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Rep. Alexander statement on
Centralia coal mine closure
Rep. Gary
Alexander,
R-Olympia, represents the 20th Legislative District, home to the coal
mine and coal-fired steam-electric plant operated by TransAlta north of
Centralia.
“This is a difficult time for the hundreds of workers affected by the
coal mine shutdown Monday. For many years these men and women have
helped make our communities better places to live and work. Let us keep
them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.
“I am heartened that TransAlta has committed to financially helping its
workers get through the next two months. The company’s leaders have told
me how skilled and dedicated their employees are, and I expect them to
be attractive to other employers in our area.
“TransAlta also has demonstrated that it wants to continue being an
important part of the community, by allocating five million dollars to
help the area economy withstand the loss of these good family jobs. I
would like to leverage these dollars and match them with state and
federal dollars for worker retraining and toward attracting more
diversified industries.
“I know I can speak for my fellow Representative Richard DeBolt in
saying that we will work aggressively to see if there are other economic
uses for portions of the mine site. At the same time, I do not see this
as the end of the coal-mining industry in Lewis County. TransAlta will
continue to seek permits to open West Field as a source of local coal to
help supply the steam plant. And I will work with Representative DeBolt
and other elected leaders to ensure that our community receives
appropriate attention from state and federal officials.”
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