State-NewsRICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Gov. Terry McAuliffe says a new Virginia program will help businesses reduce their energy consumption and save money. The Democratic governor announced the launch of the VirginiaSAVES program on Wednesday. The loan program is designed to lowering financing costs for energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and alternative fuel projects. The state is using $20 million in federally-allocated Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds to fund VirginiaSAVES. McAuliffe says helping the public and private sectors save on energy costs is “critical for building a new Virginia economy.” He says the program will encourage investments that will attract new jobs and advanced industries. Local government, institutional, commercial and industrial entities can qualify for the program.