WHEREAS, energy is a key component of the Washington State economy, costing citizens and businesses over $9.2 billion per year; and
WHEREAS, growing demand for energy poses significant economic and environmental challenges to Washington state; and
WHEREAS, increased energy efficiency benefits Washington businesses, government, and citizens by controlling costs, improving environmental quality, and supporting sustainable economic development; and
WHEREAS, in January, 1993, the Washington Energy Strategy Committee adopted its report titled Washington's Energy Strategy, An Invitation to Action, which has detailed principles and policy recommendations that can increase energy efficiency, improve environmental quality, and assure adequate, cost-effective energy supplies to support a robust economy; and
WHEREAS, state government has saved millions of dollars in energy costs through increased efficiency, and further efforts to improve efficiency has the potential to add significant savings;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Lowry, Governor of the State of Washington, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby direct:
1. The Washington Energy Strategy shall be the policy framework for energy decisions made by state agencies.
2. The Washington State Energy Office (WSEO) shall be the lead agency for implementing the Washington Energy Strategy. To ensure efficient coordination, the Director at WSEO shall convene an interagency working group, including at a minimum the Directors of their designees of the departments of Transportation, Ecology, General Administration, Corrections, Community Development, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. The working group shall review the recommendations ions of the Washington Energy Strategy, and shall pursue implementation of the most promising policy alternatives.
3. WSEO shall provide a brief annual report on the status of implementing this executive order.