The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a first-of-its-kind guide to help states save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting clean energy practices in their facilities, operations and vehicle fleets. 

States spend about 10 percent of their operating budgets on energy bills, yet these costs can be greatly reduced by implementing well-designed energy management and greenhouse gas reduction programs, according to the EPA. For example, in New York, where a 2001 executive order directed state agencies to reduce energy consumption by 35 percent by 2010 relative to 1990 levels, the state saved $54.4 million in energy costs from energy efficiency improvements between fiscal years 2001-2002 and 2003-2004.

EPA's new guide, Clean Energy Lead by Example Guide, helps states identify key strategies, resources and tools best-suited to their energy needs. Each strategy has been tested and is proven to be cost effective, according to an EPA statement. The guide was created as part of EPA's State Climate and Clean Energy Program, which assists states in developing and implementing clean energy policies and climate change solutions.

To download the guide and find out more about the program: http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/index.html