Washington Governor Sets Sustainability Standards
OLYMPIA, Washington, October 28, 2004 (ENS) – Washington Governor Gary Locke has signed an executive order directing that all new state buildings be built to green building standards and that those over 25,000 square feet be certified to a Silver Rating in the LEED rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council. It also directs agencies to reduce petroleum use throughout state fleets by 20 percent in five years and directs an additional 10 percent reduction of energy use by state facilities on top of the 10 percent ordered in 2001 by Locke. Additionally, it orders a 30 percent reduction in paper use and an increase in purchases of paper with higher recycled content. "State government must continue to ensure that our investments in government facilities and operations provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefit," Locke said. "These actions will help both the environment and taxpayers." Locke previously issued an executive order on sustainability in 2002. It required agencies to adopt sustainability plans and modify their business practices toward the goals of shifting to clean energy, minimizing energy and water use and eliminating waste and toxics in the products we purchase. Locke also called for more action in the […]