Wash. gov orders state offices to cut energy use

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Wash. Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed all state offices to reduce their total building energy use by 20 percent by 2020.

Gregoire signed the executive order last Wednesday, but it was announced by her office Monday.

She says that by increasing the energy efficiency of state buildings, "we have the opportunity to save energy, reduce the costs of government, and make our buildings more comfortable."

Earlier this year, Gregoire joined the governors of Oregon and California, as well as the premier of British Columbia, made a joint commitment to improve the energy efficiency of state buildings, and to adopt the goal of reducing energy use in state buildings by 20 percent by 2020.

The state's Department of Commerce will monitor and report on progress in implementing the executive order.