http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/03/05/phase-out-for-washingtons-biggest-polluter/Washington’s biggest emitter of air pollution, the Trans-Alta coal plant in Centralia, will soon cut its nitrogen oxide emissions and then permanently shut its giant boilers in 2020 and 2025, in a far-reaching accord announced Saturday.
...
The Trans-Alta plant is a big employer in economically hard-hit Lewis County, a source of family wage union jobs. But it is the state’s largest emitter of air pollution, greenhouse gases and mercury.
...
Environmental groups had sought shutdown of the coal boilers by 2015, with a possible extension to 2017. The accord says the first boiler will go down on Dec. 31, 2020, and the second five years later.
Trans-Alta gets the ability and assurance to negotiate long-term power sales agreements while the coal-burning plant remains in operation.
But Trans-Alta has committed to install, by 2013, new pollution control technology to further reduce its nitrogen oxide emissions.
Trans-Alta will commit $50 million to a community investment fund to help with energy efficiency projects and $25 million to an energy technology fund.
...
The Trans-Alta work force stands to get a soft landing. Its average age is just over 50, meaning the 10-to-15 year phaseout will carry many employees to retirement age.