DOE/Alliance to Save Energy Powerful $avings Campaign Urges U.S. Consumers to Use Energy Efficiency to Curb Energy Use, Costs
Washington, DC, October 3, 2005 – Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan, in a joint news conference today, urged consumers to use energy more efficiently to reduce demand and soaring energy prices. DOE and the Alliance are continuing to collaborate on the Powerful $avings campaign, which empowers consumers to easily reduce their energy bills.
As part of the ongoing campaign, DOE and the Alliance debuted three new radio public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by Bodman, as well as new print PSAs for the Ad Council’s Energy Hog campaign, now housed at the Alliance.
“The Powerful $avings campaign is aimed at helping consumers reduce their energy bills at home and on the road and helping the nation reduce its overall energy use through energy efficiency,” said Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. “DOE is pleased to continue to bring this important money – and energy-saving message to consumers through its partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy.”
“The Secretary of Energy’s radio PSAs and energy-savings tips provide valuable information to consumers who are using the month of October – Energy Awareness Month – to prepare their homes for a winter of projected record-high energy prices,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “Today’s tight energy supplies and high heating fuel prices make energy-efficiency measures around the house and on the road more crucial than ever.”
In the radio spots, Bodman conveys the message that consumers “have the power” to manage their energy bills and use energy efficiency to ease “the pinch of high energy prices.” The ads cover home heating, gasoline, and ENERGY STAR® products, respectively. One advises consumers to adopt energy-efficiency measures, such as installing sufficient insulation and using a programmable thermostat, to lower winter heating bills. Another focuses on auto maintenance and driving tips in order to get the most out of every gallon of gas. The third PSA encourages consumers to use energy-efficient ENERGY STAR products to cut home energy costs by up to 30 percent.
Also under the Powerful $avings banner, the Alliance has been providing information to consumers on new energy-efficiency tax credits that will be available starting January 1, 2006, under the recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Alliance will soon have comprehensive information on the new tax credits on its website.
The Ad Council’s Energy Hog print ads take a humorous approach at conveying the energy-efficiency message to adults. Featuring the “spokes-villain” Energy Hog – whose energy-wasting ways can be countered with energy efficiency – the ads will be distributed nationwide to newspapers, consumer magazines, and billboard outlets.
By mid-October, the Energy Hog website will be updated for adult homeowners and renters with action-oriented steps for saving energy and reducing energy bills. In early 2006, the Energy Hog campaign will distribute TV, radio, and web banners and undertake outreach to teachers and other groups to increase use of school materials. The website will be expanded with the addition of energy-saving home improvement recommendations for adults, as well as new, exciting games and activities for children.
