The State of Oklahoma has launched 20%x2020, a statewide energy savings program that seeks to reduce energy use in state agency buildings by 20 percent by 2020.
20%x2020 is the first program of its scope in any state government. It was conceived by Gov. Mary Fallin, who signed legislation in 2012 creating the initiative, and the Legislature as a way to lower government utility costs in order to reduce overall state spending and free up resources for core government services.
“State government has a lot of room to be more responsible with its energy usage,” Fallin said. “Every dollar saved on energy costs is a dollar better used back in the hands of taxpayers or by core government services. We believe this is the most ambitious behavior-based energy savings program any state government has undertaken, and we are committed to its success.”
State agencies will participate in 20%x2020, which is part of Fallin’s Oklahoma First Energy Plan and will be administered by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The program has a dedicated website, 20x2020.ok.gov, that beginning later this year will allow agencies and the public to track monthly agency utility spending throughout the entirety of the initiative.
20%x2020 projects agency energy cost reduction potential of at least $150 million by 2020, with additional cost reduction potential in subsequent years, using 2012 agency energy usage as a baseline. Establishing the specific 2012 baseline will be 20%x2020’s first task in partnership with state agencies.