At the time the electric emergency appeared in late summer last year, it became evident that the state and region would have to embark on a program of conservation in electric usage which would result in savings approaching 10% over projected normal consumption. In order that state government might clearly establish leadership in this effort, I ordered an extensive program of specific measures to be taken by all state agencies. The results have been remarkable. The statewide total savings for November and December 1973 have been 23% and 28% respectively. On the Capitol campus itself, the savings reached 33% in December.

Now that the crisis has passed for this winter and the more extreme conservation efforts on the part of the general public are no longer needed, it is appropriate that many of the emergency measures which have been required of state agencies would be relaxed. In particular lighting restrictions which have served as prime examples in the overall effort can be lifted at this time.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Daniel J. Evans, Governor of the State of Washington do by virtue of the power vested in me, reaffirm the need for state government to continue to carry out a program to conserve electrical energy in an amount of at least 10%, but hereby modify those specific actions which were designated as emergency measures including:

The return to a more normal situation regarding available electrical energy will not alter the state's continuing conservation program. It does recognize that we no longer need to respond to the emergency which has fortunately passed. Any question about a specific conservation activity, heretofore regarded as an emergency action, being continued under this modified order, will be determined by the State Department of General Administration.