U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on March 16 issued an emergency order that directs TransAlta to keep Unit 2 of the Centralia Generating Station in Centralia, Washington available to operate.
Unit 2 of the coal plant was scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025. "The reliable supply of power from the Centralia plant is essential to maintaining grid stability across the Northwest, and this order ensures that the region avoids unnecessary blackout risks and costs," DOE said.
On December 16, 2025, Secretary Wright issued an emergency order directing TransAlta to keep Unit 2 (729.9 MW) available to operate.
This order is in effect beginning on March 17, 2026, through June 14, 2026.
