In a contentious development, the U.S. Department of Energy has ordered TransAlta to continue operations at its coal plant in Centralia, Washington, despite a state law that calls for the cessation of coal power generation by the end of the year. This emergency directive, issued under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, mandates that Unit 2 of the Centralia Generating Station remain operational from December 16, 2025, to March 16, 2026. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Washington state officials, who assert that it undermines a decade of efforts aimed at transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller have denounced the order as an exploitation of emergency powers to extend the lifecycle of coal usage in Washington. They emphasized, “Under the guise of ‘emergency powers,’ U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is attempting to force Washington state’s dirtiest power plant to continue burning coal. Let’s be clear: there’s no emergency here.” Their joint statement noted that the TransAlta plant was nearing completion of its shutdown process, which commenced in 2011 as part of a comprehensive agreement involving the state, TransAlta, and environmental advocates. The officials pointed out that the plant’s workforce has already transitioned and that there is no coal left available for combustion.
The criticism extended to the rationale provided by the Trump administration, which links the order to concerns about energy security. Critics fear that this decision will inject uncertainty into Washington’s power market, potentially resulting in increased costs and pollution—contradicting the state’s Clean Energy Transformation Act. This legislation requires all utilities to cease coal-fired electricity generation this year, with goals aiming for greenhouse gas neutrality by 2030 and emission-free electricity by 2045.
Prior to the federal order, TransAlta had announced plans to collaborate with Puget Sound Energy to convert the Centralia facility to a natural gas plant, aligning its operations with Washington’s clean energy goals. However, the federal directive now jeopardizes these plans, raising significant questions about the future energy landscape of the state.
In response to the emergency order, TransAlta stated that it is currently assessing the directive and plans to engage with both state and federal governments regarding its implications. The company reiterated that the coal-to-gas conversion project remains a priority, as announced in December 2025. Further updates regarding the order are expected as more information becomes available, leaving stakeholders anxious about the direction of energy policy in Washington.
