington are experiencing, are expected to experience through March 16 of (2026)."
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and other state leaders issued a statement accusing the Trump administration of ignoring the law and facts on the ground. Eidbo added the Sierra Club is taking legal action against similar orders in other states and will be pursuing legal action in Washington as well.
Editor's note: Story and photo courtesy of Public News Service.
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Boatyarddog
FK TRUMP!! shut That Thing Down. TRUMP IS INSANE and to be removed soon. FKIN CRIMINAL!!!
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
turtleman
Simple solution, keep it open but stop ordering coal from Wyoming. Nothing to burn, no air pollution.
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
chrispc2u
Everything the orange dotard does is outside the law, like stealing Venezuela’s oil. It’s the administration of regression, not progression and all out of spite because he lost to Biden. Today is the anniversary of the insurrection he caused that killed 5 capitol lawn enforcement officers but you wouldn’t know it according the alter fake reality posted on the White House website. Get this dangerous, murderous felon out of office before he kills us all.
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
Callie
I understand that there already WAS no coal supply on hand, and the gas conversion is halfway done.
Wednesday, January 7 Report this
JulesJames
Everyone just smile and nod. Convert the plant to gas, then invite Donnie out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Thursday, January 8 Report this