In 1950, the world population was 2.5 billion. In 2024, the number will reach 8 billion. Since 1960, the population has increased by one billion every 15 years. The demands of this growth are relentless and must be addressed.
Everyone deserves food, clothing and shelter. Heating and cooling, transportation, digital access, personal hygiene and education have become essential to modern life. To achieve them, abundant energy is essential. How the world provides for the growing demand for energy will define everyone’s future.
The profound impacts of future energy production is why I totally support the development of an energy park on the Big Hanaford. The coal mine and power plant were just the first steps. It met the needs of the times. Now, we are on the cusp of the next phase: the need to provide more energy with a smaller environmental footprint. There are already wind turbines. The next step is the development of a hydrogen facility. There will certainly be other alternatives and developments. Other industries will follow.
The advantages of the developments on the Big Hanaford, particularly with the incredible financial investment of Fortescue and other companies, will yield incredible benefits for those of us who live in Centralia and Lewis County. A significant component of the worldwide demand for green energy development will be in our backyard. Our children will have a front row seat in the crafting of a new world. An incredible working laboratory will be in our district. It promises to be an exciting time. New science, new technology and new discoveries will be daily events. Our future, once based in agriculture, timber and coal, will add an incredible new component to our daily lives, our economy and our future.
The developments at TransAlta will have a profound effect on Centralia taxpayers and the Centralia School District. Once the mine and power plant paid nearly a third of all Centralia School District taxes. The construction of the hydrogen facility and the anticipated additional facilities will likely lead to $2-3 billion of locally taxed property, minimizing the effect not only on school district taxes but all other local taxing districts.
For our students and our staff, they will have a world class, cutting edge laboratory in their backyard. The district is in the process of restructuring our curriculum to include an understanding of energy in all grades and the development of classes and programs to allow our students to choose educational training in all components of the green energy revolution. From the trades to sophisticated graduate programs, the future holds incredible opportunities. We will create an opportunity for our students to participate in this new industry. We will create an opportunity for our students: a world with a vision of a great future for them and their families.
Our future is very bright. We need to embrace it. We applaud Fortescue and the industries that will follow. The Centralia School District will be an active and committed partner.
Tim Browning
President, Centralia School Board
