State officials sparks backlash after ordering hazardous plant to continue operating: 'I am concerned'

State officials sparks backlash after ordering hazardous plant to continue operating: 'I am concerned'

The federal government ordered Washington state's last coal-burning power plant to stay open, overriding state legislation banning coal power starting next year. What's happening? As The Seattle Times reported, the U.S. Department of Energy directed TransAlta to keep its Centralia facility running through mid-March 2026. Washington passed its Clean Energy Transformation Act years ago, requiring all utilities to stop buying coal power after 2025.…