User:Mrthomas8/WSU Energy Program

Washington State University Extension Energy Program

The Washington State University (WSU) Extension Energy Program is a self-supported department within the University. The program is similar to a consulting firm, and customers include: large and small businesses, public and private utilities, local and state governments, tribes, federal agencies and facilities, manufacturing plants, professional and trade associations, schools, universities, national laboratories, and consumers. Project funding typically comes from federal government agencies, federal power marketing agencies, and several other sources. The program has a staff of approximately 100 people, including energy engineers, energy specialists, technical experts, software developers, and energy research librarians and more. The main office is located in Olympia, WA., with a satellite office in Spokane, WA., and several other smaller work sites in various Washington State locations. budget History The 1970s energy crisis was the impetus for formation of the interim Washington State Energy Office, a precursor to the WSU Energy Program. Gov. Daniel Evans established the WSEO by executive order in 1975. “We can better meet our energy responsibilities, at least temporarily, by the establishment of an administrative and coordinating energy agency within the Office of the Governor,” stated Executive Order 75-11. The new agency was to coordinate energy-related policies and programs, gather energy supply data and forecast energy use for the state. The WSEO was also to coordinate with federal energy agencies, help establish a citizen-based advisory committee on state energy policy, and develop contingency plans for dealing with energy shortages. The executive order transferred to the new office energy-related functions of the state departments of Emergency Services and General Administration. The following year, the WSEO was codified by RCW 43.21F, which expanded the new agency’s duties to include “energy education, applied research, technology transfer, and energy efficiency in public buildings.” In 1981, the state legislature broadened and clarified the agency’s scope to include the Energy Policy Group and established a 1987 sunset clause. Over the next four years, the legislature would added to the WSEO’s responsibilities staff support for the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, the Washington Energy Strategy project, the Energy Partnerships program and the Commuter Trip Reduction program. Faced with a recession and a state budget nearly 2 billion dollars in the red, then Gov. Mike Lowry, cut two-thirds of the WSEO’s X jobs in 1994.