VETO MESSAGE ON E2SSB 5560

May 15, 2009

To the Honorable President and Members,
The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have approved, except for Sections 3, 4 and 7, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5560 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to state agency climate leadership."

Sections 3 and 4 require agencies to use battery operated or electric small-scale powered equipment that is not yet available for commercial or heavy duty use, although it is available for home or light duty use. I am directing the Department of General Administration to examine landscaping policies on the Capitol Campus and develop and implement a plan that will reduce the carbon footprint of landscaping within the 2009-11 biennium, including a pilot project to showcase methods for "green landscaping" of the Capitol Campus.

Section 7 addresses energy audits and high performance buildings. On May 8, 2009, I signed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5854 which directs the Department of General Administration to conduct energy audits and assign energy benchmarks of state buildings. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5854 provides a complete and thorough process to examine state buildings and, therefore, this additional provision is not needed at this time.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Sections 3, 4 and 7 of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5560.

With the exception of Sections 3, 4 and 7, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5560 is hereby approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Christine O. Gregoire
Governor