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Storm knocks out power in Washington capital campus

A thick coat of ice is seen on tree branches Friday morning.
The Associated Press
A thick coat of ice is seen on tree branches Friday morning.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The massive snow and freezing rain storm that pummeled the Pacific Northwest has caused a power outage at Gov. Chris Gregoire's office, legislative buildings and other state agencies in Olympia.

Department of Enterprise Services spokesman Steve Valandra says the governor's office and his agency are contacting Puget Sound Energy to find out when the power will be fixed to the state's capitol campus.

He says a diesel-fueled generator is providing back up heat to buildings on campus, but no lights are working.

Valandra says only the state Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Human Services have full back up generators.

Gregoire and lawmakers are in the midst of a 60-day session, but some hearings were canceled on Friday.

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