Gov. Mary Fallin says Oklahoma has made strong effort to improve energy efficiency

• The adoption of mandatory statewide building energy codes and the formation of a Uniform Building Code Commission.

Fallin said the legislation on reducing state energy costs came from a statewide energy plan developed with Oklahoma Energy Secretary Mike Ming, who also attended the event here Wednesday.

Ming said the state is now working toward setting benchmarks for agencies from which progress on energy efficiency can be measured. Fallin estimated that the effort could save up to $500 million by 2020.

“We want to do those things because not only do we save our taxpayers money, but it's also a shame to waste our natural resources,” she said. “We should always be good stewards of the resources that we have.”

Massachusetts Energy Undersecretary Barbara Kates-Garnick explained her state's top ranking, saying it no domestic energy resources except for renewables and is particularly vulnerable to volatility in prices and supply. The state has passed legislation to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, she said.