Washington State University Extension Energy Program
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Established | July 1997 |
|---|---|
| Director | Georgine Yorgey |
| Location | , |
| Website | www.energy.wsu.edu |
The Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program is a self-supported department within the university. Program staff include engineers, energy specialists, technical experts, and software developers. The program office is located in Olympia, Washington.
Project funding typically comes from federal government and energy-marketing agencies, and other sources. Operating much like a consulting firm, the program's customers include large and small businesses, industrial plants, utilities, government agencies, Tribes, institutions, and schools.
The 1970s energy crisis was the impetus for formation of the interim Washington State Energy Office, a precursor to the WSU Energy Program. Then Gov. Daniel J. Evans established the WSEO by executive order in 1975.
The state established the new agency to coordinate energy-related policies and programs, gather energy supply data, and forecast energy use. The WSEO was also tasked with coordinating with federal energy agencies, helping to establish a citizen-based advisory committee on state energy policy, and developing 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.[2]
The following year, the WSEO was codified [3] and its duties expanded 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 again to include the Energy Policy Group, and established a six-year sunset clause.[4] Over the next few years, the legislature would add 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.[5]
At its peak in 1993, 179 full-time employees worked for the WSEO. Most of the Energy Office's funding came from sources other than the state's General Fund, including the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy.[6] For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1995, state funds accounted for just three percent of the WSEO's $17 million budget.
In 1995, faced with a recession, instability in federal funding, and a state budget nearly two billion dollars in the red, then Gov. Mike Lowry cut two-thirds of the WSEO's jobs. The following year, the state legislature passed a bill that redistributed WSEO functions to other state agencies. In June 1996, the office closed.
WSEO officials claimed credit for accomplishments in three primary areas:
- Encouraging the substitution of energy-efficient products for those that consumed more energy,
- Helping individuals and organizations change the way they used energy, and
- Coordinating energy interests in Washington State government.[7]
WSEO programs related to renewable energy, software, industrial efficiency, education, the EnergyIdeas clearinghouse, and telecommunications were assigned to the Washington State University Extension. Other WSEO programs were transferred to the state departments of General Administration, Transportation, and what was then Community Trade and Economic Development (now Commerce).
The Energy Program was significantly reduced in size and scope due to diminished federal and regional funding in 2013/14.
