Hawaii agencies cut electric use by 2.8 percent and saved more than $20 million in energy costs during fiscal year 2010 as the state continued to reap benefits from its push toward energy efficiency.

Last year’s decline in energy consumption marked the third straight year that state departments have cut energy use and was the first time the agencies were able to trim costs from the previous year, according to a recent Lead by Example (LBE) report by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

"BY AGGRESSIVELY pursuing energy efficiency improvements in public buildings, we’re saving the state millions of dollars in electricity costs," DBEDT Direcrctor Richard Lim said in a statement. "The state is leading the by example. New efficienct projects now under way will save millions more."

"For example, energy improvements scheduled for 10 downtown public buildings are expected to save $64 million over the 20-year life of the equipment to be installed."

The LBE report, which was presented to the state Legislature, outlines progress made by state agencies in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, green buildings and environmentally preferable purchasing during fiscal year 2010. It notes that the Energy Services Coalition, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting performance contracting, recognized the state as second in the nation in Energy Savings Performance Contracts for state building efficiency.

Thirteen state buildings have received Energy Star awards, acknowledging they rank in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Seven state buildings are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, and an additional 52 LEED projects are moving toward the goal of certification.

Savings at state buildings, achieved through equipment improvements and solar installations, included $58 million over 20 years for four University of Hawaii community colleges, or almost $3 million a year on average; and $46 million over 20 years for Halawa prisons, or about $2.3 million a year on average.

For the full report, go to hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/state/lbe/stateemployees.