U.S. government orders TransAlta coal plant to stay online for another 90 days

Advertisement

Advertise with us

CALGARY - TransAlta Corp. says the U.S. Department of Energy has ordered it to keep a coal plant in Washington State online for another three months. 

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.

CALGARY – TransAlta Corp. says the U.S. Department of Energy has ordered it to keep a coal plant in Washington State online for another three months. 

Coal-fired generation had been set to wind down at the Centralia Unit 2 facility by the end of 2025 before the plant was to be retooled to run on cleaner-burning natural gas.

In December, the U.S. government ordered the plant to stay available for operation three months longer than planned, until this week.  

The coal-burning TransAlta plant is shown Friday, April 29, 2011, near Centralia, Wash. Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The coal-burning TransAlta plant is shown Friday, April 29, 2011, near Centralia, Wash. Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The Calgary-based utility says the energy department is now requiring the facility to remain available for another 90 days, until June 14. 

TransAlta says it’s evaluating the latest order and will work with state and federal governments. 

The company has said the switch from coal to natural gas would cut Centralia’s emissions intensity by half. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2026.      

Companies in this story: (TSX:TA)

Report Error Submit a Tip

Business

LOAD MORE