Going Green in the Northwest

Washington state Gov. 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 receive a Silver Rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system established by the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a report in RenewableEnergyAccess.com. (Peterborough, N.H.)

“State government must continue to ensure that our investments in government facilities and operations provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefit,” Locke says. “These actions will help both the environment and taxpayers.”

The order is intended to direct state agencies to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, especially those that help combat global warming, the Web site reports.

The ruling also requires agencies to reduce petroleum use throughout state fleets by 20 percent in five years. Additionally, it calls for a 30 percent reduction in paper use and an increase in use of paper with higher recycled content.