It is the intent of the legislature that the governor shall, in developing plans for the production, allocation, and consumption of energy, give high priority to supplying vital public services including, but not limited to, essential governmental operations, public health and safety functions, emergency services, public mass transportation systems, fish production, food production and processing facilities, including the provision of water to irrigated agriculture, and energy supply facilities, during a condition of energy supply alert or energy emergency. In developing any such plans, provisions should be made for the equitable distribution of energy among the geographic areas of the state.

It is further the intent of the legislature that the governor shall, to the extent possible, encourage and rely upon voluntary programs and local and regional programs for the production, allocation, and consumption of energy and that involvement of energy users and producers be secured in implementing such programs.

Severability—1977 ex.s. c 328: See note following RCW 43.21G.010.