Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 26, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke extends energy supply alert for conservation and new generation

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today extended for 60 days the energy supply alert he declared on Jan. 26.

The alert:

Allows utilities to use diesel generators to provide more power while imposing strict environmental mitigation requirements
Requires state and local governments to cut electricity and natural gas consumption by 10 percent
Allows Tacoma Power to burn alternative fuels at its steam plant while protecting air quality
In signing the order, the governor said, "It's critical to note that our energy situation remains serious but stable and that we continue to bring new generation on-line for Washington consumers and businesses."

"This extension helps us achieve both significant additional conservation and hundreds of megawatts of new generation to serve our state," he added.

He noted that state and local agencies reduced electrical use by nearly 11 percent in the first three months of the year. Natural gas consumption was down almost 17 percent.

He also complimented consumers and businesses for their conservation efforts. Locke cited The Boeing Co. for reducing its consumption by nearly 17 percent while setting a goal of a 25 percent cut.

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