Washington State Just Outmaneuvered Trump’s Coal Order

New targeted tax in WA aims to keep coal power plant shut down

TransAlta Corporation is keeping its Centralia coal power plant available to operate, as ordered by the Trump administration. But the CEO said it is unlikely to run because of the ample seasonal hydropower supply in the Pacific Northwest. (Photo by Tom Banse)Tax legislation Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Wednesday targets the last coal-fired power plant in the Pacific Northwest. But if the coal tax and a related climate pollution fee work a…

Washington State Just Outmaneuvered Trump’s Coal Order

Trump may have ordered Washington’s last coal-fired power plant to stay open, but it’s unlikely ever to operate ever again thanks to a crafty bit of policy the Evergreen state just passed.Washington’s Governor Bob Ferguson is expected to sign a bill on Wednesday that accomplishes one very narrow goal: It taxes the hell out of any electricity generated by the TransAlta Centralia coal plant, effectively pricing it out of the market.The Centralia p…