No matter how carefully your EECBG and SEP projects might be designed, their successful implementation can often hinge on how well you are able to connect with the people in your community and promote your efforts. This is true for projects like retrofit loans and bike-share programs where community uptake is implicit to the project. It is also true, however, for even basic retrofit projects that occur out of the public eye, since public support for the spending of public money can greatly influence the discussion about the value of efficiency measures generally.
Amplifying a positive, consistent and convincing message can be a challenge, and many cities and counties do not have communications staff dedicated to that task. With that in mind, the DOE has recently issued a Communication Resource Kit which provides a wealth of information and best practices, including a sample press release and media advisory, aimed to help you get the message out.
Department of Energy
• Communications Resource Kit –
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/pdfs/sep_eecbg_media_resource_kit.pdf
• Signage/Poster Templates --
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/pdfs/sep_recovery_act_poster_24x36.pdf
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/pdfs/sep_recovery_act_8-5x11.pdf
In addition to utilizing the Communications Resource Kit, another cost-saving recommendation is to connect with your neighboring cities and counties to see if there is an opportunity to pool resources and share a common message. This is what the some folks in the metro area of Des Moines have been doing as part of their EECBG grant activities, and it’s a great peer-matching opportunity that your local technical assistance regional coordinator could help facilitate.
Here are some more resources that you may find useful:
ENERGY STAR
• ENERGY STAR Challenge Tool Kit Website -- With information on how to co-brand materials for your organization
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=challenge.challenge_toolkit
• The ENERGY STAR Pledge Campaign --
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=globalwarming.showPledge
Press Contact: Maria T. Vargas, (202) 343-945, vargas.maria@epa.gov
Residential
• ACEEE Home Energy Checklist
http://www.aceee.org/files/pdf/Checklist.pdf
http://www.aceee.org/consumer/home-energy-checklist
Contact: Phone: (202) 507-4000
• Alliance to Save Energy -- “Energy Hog” Videos and Website
http://ase.org/programs/energy-hog
http://livingefficiently.org/story/exterminate-energy-hogs
http://www.energyhog.org/adult/adults.htm
http://www.energyhog.org/childrens.htm
ASE Media Contact: Ronnie Kweller, 202-530-2203, rkweller@ase.org
• MidAmerican Energy -- Top Ten Energy Efficiency Tips
http://www.midamericanenergy.com/ee/ia_res_tips_topten.aspx
Media contact: Ann Thelen, 515-281-2785, athelen@midamerican.com
• NYSERDA -- Energy Action at Home Guide Book
http://www.getenergysmart.org/Files/Schools/EEAH%202009-opt.pdf
Media Contact: Jeffrey Grodong, 518-862-1090 ex 3544, jrg@nyserda.org
• PG&E 123 Energy Savings Tools
http://www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/shared/saveenergymoney/rebates/123energysavings.pdf
Media Contact Number: (415) 973-5930
• SCE: CFL sheet
http://asset.sce.com/Documents/Residential%20-%20Rebates%20and%20Savings/CFLFactSheetFinal1001.pdf
• SCE: Residential Tips
http://www.sce.com/tips/residential/default.htm
• SCE: Residential Energy Guide
http://asset.sce.com/Documents/Shared/08Apr_ResidentialEnergyGuide.pdf
Media Contact: (800) 600-4723, 626-302-2255, mediadesk@sce.com
Commercial
• Ameren-Its Good for Business Energy Efficiency Brochure
http://www.ameren.com/sites/aiu/source/Business/Documents/ADC_BusEnergyEfficiencyBrochure.pdf
Media Contact: Leigh Morris, 217-535-5228, lmorris@ameren.com
• EEI: Energy Efficiency Tips for Commercial Customers
http://www.eei.org/ourissues/EnergyEfficiency/business/Pages/CommercialTips.aspx
EEI Media Relations: 202-508-5000, news@eei.org
• ENERGY STAR: Executive Energy To Do List
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/ExecutiveToDoList.pdf
• PG&E: Energy Saving Tips for Business Customers
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/tips/smallbusiness/
General Energy Efficiency Program Resources
• ACEEE: Visible and Concrete Savings -- Case Studies of Effective Behavioral Approaches To Improving Customer Energy Efficiency
(You must create a free login to access this report).
http://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/e108.pdf
One outreach and communications tool that is becoming increasingly popular among local cities and counties, and states, is social-media. Join us for a special webinar on the ways EECBG and SEP grantees are using social-media on May 26th from 1pm-2:30pm Eastern.
Do you have any bright ideas for how best to communicate with the folks in your community? Add them in the comments section below!
Content for this blog post courtesy of Zach Abrams, North-Central Regional Coordinator, ICF International