CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to cut their energy use by 10 percent in order to reduce costs for taxpayers and reduce pollution.

"As Governor, I am working every day job is to make sure we are using taxpayer money as wisely as possible and to protect all that is special about New Hampshire for the future," Gov. Lynch said. "By directing state agencies to work to cut their energy use by 10 percent, this Executive Order furthers both of those goals - reducing state government costs and reducing the pollution that threatens the health of our citizens and the health of our environment."

State government is the largest energy user in New Hampshire, with a yearly electric bill of more than $18 million.

"State government should lead by example in increasing energy efficiency. First, it is the right thing to do for our taxpayers. But in addition to helping the bottom line, energy efficiency also reduces air pollution that contributes to health and environmental problems like asthma, smog and unhealthy levels of ozone, acid rain, loss of our scenic views because of regional haze, and climate change. Reducing energy use makes good economic and environmental sense," Gov. Lynch said.

To reduce state government's energy use, Gov. Lynch directed state agencies to take a number of steps including:

* State agencies will be required to purchase equipment, including air conditioners and computers, with an Energy Star rating, unless specifically granted a waiver by the Department of Administrative Services. These products pay for themselves, often in less than a year, by reducing operating costs.

* When constructing or renovating state facilities, state agencies will be required to ensure that the design criteria exceeds the state energy code by 20 percent.


* Every agency will implement a Clean Fleets Program to reduce energy waste and costs in the 4,000 vehicles in the state's fleet. Under the order, all new passenger and light-duty vehicles purchased by the state must have a highway fuel economy rating of at least 27.5 miles per gallon and be certified as low-emission vehicles, with the exception of emergency and law enforcement vehicles. Light-duty trucks must have a highway fuel economy rating of at least 20 miles per gallon.

* Every state agency will designate a coordinator for this effort.

* The Department of Administrative Services will implement an energy information system to measure progress toward the goal of reducing energy and water use, including an energy efficiency rating, for use by each Department to track and report on their energy and water use.

* The new state energy manager, a position included in Gov. Lynch's budget, will oversee the effort and report quarterly to the Governor on progress.

Gov. Lynch will recognize the state agencies that make the most progress toward reducing energy use with an Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award. The first award will be given next July.

Several state agencies, including the Departments of Environmental Services, Administrative Services, Transportation, and Safety and the Office of Energy and Planning, worked together to develop the steps in this Executive Order.

A copy of the Executive Order follows.

# # #



State of New Hampshire

By His Excellency

John H. Lynch, Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 2005-4

An Order For State Government to Lead-by-Example in Energy Efficiency


   WHEREAS, New Hampshire values clean air and clean water and recognizes that protection of our natural resources is necessary for economic growth, and leads to better health and quality of life for all our citizens; and,

   WHEREAS, the use of energy for electricity, heating and cooling, and transportation has a significant impact on public health and the environment, contributing to such problems as ground-level ozone, acid deposition, water pollution, small particle pollution, regional haze, mercury contamination, and climate change; and

  WHEREAS, the State, occupying more than 1,200 buildings, and operating a motor vehicle fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles, is the largest energy user in New Hampshire with heating, cooling, and electricity costs greater than $18 million annually; and

   WHEREAS, improving energy efficiency in State buildings and vehicles will protect public health and the environment, save money, and enhance our quality of life; and

   WHEREAS, New Hampshire State Government has a strong commitment to leading-by-example in such areas as energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, and waste reduction to demonstrate cost-effective solutions to citizens, businesses, and other government jurisdictions.

   NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN H. LYNCH, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, by the authority vested in me by Part II, Article 41 of the New Hampshire Constitution, do hereby order that:

   1. The State of New Hampshire shall reduce energy use in its facilities by 10 percent in accordance with The ENERGY STAR Challenge - Building a Better World 10% at a Time.

   2. All Agencies and Departments shall work with the State Energy Manager whose responsibilities include ensuring that existing State policies regarding energy efficiency and cost-saving measures are fulfilled in accordance with New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 21-I:19-a. The State Energy Manager, through the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), shall provide state agencies with the technical expertise necessary to implement current State policy and the measures identified herein.

   3. DAS shall implement an energy information system to measure progress toward the goal of reducing energy and water use for use by each Department to track and report on their energy usage in accordance with the recommendations of the Energy Efficiency in State Government Steering Committee.

   4. In addition, every Agency and Department that is financially responsible for a state-owned facility shall implement the Energy Information System to track its energy and water usage and shall bench-mark its facility's energy use in accordance with the recommendations of the Energy Efficiency in State Government Steering Committee.

   5. Every Agency and Department shall purchase Energy Star® equipment, including but not limited to air conditioners, computers, appliances, and office equipment, unless justification is provided and DAS approves a waiver of the requirement. DAS shall modify its Request for Bids to specify Energy Star® compliant equipment.

   6. Requests for new construction or renovation shall require design criteria to exceed the state energy code by twenty percent, shall require energy modeling be conducted during the design process, and shall require third party building commissioning in accordance with the recommendations of the Energy Efficiency in State Government Steering Committee.

   7. Every Agency and Department shall implement a Clean Fleets Program in accordance with the recommendations of the Energy Efficiency in State Government Steering Committee, including but not limited to the following components:

a) An anti-idling policy.
b) Highway fuel economy rating requirement of at least 27.5 miles per gallon for all new passenger and light duty vehicles and a highway fuel economy rating of at least 20 miles per gallon for all new light duty trucks except for emergency vehicles and law enforcement.
c) A requirement that all new passenger and light duty vehicles be certified as low emission vehicles in accordance with the recommendations of the Energy Efficiency in State Government Steering Committee.
d) A policy ensuring that the appropriate vehicle is selected for the intended use of the vehicle.
e) A requirement that vehicle purchases be in compliance with the United States Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) if applicable.
f) A waiver procedure for requesting a vehicle not on the approved Department of Administrative Services vehicle list.
g) Additional measures to promote vehicle fuel conservation including but not limited to: encouraging carpooling and teleconferencing, improved preventive maintenance, and use of energy efficient lubricating oils.

   8. Every Agency and Department shall designate a coordinator who will be responsible for tracking implementation of the tasks listed above and who will serve as the contact person for dissemination of information on reducing energy and water use.

   9. The State Energy Manager shall report to the Governor on a quarterly basis the progress on implementing the policies and the measures identified herein. The quarterly reporting to the Governor shall begin in October 2005.

Given under my hand and seal at the
Executive Chambers in Concord, this
14th of July, in the year two thousand
and five and the independence of the
United States of America two hundred
and twenty nine.




______________________________
Governor of New Hampshire