| Governor Bobby Jindal today released the following executive order to make state government more environmentally friendly.
Jindal said, Louisiana is a beautiful state, rich in natural resources, including our beautiful waterways and rivers, forests and wide open spaces. It is incumbent upon our generation to ensure our children enjoy these same abundant resources and that they remain safe and clean for generations to come. This responsibility is also held by our government leaders and should apply to the functions of state government; and therefore, this executive order works to ensure that we take simple and common-sense measures to ensure the operations of our government are environmentally friendly.
Commissioner Angele Davis said, Just as we take steps to make sure that state government makes more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, state government must also be more efficient users of those resources entrusted to us by nature herself. I approach my task of implementing Governor Jindal's bold initiative with the understanding that saving natural resources can work hand-in-hand with long-term savings to taxpayers.
Green Government Environmentally Friendly Executive Order
WHEREAS, efficacy should apply to all areas of state government and state government should be a leader in energy efficiency and conservation and demonstrate the benefits of adopting such practices;
WHEREAS, Louisiana is blessed with abundant natural resources and state government must act as a steward of those gifts, in accordance with the Louisiana Constitution, Article IX, Section I;
WHEREAS, energy efficiency and conservation are essential components of responsible fiscal management;
WHEREAS, the promotion and use of non-conventional and renewable energy sources will promote energy efficiency and conservation;
WHEREAS, efficient and effective waste management conserve tax dollars and natural resources, and reduction of waste and recycling of what would otherwise be waste are proven waste management strategies;
WHEREAS, several steps toward a greener state government have already been taken, such as agency-initiated office recycling programs, use of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, and design and construction of state office buildings to ensure energy efficiency;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Bobby Jindal, Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:
SECTION 1: The Division of Administration, in consultation with state agencies, shall set energy efficiency goals for state facilities, office buildings or complexes for Fiscal Years 2009, 2010 and 2011 by July 30, 2008. I further direct the Division of Administration and state agencies to use all existing statutory authority in implementing measures to achieve these energy goals.
SECTION 2: The Division of Administration, in consultation with state agencies, shall establish programs for energy analysis of state-owned buildings and identify opportunities for reduced energy use. In addition, any state agency responsible for state-owned facilities shall examine the feasibility for a performance contract for energy and operational cost savings under R.S. 39:1496. The Division of Administration will provide centralized reporting and coordination of comprehensive capital energy improvements.
SECTION 3: Each department of the executive branch of state government shall adopt a program to reduce solid waste, including but not limited to adopting paperless office programs. Likewise each department will adopt a recycling program with emphasis on single stream recycling so as to increase compliance. The Division of Administration in consultation with state agencies shall establish waste reduction goals.
SECTION 4: The Division of Administration shall review its purchasing practices to ensure 100% compliance with existing state requirements related to energy conservation, to adopt best energy purchasing practices and to develop or increase standards for such products as appliances, light bulbs, smart chargers, and computers using Energy Star as a minimum standard.
SECTION 5: The Division of Administration, in consultation with state agencies, shall develop average fuel economy goals for the state automobile fleet and take necessary measures to assure that those goals are met by 2010. These measures should include expanding the number of hybrid and other fuel efficient vehicles as well as alternative fuel vehicles on the list of vehicles on state contract.
SECTION 6: Each state agency shall assign a lead person to work with the Division of Administration in the development of the sustainability and energy efficiency goals, the budget and management review, the purchasing of alternative and renewable energy, and the implementation of the sustainable building guidelines.
SECTION 7: The Commissioner of Administration in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources shall create an information campaign to disseminate to other departments best methods and practices regarding energy efficiency and conservation and the benefits of adopting such practices. This campaign must be updated annually to include the latest innovations and best practices.
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