Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 6, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Praises Recommendations in Sustainability Report

Gov. Gary Locke today lauded the findings of the Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel he created last September. Members of the panel presented their report to the governor at a meeting in his office.

The Governor’s Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel is comprised of 25 representatives from the public and private sector. Their goal is to find ways of using human, environmental and economic resources more wisely, including the use of energy-efficient products, recycled materials and conservation programs.

The advisory panel has spent the last year developing a roadmap for the state to ensure vibrant communities, a strong and stable economy, and the protection of natural resources. They have agreed on a vision of achieving a fully sustainable state within one generation – by 2030.

“I am extremely impressed with the work of the sustainability panel,” Locke said. “The report outlines some disturbing trends, but recommends practical, realistic short- and long-term actions we could take to reverse course and arrive at a sustainable Washington.”

In its report titled “A New Path Forward: Action Plan for a Sustainable Washington,” the panel highlighted 11 priority recommendations to Washington state. The recommendations targeted economic vitality, tax policy, natural resource protection and state government performance.

The recommendations include:

· Investing in clean energy and establishing clean energy standards;
· Committing to greenhouse gas reduction targets and mitigation strategies;
· Adopting industry-sponsored “green building” standards for all new state government construction projects;
· Engaging and informing citizens on sustainability; and
· Defining, documenting and communicating the vision and progress of sustainability efforts.

Panel members explained that a successful sustainability strategy will entail participation by the executive branch of state government, the Legislature, the private sector and the public. The panel anticipates broad distribution of its report to draw attention to its concerns and proposals.

“We addressed solutions to current problems and speak to the shared hope of sustaining the quality of life that is special to the Northwest,” said Bradley Smith, co-chair of the Governor’s Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel. “We suggested nothing other than the most effective means to ensure a legacy we can leave for our children and the future generations of our state.”

In September 2002, Locke signed an executive order directing state agencies to establish sustainability objectives and prepare biennial sustainability plans to modify their practices. The executive order also established an advisory council to advise state agencies on how to apply sustainability measures to government operations.

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