News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 21, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Steve Valandra, General Administration, 360-902-7215

Gov. Gary Locke Presents Excellence in Energy Management Awards

Gov. Gary Locke today presented the 2004 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Energy Management at a ceremony in Olympia.

“We need to continue to educate our citizens and work to nurture clean technologies and industries in our state,” Locke said. “This is a great opportunity to focus on some of the outstanding work that is done by people who share a vision to make sure Washington state is able to maintain a high quality of life for its citizens far into the future.”

Electricity use among state agencies is down by 10 percent and natural gas use is down 21 percent since 2000. The Department of General Administration reports that energy efficiency improvements and better construction by state agencies, school districts and colleges have resulted in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 111,000 tons and saved taxpayers over $7.5 million each year.

Locke recognized state agencies, colleges and school districts that have achieved the most significant and measurable improvements and urged others to continue on the path to a sustainable Washington state – a top priority during his administration.

Recipients recognized today include the departments of General Administration and Social and Health Services; Washington State School for the Blind; University of Washington, Central Washington University and South Puget Sound Community College; and the Kent and South Kitsap school districts.

Other sustainability efforts developed during the Locke administration include:

· Creation of a Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel that laid out an action plan to incorporate energy efficient measures within state government;
· In January 2001, Locke mandated state government agencies to reduce their energy usage by 10 percent saving the state $3 million in the first year;
· Locke signed an executive order in October setting aggressive goals for all new state buildings to be built to green building standards. These standards ensure that state buildings will use energy and resource efficient technologies and achieve up to 30 percent annual savings in utility and operating costs, as well as create more productive workspaces;
· When the legislature convenes, Locke will introduce executive request legislation to require both renewable and energy efficiency planning requirements for publicly owned utilities and propose the adoption of state standards to improve the efficiency of thirteen products. These standards will provide a net value energy savings through 2020 of $425 million – nearly four times the cost of our state capitol renovations;
· The newly rehabilitated state capitol building has gained national recognition for achieving sustainability goals for an historic building. Ninety-one percent of the construction material was recycled, and wood used to protect historic marble was donated to Habitat for Humanity to frame three new homes; and
· The emphasis on sustainability received national recognition and lead to another significant achievement for the Capitol Building. In partnership with Puget Sound Energy, BP and Chelan PUD, the largest solar array in the nation on a state capitol building will be installed. Solar panels will be placed on the fifth floor roof where they will generate enough power to light the dome and lantern. This project demonstrates the practical application of solar energy technology and its compatibility with historic buildings.

For a complete list of Locke’s major accomplishments for a sustainable Washington, please visit http://www.governor.wa.gov/nature/natural.htm.

“I value and deeply appreciate your hard work, your leadership and your long-term commitment to greater efficiency, economic savings, and environmental stewardship,” Locke said as he addressed the award recipients. “The challenges we face in moving toward a more sustainable Washington are significant. But you, every one of you, and the programs you stand behind inspire hope. You make me proud to live in Washington state.”
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Editor’s Note: A complete list of award winners is attached.

2004 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Energy Management


Francis Haddon Morgan Center
Department of Social & Health Services
· This project reduced the Center’s electrical usage by 25 percent;
· Annual utility savings equal $35,000;
· Received $25,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy; and
· The comprehensive project included:
o Lighting;
o HVAC;
o An energy management control system;
o Kitchen equipment;
o Motors; and
o Water conservation.


Washington State School for the Blind
The Washington State School for the Blind is being recognized for its commitment to sustainable design. The recently completed Ogden Resource Center has been designed with the environment in mind – the Center includes the Braille library warehouse and office space.
· The Ogden Resource Center green design elements include:
o A 13 kilowatt photovoltaic system;
o Effective use of natural lighting;
o Recycled content building materials;
o Drought resistant natural vegetation; and
o Green roof design that uses strawberry plants that act as insulation and also collect roof run off.
The School for the Blind’s next building project is a pool and gym building which will also be constructed with sustainability in mind and is being registered with the U.S. Green Building Council, a national green building rating system program.


Division of Capitol Facilities (DFC)
Department of General Administration
· Highlights of the Campus energy program include:
o Aggressively pursuing conservation for more than 10 years;
o Monthly electrical consumption has been reduced by 40 percent from 6.2 million kWh monthly to 3.8 kWh monthly;
o Annual electrical savings of more than 22 million kWh, enough electricity to provide for 1,600 Northwest homes; and
o Annual utility savings of $827,000.
· These dramatic accomplishments were achieved by:
o Large HVAC projects;
o Lighting projects;
o Innovative projects like the heat recovery system that used waste heat in a major data center to warm the incoming air in the Natural Resources Building; and
o Small projects like turning off advertising lighting in vending machines.


South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC)
The SPSCC energy management accomplishments include:
· Maintaining a commitment to energy conservation since 1986;
· In 1986, became the first community college in the state to use private financing to finance energy efficiency projects;
· In 2004, SPSCC continues its long-term conservation commitment with another project that will save 160,000 kWh annually; and
· An annual savings of $28,000.


South Kitsap School District
Over the past five years South Kitsap School District has:
· Reduced its electrical consumption by 4.6 million kWh annually
· Saving $262,000 per year on utility expenses;
· Partnered with Puget Sound Energy to receive $685,000 in utility incentives;
· Installed energy efficient lighting in more than 1.3 million square feet of classroom space; and
· Completed an innovative swimming pool heat recovery system.


Kent School District
The Kent School District is being recognized because of its:
· Demonstrated a long-term commitment to energy efficiency;
· $400,000 annual energy savings from both occupant behavioral changes and capital projects;
· Development and maintenance of one of the most comprehensive resource conservation programs in the state;
· Construction of the first green school, Millennium Elementary, in the state;
· Use of both solar and wind power; and
· Implementation of a very successful water conversation program.


University of Washington (UW)
The UW is being recognized because:
· It has demonstrated a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and the principles of sustainability;
· The university has aggressively pursued conservation initiatives to reduce electrical, gas and water consumption since 1990;
· Seattle campus gas use has been reduced by 10 percent and water consumption has been reduced by 27 percent;
· Has partnered with Seattle City Light to avoid electrical use of 54 million kWh per year. This partnership has allowed the university to avoid $35 million in electrical costs since 1994; and
· The university has also completed successful conservation projects on the Tacoma and Bothell campuses.


Central Washington University (CWU)
CWU’s conservation achievements include:
· A 1998 partnership with a private Energy Service Company to audit the campus for conservation opportunities;
· Nearly $25 million in energy efficiency upgrades to date have been completed using a combination of:
o State Treasurer loans;
o Bonneville Power (BPA) incentives; and
o Capital dollars.
· Natural gas consumption being reduced by 18 percent, electrical consumption has been reduced by 14 percent and there are water savings of nearly 5 million gallons per year; and
· Nearly $4 million in savings as a result of their conservation efforts.


Eleonore Price, Energy Resource Manager*
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Price is being recognized for her continuous dedication in promoting energy efficiency at DSHS facilities throughout the state. Through her efforts DSHS facilities are some of the most energy efficient facilities in state government. DSHS institutions have saved millions of dollars in utility expenses as a result of Price’s efforts. DSHS clients, institutional budgets and the environment have all benefited from her hard work. Price is truly a committed conservationist continuing her conservation career that began in the 1970s with the House Energy and Utilities Committee.

*This is the only energy award that specifically recognizes the energy efficiency contributions of one individual.


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