Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 12, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces next stage for energy conservation campaign

TACOMA - Gov. Gary Locke today announced the state will link up with Tesoro Petroleum, AK Media and Puget Sound Energy in the next phase of his energy conservation campaign.

"These three companies are certainly doing their part to make a difference and set the example for energy conservation. All three took my conservation call to heart," Locke said in a press conference today.

Tesoro Petroleum will place pump toppers conveying the governor's conservation message in each of its 28 stores in Western Washington.

"Tesoro is proud to help the governor communicate his message to the state's consumers that by conserving energy, we can all play an important role in maintaining an adequate supply of electricity," said Joe Sparano, president of Tesoro West Coast Company.

AK Media has partnered with Tesoro in placing eight billboards around Western Washington.

"By donating our advertising space, we're helping Governor Locke raise awareness and remind consumers and businesses that this is a very real and ongoing problem," said Frank Podany, president of AK Media Washington. "AK Media will shut off lights on all ad spaces where clients have agreed."

Puget Sound Energy also is participating in this campaign by providing each Tesoro station with more than 100 conservation brochures.

"Through the brochures, citizens can better understand the steps they can take to use less electricity and save money," said Tim Hogan, Puget Sound Energy vice president for external relations. "We also intend to expand our efforts and to exceed the challenge the governor set for all of us by reducing usage by more than 10 percent."

Locke also pointed out Washington citizens are listening to his call for conservation.

"Seattle City Light tells me its customers cut power usage by 6 percent last month, and Puget Sound Energy reports a 4 percent reduction in demand since we began this call for conservation in January. It's working."

Locke pointed out the conservation steps he is taking in Olympia, as well as his call for new power generation.

"I have been working closely with companies to bring new generation on line in upcoming months, while receiving extraordinary environmental concessions from those companies. Those companies agreed to take the necessary steps to go beyond my standard of no net pollution increase."

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